gregs
.30 Stingray
Posts: 457
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Post by gregs on Mar 16, 2024 1:11:52 GMT -5
If you do get one, consider a 45 ACP cylinder.
I started with a 7.5" 475. Great for hunting but sucks when you just want a woods bumping pistol on the belt.
I ended up picking up a 4.75" 83 in 454 with the acp cylinder. Love it.
Was thinking of a 97 in 22 but ran across a good buy on an 83 with 7.5" LR/Mag and like it alot.
Still have a hankering for a 97 and might pick one up in 41. Problem is I won't invest until I get my 2x mitts on one.
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Post by Encore64 on Mar 16, 2024 5:24:57 GMT -5
If you do get one, consider a 45 ACP cylinder. I started with a 7.5" 475. Great for hunting but sucks when you just want a woods bumping pistol on the belt. 100%!!! I consider my FA83 454 Casull/45 ACP (Auto Rim) to be my most versatile revolver. 454 Casull uses Small Primers, 45 Colt uses Large Priners. 45 ACP Brass is available with both size primer pockets. Gun will also chamber and fire 45 Cowboy, 45 Schofield and 45 Auto Rim. I like versatility. We just never know what the future holds.
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Post by wyomingnimrod on Mar 16, 2024 8:55:46 GMT -5
Gentlemen, I appreciate all the feedback. I called Lori the other at FA and ordered a 4.75” barreled .454 with tan micarta grips and express rears and fiber optic fronts and an acrion/trigger job. 20 month wait here we come. There are faster routes to ownership andless expensive ones too, but I figure this will scratch the itch while protecting my current resources a bit longer. Plus it’ll be nice to directly support the business and they’re only about 45 mind away from me. All that being said, I can’t stop perusing GunBroker and similar websites and am seeing some good deals out there on 83’s and a few 97’s, you guys are probably looking too. Maybe I should post a few in the links section for folks.
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Post by harold89 on Mar 16, 2024 10:34:58 GMT -5
After reading your post and the responses, I’ve decided to try the 97 again, built similar to your 83 for barrel length and grip color. The lighter loads in the 97 were agreeable enough and I’m thinking this might be the way to go for 45 ACP versus adding another cylinder to my 6” 83 454. It’ll be a good wait but do be sure to update later with pictures of your new gun, it should be most excellent and quite a looker.
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foxtrapper
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,709
Member is Online
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Post by foxtrapper on Mar 16, 2024 10:51:07 GMT -5
Any love for the FA 2008 single shot?? Got my eye on one!
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Post by wyomingnimrod on Mar 16, 2024 11:48:25 GMT -5
After reading your post and the responses, I’ve decided to try the 97 again, built similar to your 83 for barrel length and grip color. The lighter loads in the 97 were agreeable enough and I’m thinking this might be the way to go for 45 ACP versus adding another cylinder to my 6” 83 454. It’ll be a good wait but do be sure to update later with pictures of your new gun, it should be most excellent and quite a looker. I bet you’ll love that arrangement. What was your 97’s configuration before and did you like or dislike about it?
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Post by harold89 on Mar 16, 2024 19:58:22 GMT -5
It was a 5.5” 97 44 Special. When I fired upper level loads, my knuckle crashed the trigger guard. Lower level loads were fine. This was my 2nd FA with my first being an 83 FG 357 7.5”. I sold that revolver before I became aware of its true potential and not being enamored by so long a barrel. Thinking I would only own one, at that point in time, it became clear that what I really wanted was a 6” 83 with a bullet diameter much larger than .357”. Since then, I’ve discovered it’s simply not possible to have just one.
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Post by Encore64 on Mar 16, 2024 20:03:18 GMT -5
The 44 Special and 45 Colt both get lively with +P Loads.
But, are made to carry and have no peers in that capacity.
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Post by harold89 on Mar 16, 2024 20:17:45 GMT -5
Good to know, and I’m thinking I’ll use the 45 ACP cylinder most of the time as I really like that cartridge for target shooting on steel plates. If I develop a hunting load, it’ll likely be quite sedate & for close range opportunities where I’ll enjoy the 97s diminutive size.
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gregs
.30 Stingray
Posts: 457
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Post by gregs on Mar 17, 2024 16:03:04 GMT -5
Still doing cast load development for the 454. Got an MP 452-340 I'd like to try if it fits. The Hornady 300 mag bullet is presently doing carry duty if needed. The 45 acp is running AN MP 452-200 hp that will easily print 3" off hand @ 50 with my bad eyesight.
Got an extra Leupold Delta Point and 83 mount plate laying around and am planning to try it out on it. I really like it on the 7.5" 83 in 22. Just need to modify the leather.
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rjtodd
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 9
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Post by rjtodd on Mar 19, 2024 19:16:12 GMT -5
I greatly appreciate everyone’s responses and details regarding their preferences and experiences. And I really really appreciate that no one has ever said anything at all to the effect of “you don’t need another gun.” You guys are the best! Don’t be ridiculous. Of course you need another gun. I bought two FA 83s in 475L having never shot the first one. Hoping I live long enough to retire. If I don’t, I sure enjoy looking at them! Guns never decide they don’t love you anymore!
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Post by wyomingnimrod on Mar 19, 2024 20:24:44 GMT -5
Well said! How do you like your .475’s and what differences did you go for between the two models?
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Post by wyomingnimrod on Mar 20, 2024 0:02:29 GMT -5
I have a FA .454 6” bbl and love it and have ordered another with a 4.75” bbl and express sights, but can’t stop thinking about if it should be .475 Linebaugh instead. Lots of good reasons for it not to be, but it just seems so cool.
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Post by rjm52 on Mar 21, 2024 12:32:37 GMT -5
Sometimes when you can buy the right used base gun, one can send it back to FA and have back what one wants in 2-3 weeks...
Just have to add up the cost of the modifications and add it to the base gun price plus shipping...
Found a 83/.41/6.5" that had already been back to the factory to be round butted... Bought the gun for $1850 and had it back in three weeks with a 4.75" barrel...for about $2100+- total. At the time one of the big FA dealers had the exact same gun but with black Micarta grips for $3k...
Bob
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Post by wyomingnimrod on Mar 21, 2024 12:56:02 GMT -5
Sometimes when you can buy the right used base gun, one can send it back to FA and have back what one wants in 2-3 weeks... Just have to add up the cost of the modifications and add it to the base gun price plus shipping... Found a 83/.41/6.5" that had already been back to the factory to be round butted... Bought the gun for $1850 and had it back in three weeks with a 4.75" barrel...for about $2100+- total. At the time one of the big FA dealers had the exact same gun but with black Micarta grips for $3k... Bob Wise words, and you’re so right, though I haven’t done that yet. I’ve run the numbers and unless I get the base gun for about the same price as yours it ends up being basically the same price as a new one once I get the barrel cut or replaced, sights changed, grips changed, action tuned, etc. BUT, sometimes a screaming deal pops up and I’m sure I’ll end up going that route. If I could find a 83 in .454 or .475 for $1000-$1400 we’d seriously be in business. And I wish I could find 97’s in that range but that seems to be extremely unlikely.
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