My Last Purchase - Help Me Decide

[gsokk]

I’m blessed to have such a great gun collection but one son is starting his junior year in HS and another starting 6th grade so it’s time to shift all resources to 100% college.

I’ve been on a Freedom Arms kick the last five years and want to add one more before the college applications go out. Possible candidates are:

M83, 41 mag, 5 inch octagon barrel, round grip, fluted cylinder 
M97, 44 special, 4.75 inch octagon barrel square grip
M97, 17 HMR,  7.5 inch barrel, no frills
M97, 224 10 inch octagon barrel, fluted cylinder, square grip 

i’m proud to own

FA M97:
22 caliber 4.25 inch barrel, square grip
327 federal, 4.25 inch barrel, round grip, fluted cylinder 
357 mag, 4.25 inch octagon barrel, round grip, jeweled hammer and trigger
44 special, 3.5 inch octagon barrel, round grip
41 mag, 4.25 inch octagon barrel, round grip, jeweled hammer and trigger
45 colt , 4.25 inch barrel, square grip
45 colt, 5.5 inch octagon barrel, square grip

FA M83:
454, 6 inch octagon barrel, square grip, inverted crown, ETA November 2024
50  WE, 5.5 inch barrel, round grip, jeweled hammer
475, 4.75 inch barrel, square grip
44 mag packer, 4 inch barrel, round grip, fluted cylinder 

i thought about both the 17 HMR and 224 to round out the calibers. Leaning towards the M83 in 41 mag, as a NE PA woods gun. 230 grain buffalo Bore hard cast outdoorsman load in the M97 gets challenging for me not to flinch but in the M83 seems like a good choice but have other choices.

Anyway, a bit long but felt context was needed: Any suggestions, advice, opinions? Thank you everyone.

[potatojudge]

I have a 10 inch octagon 97 in 357 and it handles really well. Still lightweight and balances nicely.

The smaller bore would mean a heavier barrel, so I can't comment on your choice there. I'd love to handle and shoot a 44 or 45 97 in a 10 inch barrel.

If I was getting an 83 in 41 the barrel would be longer than 5 inches.

[dobegrant]

Why not a .44 mag, doesn’t seem to be one in your collection

[Odin]

There's a Field Grade M83 in 41 Mag over on the Ruger Forum classifieds right now. Six inch. Sub 2k. Appears to be listed by a member here, mhblaw.

[gnappi]

So you know I was in a similar situation when my son was in your sons' age bracket. For me my buying during those years was more of a hiatus than a stoppage, you may find the same situation... ultimately :-)

[mhblaw]

FA 83 41 mag. SPF.

[45MAN]

BEING SEVERAL GUNS BEYOND "MY LAST GUN PURCHASE" MY ONLY ADVICE IS: DON'T WORRY, ITS NOT GOING TO BE YOUR LAST.

[weiler]

Aug 20, 2024 17:23:57 GMT -5 45MAN said:

BEING SEVERAL GUNS BEYOND "MY LAST GUN PURCHASE" MY ONLY ADVICE IS: DON'T WORRY, ITS NOT GOING TO BE YOUR LAST.

I’m turning 36 this year and feel my bases are covered on guns, good thing the bases change right?!

[Encore64]

Aug 20, 2024 18:34:49 GMT -5 weiler said:

Aug 20, 2024 17:23:57 GMT -5 45MAN said:

BEING SEVERAL GUNS BEYOND "MY LAST GUN PURCHASE" MY ONLY ADVICE IS: DON'T WORRY, ITS NOT GOING TO BE YOUR LAST.

I’m turning 36 this year and feel my bases are covered on guns, good thing the bases change right?!

I was worn out when you were born. Still looking to experiment, learn and share.

Knowledge is the only thing we can share in unlimited amounts and never realize a loss...

[bigbore5]

97 in 22lr. You'll probably shoot it more than any of the others.

[rjm52]

In looking at your lineup, I think the hole would be best filled by the 83/.41...

I have the 4.25"/97/.41 and it is an unpleasant handful with loads over 220 grains. The 6"/83 eats anything you can put in it and is all day shootable with the heaviest loads...

Bob

ps...I have a 7.5"octagon/97/.224 and unless you do a LOT of small game/varmint shooting...I would not bother. Making the brass is a PITA...

[reflex264]

Of your choices I would have to go the M97, 44 special, 4.75 inch octagon barrel square grip.
I love the 44 Special cartridge and the M97 is like fine art.

[crazyhorse]

I would get the M97, 224 10-inch octagon barrel, fluted cylinder, square grip to add to the collection since you have so many larger calibers already. It would be a fun one to shoot I believe

[drycreek]

Not that I enable, but a .44 Special or a .41 mag is hard to beat. You’ll want to reload for either of them and they are both fine, capable cartridges. The .44 Special is a joy to shoot and the .41 is a fine hunting round if you hunt. Either way, you’ll be happy I expect. Good luck and good shooting !

[singleaction]

While I’m not a big fan of the 97 grip, I recently put my second 4.75” 97 44 special, on layaway. The first one didn’t stick around long, but, for this one, I’m going to have a set of grips made up with flattop checkering, and see if that is the ticket. I vote for a 4.75” 44spl. An octagon barrel would certainly add some uniqueness, for sure. It seems to me like the 97 and the 44 special go together like beans and cornbread.