dmize
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,825
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Post by dmize on Sept 20, 2011 12:51:47 GMT -5
Uhhhh Ummm WOW Lee.......................... ;D
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Post by whitworth on Sept 20, 2011 13:01:39 GMT -5
Oh, it's so. But I'm certainly not suggesting it's a bad thing. They're a premiere casting company, hands down. If anything, that's a plus for FA. -Lee www.singleactions.comI know, and I couldn't agree more. I think FAs are exceedingy fine revolvers, but my preference still lies with a good custom. But, that's just me.
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dmize
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,825
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Post by dmize on Sept 20, 2011 13:03:50 GMT -5
Ok so who casts their frames? I looked twice and still didnt see.
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Post by AxeHandle on Sept 20, 2011 13:10:10 GMT -5
There is no solid line, no black and white. Mechanical perfection, to the extent it can be achieved, is very expensive. Raw materials play a significant role in price and the finished product too. I've held a custom or two that lock up as hard as is mechanically possible this side of welding the cylinder to the frame! Most of my FAs, bought used, cost me at least $1000 less than the used top drawer customs I am comparing them too... Starts looking like to me that it is hard not to choose the FA over a custom that is anywhere near the equal of the FA.. My personal problem is that over and over I choose BOTH!
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Post by Lee Martin on Sept 20, 2011 13:44:44 GMT -5
Ok so who casts their frames? I looked twice and still didnt see. Pine Tree Castings. A division of Ruger. -Lee www.singleactions.com
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dmize
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,825
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Post by dmize on Sept 20, 2011 16:14:15 GMT -5
Well ILLBEDAMNED!!!
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gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on Sept 20, 2011 16:14:50 GMT -5
The great thing about handguns is that not everybody is looking for the same thing so there is plenty of room for FA's, customs, etc etc. They all work so as long as the person who is using is happy thats all that matters. My point was for me I find the FA's are consistently outstanding. The bores are the right size, all the cylinder mouths are the same size and the proper size in proportion to the barrel which makes it so much easier to cast and size good bullets. Agreed they were not meant to be bench rest rifles but living in NJ most of my time is spent punching holes in paper so accuracy becomes a game it in of itself. If it's in a caliber FA makes then my preference is a FA. BUT having been bit by a love for the odd and the unusal I'm not getting rid of my 375's,30 carbine, 356 GNR, 445, 38-40's etc. etc. etc. and would love a Ruger Bowen 218 Bee and...and....
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Post by Ken O'Neill on Sept 20, 2011 16:44:50 GMT -5
I've been known to buy, use, and keep a few FA's. I like 'em a lot. But I think that Lee makes very good points, particularly with the New Models, which I believe are superior to Old Models. Obviously, opinions vary and get heated on that topic. The transfer bar engineering of a Ruger trumps any other scheme for leaving a chamber empty, and with proper and careful fitting, the Ruger can be fitted by the expert artisans to be a smoothly functioning jewel. Can they be done at a performance vs. cost equivalent to an FA? Generally not, in my opinion, unless the artisan is doing the work on his own gun, without a need to make a profit. I have preferred stainless guns for more than 30 years, and power with accuracy are important to me ... none of my FA's are for sale. For what they are, I consider them a bargain, but as I said, I believe Lee's points are absolutely correct.
As I recall, the change in casting suppliers was made in 2002 after close quality control checks. It is very obvious to me that the fitting and finishing of guns produced after that is superior. The name of the supplier since then has been a secret, but a poorly kept one.
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Post by cottonstalk on Sept 20, 2011 17:02:40 GMT -5
I like all guns,some alot more than others but a blue sa revolver for me just takes the cake.I wish FA had a blue one to offer,since they don't a custom will have to do.
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Post by whitworth on Sept 20, 2011 18:09:37 GMT -5
I've been known to buy, use, and keep a few FA's. I like 'em a lot. But I think that Lee makes very good points, particularly with the New Models, which I believe are superior to Old Models. Obviously, opinions vary and get heated on that topic. The transfer bar engineering of a Ruger trumps any other scheme for leaving a chamber empty, and with proper and careful fitting, the Ruger can be fitted by the expert artisans to be a smoothly functioning jewel. Can they be done at a performance vs. cost equivalent to an FA? Generally not, in my opinion, unless the artisan is doing the work on his own gun, without a need to make a profit. I have preferred stainless guns for more than 30 years, and power with accuracy are important to me ... none of my FA's are for sale. For what they are, I consider them a bargain, but as I said, I believe Lee's points are absolutely correct. As I recall, the change in casting suppliers was made in 2002 after close quality control checks. It is very obvious to me that the fitting and finishing of guns produced after that is superior. The name of the supplier since then has been a secret, but a poorly kept one. You make good points, Ken. Out of the box, they are hard to beat and yes, a custom will cost you more, generally speaking. I too wish FA would make a blued revolver. Still nothin' prettier IMHO!
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cable
.327 Meteor
Posts: 681
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Post by cable on Sept 20, 2011 18:18:13 GMT -5
Nothing against Freedom Arms. They're exceptionally well built guns. That said, this "bank vault" thing is over-done in my opinion. I've seen plenty of customs (ours included and by no means am I trying to brag), that have very slight cylinder movement side to side....and by slight I'm talking well less than a half-thousandth. They tear ragged little holes just like Freedom Arms, stand-up to more rounds of heavy stuff than most can handle, and look good doing it. Again, nothing against FA. Just that the constant comparison to customs with Freedom always coming out on top because of fit gets old. And I know what Bowen said about custom Rugers and he's right. In many ways you can't get them as tight as an 83 or 97. My point though is that "bank vault tight" isn't a must have. Hell we're talking revolvers, not benchrest rifles. Just my two-cents. I hope no one is offended, but I haven't stirred a thread in a long time -Lee www.singleactions.comand i stopped using them in the late 80s because that bank vault tightness meant i was left with a very pretty nonshooter to throw at the bear, if i had had to. this happened to me several times, with several different 83s, and to three friends of mine, as well as other acquaintances. i was told by an enthusiast to 'keep your pistol in a sealed ziplock " very practical advice indeed!!! for the conditions we were hunting and traveling in they just couldnt be counted on. i suspect that has been corrected but i went back to rugers, and havent worried about it anymore.
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jwp475
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,084
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Post by jwp475 on Sept 20, 2011 18:53:11 GMT -5
Nothing against Freedom Arms. They're exceptionally well built guns. That said, this "bank vault" thing is over-done in my opinion. I've seen plenty of customs (ours included and by no means am I trying to brag), that have very slight cylinder movement side to side....and by slight I'm talking well less than a half-thousandth. They tear ragged little holes just like Freedom Arms, stand-up to more rounds of heavy stuff than most can handle, and look good doing it. Again, nothing against FA. Just that the constant comparison to customs with Freedom always coming out on top because of fit gets old. And I know what Bowen said about custom Rugers and he's right. In many ways you can't get them as tight as an 83 or 97. My point though is that "bank vault tight" isn't a must have. Hell we're talking revolvers, not benchrest rifles. Just my two-cents. I hope no one is offended, but I haven't stirred a thread in a long time -Lee www.singleactions.com EXACTLY........+1.........
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Post by AxeHandle on Sept 21, 2011 8:34:03 GMT -5
Some darn good points have been made here in the last few days. Only very slight hackle raising too. Good for you guys. I am proud to be one of you!
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nframe
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 26
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Post by nframe on Sept 21, 2011 13:53:35 GMT -5
FA revolvers are wonderfully crafted firearms, but not without fault. They can be overly sharp and too tightly fit. Understand, I like FA revolvers though. Hard to compare a FA to a Ruger however, even a custom built Ruger of which I have several. There are times when my hunting revolvers get muddy and wet. I've crawled into a brier thicket to get a shot on a hog many times and found I had "trash" all over my sixgun. Never had a Ruger fail me in that regard...they are more "trash" tolerant, as well as more tolerant to heat expansion after hundreds and hundred of rounds fired in a session. I understand hunting situations and individual requirements are different for most everyone. Again, FA revolvers are finely built precision firearms without question.
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cable
.327 Meteor
Posts: 681
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Post by cable on Sept 21, 2011 17:38:44 GMT -5
yes, getting in dust and mud- that's pretty much routine here. ride for hours [ and hours ] thru same on four wheeler or argo, and then walk and wade through more of the same. i trust my rugers, especially fond of my reeder 45 colt [ sixgunner.com #12/20] and it has always worked and not failed me in anyway. i too like freedom arms, but was rather un-nerved after two of us packed moose meat back to camp for two days, with grizzly signs all around. just had our backpacks and our 454s.....neither of us realizing we had 3+ pounds each of beautifully machined inert metal to protect us. their accuracy and power is wonderful and i could shoot them very well indeed .... but its gotta go bang first time and every time.
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