New Cylinder

[High Desert Hunter]

Well due to my own stupidity (something I thought would lessen with age, but apparently 59.5 years isn't quite enough) I had to send my Freedom Arms Model 83 back for repair. Since they were able to fix my faux pas with the 454 cylinder, I had them go ahead and fit a 45 Colt cylinder, something I have wanted for years, and wish I'd had done when the price wasn't such a shocker! Hoping to head to the foothills this afternoon and see if I can hit some steel of varying sizes with several different bullets.

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Dave

[Bill in Oregon]

Looks fabulous, Dave!

[Walt]

That's like getting a brand new gun, Dave.

I hope it does everything you want and more.

Congratulations!

[High Desert Hunter]

That big 83 makes 335s at 1250 a breeze, same load from my 5 1/2" Bisley does 1100ish some of that is 1/2" less barrel, most is a tighter B/C gap and oh my goodness tighter chambers! It is in fact like getting a new gun. I dearly love the 454 Casull, but honestly I very, very rarely shoot full power loads these days. I need to scrounge around and find the original sight blade, as with the 45 Colt cylinder it does shoot a mite higher, just ask the bent cross member on my steel hangar setup! The 285s at 1170 were nice to shoot, the 250 cast at 1250 were also very easy. Only issue I have is getting the tri-focals to focus on the front sight.

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Dave

[piller]

Appears to hit hard.

[High Desert Hunter]

Yes sir, I was shooting at 50 yards.

[Paladin]

Excellent, I tried a .454 Fredon Arms and wimped out, sticking with .45 Colt.

[Paladin]

Excellent, I tried a .454 Freedom Arms and wimped out, sticking with .45 Colt.

[High Desert Hunter]

Sir,
I don't call that wimping out, I call it being able to shoot what you like, shoot it well, and forget about anyone who thinks that we're wimps. John Linebaugh and Ross Sefried were the two who really ignited the flame I've carried for over 30 years with the 45 Colt. I Pray I'll be able to shoot reduced 454 loads for years to come, same with the 45 Colt. I have 5 45 Colt chambered firearms, 4 44s, 3 32s, and 2 22s, that wasn't intentional, but it seems to be working for me, think I have 3 357s as well, one 480, and I am missing a 41, which will likely remain since the only 2 I have any real interest in are well above my current income level as I am hopefully headed towards retirement in a few years.

Dave

[Walt]

Dave, were you referring to the FA model 97 in .41 mag? I don't have one but I have a model 97 in .45 Colt and I love it. I have half a dozen .41 mags but one that's becoming my favorite is Ruger's medium frame Bisley 5 1/2" .41 mag. You may remember that John Taffin wrote that his model 83 ,41 mag was among the most accurate handguns he had ever shot.

[High Desert Hunter]

Walt,
I really wanted the Flattop 41 Ruger put out, but #1 would be a Model 83 in 41. I think I would enjoy it as the size and weight would tame the recoil when shooting the heavy for caliber stuff I have always enjoyed.

Dave

[Walt]

I have FA model 83s in .44 mag and .454 Casull. I think they're outstanding firearms but I consider my model 97 to be a jewel. It's a little bit smaller dimensionally than a SAA but it easily handles heavy "Ruger only" loads. It's a handy 5 1/2" barrel length; my model 83s both have 7 1/2" barrels. As I grow older I have found that although the longer barrels don't seem to recoil as violently, I seem to be able to shoot the shorter barrels somewhat better.

[High Desert Hunter]

Sadly I am the opposite, I'm finding the longer barrels are easier with my trifocals. The 97s are true gems, I have handled more than a few, just don't like the shorter cylinder on them. My main 45 Colt shooters are both 5 1/2 guns, an Accusport Bisley, and a NM Flattop. The Flattop has a cylinder that is too short for my 335gr WFN bullets from an LBT mould, the Bisley of course has plenty of room, now with this new cylinder I have a gun that is to me much more comfortable to shoot, and is giving me an additional 100+ fps in velocity for the same powder charge. There are days I wish my Model 83 was a 7 1/2" model instead of a 6" model, but it is one of 4 that I will never let go unless it's to pass to a child or grandchild.

Dave

[Scott Tschirhart]

I have a 7.5 inch .454 with me now. I’ve shot it quite a bit but only .45 Colt ammo thus far.
I’m going to ask Bob to look at it while we are in Raton.

I think the firing pin retraction spring is a little weak.

[High Desert Hunter]

Scott,
As you likely know, their customer service is top notch! I messed mine up because of a firing pin issue.

Dave

[Scott Tschirhart]

No doubt. I have no complaints about their customer service.

Maybe I should have them install a new .45 Colt cylinder but I am not sure I see the point.

[nwcatman]

That big 83 makes 335s at 1250 a breeze, same load from my 5 1/2" Bisley does 1100ish some of that is 1/2" less barrel, most is a tighter B/C gap and oh my goodness tighter chambers! It is in fact like getting a new gun. I dearly love the 454 Casull, but honestly I very, very rarely shoot full power loads these days. I need to scrounge around and find the original sight blade, as with the 45 Colt cylinder it does shoot a mite higher, just ask the bent cross member on my steel hangar setup! The 285s at 1170 were nice to shoot, the 250 cast at 1250 were also very easy. Only issue I have is getting the tri-focals to focus on the front sight.

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Dave

where did you get the hangers that hang the steel plates? i've gone thru so many chains over the years ( for some reason they break after repeated hits from 45-70s etc) that i am going to use bungee cords next time at the range. they're easy to replace and cheap. maybe works maybe not. and of course every time one of these yahoos hits and breaks a chain and leaves the clanger hanging by one chain they claim it was on purpose and demand kudos for hitting such a small target. for some reason they're not willing to hit the other chain to prove it.