Tell me about your Freedom Arms Model 97

[AlanF]

Considering a Freedom Arms Model 97 in 44 Special and would like to hear from those of you who own such. I would most likely go with a 5.5" barrel and the ivory micarta grips. It would be for woods bumming and hunting.

[tejano]

I have one that I sent back FA to have barrel shortened as much they would do and still retain the ejector housing. Also got the butt rounded and a trigger job. Sad to say that it has spent most of its decade plus life as a safe queen, but it probably has digested at least 500 cast boolits rounds over the years. Quality is top notch. Also have one in 45 Colt/45acp. I was still working when I bought both and buying guns was my #1 stress reliever.

[jmort]

I have a 4 1/4" .357 magnum
Tolerances are crazy tight
It is a thing of beauty
Wanted one for many years and glad I got it
Mine has the standard black grips
I doubt you will regret it

[Greg S]

Start perusing GB and GA for a used safe queen with the caliber and barrel length dsired. Grips and round butt can be done late but barrel shortening and cylinder changes come at a premium.

I have two 83s in 454/45ACP and a 475. They are a production semi custom and the tolerances fit and finish are nice.

[MtnGunner]

I'm thinking about a 97 as well, 5.5 inch and either .357 or .327.

[AlanF]

MtnGunner- there is a good deal on GA for a 5.5" 357. Listed as new old stock.

[Hickory]

Tell me about your Freedom Arms Model 97.

Mine is not built yet, nor have I the money appropriated for one.

Someday.

[Paul105]

Lower left gun is a 5 1/2" M97 .44 Special (Upper Right is 6" m83 .475 Linebaugh

https://photos.imageevent.com/paul105/hobby/large/1a%2044%20and%20475%20IMG_0514%20_1_.JPG

25 Yd Group rested w/2x Leupold

https://photos.imageevent.com/paul105/hobby/large/Target%20FA97%2044%20SpecTargetMatts_1.jpg

A couple of other loads at 25 yd group

https://photos.imageevent.com/paul105/hobby/large/Target%20FA97%2044%20Spec%20-%20325gr%20240gr_1.jpg

Two groups on right are with 180gr Horn XTP at 25 yds.

https://photos.imageevent.com/paul105/hobby/large/Target%20RIMG2016.jpg

So, there you have it mild to wild, light to heavy -- my M97 .44 special likes them all.

Paul

[jmort]

Love this thread
Beautiful guns

[Paul105]

Some more

M97 3 1/2" Round Butt .45 Colt (now wears 45 ACP aux cyl pretty much exclusively)

https://photos.imageevent.com/paul105/hobby/large/97%20FA97RBMossyLog.jpg

M97 4 1/4" Oct Bbl .45 Colt

https://photos.imageevent.com/paul105/hobby/large/97%20RIMG1972.jpg

M97 5 1/2" Oct BBl .357 Mag (Also have it's twin in 22/22 Mag)

https://photos.imageevent.com/paul105/hobby/large/97%20P9160028.jpg


The all shoot great and I personally like the size and grip (some folks can't get along with either).

Paul

[Texas by God]

I should sell a pickup truck or a tractor and get me one of those. Do they make a blued 41 magnum?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[photomicftn]

I bought a M97 4 1/4" .44 Special some years ago on GB with fluted cylinder, black grips, and the factory action job due to the packin' pistol appeal. I have carried it in a strongside black Threepersons holster on a 1 1/2" pants belt. The only load I've used so far is the H&G 503, sized .430, with 7.5gr Unique in Starline brass.

[cas]

I wouldn't call it a love/hate relationship that I have with my M97 (45 Colt), but it has been strained at times.
Mostly because it's a little bitty gun and it doesn't fit my big hands well. Every now and then I toy with selling it and having the 83 shortened and just using it as a .45 Colt. But then I fall back in love. lol

https://photos.imageevent.com/cas6969/guns/FAs%20copy.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/cas6969/guns/97newlook.jpg

[AlanF]

Beautiful guns. The 4.25" sure looks like a great woods gun! Bet you can carry it all day.

[AlanF]

Any of you hunt with your 4 1/4" FA? I sure like the looks of that barrel length.

[Italia1825]

Beautiful guns, you get what you pay for


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Golfswithwolves]

My 97 is a .44 special with a 4.25" barrel and rounded standard wooden grips. It is very accurate and shoots the "Skeeter" load quite nicely indeed. It carries like nothing is there on the belt. I feel it is a good nominee for the Perfect Packin' Pistol that John Taffin writes about. It's very nice to own something which is truly the best that can be built and the Model 97 Freedom Arms revolver is one of them.

[Ed K]

Everything good spoken about the model 97 is true. However if one takes the time to peruse enough forum threads there will be a recurrent theme: beware those with big hands. Be sure to put one in your hands before buying if your hands run to the larger size. It does not matter how well made, how accurate, etc. if your long-awaited dream gun fits like pants two sizes small.

[MGD]

Buy it. I have a 4 3/4" model 83 454. I have been impressed by the quality of all the Freedom Arms product.

[Dan Cash]

I had a .454. It was beautifully fitted and finished; could not ask for better. It went down the road as it was heavy beyond what I wanted in a pistol and I did not enjoy the recoil or the grip shape.angle. For that weight and power level, a rifle will serve me better.

[RJM52]

I should sell a pickup truck or a tractor and get me one of those. Do they make a blued 41 magnum?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

I have two .41/97s, one 4.25" round butt and one 5.5" square butt....both are excellent shooters.

Only thing you have to watch is the length of the bullet from the crimping groove to the nose. The 97 has a short cylinder and the standard Keith and long nose LBT will not fit... The Keith can be crimped over the forward driving band and the WFN LBT work just fine...

Bob

[JSH]

No 97, both 83's.
I went a long time without one of my own, to long. First one was a 357, I had shot it numerous times and spotted for the owner in matches a lot more. I knew what it was capable of and bought it without even thinking about it when it came up for sale. 9" barrel makes it some what of a chore to carry but will out shoot some rifles and lot of single shot pistols.
Ran across a field grade 83 44 magnum. The guy had bought it as new old stock. Sent it back and had some upgrades done, cleaned up everything like a premier and got some extra grips and sights. Then he decided he could not handle the recoil. Bought it for half price of a new one. A fine rig. Still tinkering with loads, though it is actually fine by what some would think of a accurate load for a wheel gun.
I will own a 41 magnum sooner or later in an 83.
Jeff

[coverbw]

I originally wanted a 4.25" 45 colt with ivory grips. I talked myself into a used 5.5" 44 special because the shorter cylinder would work better with the shorter round and I figured the longer barrel would be a little more accurate. It's a great gun with no complaints... I later found a 45 colt 4.25 ivory for a great deal. The 44 special doesn't get much use anymore. I love the shorter barrel gun! It packs great, the cylinder allows a 300 rcbs and it is so accurate.

[tim338]

After reading this thread I really want one now!... Lol...

[sharps4590]

Bought my '97 when we lived across the highway from their factory in Freedom, Wyoming. 'Course we were two miles up the mountain to the east but I could see their roof from my front porch. I bought it for heavy loads in a lighter package than the Ruger Redhawk in 45 Colt I was carrying. Most of its use was as a sidearm when fishing up the Grays or in other areas inhabited by ol' Griz. Praise the Lord I never had need of it for that purpose. Today, in Missouri, don't have the need for those heavy loads so I went back to a 255 gr. Keith type SWC at about 1000 fps. Mine is 5 1/2 in. and in 45 Colt. Most accurate revolver I have ever owned.