Serious Single Actions

[Rifleman]

I have always been something of a 44 mag revolver buff. Hunted with a Ruger Super Bhawk for years. Owned several and love my SW 29 pinned and recessed nickle plated 6 inch. But I have been thinking of getting one of the expensive Freedom Arms Premier Model 83 in 44 mag.
I cant find the one I want, I want one with a 5=6 inch barrel , unfluted cylinder, and fully adjustable rear sight. But I do not want to order one factory direct. When they are so pricey.
Also I am wondering if they are really worth the $$ over a Ruger. I know they are nice, but that nice?

Anyway here is a pic of what they look like.

[runningdog]

I too have wanted one for years. BUT a bit pricey for me. I want the model 83 in a 45 long colt (Never have owned one). I also shoot 44 mag and my favorite is S & W model 29. In the 80"s I used to shoot silhouettes with 44 in Competition. I quit this and just deer hunted with it.
I may break down one day and buy the Freedom Arms-just don't know why I need it (Boys and their toys).

[thelefthand]

Dwight, I've shot several Rugers, and they were okay. I've shot a couple of SW 629s and I actually liked them better, although I think the SBH is a tougher gun, and better suited for hunting. I've only fired one FA, and it was a .454. What an amazing gun! It's truely a fine example of American craftsmanship. It was truely a custom piece. The tollerences were scary tight, and it could shoot as well as my Contender and Encore barrels. Is it worth the price? Well that depends on what kind of price tag you put on accuracy and craftsmanship. I've never been a huge revolver fan. I sold my SBH and bought a custom 10" Contender barrel, and never looked back.

For me, I can't justify spending the the extra $$ because I can get a custom single shot barrel, and a frame for less $$, and it shoots at least as well. Is the weapon actually "worth" the price? IMHO, yes, every penny.

FWIW - At this point I wish that I had never started loading and shooting the 44 on my own. It's a good round, and I chose it because I had been loading for it in our gun club for about 4 years. I knew a fair amount about it. Now I think the .45 Long Colt is better suited for hunting in modern guns, especially in my Contender. Not to mention that I could have used the same bullet in a .45LC as I use in my ML10II. That would have made a nice set. A Contender, leveraction rifle, and the Savage all shooting .452 bullets No doubt the 44 is still a good round though.

Mark

[Rifleman]

Thanks for the nice replys guys. Mark I have been a 44 fan for years, and have alot of ammo/brass. Owned many different ones, just like em. Never liked contenders,but they are decent guns. But this is what I was looking for"What an amazing gun! It's truely a fine example of American craftsmanship." I had handled one years ago and came away with the same impression, Won't be buying soon, but it is on my list!