Yesterday I got the chance to buy a virtually unused Premier Grade Casull. It would be a big leap forward cosidering I have no revolvers above .357 Magnum.

Still, I'm wondering, it's an 7.5" version. I would use it as back up gun in afrika and to finish off wild boar. It it too long or still comfortable to carry and use?

Yes, I already burned some .454's, and I can handle it, given the right level of concentration ...

Also, is it really necessary to load it with 4 rounds only?!?

I took a 7.5" to Africa for backup and wound up using it on several head of game during the hunt. It also gets use hunting deer, groundhog and other domestic game; so I wouldn't consider too long.

The question of four or five rounds in the cylinder has been hotly debated. Personally, I carry five; but then I don't wear overgarments that like to cock my revolvers for me.

quote:

Originally posted by MS Hitman:

The question of four or five rounds in the cylinder has been hotly debated. Personally, I carry five; but then I don't wear overgarments that like to cock my revolvers for me.

I see. I'm sorry to bring it up, I don't want to cause an argument.

I guess I'll buy the piece.

I'm going to have a look at it on monday. Are there any weaknesses to be extra carefull about?

There are no weaknesses with regards to the FA. You do not want to dry fire the revolver without snap caps in the chambers.

Don't worry about starting a fight; one usually breaks out quite often around here.

Personally, I consider 7 1/2" an excellent all-around length for the .454 Casull. Five rounds can be carried, but only if one carefully engages the safety bar as clearly outlined in the loading manual. I did it for years, but have carried only four rounds for at least fourteen years now, because I consider it the SAFEST AND SIMPLEST way. MS Hitman's advice to dryfire only with snap caps agrees with the factory's instructions, and I absolutely agree.

Friedrich,

Guns with barrel length on the 4" to 5" range are definitely easier to carry, but I have no problem with my 7.5" Ruger Super Redhawk carried in a Bianchi 111 "Cyclone" (right hand) crossdraw holster. I usually wear it over my appendix and less often in the usual left-side position. The appendix postition keeps it available to my right hand, but not in the way of my arm swing when hiking. The only caution is to not pee on the muzzle. It can also be threaded through my backpack waist belt if I prefer.

I got lucky, finding this holster at a gun show and bought it because it was cheap and looked nice. I had NO IDEA it would be so easy to carry with. Just lucky. I found that I like the appendix carry in a holster canted BACK by serendipitous accident.

So, you have a mission. Figure out a wearable, comfortable position to carry your gun and then find a holster that does that. It might be harder to find for the 7.5" than one for a shorter barrel, but you can do it. Or have one custom made.

As far as carrying 4 rounds with the hammer down over an empty cylinder. A good idea if there is any chance of the gun falling and landing with the hammer first, or an object falling on the hammer of the gun. VERY good idea, because it CAN and MAY discharge in either of those two instances.

On the other hand, if there is a chance that something may snag the hammer and draw it back, then having the NEXT cylinder empty would be the safe thing. An accidental cocking would rotate the cylinder and move the empty away and the next, loaded, chamber to the firing position. Overkill would be to carry with 3 chambers loaded, but if you wanted (or needed) to stop a charging lion fast, you are at a SEVERE disadvantage. (Did I mention that I am good at dreaming up worst-case scenarios?). Securing the gun 100% and protecting against falling objects is (my opinion) far better than partially loading your cylinder.

A flap holster, with the flap securely held, would mitigate, if not cure all three (an object falling on the hammer, the gun falling onto a hard object, hammer first, something snagging and cocking the hammer) of these problems. A full flap holster protects best against accidents and marring of your finish, but a quarter flap is faster to draw and re-holster. A thumb-break (if one exists for the single action) is faster still, but protection is marginal.

I saw mentioned by another respondent something about a hammer block. My Freedom Arms .454 Casull does not have one, as most of the early production didn't.

I very seldom dry fire my guns, but when I do I usually have my finger, a piece of soft wood or very hard foam betwixt the hammer and the frame. I am too cheap to buy snap caps. Good leather, Kydex, ammunition and quality hardware command higher priorities for my cash than snap caps.

To summarize. Shorter barrels are easier to carry and faster to clear the holster than long barrels. But if you are willing to invest a bit of time finding the right holster for YOU (and don't anticipate being surprized in the bush by a startle Kodiak Brown or African Lion) stick with the longer barrel. A little more power, a little less felt recoil, a longer sight radius. Ballistically the 7.5" is better. Convenience, the 4 5/8" is better unless you invest some time in holster selection. Speed, the 4 5/8" is better (select a convenient, fast holster and practice).

Which is better for YOU, only you can tell, but these are the issues you shoud address, in my opinion.

Good Luck and good hunting,

Larry (Lost Sheep)

A full, half or quarter flap holster would similarly protect the hammer of your FA from being struck and causeing an accidental discharge.

For the Single-action

Friedrich:

I don't know what one costs over there but they are a very high quality firearm, I'd buy it if it is reasonably priced. I'm sure you know this but you can shoot .45 Colts in the .454 without any problems. You just have to clean the cylinders if a "ring" starts to build up in them which would inhibit ejecting .454 rounds. This is not that common, nor is it hard to clean out. For some reason, probably to sell extra cylinders, FA makes a big deal about NOT shooting .45s in .454s. That's nonsense, otherwise most .357s wouldn't shoot .357s anymore since many shooters practice using .38 special wadcutters in them.

Few revolvers are built to the tight tolerances FA are, and most people do not clean their firearms properly. Therein lies the problem with shooting .45 Colts in the chamber.

If one reloads, there is no good reason to shoot .45 Colts in a .454 Casull cylinder to begin with; the loads can be tailored to the situation. Same goes for shooting .480 Ruger cartridges in a .475.

The 454 should be a good buy, you didn't say how much they where asking for it though. 454's can be downloaded to very manageable levels. I prefer the 6" for carry, but the 7.5" isn't bad. Best source for holsters is freedom arms itself.

Don't feel bad about the 4 or 5 rounds question, personally I cary four, I really don't see the extra round making much of a difference in a SA weapon.

As for Africa, handgun regulations are pretty strict, but there are ways to deal with them, check with the africa forms. As for quarry, anything that can be taken with a standard 45-70 should fall with the 454 at full power loads.

My most important iteration, use bullets designed for the 454, the tolerances on a FA don't do well with bullets expanding in the forcing cone.

John

Thanks for the advise. Since it will take some months to get another gun permit, I'll have plenty of time to find a good holster.

Perhaps I can order an FA holster online somewhere. They really seem very nice!

I will have a look at the revolver this evening. People at he shooting range told me the seller fired it only three times, since he preferred his Desert Eagle .50. It should be almost new.

He asks 1800 EUR, dies and a couple boxes of ammo included. Seems a fair deal to me. I know that equals 2650 USD but given the taxes and costs involved, firearms of US origin cost these days the same nominal figure in EUR as in USD.

quote:

Originally posted by Lost Sheep:
I saw mentioned by another respondent something about a hammer block. My Freedom Arms .454 Casull does not have one, as most of the early production didn't.

Please identify how I can verify absence or presence of hammer block on Model 83s?

I just obtained a .475 Linebaugh. When I follow instructions of Model 83's downloaded USER MANUAL, my hammer appears to move to the SAFETY position identified in the manual -- that is, hammer nose is just barely off the frame.
***
Regarding holsters, a holster accompanied my revolver about which nobody seems able to furnish information. It is FREEDOM LEATHER, 83 6. It is right-handed, high ride, thumb break without metal reinforcement, very heavy leather with pouch unlined (rough interior). This is a wonderful holster. But I am left-handed. I have queried Freedom Arms, and done a bazillion searches for information -- nothing! And yes, I will be selling it soon. I'm just not sure when.

All FA .475's have the "safety position" which blocks the hammer from hitting the primer.

I held the piece yesterday, and it's a beauty! Balance of the 7.5" barrel is just fine, so I won't bother any more.

I tried to order a Galco holster yesterday, but even a holster seems to be subjected to the stringent export regulations. I really liked about the Galco that it offered the possebility to carry it either strong side (at the range) or cross draw (in the field).

I'll just have to search around locally.

Perhaps I'll let someone get it for me at the IWA next month.

I completed the paperwork last evening and filed the permit application. The waiting begins ...

Congratulations, Friedrich!! I hope the wait isn't too long, and am looking forward to seeing the photos of it when you get it in your hands!

quote:

and am looking forward to seeing the photos of it when you get it in your hands!

You can count on that!

Friedrich, can you reload where you live or are you forced to use factory ammunition?

In fact, I started reloading before I bought my first gun

Technically, we're not allowed to do it, but you can buy all the gear and components legally and you won't get prosecuted as long as you don't sell any reloads.

Reloading makes the .454 much more versalite and interesting, off course!!! That's also why I wasn't looking for a .475 or .500, since these diameters are still oddballs over here.

The .454 is a very versatile round, for sure. Do you use cast bullets?

I don't cast them myself, but I can buy some. the German company H&N supplies them in various weights and shapes ...

Cast Performance makes some really nice flat-nosed hardcast bullets (www.castperformance.com) if you are looking for a manufacturer. My Casull likes 360 grain bullets a lot. I've shot and hunted with 400 grain bullets, but the accuracy wasn't the greatest.

I'll get some Sierra 300 grains bullets with the revolver, I'll see how well they shoot.

As handgun hunting still is prohibited over here, it will have to wait until my next hunting trip to somewhere allowing it, perhaps RSA. We'll be hunting black bear in Canada next year, but I was told that handguns aran't allowed any more on a hunting trip to Canada? It would have been a perfect job for the Casull!

In the mean time I'll to work up some good loads.

quote:

Originally posted by Friedrich:
I'll get some Sierra 300 grains bullets with the revolver, I'll see how well they shoot.

As handgun hunting still is prohibited over here, it will have to wait until my next hunting trip to somewhere allowing it, perhaps RSA. We'll be hunting black bear in Canada next year, but I was told that handguns aran't allowed any more on a hunting trip to Canada? It would have been a perfect job for the Casull!

In the mean time I'll to work up some good loads.

I believe you're right about Canada not allowing handgun hunting. It's unfortunate.

How long before you get the gun in your hands?

Keep us posted how the load development goes.

Well it's a long story, but all had to ask for renewal of our permits nine months ago due to a change in the gun legislation. All revolvers, pistols and most semi-auto rifles were affected.

I had to file ten applications, and still haven't got the renewal. Perhaps they add this one to the heap, and in that case, I'll probably get the permits in a couple of weeks. If they start a new procedure, it will take months!!!

Bureaucracy can be a real headache! I wish you luck and speedy processing!

Thanks! Well, I know they are doing their best, our idiotic politicians just overreacted when a kid shot three people in some sort of suicide attempt gone bad ...

Two years ago it took only a couple of days to get a permit ...

Some patience won't hurt.

Finally, I got the permit. This weekend I'm going to get the FA.

Four month's waiting is soooo loooooong ...

Friedrich, that is great!! Congratulations! Be sure to post some pictures when you get it in your hands!