Just acquired an early Priemere grade that is in rough condition exterior wise. Very scratched, grips banged up, even coated with bedliner ( you couldnt make that up)
I'm going through it wet sanding from 180-320 and polishing and it is really coming back. I made a wood spindle to chuck the cylinder and have it and the barrel looking great.
My question: Is their a good diagram or set of disassembly instructions anyone has that could be e-mailed or faxed? I would like to take the bottom end apart IN THE PROPER ORDER and would appreciate any tips on such from you FA pro's. I have done a bunch of searches to no avail. THANKS GUYS

Bedliner... the ultimate gun finish! That's a new one for me. You may want to ask over at sixgunner.com as there are quite a few members very well versed in FA's. Bob Baker, President of FA, even posts there from time to time.

yeah this one was so bad I'm doing before and after photos. Thanks for the advice...I am not familiar with that forum so I'll head over....I always come here first. THANKS DAVID
August C.

I would contact Freedom arms direct .They stand behind there guns from what I have heard.

Sean

bedliner? You got to be kidding. It's time to get a rope! Somebody needs hangin.

Yeah... there's lots of sneaky little pop out "what the heck is that thing" parts in a FA trigger/hammer assembly.

I took em out... and I figured out how and where to put em back.... but I still can't figure out what they were.

I would call Freedom Arms and ask about either #1, Having them refinish it. Or #2 A parts list/diagram. They're very nice people to deal with.

quote:

even coated with bedliner

That brought a tear to my eye , I got my FA, and just held it.

The horror!!!

I don't understand why anyone would want one of those overpriced 5 guns. They really offer no advantage over the Ruger Single Actions.
The people that waste money on them would be better off to buy 2 Rugers and still have money left over.

People do the stupidest things though.

quote:

The people that waste money on them would be better off to buy 2 Rugers and still have money left over.

Well my little drunken redneck friend, it is obvious that you have never held a Freedom Arms Revolver.

M16: Sorry to disappoint you I am not druken yet. The day isn't over yet though. As far as my neck being red. I wear a turtle shell hat when out in the sun to keep the harmful rays from aging my neck beyond it's years.

The Freedom Arms guns are really not worth the money and I wouldn't own one. The power level is piddling too. A 45 Colt can be loaded in a Ruger to take the same game. Althoug h the Ruger can't take the pressure in the 6 shot cylinders. What difference does 3 or 4 hundred fps make? It is shot placement not power that brings home the booze or I mean bacon.

Sorry guys, I have to agree with some statements! The Freedom has too short of a cylinder to use all the available boolits. The heavy calibers do not have a fast enough twist for the heavy boolits the cartridges were designed to shoot. The guns are too light for the recoil and need heavier barrels.
Other then these points, it is still the finest revolver made as far as fit, finish and workmanship and I still want one.

quote:

The guns are too light for the recoil and need heavier barrels.

Huh?

quote:

Originally posted by Me_Plat:
I don't understand why anyone would want one of those overpriced 5 guns. They really offer no advantage over the Ruger Single Actions.
The people that waste money on them would be better off to buy 2 Rugers and still have money left over.

People do the stupidest things though.

I'm sure you wouldn't want to own a Mercades or date a Super-model either.

Cas, try shooting 100 or more full house loads in a day with a .475 Freedom and you will see what I mean. I can do it with the BFR with no pain or strain. I bought mine last fall and have over 2000 rounds out of it already. When my friend brings his Freedom over he wants me to shoot it because he is tired of it. He might have 50 rounds out of it, I shot the rest. The BFR has more weight and is pleasant to shoot.
The Freedom .454? It's a pussycat not much more then a .44 mag. They should have scaled the gun up for the Linebaugh but do not want to change tooling or design. You have to be very careful loading for the Freedom so a boolit does not move foreward a few thousandths when confronted with a griz. A lot of .475 boolits will not fit the gun when crimped in the crimp groove and cases have to be shortened. I know because I have loaded some test rounds for my friend and when he came over, the things would not allow the cylinder to turn.

quote:

Originally posted by bfrshooter:
Cas, try shooting 100 or more full house loads in a day with a .475 Freedom and you will see what I mean. I can do it with the BFR with no pain or strain. I bought mine last fall and have over 2000 rounds out of it already. When my friend brings his Freedom over he wants me to shoot it because he is tired of it. He might have 50 rounds out of it, I shot the rest. The BFR has more weight and is pleasant to shoot.
The Freedom .454? It's a pussycat not much more then a .44 mag. They should have scaled the gun up for the Linebaugh but do not want to change tooling or design. You have to be very careful loading for the Freedom so a boolit does not move foreward a few thousandths when confronted with a griz. A lot of .475 boolits will not fit the gun when crimped in the crimp groove and cases have to be shortened. I know because I have loaded some test rounds for my friend and when he came over, the things would not allow the cylinder to turn.

Thank you for all of that. You have made it quite easy, and saved me the trouble of bothering to argue with you.

You are welcome. I still want one though because of the precision. Just have to learn to do what it needs. I can sit and look at the Freedom for hours! I realize the gun was made to carry as a backup without being too heavy and for this it is perfect.
The answer to satisfy all needs would be for them to make other models, some big and heavy for primary hunting guns and what they have now for carry.

Uhhh, as in their Model 83 and Model 97, for instance? Sorry, guys, but I beg to differ on what you can do with an FA. I have a 654 Silhouette, even had a hand in development of the model, believe it or not. Cast bullets I had a mould custom cut for were the first bullets shot thru the prototype (by Marty Smith back when he was the Marketing Director for FA).
And I have seen a chrono'd 1800 FPS from a 290-grain SSK bullet out of my 654. Go do that with a Ruger .41 Mag and we will talk about recoil...

Howdy all, Thought I might add another stick to the fire iffin' ya don't mind. I, too, have a Freedom Arms pistol (Premier Model .454 Casull). So far I have only shot about thirty rounds through it. I loaded 260 grain bullets at 1925 FPS and 300 grain bullets at 1750 FPS. These are cronographed loads. I'd bet a dime to a dog turd those rounds, either one, could stop or certainly discourage a bear. However, having never been bear hunting myself, I might be all wet too. And, so far the recoil seems acceptable to me. All I wanted the thing for in the first place was a backup gun in the mountains or when gold panning. I am small of stature 5" 8", 190 pounds, and small hands. And, I ain't a kid either. I'm 55 years old. Would have been 56 but I was held back a year. Anyway, not that we've taken care of my life history I want to know if wheel weights can be cast for the .454 Casull without gummin up the barrel? Thanks and Good Shooting! Mike

I got my Ruger Super Blackhawk in 1970, and a 6 1/2 inch S&W Mod 29 a few months later. So I have been shooting and hunting with big bore revolvers for a while.
I have only had my 6" FA 475 for a short while.
I have shot about 60 rounds through it so far.
I like it a lot, not only for its accuracy and worksmanship, but I like the size of it. It balances and handles much better that my 7 1/2 inch Super Blackhawk.
As to the short cylinder and bbl twist, the most accurate load I have shot so far is the Buffalo Bore 440gr at 1325fps.
I have not tried any of the 420gr 1350 loads yet. There is a bit of recoil, but it is not painful. The 420gr 900fps loads are a pussycat, about like 8 grains of unique in a 44 Mag.
For ME I would not want the FA to be any bigger, longer, or heavier.

Having special ordered several Freedoms, and owning a slew of Rugers, Smiths, and what have you, the difference is glaring. The Freedom is without a doubt the finest, best fitting, and by far the most accurate revolver I have ever seen. Yes the tariff is high compared to full production guns. Quality usually is expensive. If your requirements do not call for that level of precision then the wares of the other makers are suitable. I do not use the Freedoms for every task. Sometimes a Ruger, Colt, or S&W fits the particular need better. Once in a great while you will find another make that will shoot almost as well. I say almost,and it isn't very often or likely. The Freedoms are not perfect. The sights could use a little improvement. When you need the ultimate in accuracy coupled with portability, and power in a repeating handgun the Freedom is it. They are wonderful pieces of precision machinery. For some of us that is reason enough to own one...or several.

Agree with most of what you say but it should be pointed out that "quality" does not directly associated with "accuracy", at least in terms of a single action revolver. There are prenty of "cheap" revolvers that can qualify as tack drivers out of the factory box and they do not have the precise fit and finish like the more expensive ones. Regardless, Freedom Arms makes top notch revolvers out of the box at a resonable cost so it should be complemented loudly. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Tanker:
Having special ordered several Freedoms, and owning a slew of Rugers, Smiths, and what have you, the difference is glaring. The Freedom is without a doubt the finest, best fitting, and by far the most accurate revolver I have ever seen. Yes the tariff is high compared to full production guns. Quality usually is expensive. If your requirements do not call for that level of precision then the wares of the other makers are suitable. I do not use the Freedoms for every task. Sometimes a Ruger, Colt, or S&W fits the particular need better. Once in a great while you will find another make that will shoot almost as well. I say almost,and it isn't very often or likely. The Freedoms are not perfect. The sights could use a little improvement. When you need the ultimate in accuracy coupled with portability, and power in a repeating handgun the Freedom is it. They are wonderful pieces of precision machinery. For some of us that is reason enough to own one...or several.

quote:

Originally posted by FourTails:
Howdy all, Thought I might add another stick to the fire iffin' ya don't mind. I, too, have a Freedom Arms pistol (Premier Model .454 Casull). So far I have only shot about thirty rounds through it. I loaded 260 grain bullets at 1925 FPS and 300 grain bullets at 1750 FPS. These are cronographed loads. I'd bet a dime to a dog turd those rounds, either one, could stop or certainly discourage a bear. However, having never been bear hunting myself, I might be all wet too. And, so far the recoil seems acceptable to me. All I wanted the thing for in the first place was a backup gun in the mountains or when gold panning. I am small of stature 5" 8", 190 pounds, and small hands. And, I ain't a kid either. I'm 55 years old. Would have been 56 but I was held back a year. Anyway, not that we've taken care of my life history I want to know if wheel weights can be cast for the .454 Casull without gummin up the barrel? Thanks and Good Shooting! Mike

Four trails, so long as you use a gas checked bullet, you should have no problems with wheelweights in your 454. Run the mold hot, and drop the bullets from the mold into a 5 gallon bucket of water to harden them. I've cast a passle of wheelweight bullets that have been launched from 454's with no problems. Most have been from a buddies 340 gr gc mold and are launched between 1500 and 1700 fps.

quote:

Originally posted by Mingbogo:
Agree with most of what you say but it should be pointed out that "quality" does not directly associated with "accuracy", at least in terms of a single action revolver. There are prenty of "cheap" revolvers that can qualify as tack drivers out of the factory box and they do not have the precise fit and finish like the more expensive ones. Regardless, Freedom Arms makes top notch revolvers out of the box at a resonable cost so it should be complemented loudly. Thanks.

I'd also agree that cheap guns can shoot. I'd put my Ruger SRH 480 up against any FA 83 in 480 or 475 for accuracy. Fit and finish, there is no contest that FA makes an oustanding product, and I'd love to own one, specifically a mdl 83 w/ 6" octagon barrel in 480.

quote:

Originally posted by bfrshooter:
You are welcome. I still want one though because of the precision. Just have to learn to do what it needs. I can sit and look at the Freedom for hours! I realize the gun was made to carry as a backup without being too heavy and for this it is perfect.
The answer to satisfy all needs would be for them to make other models, some big and heavy for primary hunting guns and what they have now for carry.

Ok.. I held it for a month. Perhaps my sarcasm was lost in the typing.

Freedom Arms 83, too small? Too light?
Good grief.

Me thinks some folks have different definitions of hunting and hence hunting revolvers. My def is something I pack in a holster and am comfortable carrying all day, and can fire off hand with iron sights.

Hey, what's really cool is one can buy WTF what one wants... Just kills me when one tells me what I should be doing or that what I am doing does not agree with his/her beliefs. Buy what you want and I will do the same.

"Hey, what's really cool is one can buy WTF what one wants... Just kills me when one tells me what I should be doing or that what I am doing does not agree with his/her beliefs. Buy what you want and I will do the same."

Uh.. no. He's saying he can't buy "WTF" he wants. That's his point.

The reason I would like a longer cylinder on the .475 Freedom is so I can shoot all the different boolits I have. I have four molds and only one will chamber with full length Linebaugh brass. I would also like a thicker barrel for weight because I shoot a LOT. A few shots are no problem but when I run 100 or more shots it gets unpleasant.
I have also found the twist is too slow for the heavy boolits and the Freedom likes up to 350 grs. best. It will pack 325 gr. boolits in less then an inch at 50 yd's but boolits of 400 grs. and up do not group good. The twist is 1 in 18. The BFR is 1 in 15. The BFR hates light boolits and loves 400 to 440 grs.
Remember, I am talking about the .475, not the .454. The .454 does not intimidate me and over 200 rounds in a session is not much more then shooting the .44 mag. I don't see any of you saying you ran over 100 rounds through the .475 Freedom without feeling it. Carrying it in a holster for a backup in case one shot is needed is far different then the purpose I have for a handgun. They are not only my primary hunting guns but I shoot them day in and day out. For this, I will take the BFR thank you!
You can talk tough but I invite any of you over for a shootin session so you can decide which gun you will continue to shoot. I am betting the Freedom goes back in the holster first. I am also betting I will continue to shoot while you sit and watch because you are tired of getting beat up. I am not recoil sensitive, just practicle. Leave the wimp .454 at home though and you can shoot my Vaquero with my hunting loads. Six shots should take you out of the game.

Nope. I don't shoot 100 rounds of 454 in one trip. Nor 500 Linebaugh. No point to it. But when I think about it, I rarely shoot 100 rounds of any one caliber in one trip any more. That would be like loving one of your children more than another. And haven't got all week.

Cas, I shoot that much because I make my own molds and am trying loads all the time. I am also retired so I have the time. Besides what is more pleasure then shooting?

quote:

Originally posted by Boss Kongoni:

quote:

Originally posted by Me_Plat:
I don't understand why anyone would want one of those overpriced 5 guns. They really offer no advantage over the Ruger Single Actions.
The people that waste money on them would be better off to buy 2 Rugers and still have money left over.

People do the stupidest things though.

I'm sure you wouldn't want to own a Mercades or date a Super-model either.

I wouldn't want either, both are way too high maintenance...

Tanker
What sights do you use om you FA,s?
I replaced the regular sights with the "Express" which I like much better for hunting.

bfr,

Sounds like you are geting in some tough talk yourself. "Leave the wimp .454 at home though and you can shoot my Vaquero with my hunting loads. Six shots should take you out of the game."

I hope you got dynamite loaded in that thing to back this statement up.

My primary hunting firearms are handguns, more revolvers than in the past and I've shot a bunch of silhouettes my ownself. I'll keep my FAs and maybe one of these days we'll be able to get together and get in some shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Tanker
What sights do you use om you FA,s?
I replaced the regular sights with the "Express" which I like much better for hunting.

lol I replaced the express sights it came with, with the standard set. I could shoot pretty accurately with them, but I felt I was cheating myself out of the guns full accuracy potential. Inside 40 yards they were fine, but past that they left me really wanting.

cas
Are you saying you like the regular sights better for hunting past 40 yards or are you talking about shooting on paper?

MS, 350 gr. boolit with a max load in the Vaquero thats weighs a LOT less then a Freedom will make your middle finger sit up and beg. Recoil is not bad but that trigger guard will mangle a finger.
Recoil itself doesn't bother me, only when it starts to pound one spot over and over with metal instead of wood. I have shot a Freedom .454 with one hand 50 times in a row with no pain but the Vaquero for 12 rounds and 2 hands is enough at one time. It's all in the weight of the gun.

I agree. Ten rounds with a .500 Linebaugh Maximum conversion, while neither paniful nor unpleasant, was a good experience. Buddy of mine cracked one of the bones in his finger. These were 440s loaded up to max because he made the mistake of getting smart with the owner. Nowing how to hang on to one of those helps also.

I've got scars on my middle finger knuckle from "Super Blackhawk bite". My Predator just ate me up with some 325s over 21 grains of H-110.

"cas
Are you saying you like the regular sights better for hunting past 40 yards or are you talking about shooting on paper?"

Both? I really liked the sight picture of the express sights, and were I carrying the gun solely as a back up or protection weapon, I would use the express sights. But I use it as a primary hunting gun and for target shooting out to 100 yards and beyond. The express sights just wouldn't cut it.

quote:

I have shot a Freedom .454 with one hand 50 times in a row with no pain but the Vaquero for 12 rounds and 2 hands is enough at one time. It's all in the weight of the gun.

It's the shape of the grip. I HATE the XR3-Red grip frame. Don't like any centerfire with them, save maybe for the .32H&R
I can't decide which gripframe shape I like best, the FA or the Ruger Bisley. With the factory grip panels, it's an easy choice, the FA. I've found the 454 and 475 very comfortable with it. I had a Ruger Bisley in 50AE that I used to shoot heavy loads (for the 50AE) and it just killed me. My middle knuckle would hurt for weeks if I over did it. My 500L on the other hand, has much worse recoil, but with ever so slight changes made to the shape of the wood, it doesn't so much as even bump be. You can't see any real difference to look at it. And not even so much when you hold it. But shoot it and you will. (at least if your hand shape and size is like mine, which caused my middle knuckle to get brutalized).