Anyone have any experience good or bad with the m97 in45LC?seems like a handy woods carry gun without the bulk of the 83.what loads do you use in yours?Thanks.

Had one for several years now and it is the most accurate handgun I have ever owned. Mine has a 7 1/2" barrel and shoots a 250 cast SWC at 1000 fps over 8.5 grains of Unique. It will handle hotter loads (I've gotten up to about 1200 fps with a 265 LBT) but I don't have any need to be there. The FA is the tightest, best built revolver I've ever come across. BTW mine is for sale if you're interested - nice a gun as it is, it busts my middle knuckle and makes me flinch.

quote:

Originally posted by Sagebrush Burns:
Had one for several years now and it is the most accurate handgun I have ever owned. Mine has a 7 1/2" barrel and shoots a 250 cast SWC at 1000 fps over 8.5 grains of Unique. It will handle hotter loads (I've gotten up to about 1200 fps with a 265 LBT) but I don't have any need to be there. The FA is the tightest, best built revolver I've ever come across. BTW mine is for sale if you're interested - nice a gun as it is, it busts my middle knuckle and makes me flinch.

So why are you getting rid of it? I'm confused...... Because of the knuckle busting?

quote:

busts my middle knuckle and makes me flinch

Me too! That's what makes a real man!
Peter.

I've had one for about 7-8 years, an octagon .45 Colt / .45 ACP convertible.
I like it a lot. It's quite accurate. My regular load is 17.5 gr. 2400 driving a 250 gr. XTP. I've used up to 19.5 gr. which is my standard Ruger load, but that's more than necessary in the light 97.

I have a model 97 in 44 special. I have a model 83 with 45 long colt cyl also. Both are remarkably accurate. I also have the issue with my middle finger on my shooting hand getting smacked with 240 gr loads over 1000 fps with the model 97. I usually find that a 240 gr bullet between 900-1000fps is adequate up to and including whitetail. My FA 44 special likes Unique and Lil Gun powder. Good shooting!

Whitworth - yes I'm willing to let it go because (for me) it has not especially comfortable to shoot. This is no reflection on the gun, it's me. I have an easier time with a Colt SAA or a Ruger Bisley.

quote:

Originally posted by Sagebrush Burns:
Whitworth - yes I'm willing to let it go because (for me) it has not especially comfortable to shoot. This is no reflection on the gun, it's me. I have an easier time with a Colt SAA or a Ruger Bisley.

A revolver that is uncomfortable to shoot is definately a reflection on that gun...

Some of you are realizing why I hate the Bisley grips. They suck with large hands.

Maybe i better shoot one first.i wear 8 1/2 size gloves&think id loose interest fast in a knuckle rapper.Thanks.

That is why FA in recent years has "adopted" Gary Reeders gunfighter style grip frame. That style grip frame/grips dampens the recoil and gives you something to hang on to. I have one of Gary's(actually many)revolvers in a 500L with this style gripframe and it is a hands down winner. I guess thats why FA started using it. It just flat out works. If I was to purchase a FA it would be with that type gripframe.

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Originally posted by Woodrow S:
That is why FA in recent years has "adopted" Gary Reeders gunfighter style grip frame. That style grip frame/grips dampens the recoil and gives you something to hang on to. I have one of Gary's(actually many)revolvers in a 500L with this style gripframe and it is a hands down winner. I guess thats why FA started using it. It just flat out works. If I was to purchase a FA it would be with that type gripframe.

Yes I like the Reeder grip frame also. Works great on my 510 GR and that is what I am getting on my 475 Linebaugh from Gary.

I've been looking for some different grips for my FA97 for a while now, something similar to the pachmayr grip for the 83, only in a nice wood. I love the gun, but it absolutely abuses my middle finger when I shoot it.

John

anyone make a grip to attenuate the knuckle rapping?

I'm not being a smartass here, but normally if you grip the gun harder it won't "slip" and rap your knuckles. Since my hands are just a tad above average (XL gloves) I can't speak for the gorillas who shoot.

Personally I like a kind of "relaxed" grip, which is firm but doesn't really have any serious tension in my muscles, on anything reasonable, like .44 mag and down, which is why I'm a big fan of muzzle brakes or magnaporting. I've got a Gallagher .44 on a SBH frame and it raps me if I don't grip it harder, one reason I don't shoot it much.

Jack Huntington Advanced Gunsmithing has made custom grips for both my bisley frame, and my 83. Both were unshootable for me, with the small, stock grips, that came on the FA, and sadly, the custom buffalo horn grips that were on my Ruger max. I'm going to have him put customs on my 252 one of these days, so everything matches.

Don't know if that would solve the problem on the 97, since I've never even handled one in Kali...

quote:

Originally posted by GS:
Jack Huntington Advanced Gunsmithing has made custom grips for both my bisley frame, and my 83. Both were unshootable for me, with the small, stock grips, that came on the FA, and sadly, the custom buffalo horn grips that were on my Ruger max. I'm going to have him put customs on my 252 one of these days, so everything matches.

Don't know if that would solve the problem on the 97, since I've never even handled one in Kali...

+1 on the grips that Jack makes... They fit the shooting hand perfectly and that is the difference in day light and dark IMHO..

I personally like the .44 Special version of the 97 far more than the .45 Colt. IMHO Too much recoil with the Colt, where as the .44 Specials seem to be just right. A 245 gr Keith or a 275 gr NEI Keith slug will still shoot right through any deer at 900 fps. How much MORE do You need?

If elk or bear are on the menu take the M-83 along.

FN in MT

Here are a couple 45 FA 97's.



I have small hands so the 97 is perfect for me. The scoped one I shoot 250 hornady xtp's and lil'gun. Recoil is fairly stout, but I've taken deer and turkey with it.

The octagon has become my favorite. Very light and comfortable in a Xdraw and very pleasant to shoot using 250gr swc casts in a load going 850fps. Seems to like bluedot and 2400 equally well.

quote:

Originally posted by OneGoodShot:
Here are a couple 45 FA 97's.



I have small hands so the 97 is perfect for me. The scoped one I shoot 250 hornady xtp's and lil'gun. Recoil is fairly stout, but I've taken deer and turkey with it.

The octagon has become my favorite. Very light and comfortable in a Xdraw and very pleasant to shoot using 250gr swc casts in a load going 850fps. Seems to like bluedot and 2400 equally well.

Very nice!

OneGoodShot, that's a nice looking pair.

What type of scope mount is that?

John

Believe it is a ssk t'sob. Going from memory though.