454 Cassul options-advice

16 March 2003, 15:14

<lb404>

This is my first time to post this forum. Every 5-6 years I get crazy and find a Freedom Arms 454 at a decent price in a gun show and I buy the damn thing. I have small hands and I usually get the field model. At Dallas this year I met and talked with the Owner and asked him if there was a secret to shooting the big gun. He said that if I replaced the rubber grips with wood that the recoil would be less. Wood allows the gun to rotate and slide in the hand instead of the rubber grabbing the flesh of the hand. Is there any truth to this?
While there I handled the Model 97 in 45LC with 4.5" barrel. This gun fits my hand well and seemed to be easier to handle. The question I have is this: will I be able to load the rounds up to come close to the 454 to be a useful tool as a backup and hunting pistol? Will the 4.5"barrel be enough? I prefer it to pack. I have a Ruger Vaquero, Sheriffs model but by the time you trick it up you have almost as much in it as a Freedom Arms. Can someone give me some serious advice on this matter??

16 March 2003, 15:27

cas

Sorry, no. The smaller 97 won't handel the super duper loads, It's for "standard" 45 colt loads.

16 March 2003, 15:38

<lb404>

Will it not handle the loads that are for the New Ruger pistol????

16 March 2003, 18:23

Mingbogo

quote:
Originally posted by lb404:
Will it not handle the loads that are for the New Ruger pistol????

Yes, the Model 97 45 Colt should be able to handle loads designed for the Ruger Super Blackhawk 45 Colt. The Model 97 is roughly 10% smaller than the legendary Model 83 (454 Casull revolver) including the grip frame assembly. Walls in the cylinder are thinner than the 83 and the cylinder itself is shorter as well, restricting it to light to medium loads. It is one of my favorite sixguns. Every time I fondle it, it's like holding a super model [Smile]

in my hand.

17 March 2003, 04:47

<lb404>

The model 83 in 454 Casull and rubber grips really tears up my wrist and gives me tenosynovitis in the elbow. Will changing to Micarta grips reduce the hammering to my wrist and elbow? Would the 97 in 45LC with loads designed for the Ruger framed guns be as bad? I really like that feel of the 4.5" 97 in 45LC with the express sights. Is that barrel length a compromise and will I gain a significant amount in velocity with 1.5" more barrel?
lb404

17 March 2003, 06:24

Mingbogo

quote:
Originally posted by lb404:
The model 83 in 454 Casull and rubber grips really tears up my wrist and gives me tenosynovitis in the elbow. Will changing to Micarta grips reduce the hammering to my wrist and elbow? Would the 97 in 45LC with loads designed for the Ruger framed guns be as bad? I really like that feel of the 4.5" 97 in 45LC with the express sights. Is that barrel length a compromise and will I gain a significant amount in velocity with 1.5" more barrel?
lb404

Some think rubber grips are better for handling recoil but I prefer an ergonomically designed grip frame like the Freedom Arms with hard micrata or walnut grip panels. I have had no problems shooting a full power 475 Linebaugh and 500 Linebaugh with hard plastic micrata grips. For a medium 45 Colt load, it should not be bad at all to shoot, at least it should generate less recoil than the factory 44 Magnum. Felt recoil is a very subject matter and is different from one individual to another. However, an average man without any big bore shooting experience should be able to handle a medium 45 Colt load. I highly recommend the Freedom Arms whether it is a model 83 or a model 97. I don’t think you can get a better sixgun out of the box than a Freedom Arms. Good luck.

[ 03-16-2003, 21:25: Message edited by: Mingo ]

18 March 2003, 04:41

Hunt4Fun

If you're asking can you load a 45 Colt up to the power of a 454 just because it's a Freedom Arms the answer is NO. You don't say what you would be hunting with it but the 44 Mag & 45 Colt can handle some pretty big animals if you place the bullet properly from a reaonable distance and use the right bullet. Personally I would prefer the wood or micarta grips over the Pachmayr on either the 97 or 83. I wear a pair of thin insulated (thinsulate) leather gloves (like mens dress gloves) when I'm shooting which I prefer over any padded glove.

20 March 2003, 16:10

ScottB

Squeeze harder?

21 March 2003, 07:46

Paul H

Rubber grips on a heavy recoiling single action are a bad idea! The most comfortable 454 I ever shot was a limited run FA w/ 5 1/2" barrel and roundbutted laminated grips. The gun simply roles in your hand. As I recall I was shooting 300 gr @ 1500 fps loads, certainly plenty for most situations.

21 March 2003, 10:28

BER007

Paul H,
Rubber grips on a heavy recoiling single action are a bad idea! The most comfortable 454 I ever shot was a limited run FA w/ 5 1/2" barrel and roundbutted laminated grips. The gun simply roles in your hand. As I recall I was shooting 300 gr @ 1500 fps loads, certainly plenty for most situations.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you in all the cases. Most of FA's Field Grade owners, change the standard rubber grip in to a rosewood grip (standard on Premier grade).

The roundbutted grip is great for gun with a barrel lenght under 6".

29 March 2003, 08:30

<TWCracker>

I too have small hands and shot a field grade 454 with a 4 3/4" barrel. I replaced the rubber grips with a set of wood grrips and can now shot the thing all day long. With the rubber grips about two or three shots and I was done for a month until my hand quit hurting. The wood rolls in your hand so make sure you don't drop it if you shot it with only one hand.

TWCracker