I am conteplating purchasing a new revolver for hunting. I have narrowed my choices down to the .475 linebaugh in the Freedom Arms Premier grade with a 6" barrel or a .460 S&W 5". My first leaning is towards the Freedom Arms gun, but I have heard quality complaints as of late. Any suggestions?

Aleko

I own 3 FA .475's- a 6" Premier, and 7.5 and 9 "Field Grade revolvers, all with Black Micarta grips. I've used them to take Elk, Bison, Buffalo, a couple of large Bears, and a number of wild boar. The .475 Linebaugh is my favorite large game cartridge. It's extremely accurate, and powerful enough for any use. Over the years, I've owned 15 FA revolvers. Only 1 was ever returned to the factory for a minor problem, and I had it back in less than a week.

quote:

I have heard quality complaints as of late.

Is there anything you could share with us? I am also interested in a FA revolver.

Thanks,KP

i also had a field grade 6" 454 with black micra grips and it was awsome revolver but i do like my my thompson encore more and my 500 s&w.

I have been told that chambers were not as well done as previous guns, and overall finish was closer to a field grade than an older premier on the the new premiers

Aleko

you can buy an older slightly used and get it for cheaper...best of both worlds...

Aleko as you know I am a bitg fan of S&W revolvers, however I would prefer the 6" FA in 475. Which is why I have one.

I installed the express sights on mine. I have taken a black bear, deer wild pig and a turkey with mine.

I will take it to Zim with me when I fly out tommorow.

I am looking for one in a premier grade as we speak

Aleko

S&W X-frames are just too damn big for practical purposes IMO. Freedom Arms are nice guns, but you can go buy a Ruger, have an action& trigger job done, have it line bored, and the cylinder throats sized, and it'll do anything the FA will do for half the price. A local gun store owner was at the range shooting his FA 454 and the hammer froze up. It just wouldn't drop. Kind of scary with a 454 in your hands, not knowing if or when the hammer would fall. I read about the exact same thing happening when they tested one in Gun Tests magazine. Never had a single malfunction with any of the 4 Ruger big bores I've had. I'm not saying Ruger is a better gun than FA, but with a little money invested to a competent smith, they can easily be made as good, for less money than the FA. Just my opinion---2MG

I can't knock FA revolvers - I've only fired two shots out of one. But I have had David Clements build me a 5-shot 45 Colt and a 454 on Ruger Bisleys. Both were superbly accurate, extremely powerful and very tough. Also, because of their long cylinders, they're a better choice than the FA if you plan to use bullets over 360 grains. Cost of the work on each gun was under $1,000.

Or you can tweak a factory Bisley in 45 Colt. I got the throats opened on one, then fire-lapped it and added an extra-power mainspring and a Belt Mountain base pin with set screw. Then I had a good smith do a trigger job and add a freewheel pawl. Farming this work out took a while, but I kept the modification cost under $200. That revolver ran so close to my five-shot guns that I doubt I'll ever need anything more.

I might buy a FA if I get a big bonus some day, but a Ruger that's been customized by someone who knows what they're doing is really tough to beat.


Okie John

Guy's, he is asking about a 475 not a 454 or 45 Colt.
I have several custom revolvers in various calibers from 45,454,475, 500 Linebaugh as well as the Freedom Arms in 45,454,475,and 500 JRH the Freedoms are very good as well as the customs it is your choice.
I would also take boom stick's advice and search for a used one at a good price.There are always some for sell on:
http://www.gunbroker.com/

Check it out........

I'd go for the 6" 475 mdl 83 in a heartbeat, especially if you opted for the octagon barrel

To me the big smith is too big of a gun, and trying to make a handgun into a rifle with high velocities just doesn't make sense, IMHO.

The 475 linebaugh is about the most perfect heavy handgun hunting round. Plenty of penetration, and not too brutal to shoot in a gun of reasonable weight. You can also back it off to 480 Ruger levels, which dramatically drop the recoil w/o sacrificing much terminal performance. To me 400 gr @ 1200-1300 fps is about perfection in an iron sighted hunting revolver.

I haven't heard of any problems with recently manufactured FA's. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to check the used market, as most 475's don't get shot much, especially by folks that are selling them.

I own a Premier "pre-Premeir" Model 83 in .454 as well as a Field Grade in both the .454 and .475. All are very well put together, both in fit and finish. I have not had a moment's problem from any of the three.

If you are looking for a revolver that is both easy to carry as well as highly effective on big game, I recommend going with the FA with a 6" barrel. I also recommend having micarta grip panels installed on the revolver.

As previously stated, the round is very accurate and can be loaded from mild to wild in the Linebaugh cases. There's no need for the 480 Ruger cuylinder in my opinion. Spend the money on reloading components.

I picked up a 475 BFR on Gunbroker for just a little over $600, used very little. The fit and finish does not compare at all. My only real complaint is that Houge does not make a monogrip for it.
I also found a S&W 500 4" on Gunbroker, used with only 5 rounds through it for less than $700. It is very comfortable to shoot even with full power factory loads.
don't remember where I was going with this, but there are many good options available and not all will break the bank.

I bought a used premier in .475 Linebaugh last night from a friend. Looking forward to shooting it this weekend

Aleko

If you can put 5 shots in 5/8" at 50 yd's with the Freedom using 430 gr boolits or larger (If you can even chamber them.) you will be lucky. My BFR .475 will do it! Best if you stick to 325 to 350 gr bullets. The cylinders are too short for heavy boolits and the twist is wrong.
The people at Freedom have heads too big and now are cheapening the guns to make more money.
Yes I still love them but can't see spending the enormous amount of money for a gun I can outshoot with a cheaper gun. You have to pick between pride of ownership and accuracy. I choose accuracy any day.

Lar is correct! Some tough guys shoot a big revolver once or twice and sell it cheap. Recoil scares the hell out of them.

quote:

Originally posted by Heritage Arms:
I bought a used premier in .475 Linebaugh last night from a friend. Looking forward to shooting it this weekend

Aleko

goodonya!

post pics...

i would looooooove a f.a. with micarta grips in 475 linebaugh...

it a curse to have taste without money

I'll get some photos tomorrow, need to change out the sights to the express ones ASAP

Aleko

If I was going to spend that much money I would just have Gary Reeder build me a custom revolver any way I wanted for about the same cost. The F/A is the lesser value for the money when compared to either a Reeder or a Bowen. Guess that is why I own 5 Reeders and 1 Bowen, and zero F/A.

Woody