Hello together,

I read long in this Under-Forum of AR.
Fantastic.
Very good informations.

MY QUESTION:
I want to bought an FA 97.
But I want it in .44 Magnum.
As you know, they dont build the Modell 97 in .44, only in some other calibers, like the .44 Special.
(I dont want the Mod. 83.)

Do you think an good gunsmith can make an .44 Magnum from the .44 Special?
They can use the barrel and the "wheel", ...some modification?
Did somebody has expirience with it?

Best whises and thank you for your help.

Bockhunter

It can be physically done, but they were not designed for the pressure produced by the magnum. It's a really small revolver (diameter of cylinder, frame, etc.). You would be better served by buying an 83. That said, the .44 special is no slouch when loaded properly.

I agree with Whitworth, If your heart is set on a 44 mag, trade the 97 in on a Model 83.

In my Opinion the frame is strong enough.
Look at an S&W frame...

I think the "wheel" is the problem.
Or...?

BH

P.S.:
The 83 is imo to big, to heavy...

quote:

Originally posted by Dr. FM:
In my Opinion the frame is strong enough.
Look at an S&W frame...

I think the "wheel" is the problem.
Or...?

Frank

P.S.:
The 83 is imo to big, to heavy...

Too heavy for what, may I ask? Like I said, the diameter of the cylinder is on the small side. You can make the cartridge fit, that's not the problem, but the pressure is a real issue. If you would like a lightweight .44 magnum, the scandium framed Smith & Wesson 329PD is an option.

There may be another option if a single action revolver is what you seek. I am testing a Uberti Callahan in .44 magnum and it is small, light in weight, and it shoots really well. Doesn't cost that much either.

...not bad.
But not a FA 97.

I like these gun.
No, I fall in love with it.
:-)

Definitely not an FA 97 -- much prettier in blue! Haha!

No, it's not the quality of an FA, but it is able to handle the magnum pressures you seek, and it is a six-shot.

You really can't do wrong with the 97 in .44 Special or .45 Colt. I wouldn't think either of those would be a handicap of some sort, depending on the intended use of the revolver.

Tell me, what will you be doing with it? Will you be hunting?

Have you called or written them to see if they will make one for you?
You might try asking one of the more prominent pistol smiths like Linebaugh or Huntington.

Does anyone know what the cylinder diameter and wall thickness is for the 44spl? You might need that info.

I talked to Huntington about it and he said the cylinder is just too small in diameter to safely chamber one in .44 Mag.

Hi Frank,

I enjoyed meeting you when I was in Germany. I hope to return soon. I had a Great Time in Germany.

I have a Mod 83 in 475 Linebaugh. Chris has a Mod 97 in 45 Colt. As you know it is much smaller, much more compact.

I have talked to the FA people in person to see if I could get a Mod 97 in 44 Mag, telling them I just wanted to shoot factory and lower power handloads, in the 97's Compact package...
The answer, NO...

So my question to you would be, just how much "Power" do you want in your Mod 97???

You could easily, IMHO, load the 44 Special Mod 97 up to Elmer Keith's 44 Special loads, say a 240 cast bullet to @ 1150/1200fps.

If you need more "thump" that that, then get the Mod 83...

I can say the Freedom Arms revolvers are one of the best made guns on the Planet. Like the Heyms

You guy fixed me up with these guns.
I had a couple of guns and I use them.
I make money with as an instructor...

But Im a collector too.

I want to bought an FA since years...

I had spoken with the experts from FA at the IWA (the germen shoot show) and they told me, it is an question of marketing, not an questing of strong/wekness of the frame.

So...
Tomorrow I meet the european expert for special american weapons, he will try it.

Imo it mus be possible, because the S&W Modells are not so strong as the FA 97...

I will report later...

Welcome Frank!

Provided the cylinder is long enough to allow reaming the chambers from .44 Special to Magnum it should physically fit. Now as to the pressure, check the cylinder wall thicknesses between the S&W revolvers and the FA 97 specifications.

Keep us posted on how this progresses for you.

Any collector value is gone if you modify the cylinder/From what I have read in the past on their site,they were not intended for 44 mag pressures.
This Revolver as a 44 Special will do everything you would want it to do.My simple advice would be to buy a 83 in 44 Mag and 97 in 44 Special!!!!

I had spoken in the last 2 days with the best german gun-tuner.
The best-known german gun-tuner for aremican revolver/pistols will do it.
(And he will "change" two FA 83 in other calibers for his own too.)

As you know, we have an strong weapon law here in Germany and ather every modification, they had to bestet (one test is with 200% more power as Cip) by the state-agency.

After this it will get an stamp and now it is allowed for privat persons to shoot with it.

PLEASE:
Thank you very mutch.
I will do it.
After this, I give an report here, with photos.
:-)

Bockhunter, II

Excellent.
Remember the pictures

I still think it may not be a good idea. Nothing wrong with the 97 in .44 special or even better yet, .45 Colt -- just my humble opinion. If you want more horsaepower, you will need to step up to a larger revolver.

Sounds like despite our warnings, he is planning to proceed. This should be interesting. Kinda like playing in traffic; yes it can be done, but why would you want to.

Although it may fit after reaming, I still believe higher pressures are going to get it.

Did I not read some place that when the 97 in .45 Colt first came out some folks tried loading it up to Ruger type pressures, with catastrophic results?
C.G.B.

It will definitely physically fit the 97 cylinder, but, just because it fits........you know where I'm going with this.......

I know, I know; like I said, it can be be done, but why?

While I think a FA in 44 Special modified to shoot 44 Mags would most likely be ok with standard pressure 44 Mag factory loads, I worry about shooting Proof loads through it.

Especially the Proof loads that the German Proof House will use.