I'm thinking about taking the plunge and ordering a Freedom Arms 97. Currently, I have a Ruger Bisley .45 Colt 5.5" and a Blackhawk .44 Special 5.5" for single actions, as well as a S&W 396 Mountain Lite .44 Special.

This gun will be carried while I'm hunting, used to shoot the odd lion or bear out of a tree, finishing off wounded game, taking small game, etc. The longest shots I'd use it for would probably be 35-40 yards. What I really want is something that's easily packable so I don't leave it in camp, but still easy to shoot.

Given all of that, my first thought would be to get a fixed sight 4.25 inch 45 Colt with round butt grips. I typically shoot 280 grain WFN bullets at around 1100 fps in my Bisley as my heavy load. I've never had a fixed sight gun before, but I like the looks and thought of not having to worry about the sights getting knocked out of alignment. But what I don't know is how much of a difference going to lighter loads will make. Also, I'm not sure if those bullets will fit into the short cylinder of the 97, or if I'll be limited to lighter bullets.

My other thought would be to get a .44 Special in the same configuration.

Anyone have any thoughts on this, specifically on round versus square butt grips and fixed versus adjustable sights?

Pete

For grips I'll take square. I like how they fit and fill the hand. I'd get them in the tan (off white) Micarta if it's still offered. Otherwise I'd do the black Micarta.

Adjustable sights for me are a real must, for all the obvious reasons. I have and had fixed sight guns that are/were a real pain in the accuracy dept. Been there, done that.

I've come close to ordering a 97 too. If I did, it'd be a .41 Magnum in a 7 1/2. I like that caliber a lot and already have a .45, and .44 Magnums. The way I see it, if what I want to do is shoot .44 Special, I can already do that in the .44 Magnums and don't need a gun just for that.

I'd skip the magna-porting as it isn't needed with standard moderate velocity magnum factory loads, which is what I shoot. In .41, a 210 @ 1350 isn't a hard kicker.

I also kinda like the idea of an octagon barrel. Not sure though if I'd really do that. But I do know I'd skip hanging a scope on it.

There are only two reasons I haven't already pushed ahead with this. Price + 5 shots.

Talentrec,
The only thing I would change is to go with adjustable sights and stay with the 45 Colt. I been shooting critters with handguns for over 30 years and in very harsh conditions and never experienced having adjustable sights being wacked out of alignment.
Get the order in soon as they are currently running 13 months and a price hike is expected soon.

I would also suggest that you contact Chris at Heym USA as he is a Freedom Arms dealer and offers good pricing.

The way that the FA sight gets locked in place, it will not get knocked off zero. Get the adjustable sight.
I would not go shorter than the standard 4 1/4" barrel, to avoid having to remove the ejector rod housing (or modifying it) to remove the cylinder.
I prefer the standard square butt, after testing both, but opinions vary on this.
Ivory micarta is worthwhile (I'm spending your money, after all), and either the .44 or .45 will be fine. I slightly prefer the .45, but that's a matter of personal preference. One can use slightly longer bullets in the ,44 Special case.

Thanks for the advice guys. I guess I will go with the adjustable sights. Ivory micarta for the grips as well.

I just measured some of my current 45 Colt loads.

300 Grain Partition - 1.664"
280 Grain WFN - 1.606"
300 Grain WLFN - 1.702"

Will any of these work in the shorter cylinder?

Here's what the ivory Micarta grips look like - http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=415118339 It's also got the octagon barrel.

You can call them and ask about the whole package.

FA also sells holsters.

For carrying and hunting, I prefer a shoulder holster.

My favorite is the Bianchi X-15 Large. I use it interchangeably for the AM, the Super Blackhawk and the N frame Smiths. I've never however tried it for fit on an FA. It would be interesting to know if it'd work.

One very good thing about those is, you can sometimes find them used/cheap at gun shows. I got mine for $25.

I have a 97 in 41 Mag with the 4-1/4" barrel with standard square grip...it is my go-to packing revolver even though I have nearly 40 handguns from .22 to 500 S&W in single actions alone...many customs too. This little revolver just has it all in one small package.

I have a Mod 97 or order with the 4 1/4" octagon barrel, adjustable express sights, round but black micarta grips and the trigger job. With two cylinders.

I picked the 44 Special because I have a progressive loader in 44, and I have other 44 Mag handguns and a 44 Mag rifle.

I have the 97 in .41 Magnum. It is a wonderful Packin' Gun. As was indicated above however the cylinder is shorter than most revolvers intended to be chambered for Magnum length rounds....and no, none of your .45 Colt loads will work in the 97.

There is also a secondary issue with the chambers other than the overall length of the loaded round. The lead from the end of the case into the throat is very short even in the Model 83 size guns. Keith bullets with a full width driving band ahead of the crimping groove and some LBTs will not fit in the chamber.

It is funny but the first three calibers that the 97 was chambered for were .357 Magnum, .45 Colt and .41 Magnum...then came .44 Special...which is THE perfect caliber for the gun. I said this to Mr. Baker at the SHOT Show in 2013 and explained to him that many .357, .41 and .45 loads could not be used in the 97 because of the short cylinder and he kinda just stared at me...

Adjustable or fixed sights...get the adjustable...they are locked in place with a setscrew and mine have never moved. They also give a better sight picture and resale value is much better...

Round or square butt...as much as the round butt looks cool I have a .22/97 with the square butt and have shot other centerfire square butt 97s and they do handle better. Mine has a round butt because I'm the second owner and got a great deal on it...

Barrel length...the holster that came with the gun is a Simply Rugged. It also holds the 5.5" .22. So carry wise I don't really find any difference. I used to have a lot of 4 5/8" Rugers and Colt 4 3/4" guns...they are now all gone and have been replaced with 5.5-6.5" guns. YMMV....














My friends gun...square butt...





I changed the shights from the original Express/FO first to just notch/FO then notch/gold bead and now notch/yellow painted ramp.


Bob

Here is about what you may be looking for....

Save a years wait....

http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=422847011

RJM and I go way back. We worked together, shot to gether and are great buddies. He has been a 41 Mag [and 38 Super] freek since the dawn of time. Me I am a 44 Mag 45ACP Freek.

So, I am real suprised that he thinks that the 44 Special is the best calibre for the Mod 97..

Just a few days ago a buddy and I were discussing the Mod 97, he has a few in 45 Colt and one in 357 Mag, and I made the statement that the 41 Mag might be the best calibre in the Mod 97...

I know that Bob [RJM] will be suprised to hear that from me.

If CCI only made factory shotshells for the 41 Mag.

However, the truth is, IMHO, the FA Mod 97 is the Perfect SA handgun for any calibre from 22LR/22Mag to the 45 Colt.

I have shot the 45 Colt Mod 97 with the standard grip and the round butt grip. Personally, I much prefer the round butt grip. Especially since I will be carrying My mod 97 in a crossdraw holster, and the rounded butt is much less sharp, on your arms, clothing etc.

I also much prefer how it feel when shooting as well.

If I was not a 44 Mag freek,and had a progressive loader for the 44 calibre, I would have bought my FA 97 in 45 Colt.

In just the last year, I have been playing with/shooting/reloading/carrying, in the field a couple of USFA 4 3/4" Single Actions in 45 Colt. I really like them...

I have found the 45 Colt, even in the "weaker Colt SAA" sized package, to be a most useful Utility field revolver.
They are fun guns to use as well.

I am not an expert on FA guns, but I do own an FA 475 Linebaugh which I intend to keep and use against Satan. However I do also own a Ruger stainless steel 4 1/2 " (or so) barrel in 45 Colt. I love this gun as well. I shoot 300 grain cast lead bullets out of it and this one I am saving for Wormwood!
Peter.

Thanks for all the info. Now I'm really struggling to make up my mind!

I have a ton of components for .44 Special and .45 Colt, but it looks like most of my .45 Colt stuff won't work. I hadn't really considered the .41 Mag, but that might be a good option as well.

There are a lot of different sight options to consider. On my Rugers I have One Ragged Hole aperture sights. I also have a S&W 396 .44 Special with the express sights. While quick to line up, I don't seem to be as accurate with them. Thoughts on sight combos?

To me, if it is going to be a shorter barrel packing gun the express sights fit the bill...since they are quick to use. If we are talking one for target practice and general shooting, perhaps with a longer barrel the normal notch rear and blade front sight option is better...and maybe with this use in mind a scoped package might just fit the bill the best.

quote:

Originally posted by talentrec:
Thanks for all the info. Now I'm really struggling to make up my mind!

Adjustable sights, 45 Colt, with ACP cylinder. Grip to your taste... For 5" and greater barrels, I like the regular grip. The round butt looks best to me on the shorter barrels. 3 pound trigger and action job.

My 97 45 Colt 5.5 inch square butt black Micarta came from Cove Creek Outfitters a year ago..punched "buy it now " and never looked back..killed a whitetail with it last fall..It's light enough to carry all fall in a FA high ride strong side..absolutely love it!!!

I have owned and now own sever Freedom Arms revolvers. If I am hunting in bear country, I carry the 454. My go to gun for all around carry and deer hunting is the model 97 with 5.5" barrel in 44 special. The 41 mag is a handfull in the model 97 as is the 44 special with heavy bullets and stiff loads.

I also own a few Ruger revolvers but the FA's are more refined and certainly more accurate.