New Cylinder

[High Desert Hunter]

Well due to my own stupidity (something I thought would lessen with age, but apparently 59.5 years isn't quite enough) I had to send my Freedom Arms Model 83 back for repair. Since they were able to fix my faux pas with the 454 cylinder, I had them go ahead and fit a 45 Colt cylinder, something I have wanted for years, and wish I'd had done when the price wasn't such a shocker! Hoping to head to the foothills this afternoon and see if I can hit some steel of varying sizes with several different bullets.

20260604_195934.jpg

20260604_195949.jpg

20260606_071605.jpg

Dave

[Bill in Oregon]

Looks fabulous, Dave!

[Walt]

That's like getting a brand new gun, Dave.

I hope it does everything you want and more.

Congratulations!

[High Desert Hunter]

That big 83 makes 335s at 1250 a breeze, same load from my 5 1/2" Bisley does 1100ish some of that is 1/2" less barrel, most is a tighter B/C gap and oh my goodness tighter chambers! It is in fact like getting a new gun. I dearly love the 454 Casull, but honestly I very, very rarely shoot full power loads these days. I need to scrounge around and find the original sight blade, as with the 45 Colt cylinder it does shoot a mite higher, just ask the bent cross member on my steel hangar setup! The 285s at 1170 were nice to shoot, the 250 cast at 1250 were also very easy. Only issue I have is getting the tri-focals to focus on the front sight.

20260606_145310.jpg

Dave

[piller]

Appears to hit hard.

[High Desert Hunter]

Yes sir, I was shooting at 50 yards.

[Paladin]

Excellent, I tried a .454 Fredon Arms and wimped out, sticking with .45 Colt.

[Paladin]

Excellent, I tried a .454 Freedom Arms and wimped out, sticking with .45 Colt.

[High Desert Hunter]

Sir,
I don't call that wimping out, I call it being able to shoot what you like, shoot it well, and forget about anyone who thinks that we're wimps. John Linebaugh and Ross Sefried were the two who really ignited the flame I've carried for over 30 years with the 45 Colt. I Pray I'll be able to shoot reduced 454 loads for years to come, same with the 45 Colt. I have 5 45 Colt chambered firearms, 4 44s, 3 32s, and 2 22s, that wasn't intentional, but it seems to be working for me, think I have 3 357s as well, one 480, and I am missing a 41, which will likely remain since the only 2 I have any real interest in are well above my current income level as I am hopefully headed towards retirement in a few years.

Dave

[Walt]

Dave, were you referring to the FA model 97 in .41 mag? I don't have one but I have a model 97 in .45 Colt and I love it. I have half a dozen .41 mags but one that's becoming my favorite is Ruger's medium frame Bisley 5 1/2" .41 mag. You may remember that John Taffin wrote that his model 83 ,41 mag was among the most accurate handguns he had ever shot.

[High Desert Hunter]

Walt,
I really wanted the Flattop 41 Ruger put out, but #1 would be a Model 83 in 41. I think I would enjoy it as the size and weight would tame the recoil when shooting the heavy for caliber stuff I have always enjoyed.

Dave

[Walt]

I have FA model 83s in .44 mag and .454 Casull. I think they're outstanding firearms but I consider my model 97 to be a jewel. It's a little bit smaller dimensionally than a SAA but it easily handles heavy "Ruger only" loads. It's a handy 5 1/2" barrel length; my model 83s both have 7 1/2" barrels. As I grow older I have found that although the longer barrels don't seem to recoil as violently, I seem to be able to shoot the shorter barrels somewhat better.

[High Desert Hunter]

Sadly I am the opposite, I'm finding the longer barrels are easier with my trifocals. The 97s are true gems, I have handled more than a few, just don't like the shorter cylinder on them. My main 45 Colt shooters are both 5 1/2 guns, an Accusport Bisley, and a NM Flattop. The Flattop has a cylinder that is too short for my 335gr WFN bullets from an LBT mould, the Bisley of course has plenty of room, now with this new cylinder I have a gun that is to me much more comfortable to shoot, and is giving me an additional 100+ fps in velocity for the same powder charge. There are days I wish my Model 83 was a 7 1/2" model instead of a 6" model, but it is one of 4 that I will never let go unless it's to pass to a child or grandchild.

Dave

[Scott Tschirhart]

I have a 7.5 inch .454 with me now. I’ve shot it quite a bit but only .45 Colt ammo thus far.
I’m going to ask Bob to look at it while we are in Raton.

I think the firing pin retraction spring is a little weak.

[High Desert Hunter]

Scott,
As you likely know, their customer service is top notch! I messed mine up because of a firing pin issue.

Dave

[Scott Tschirhart]

No doubt. I have no complaints about their customer service.

Maybe I should have them install a new .45 Colt cylinder but I am not sure I see the point.

[nwcatman]

That big 83 makes 335s at 1250 a breeze, same load from my 5 1/2" Bisley does 1100ish some of that is 1/2" less barrel, most is a tighter B/C gap and oh my goodness tighter chambers! It is in fact like getting a new gun. I dearly love the 454 Casull, but honestly I very, very rarely shoot full power loads these days. I need to scrounge around and find the original sight blade, as with the 45 Colt cylinder it does shoot a mite higher, just ask the bent cross member on my steel hangar setup! The 285s at 1170 were nice to shoot, the 250 cast at 1250 were also very easy. Only issue I have is getting the tri-focals to focus on the front sight.

20260606_145310.jpg

Dave

where did you get the hangers that hang the steel plates? i've gone thru so many chains over the years ( for some reason they break after repeated hits from 45-70s etc) that i am going to use bungee cords next time at the range. they're easy to replace and cheap. maybe works maybe not. and of course every time one of these yahoos hits and breaks a chain and leaves the clanger hanging by one chain they claim it was on purpose and demand kudos for hitting such a small target. for some reason they're not willing to hit the other chain to prove it.

[High Desert Hunter]

That big 83 makes 335s at 1250 a breeze, same load from my 5 1/2" Bisley does 1100ish some of that is 1/2" less barrel, most is a tighter B/C gap and oh my goodness tighter chambers! It is in fact like getting a new gun. I dearly love the 454 Casull, but honestly I very, very rarely shoot full power loads these days. I need to scrounge around and find the original sight blade, as with the 45 Colt cylinder it does shoot a mite higher, just ask the bent cross member on my steel hangar setup! The 285s at 1170 were nice to shoot, the 250 cast at 1250 were also very easy. Only issue I have is getting the tri-focals to focus on the front sight.

20260606_145310.jpg

Dave

where did you get the hangers that hang the steel plates? i've gone thru so many chains over the years ( for some reason they break after repeated hits from 45-70s etc) that i am going to use bungee cords next time at the range. they're easy to replace and cheap. maybe works maybe not. and of course every time one of these yahoos hits and breaks a chain and leaves the clanger hanging by one chain they claim it was on purpose and demand kudos for hitting such a small target. for some reason they're not willing to hit the other chain to prove it.

Sir,
I ordered them from Amazon, the hangars are AR500 steel. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F82LQ5DT?re ... tle_2&th=1
I have also used conveyor belt to good effect, purchased it at Tractor Supply, tough to cut it into usable strips though.

Dave

[High Desert Hunter]

No doubt. I have no complaints about their customer service.

Maybe I should have them install a new .45 Colt cylinder but I am not sure I see the point.

While I am quite pleased with the 45 Colt cylinder, it's mostly because I have easily 2 to 3 times as much 45 Colt brass as 454 brass, and a lot more large pistol primers. I generally download the 454 anyhow, so I figured it was worth it to me. Carried in Rob's Chesty Puller setup and holster, mine sees a lot of time on the trail and it is so pleasant to shoot!

Dave

[Scott Tschirhart]

I sent the gun back with Bob and I’ll have a .45 ACP cylinder installed and upgrade to the new firing pin (which is much easier to service).

[piller]

A .45 ACP cylinder for practice in a .45 Colt or a .454 Casull revolver is always a good idea in my book. Just as using .38 Special for practice in a .357 revolver is a good idea. A little cheaper, and a little less kick to increase the amount of trigger time for a bit more accuracy on the part of the user.

[Ysabel Kid]

Very nice!

[Scott Tschirhart]

A .45 ACP cylinder for practice in a .45 Colt or a .454 Casull revolver is always a good idea in my book. Just as using .38 Special for practice in a .357 revolver is a good idea. A little cheaper, and a little less kick to increase the amount of trigger time for a bit more accuracy on the part of the user.

Well, I have five gallon buckets of .45 ACP brass and loaded ammo going back to my IPSC days.

[High Desert Hunter]

I really use the 45 ACP in my Flattop a lot! It's every bit as accurate as the Colt cylinder. It prefers my cast 200gr SWC to 230gr ball, but that works for me.

Dave

[AJMD429]

Where did you get the hangers that hang the steel plates? i've gone thru so many chains over the years ( for some reason they break after repeated hits from 45-70s etc) that i am going to use bungee cords next time at the range. they're easy to replace and cheap. maybe works maybe not. and of course every time one of these yahoos hits and breaks a chain and leaves the clanger hanging by one chain they claim it was on purpose and demand kudos for hitting such a small target. for some reason they're not willing to hit the other chain to prove it.

I've found two solutions myself to this issue...

1. I keep a roll of galvanized electric fence wire (not the high-tensile stuff - just the light-duty kind) at the range, and usually keep about ten feet coiled around the T-posts that are a couple feet apart and support most of the gongs. This is easy to replace and thin enough I very seldom directly hit and sever it. If so, quick to replace and super inexpensive.

2. I put short bolts through the hanging-holes in the targets, with the bolt drilled through (to accept the wire) on the far/back side. This results in two benefits:

a) the target is hung so that the face angles slightly downward, reducing ricochets, and
b) there is no exposed wire in front of the target, so bullet-splatter can't damage it.

IMG_4900.jpeg

IMG_4899.jpeg

[Walt]

I took a different route with my gongs and gong posts. I began shooting at gongs before hardened steels like AR500 and SR550 became available (or at least before I was aware of them). I started with a 12" mild steel gong (12" x 1/2") and shot thousands of rounds of pistol calibers at it including .44 mag and .454 at 100 yards. The gong dented easily but never fractured although it took on a somewhat concave shape.
I made the gong post using a concrete anchor bolt bent downwards so that the gong slid up the bolt when struck. The 90°angle at the lowest part stopped the subsequent downward slide, quickly stopped the gong from swinging and kept it facing the shooter. The posts themselves were 1/4" angle iron with a cross piece that was driven into the ground to prevent the post from turning and a reinforcing piece was welded onto the front of the post to prevent it from bending in the middle when the gong slammed into the front of the post when hit with a powerful round. I drilled a 1" hanging hole into the gong about 2" from the edge.
That was years ago. I have a collection of gong plates made of hardened steel now. Those hardened plates dent only a small amount but they have a limited life as they tend to fracture after being hit thousands of times. I also have anumber of posts and I occasionally do repair work on them; they live a tough life.

[nwcatman]

Where did you get the hangers that hang the steel plates? i've gone thru so many chains over the years ( for some reason they break after repeated hits from 45-70s etc) that i am going to use bungee cords next time at the range. they're easy to replace and cheap. maybe works maybe not. and of course every time one of these yahoos hits and breaks a chain and leaves the clanger hanging by one chain they claim it was on purpose and demand kudos for hitting such a small target. for some reason they're not willing to hit the other chain to prove it.

I've found two solutions myself to this issue...

1. I keep a roll of galvanized electric fence wire (not the high-tensile stuff - just the light-duty kind) at the range, and usually keep about ten feet coiled around the T-posts that are a couple feet apart and support most of the gongs. This is easy to replace and thin enough I very seldom directly hit and sever it. If so, quick to replace and super inexpensive.

2. I put short bolts through the hanging-holes in the targets, with the bolt drilled through (to accept the wire) on the far/back side. This results in two benefits:

a) the target is hung so that the face angles slightly downward, reducing ricochets, and
b) there is no exposed wire in front of the target, so bullet-splatter can't damage it.

IMG_4900.jpegIMG_4899.jpeg

will that wire set up stand up to a 45-70, 7 mag etc? as in the gong swing back and twisting when hit with the big calibers? some of the gongs swing and rotate and flip over kinda violently. we have 5 diff round ones of diff sizes and a bigger torso one. hardened/plated of course.

[Lastmohecken]

No doubt. I have no complaints about their customer service.

Maybe I should have them install a new .45 Colt cylinder but I am not sure I see the point.

If I had a 454 and had them do a 45 Colt cylinder for it, I think I would opt for a fluted cylinder to reduce weight, otherwise, I think I would just shoot the 45 Colt ammo in the .454 cylinder.

[High Desert Hunter]

Only issue with my steel setup is the cost of iron pipe these days! Hitting the crossmember was a $32 mistake! I may see if I can rig some conveyer belt to hang the plates a little lower to avoid a recurrence when load testing. One of these weekends I need to break out my long range rifle and set this up at a grand.

Dave

[Lastmohecken]

I really use the 45 ACP in my Flattop a lot! It's every bit as accurate as the Colt cylinder. It prefers my cast 200gr SWC to 230gr ball, but that works for me.

Dave

I have noticed that my Blackhawk Convertible really seems to like that 200 grain Cast SWC in front of 5 grains of Bullseye. And since I shot that load extensively in my 1911's back in my IPSC days, it seems that I always have a few loaded rounds laying around.