freedom arms vs. performance center

[highwayman]

how does performance centers pistols compare against freedom arms pistols.

[Lloyd Smale]

two totally differnt guns and no fair way to compare them.

[highwayman]

I guess what i am trying to ask is if the performance center is as accurate as claim is there any reason to pay the extra price for a freedom arms pistol

[supermag445]

LS really hit it on the Head as it is really impossible to compare these two.  Reason 1  Freedom arms is a single action an  smith is a double action (yes I knew you knew this)  So Freedom arms makes the BEST Single action in the world.  I used to believe that dan Wesson made the best double action in the world atleast for the new company dan wessons that is. But I feel that Smith an Wesson now makes the best da around atleast for the big boomers that is with the x frame.  Only reason I will put them infront of dW is because of the use of the 5 shot cylinder that S&W are using.  That to me makes me favor S&W over the dW. 

Now accuracy it will be a tuff one.  They are both incredable in the accuracy department.  This decision is soley based on do you want a single action or a double action.

All this is assume you were talking about the x frame guns or other dA guns from the PC shop.

Brian

[Lloyd Smale]

Ive seen tack drivers in both but ive also seen mediocure accuracy in both although its rare as most shoot. For the most part accuracy in a handgun is more related to finding the right load then anything. Ive got even out of the box rugers that will shoot with either of them if the dimentions are right and if there not it usually doesnt take much to get them there. My 44 mag accusport is probably the most accurate revolver ive ever owned. At least its tied with my linebaugh 475 for it and all thats done to it mechanically is an action job. IVe got two guns the performance center did work on and one my 629 is a tack driver and the other a 625 is mediocure. Luck of the draw is about it. John linebaugh once told me that he can build two guns identical at the same time using the same materials and one will be a tack driver and the other wont. If he cant figure out why I sure as hell cant give you an answer. Its probably why you will never see any handgun maker or custom shop giving a accuracy guarantee with any handgun.

[Redhawk1]

It come down to personal choice.

[HEAD0001]

I have a S&W Performamce Center Stealth Hunter in 44 magnum.  It is the best shooting revolver I have ever seen shot.  I have seen thousands of revolvers shot-and again this particular pistol is the best shooter I have ever seen.  IMO you can do some comparisons.  Most people shoot the double action revolver in cocked position, so they are in effect shooting a single action.  The Freedom arms revolver is a fine revolver.  I would say that the Freedom arms overall has a slight edge in quality, but I believe the S&W is a better buy.  Tom. 

[highwayman]

went to the gun store yesterday and handled both of them.a model 629 44mag hunter 7.5 and a model 83 field grade. this didnot help me decide. what do you think of the scope rail system on the smith?

[doghawg]

 I've got a grand total of one of each, a .41 Mag S&W PC Hunter and a Mod 83 .454. They are both very accurate guns but the FA is my pet, mainly because I appreciate precise machining and tight tolerances. I wish I'd have never put a feeler gauge in the b/c gap of the Smith though.... ....Did I really need to know that it's almost .010"?? The son-of-a-gun does shoot very well though.

[highwayman]

how would you compare the recoil of a 454 to a t/c in 3030 with a 14" barrel

[palgeno]

If you load 'em both with a heavy bullet at max load, the 30-30 will have about half the recoil of the .454. Gene

[highwayman]

well i decided. i am going to get a fa 83 in 44mag. when my savings account gets a little larger. did any of your friends think you are crazy for wanting to hunt with a handgun? i guess if you have to explain it then will not understand anyway.

[Lloyd Smale]

Dad still thinks im nuts after doing it for 20 years  but i catch him occasionaly shooting handguns himself lately. He just trys to not get caught so he has to admit hes having fun doing it.

well i decided. i am going to get a fa 83 in 44mag. when my savings account gets a little larger. did any of your friends think you are crazy for wanting to hunt with a handgun? i guess if you have to explain it then will not understand anyway.

[kennisondan]

Well now that you have decided, it is time to start second guessing your choice...
LOL
Not really.. do not do that.. just realize that there is no such thing as just one ... anyway... so just enjoy the decison you just made.. that is one fine weapon. and the 44 is a great round..the pistol is very accurate and a real tight fine weapon... you will not regret your decision in the least. 
I love handgun hunting and at first, lots of folks think I am either stupid or crazy for hunting with a handgun, but slowly, more folks locally are doing it too, first they get the gun and just carry it and shoot targets, then they get confident enough, and start using it for targets of opportunity, then special days become handgun days, then they are lost like all of us... more and more guns... it is not if they hunt with a handgun it is which one....
I am wondering if I will go to just handguns or not this year, and I think I will need a bit more practice... instead I am taking one on every hunt and using it if I get half a chance to do so; only using a rifle if it is absolutely necessary due to range considerations. Many days I will use just the pistol as I have always done, just more days will be purely pistol.. the question will now be if I use the encore and a sixgun on pure handgun hunts...
see how the sickness progresses ? 
really, you will be different for hunting with a handgun, but you are different for wanting to anyway...I think that you should be sure to do what it is you want to do, handgun hunting included... practice enough to hit a pie plate consistently and go kill a deer or two... plink with your gun.. and let those other guys try it out, too. 
Once your friends try out walking and hunting with only a handgun, the ease and comfort will make them drool... and open their eyes.
dk

[highwayman]

what ammo to start with? i know every pistol is different,but i would like to have a base to start with. factory or handloads will be  fine.

[Bob96]

  I have two F.A/ Model 97's and several S&W P.C. Revolvers.  All are fine quality guns. If you carefully examine from muzzle to butt every part and fit there is just no comparison. The F.A. has better fit-finish-tolerences-quality - period. On the other hand there cost double or so the price of the S&W. You do get what you pay for though. I have never seen a better fitted and finished gun than the F.A.

[Sgtshultzy1]

I have a PC 629 Comped Hunter from the early 90's.  I also have a Ruger SBH Hunter and have shot an FA 454 extensively.  AS others have stated, they are totally different animals.  I love my Smiths..especially the PC guns and the Ruger is a fine gun also.  Each gun likes different loads of course, but I have found that the FA is not any more accurate than the other two.  Actually...the PC and Ruger with its own respective pet load is even more accurate than any load I have found for the FA yet.

That said...my next .44magnum will be a FA Premier.  The fit and finish is second to none.  ITs built like a tank and functions like a Swiss watch.

However, if you like single actions and are worried about money, I would not feel undergunned with the Ruger.  It surprised me how accurate it is and the integrated scope base and included rings make it a great hunting weapon.