Author Topic: shooting the round butt FA 97 vs the standard???  (Read 1060 times)

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Offline tikka3006

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shooting the round butt FA 97 vs the standard???
« on: March 27, 2010, 03:22:45 AM »
I had a smith 27 - 2 and a 29 - 2.
When I held a 625 - 2 with the round butt I thought it was made for me.
I still have all 3 smiths but go to the round butt 625 the most.

Also I have a old 3 screw blackhawk and have no complaints about the factory grips.
Thought it took a couple of years for the grip shape to feel natural.

I am considering model 97 in 357.  Or maybe the 44 special.
Anyway I do like to shoot the lighter loads.

Can somebody describe the differences in gripping and shooting a round butt FA 97 please.

I am going to order a 97.  Which one to buy?
Any opinions welcome...


Offline Ken ONeill

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Re: shooting the round butt FA 97 vs the standard???
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2010, 12:13:08 PM »
For me, the FA square butt rides in the heel of my palm, giving more support when I handle the gun. I have also tested this with 2 friends firing Model 83's in .454, alternating a square butt gun with a round butt gun, and came away with the same conclusion, much preferring the square butt. One of my friends agreed completely, while the other noted no real difference for him.
This is a very personal thing, and opinions vary. Your best option is to try to handle both, then form your own opinion. Even FA does not recommend round butts on guns with barrel lengths longer than 6", FWIW, but I know that Bob Baker likes them on short barrel guns.
How one or the other feels to me has nothing to do with how it will feel for you.