Leupold Mounts??

[ihmsakiwi]

Can someone please advise if the Leupold mounts for the Model 83 .357 will also fit the Model 525? If so, I assume these simply fit into the existing open sight screw holes when you remove these. Or is there drilling and tapping required. I don't think I could do that to my F.A's!! Peter.

[Ken ONeill]

There is no such thing as a Mdl. 525. If you are referring to the .50 AE Mdl. 555, then the answer is yes, it will fit. There was a period of time when FA used confusing Model numbers to differentiate calibers, such as 757 for the .475 L, 353 for the .357, 555 for the .50 AE etc., but all of these are actually built on the large Mdl. 83 action.
No drilling and tapping will be necessary. There is also an SSK T'SOB and a Lovell scope mount available for the FA's.
The Leupold mount to which you refer will not fit the Mdl. 97's.

[paul105]

Ken,

Of the three mentioned, what's your preference.  I need one each for M83 and M97 (I know the leupold isn't avail for the 97).  I'm kind of leaning towards the TSOB.

TIA

Paul

[MarkH]

Not Ken, but my overwhelming preference is for the Lovell, followed by the T'SOB.  The Lovell is compact and sturdy with lots of screws, and is fairly lightweight.  I have yet to have a scope shift in it or any problems whatsoever.  It also allows more forward eye relief than the Leupold.  I have never been a fan of the Leupold mount as it forces the scope to sit too far back.

I don't believe my answer would change with the really heavy kickers ... but then, I wouldn't complain over having a T'SOB either.

[doghawg]

  I just got a weaver-style Weigand Mod 83 base from Midway on sale for $36 but haven't mounted it yet. The S&W Weigand base has served me well so hopefully the Mod 83 version will also.  At 4 1/2" total length it should do well on a shorter barreled Mod 83.....

[Ken ONeill]

Paul,
I should preface my remarks by saying that all but 1 of my scoped FA's have the Field Grade finish, and some options including PG grips.
I know that Mark is a fan of the Lovell, and I know several other shooters who use and like them.  My primary objection to it is that I have never seen one that came anywhere close to matching the color of the FA finish, either PG or FG. It's a darker gray. Now, to some, that is of no consequence...but it would annoy me every time I saw it, if I owned it...so I don't.
I've also never been a fan of the Leupold FA base and rings, for several reasons...not the least of which is that the darned things are yellow, when compared to the FA finish.
That leaves the T'SOB, and I don't have anything but good to say about them. I've used them on many Contenders, Encores, a Savage Striker, and several FA's, in some very heavy calibers. I like the fact that I can use 3 or 4 rings on heavy kickers if I choose (scope flex is real, and is the primary cause of many scope failures...extra rings help prevent that). The T'SOB finish is close enough to that of the FA to satisfy me. I've also never seen nor heard of a T'SOB failing.
 Generally, in recent years I have not used JD's rings with the T'SOB base. There's nothing wrong with them, certainly, but I have been opting for the Leupold silver vertically split rings instead. They match the FA FG finish reasonably well.
Now here's the answer to your question about my preferred FA mount: It WOULD be the T'SOB, but I actually have more custom bases in service on FA's made by my friend Gordon Logan of Taylorsville, N.C., than anything else. They're a little bit taller than a T'SOB, and the ring mounting cross cuts are placed to accomodate the particular scope that I want to use on that gun. There aren't any extra cross cuts, and the placement of the cuts is evenly spaced in those situations where  I want to use 4 rings, for example. I think that not having any unused crosscuts is  a big improvement in aesthetics,  but once again that is a personal thing which is not as important to many people as it is to me.
I have not used the Weigand, nor have any of my acquaintances, but I don't know any reason why it would be unsatisfactory.

[paul105]

Mark, Ken, Randy -- Thanks!

I ordered the Weigand (M83) and 4 Sets of Leupold Vertical Split Rings from Midway.  I'll order the TSOB base for the M97 from Freedom Arms tomorrow.  If for some reason, the Weigand doesn't work out, I'll order the M83 TSOB from FA.

Would also appreciate you guys thoughts on scopes.  I have the JPoint/FA mount combo, but it isn't quite as precise as I'd like for longer shots or smaller targets.  I haven't checked with FWP, but I'm pretty sure the "electronic" red dot sights are illegal for hunting here in MT.

My plan is to use the scope(s) primarily for load development.  My old eyes are starting to be a real hinderance and I've struggled long enough.

Thanks Again

Paul

[ihmsakiwi]

Hi Ken,
Sorry I mean a F.A. Model 83 .22 silhouette revolver.  Am sure I read somewhere they where originally designated 525. Anyway, by the replies I got I suspect this mount will fit any both my 357 and 22 if they are both Model 83's. I really want to do some paper shooting to find best (affordable)ammo, and thought I might also like to see just what my cast load in the 357 is capable of at 200yds. Thanks, Peter.

[Ken ONeill]

Peter,
The original .22 on the Mdl. 83 frame was designated Mdl.252, until all such designations were dropped about 2002, and the guns were simply called Mdl.83's. Yes, that mount will fit the 252 also.
Ken

[Ken ONeill]

Paul,
My preference for scopes on FA's is Leupold. I use both 2X and 4X, but have a slight preference for the 4X unless the gun is intended for close range hunting in the dense woods of the East. By now you know of my  obsessive / compulsive concern with regard to matching colors, so I have sought out the older silver Leupolds made before 1993, when the color was changed to today's whiter matte. For a time, I also used a black matte 4X or two, but today, all of them are silver. I like and prefer the more compact and generally lighter Leupolds over their competition, and have found 4X to be adequate for any of my revolver needs.
I am planning to add a FA .224/32 FA in the near future for prairie dogs, groundhogs and such, and will probably use a matte black Bushnell 3200 2-6X on it.

[MarkH]

I never have really noticed the difference in Lovell's colors, but (unlike Ken the former Marine  ) I am not religious about cleaning my guns ... though I do try to keep the barrel pretty clean ... and my Lovell's are on the older side before it appears they changed the metal formula and hence its color.  In any event - Ken, I'd like to see a pic of your custom mounts sometime, at your leisure!

Scopes:  There are only two that interest me that are in production, and that's the Leupold 4x and the Bushnell Elite 3200 2-6.  The 3200 is on my 9" 454 these days, a big improvement over the bigger Leupold variable that used to be on it.  The Leupold 2x is a good scope, basically an optic without significant magnification, and I have done my best shooting with one of those on top a 7.5" 97 in .45 Colt.

[paul105]

Mark, Ken -- Thanks again for your input.

I have a 2x Leupold that's about 25 yrs old.  I'll try it first.  If I think I need more magnification, I'll go to the 4x Leupold or the Bushnell Elite 3200.

Paul

[ihmsakiwi]

THANKS KEN.