Colt cylinder opinions please...UPDATE

[doghawg]

 I just sent a .454 Mod 83 to Freedom to get an action job and firing pin upgrade done. I'm toying with the idea of getting a .45 Colt cylinder made for the gun. I don't currently own a .45 Colt but have been watching the shows and shops for a Ruger Bisley in that caliber. Now I'm thinking that it might be a lot smarter to get a cylinder made for the '83 and KNOW the trigger will be good, throats will be uniform, etc.

 The heaviest bullets I shoot are the 300 RCBS and 300 Lee GC's and seldom load any full throttle stuff. The .454 cylinder (with .454 brass) is serving just fine with Win 231 or Unique for plinkers and 2400 for heavier loads and I don't NEED a Colt cylinder. BUT dang it, the gun is there and with shipping cost and hassle being what it is.........This would be the time to do it.

 So...what do you guys think? Those of you that have both cylinders do you find yourself using both of them?? I've got a few weeks to let John at FA know.

 

[Ken ONeill]

Sounds like you've pretty much talked yourself into it, so go ahead and do it.

[SJPrice]

I am probably the only one, but I have never understood the addition of a cylinder for a lesser cartridge when you can simply load down the existing cartridge to very mild loads.  I have always found it to be easier to switch from plinker loads to heavy loads with a load press than with a cylinder swap.  Even my Single Six is always fit with the 22 Mag cylinder and I carry it with 22 WRF's for light loads. 

[paul105]

Randy,

As you know, Freedom Arms recommends a .45C cylinder for use with .45 Colt ammo in the .454.   Some think this is just to make money.  I seriously doubt there is enough money in extra cylinders to make much difference.  I asked a few respected members of various forums, and they pretty much said it was a good idea to get the .45 Colt cyl if shooting more than just an occasional .45. 

I shoot a lot of .45 Colt and load them on a Dillon 550.  In order to load 454s, I have to change out the primer feed assembly (large for .45, small for .454).  Being basically lazy, I decided that it would be easier from a loading perspective to get an aux .45C cyl for the .454.

Anyway, rather than worry about the potential problems (real or imagined) associated with the use of .45Cs in the .454, I had FA fit an extra .45C cylinder while they had the gun for the firing pin upgrade.  I wish I would have had the cyl fluted at the same time – just a personal preference and an quick way to see which cyl is in the gun.

And yes, I do use both cylinders.

Paul

[jphendren]

I ordered my M83 454 with the 45 Colt cylinder from the get go, but have found it fairly useless. As has been mentioned, you can load up you 454 brass with Bullseye and duplicate 45 Colt loads without changing the cylinder.  Use a little Unique and you can match the power of a 44 Magnum; 2400 and you have full power. The 454 is the most flexible caliber I have ever owned. You are correct however, if you want one, now is the time.

Jared

[doghawg]

 As an update........I talked to John at FA today (a really pleasant man to talk to) and told him I was NOT going to do a Colt cylinder.... just the firing pin upgrade and action job. My reasoning is the flexibility of the .454 that Jared pointed out and also the fact that I've got two 83's in this caliber.

 This gun was made in the 80's and I bought it previously owned but supposedly unfired.  I believe it really was unfired but from the looks of the firing pin John thought it might have been dry fired a bunch.  I ordered the most recent FA new and exactly as I wanted it and while I certainly don't regret buying this used '83 the next one will very likely be new. I'm looking forward to getting back out to the range with this one. Accuracy was outstanding with the trigger at 4 1/2 lbs but a trigger pull of 3 lbs. is just about perfect and will improve MY accuracy.

[jphendren]

doghawg,

You will really enjoy the action job.  Out of the extras I've had done to my M83, the trigger/action job was by far the best money spent.  I had my M83 for several years with the standard action/pull weight; I had a hard time hitting small targets consistently.  I sent mine back for the action job and specified a 3 pound pull, WOW what a difference.  The revolver is much improved with a 3 pound trigger pull, I can shot after shot hit milk jugs and pie tins at 100 yards now, which I found difficult before.

Jared

[doghawg]

 Jared

 I'm in full agreement on the action job and this was my only Freedom without one. I too find hitting small targets out there a ways much easier with a light trigger....especially with a hard kicking gun. About a month ago I was all lathered up about bidding on a like new but used Mod 83 in .475. It did not have the action job and when the bids got up close to $1500 I lost interest. If the trigger proved to be a little on the heavy side (for me) that would be a situation where it would have been better to spend a few hundred bucks more and get a new one with micarta's and action job....rather than send in a used gun. 

[doghawg]

 I got the gun back today and am well pleased with the results. The trigger pull is perfect and the  action is butter smooth. No surprise there but they also did some extra work for no charge. Every experience I've had with this company has been outstanding.

 Makes me want to call my dealer and order another 83 in .475...Lessee here....Micarta grips, 3 lb. trigger, recessed crown...Can't decide on 6" or 7 1/2"...maybe 6 3/4"...

[ktw]

I am probably the only one, but I have never understood the addition of a cylinder for a lesser cartridge when you can simply load down the existing cartridge to very mild loads. 

I think you have a point with the 44 Mag/44 Spcl, 357Mag/38 Spcl, 475/480 cartridge pairs.

However, I do I think the 45 ACP cylinder is a worthwhile addition to a 45 Colt gun.  For bulk practice loads the 45 ACP brass is a whole lot cheaper and you can achieve similar velocities in a variety of loadings with roughly half the powder charge. Makes a can of Bullseye or Unique go a lot further.

-ktw

[AzTBH]

What is a “firing pin upgrade” on a Casull?  My 454 Casull revolver (S/N DF72XX) is a pre-83 version and was manufactured in 1994.  Is this an upgrade that I should consider having performed?  What is the cost?

Thanks,
Ross

[doghawg]

 The old style firing pin rides directly in the frame and the new style rides in a threaded bushing that's easily and quickly replaced. My first model 83 was an early production gun that was claimed to be unfired. It was in mint condition but apparently had been dry fired a lot. My understanding is that due to the heavy hammer fall required to light small rifle primers repeated dry firing can "peen" the firing pin enough that it may bind in the frame in the forward position. I found out there was a problem during a range session when I tried to fire round number six in the five shot .454. The firing pin stuck and tied the gun up. Rather than attempting to force anything I used a cleaning rod jag to tap on the inside of the fired primer which dislodged the stuck pin.

 I still have one Mod 83 with the old style firing pin but the previous owner read the manual and I'm confident it will not be an issue. If I remember correctly the cost for the upgrade was around 100 bucks and while it was there it got an action job with 3 lb. trigger. Hope to bust a whitetail with it this fall......

[AzTBH]

DogHawg

Thank you for the detailed explanation.

My revolver is at Mag-Na-Port now, so I will not be able to look at the firing pin until after its return.  Since mine is a “pre-83” production, I would think it will be the older style.  I have personally dry-fired it many time over the years, but always with the Freedom Arms brand of snap caps.  I often wondered why the FA snap caps are so heavy duty.  I suspect the purpose was to prevent the damage that you described.  Well, at least I hope that was the purpose of those expensive snap caps.

I will let you know what style of firing pin in a week (or two).

Thanks Again
Ross
Peoria, AZ