Author Topic: FA under field conditions (Read 1415 times)

BOF · « **on:** July 22, 2005, 07:33:53 AM »

I've been debating buying a FA in 454 but wondered if some actual owners would share their experiences with me first.

The close tolerances on the pistol really impress me, but I wonder if this would lead to problems when in the field if the gun is exposed to dirt, water, mud, etc. and had to be used before cleaning.

How reliable is the FA under real world conditions?

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #1 on:** July 22, 2005, 07:45:47 AM »

I've never heard of a FA gun locking up due to close tolerances. My take on this issue is that its overblown by several orders of magnitude.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 22, 2005, 09:31:28 AM »

BOF,

I am not sure if New Mexico is considered as real world or not but my FA has never failed to work here. Its always dusty and dirty and the wind blows all the time. If you are thinking of buying a FA revolver all I can say is go for it, In my opimion they are with out doubt the best pistols Made.

Let me say, Welcome to GBO and the Freedom Arms Handguns Forum
where the best people on earth hang out........Joe.......

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 22, 2005, 10:51:13 AM »

I just got mine and have no field experience with it, but I am sure it will do just fine. I have taken it to the range 6 times already and went through 400 rounds of full power 454 Casulls, and not one problem.

targetshootr · « **Reply #4 on:** July 22, 2005, 02:12:53 PM »

You can find good used 454 FAs in the $1000 range so if you decide it's not reliable you can get your money out of it. In other words you'll own it for the rest of your days.

MS Hitman · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2005, 05:22:27 PM »

My 7.5" .454 spent two weeks in South Africa with me and I had no problems. It went bang everytime I needed it to do so, and a couple of times I NEEDED it to go bang. I doubt seriously you will have any problems with a FA revolver in hunting situations; this probably just comes from someone with a case of FA envy.

pastorp · « **Reply #6 on:** July 26, 2005, 09:32:19 AM »

BOF, I have owned several FA 454's. The first one was a very early one and it would become hard to load rounds into the cylinder after 40 or 50 rounds. On the later ones I owned this did not seam as noticeable. I believe they loosened up the tolerances a couple of thousands.

I never experienced any problems with cycling as long as the bullet noses were short enought not to stick out of the chamber. These are the finest production guns available IMO. I would still have mine if I could still handle the recoil. However due to arthritis in my hands and elbows I cannot. Regards, Byron

dabigmoose · « **Reply #7 on:** August 18, 2005, 06:49:30 AM »

Craig medrid
journalist of the Alaska daily news outdoor section was mauled by a grizzly bear on russian river trail in coopers landing Alaska after shooting a sow that charge him with his 454 premier grade. The guns cylinder locked up due to a primer backing out and
a bullet jumping seat in another chamber fish and game later reported the loads his own handloads were probaly the culprit only case I know of and it was his own fault not gun.He did survive the mauling and the bear wondered off and was found dead. He still write for the news paper to this day
Dabigmoose

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #8 on:** August 19, 2005, 09:09:39 PM »

I don't know about the primer backing out, I guess you can set'm in really tight but well used brass might be a bit loose in the primer pocket and allow that to happen. As for the bullet slipping out, I've never had that happen and I've fired about 2500 rounds thru my FA 454 Casulle but I'm here to tell ya guys I do put one heckuva crimp on that 345 grain cast bullet. To do otherwise is foolish, especially when travelling in big bear country.

MS Hitman · « **Reply #9 on:** August 20, 2005, 04:23:30 PM »

I did a search on Mr. Medrid and found very little positive on the Alaska board about him. Seems the guys in AK think the bear should have another crack at it.

Dusty, try using a .44 Mag expander plug to bell the case mouths. This will greatly increase your neck tension. I use a heavy crimp, but it won't hold like good old neck tension.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 20, 2005, 06:16:37 PM »

Dabigmoose

It seems to me you should be able to tell if the primer goes in to the primer pocket too easy, which shoul tell a person that the primer pocket was stretched to the point that the brass was used too many times. More times than not you will have the problem of bullet jump from not crimping enough. Not knowing who loaded Craig Medrids ammo it would be hard to place the blame. Sorry the old Boy got mauled by Griz.........Joe........

dabigmoose · « **Reply #11 on:** August 23, 2005, 04:54:55 PM »

well its like hitman said the guy craig medrid is a know it all
and the bear deserved Better as it had three cubs and he could of
avoided it. I have personally no probs with my field grade
but i have had primers back out of some range ammo in a mod 65 smith.

I did see a box of factory ammo 454 keep cracking the brass half circle
just below bullet seat crack seen on the inside of brass. A fellow was testing his new puma 92.
Dont remember which loads but factory had him send box in
to fid out prob.
i will drop by gun shop and find out grain and lot
and all else info and let you guys know.
dabigmoose