Sell 4.75", or send to FA for longer barrel?

[MikeChandler]

I have a late 1989 FA model 83, 4.75" barrel, with fixed sights. Simply put, I want a longer barrel. To be honest, I wish it was a .44, but I know full well the advantages of the .454, and if the barrel were longer I would not be considering selling it.


Something that came up as I discussed this on other forums, was sending the gun back to FA for a longer barrel to be installed. I wasn't aware of this possibility, but checking on their website, I see it, and it appears to cost only $299.00.


That sounds like a bargain... but am I oversimplifying this, and would it be better for me to sell this to somebody who wants this barrel length, and just purchase a longer adjustable sight model?

[sc1911cwp]

There will be the price of the barrel and the shipping both ways overnight, UNLESS you have a good FFL that can send it for you, which would be less if he doesn't charge much for his services. FA site states it may take a few months for the work to be done and shipped back. Unless you request your old parts, they will keep them. Just be sure if you want any other work done do it when it's there. I recently purchased a FA 83 .44 magnum and am enjoying it. However, I found the purchase price is just the price for admission. They are not cheap to buy, buy parts for or have work done on them. 

[mk454]

i've had several barrels changed on mine, octagon, longer, etc.  they do great work, i've never requested my old parts but they send them all back.  takes only a couple of weeks and i can absolutely promise you that sending it back and getting a barrel put on is less work than selling a gun for what it's worth, then finding another at the price ya want exactly the way ya want it. 
 
btw, the longer barrel doesn't gain ya near as much as you'd think.  i use my 4.75" 454 all the time and don't feel handicapped at all by having a short barrel and i have all the barrel lengths.

however, i'd get some adjustable sights on that thing if i were gonna have a longer barrel though.

[kmcmichael]

I would probably sell it and purchase one with a longer bbl. The short bbs generally go for a little more money...at least when I want one they do! You have a great gun for carry. I would like one like that in a 97 with a dovetail front sight.

[HAMMERHEAD]

I wish it was a .44,

You could have your local FFL sell yours on consignment or on Gunbroker, they always sell well, then get the adjustable sight .44 that you really want.

[zac0419]

I would think selling that short barreled 454 would get you within $300 of a used model 83 44mag you wanted to begin with. Getting the caliber you want along with the barrel length you want, should make the time it will take to find the right deal worth it.

[MikeChandler]

Thanks to a forum member (zac above) I found a model 83 premier .44 with 7.5" barrel and adjustable sights. It was listed as a Model 83 Field, oddly enough. And they believed the papers and box were missing... though it included a holster - so it was mutt priced - but right before it was shipped they emailed me and said it was a consignment gun from an estate sale, and the executor came by and dropped off more stuff, including the box and paperwork to my gun. So I'd say I got a smoking deal!
 
I'm up in the air now about selling the .454! Part of me just wants to deep store it in the safe, and wait another 20 years. LOL. Maybe one day I'll want to load another cartridge - right now I have enough work with my 357/44 loadings.
 
The .44 mag arrives today at the FFL, so I'm pretty excited. I'll post it when I have it in hand - I will be interested in what 300gr hunting loads have been shot with other M83 44's.
 
Thanks again Zac!
 
Mike

[BubbaNColo]

Late post, I have exact same pistol 4.75" 454.
If you can afford two FA have the 454 sent back for a extra clyinder in 45 colt or 45 ACP, it is way fun in a short barrel with lighter loads and then use your new 44 long barrel for full house loads.

[Lloyd Smale]

I guess to me you allready have the ideal lenght barrel. For a packing FA gun i couldnt imagine anything better other then a 475 set up just like it. Its compact enough to holster in a belt holster all day and with fixed sights as rugged as they come. If you want to fool with two differnt loads, a heavy and a light one you could easily buy a second front blade and file both to work with each load. they swap out in seconds. I hate to tell you but your going to take it in the pants when you sell it. 454 fa guns just dont seem to hold there value like the others, probably because theres so many made and a fixed sighted SA is only interesting to someone that handloads and knows there advantages.