FA breakages

[Joe Nevers]

After shooting for decades I had finally considered spending the big bucks for a Model 83. However, after reading only a dozen of the topics on this site I noticed what seemed to me a surprising number of members who mention breakages resulting in the revolvers going back to FA for repair. I had thought that these revolvers were superior. Are these guns prone to breaking down? I do not wish to spend my money on one of these only to find that I have not received what I paid for. I would rather pay Bowen, Linebaugh, Stroh, or any of the top builders a similar amount of money and wind up with a great revolver. I had considered getting all the bells and whistles on the 83 which would put it in the same price range as something built by one of the aforementioned smiths.

[Graybeard]

There is no finer revolver made than the FA83 and FA97. Materials and workmanship is of the highest order. Any thing made by man is subject to break and these are no exceptions. I'm honestly not sure which posts you are referring to tho. While I don't read all of them here I just don't recall that many.

But you need to realize that at places like this if there are ANY complaints you'll see them here. I'm sure if you'd ask Bob Baker or one of his staff about the percentage of guns returned for such concerns they would be honest with you and would know some stats. I have no doubt those stats would ease your mind.

One other thing to consider is this, for some reason folks assume the FA guns are unbreakable. As a result they load them to insane levels and then bitch when they break. If you treat them with normal care and load book loads for the rounds FA chambers you'll find a lot less trouble with them than with any other brand you're likely to buy.

[SJPrice]

two additional thoughts to add to GB's great response.

1.  Bowen, Linebaugh etc are NOT the same price as a FA.  They start at a few hundred dollars more and you should not forget the original cost of your Ruger to be converted.

2.  I am pretty sure on a percentage basis you would find Custom sixguns breaking down and being sent in for repair at a very similar percentage.

I for one agree that the FA is the finest production handgun made today.  You may hear about a few of them breaking, but you do not hear about folks selling them in disgust like on other manufacturers forums.  Handle one, shoot one and let it speak for itself.

[Joe Nevers]

A model 83, even a field grade, with all upgrades will cost $3,000. Add more for the premier. This is why I mentioned in my query that the FA would have all the "bells and whistles" when I compared prices. This falls directly in the ballfield when ordering a custom from any of the makers I mentioned, to include the base gun. I speak to H. Bowen once a week, on average. I do thank you for you input.

[Graybeard]

I don't know what upgrades you're thinking of or where you're buying your guns but I don't see anyway you can rule the bil up that high. You should be able to get an FA83 equipped as most of us want them for under $2000 or the Premier. What the heck additions do you want?

[HAMMERHEAD]

Unless you're adding a custom length octagon barrel, you should be able to get a premier grade well under $2,000, more like $1,750 from what I've seen.
I was going to get a custom Ruger untill I priced it out and an off the shelf F/A was the same price.
If your 'smith of choice is giving you a new line bored cylinder, match grade barrel, perfectly fitted grips and a devine trigger for less than a F/A, then it may be a good value.
Yet I just bought a Ruger Anniversary Flat Top .357 when my F/A model 97 broke a cylider lock spring, so I don't think there's a clear cut answer.

[shilo]

I haven't heard of anyone's FA breaking. Not to say it doesn't happen, but it must happen so infrequently that I never hear it. As far as price, what "bells and whistles" are you looking at. I just recently bought a 475, 7.5" field grade with micarta grips and express sights for under 2000. Everytime I pick one of mine up, I'm always impressed with the precision and quality with which these are made.

[Dusty Miller]

I'll probably order a second cylinder when I get my F83 so maybe I'll spend $2500 with tax, licence, and doc fees here in the PRC but it'd be a trick to push it to $3K.  Maybe an octogon barrel would do it but the truth of the matter is I just don't have the lust in my heart to get one

[mugs]

I've been shooting a 353 and a 252 since 92 and the only broken part was a firing pin in the 252. It broke 1 pin on the double firing pin. Was still shootable while I odered a new pin.
Mugs

[Questor]

I'm not concerned about any of the reports of gun breakages in FA arms. When considering the FA's, it is important to remember that a lot of the guys who own them use them a lot. While I haven't broken an FA (because I don't own one), I have needed repairs in other top quality guns. It's normal for a well used gun to need a trip to the shop once in a while.

[Wlfr]

I spent 2.5 years in the FA plant. You cant beat the quality. If you ever get the chance and your in Freedom GO BY THE PLANT AND ASK FOR A TOUR.   The assembly isnt Like your other gun makers . they start with Over size parts and Each One is FITTED to the gun specifically  Ie the cylinder locks are hand fit to that particular cylinder the cylinder is fitted to that FRAME. The Cylinder is then BORED TO THAT particular frame. I as one of the Lucky fe that got to do reworks in the plant at the time which amounted to a very small percentage. As for actual Breaks Most were do to Owner Misuse and neglect, and even they werent that Bad a few firing Pins and a couple of weak springs. the biggest rework I seen was the Addition of Another cylinder or 2.  I have seen Other Brands come thru that Plant though that werent FA  the scareast was a heavy framed revolver that Just had to add a 454 to its Line well this particular gun was the answer for the wife who wanted a 454 so the Mr in the party bought her one while he had an FA . one day at the range she ran out of ammo and grabbed his full house loads 15 shots later the top of the cylinder let loose and took the backstrap clean out of the gun its a wonder it didnt Kill the lady shooting it...... He sent it in along with his Order for a premier grade 454.  Things break but I have Never seen an FA gun come apart Like that particular brand. They are great Guns BUILT by people Who enjoy what they are doing and take Pride in the Product the turn Out.  I have worked Many Jobs in my life and the one i always seem to take the most pride in is those couple of years I spent setting at My bench turning out Works Of art that People would take pride in calling their favorite weapon.

[WL44]

Can you tour FA's facility? I visited the US last year and asked upfront and was told that I could visit the "retail showroom" and that I could be shown some of the revolvers in stock and so forth, but that a tour wasn't possible.

I figured I'd ask anyway when I got there, but the US turned out to be even bigger than it looked on the map  - and I had to cut our Freedom. 8,500 Miles in 3 weeks became a bit much.

Just asking - because I'll definately make a plan to get back to the US again. Beautiful place and great people.

[farscott]

Here is my FA breakage story (so far).  Just last week, I picked up a .22 LR 1997 with a 5.5" octagon barrel and the micarta grips.  This has been my dream revolver for quite some time as I am a dedicated rimfire fan.  On the other hand, it is not my first FA, and I currently have an 83 in .454 and a 97 in .357.  Those two work fine, but the new one is out of time.  As this one is used, I suspect it will cost me a bit to fix.  I am planning on contacting FA on Tuesday morning, so that I can get it fixed.

The problem is simple: sometimes the bolt does not drop into the frame when the hammer is placed at half-cock.  Or, more precisely, the bolt drops into the frame as the hammer approaches the half-cock position, only to return to the locked position when the hammer reaches the half-cock position.  I suspect I have a broken or weak spring, but the gun is going to FA to be fixed.  Do I blame FA?  Heck, no.  I cannot be sure that the previous owner did not abuse it although I see no signs of abuse.

[Dusty Miller]

ALL manufactured products are subject to breakage.  I've got two FA guns and will probably buy more.  If you can afford to buy FA guns then you can afford to have'm fixed when the rare breakage occurs. 

[George Denys]

AMEN BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[farscott]

I spoke with John at FA, and he asked me to send it in.  If it is an FA issue, he told me that the only charge would be return shipping.  I think that is great customer service on a used revolver.  Per the terms of the warranty, FA owes me nothing, so I am very pleased

If the damage is the result of someone monkeying with it (as I expect), I will have to pay to get it fixed.  And that is how it should be.

[Rod in Pa]

I had a Model 83 475 Linebaugh and currently own a Model 83 44 mag. I never had a problem with either of these fine firearms. Rod in Pa.

[farscott]

One more update on my personal FA breakage:  The day after FA received my revolver, I received a phone call from John at FA.  He told me that while he suspected someone had used a diamond hone on the surfaces of the action parts, he could not be sure.  He also told me that the wear might be consistent with a large number of rounds fired.  He did tell me that if the revolver had been smithed outside FA, the smith knew enough to get it back together properly, something which is rare in his experience.  I informed him that the seller had claimed only fifty rounds had been fired.  In any event, since he was not sure as to what happened, I would only be billed for the return shipping.  In addition, the revolver was updated with improved parts since John had it on his bench.

To say I was thrilled would be an understatement.  I was fully prepared to pay a multi-hundred dollar repair bill.  As the second owner, FA was well within their rights to charge me for the repair no matter the cause.   That is great customer service, and I really appreciate it.

If one is considering an FA revolver and concern about breakage is an issue, I would not worry too much.  FA really stands behind the product.  I will be adding more FA revolvers to my current three.