Model 97 Questions?

[Bob96]

  Just discovered this forum = great place for freedom arms info. I just made a list for my dealer to place an order. I wanted a 45ACP as I have much ammo and other guns in that caliber. Found out a need to order the gun in 45 Colt  and an extra cylinder for the 45ACP.  Was wondering for those with ACP cylinders for their 83 or 97's how do you find the accuracy? I would mainly be using target loads in 185 and 200gr SWC. Will use for target only. For those who have ordered the factory trigger job and overtravel stop. Worth the extra $ with noticable difference in quality of pull and weight?  I read posts of 97 vs. 83 and know that I will sacrifice the "Bank Vault" sounds from the 83 with its larger parts. Also I am a little concerned about the 97's transfer bar affecting the quality of pull from the 83? I really didn't think that I needed the extra bulk and weight of the 83. It is like 53oz vs. 38oz for the 97. If I order the 83 I would have to get a 454 with an extra 45ACP cylinder. I would never use the 454 cylinder. Could I use it to shoot 45Colt? Know not recommended if also using 454 also but I would not be. My mind was made up on a 97 but want a fantastic trigger and would love to hear the "Bank Vault" sounds. Welcome any of your inputs!

[Ken ONeill]

The accuracy of my Mdl. 97 .45 Colt /.45 ACP is excellent with both cylinders. The 97's also lock up "like a bank vault"...it's just a bit smaller vault. I read a bit on internet posts about inferior trigger pulls on 97's vs. 83's. I find no credence in those statements when I look at mine ( .22, .32, .45, and .44 sp.) compared to my 83's. If anything, 2 of my 97's are better than any of my 83's.
The first FA I ordered, I had the trigger stop installed, with a trigger job, and my 252 came with a trigger stop. I like them in target guns, but generally find them to be unnecessary for my use on hunting guns.
No need for an 83 for .45 Colt /.45 ACP. Buy the 97.

[MarkH]

What Ken said.  The 97 is made just as well as the 83 - just on a smaller frame.  The cylinder locks up tight and the tolerances are tight.  I wouldn't worry about it.

The only factory "additional" offerings I generally get are micarta grips and the factory action job, which has done a good job of making all my guns feel the same.

[paul105]

Get the Model 97 and don't look back.  Here's an article by John Taffin:

http://www.sixguns.com/range/Fa45.htm

Paul

[Bob96]

  How about grip size on the 97 as I have never handled one?  I owned a Ruger Bearcat - Single Six and an old 357 Blackhawk, All had small grips and my little finger had to slide under the grip.  Can average size hands fit comfortably on the 97 grip? Enough clearance between grip and trigger guard?

[Bob96]

  In one posting I read that the Model 97 was brought out for Cowboy Action Shooting. It implied that the fit and tolerances were not as tight as the older Model 83. Is this incorrect?

[paul105]

Here's a quote from John Taffin's article linked above -- it's a good read.

"The Mid-Frame Model 97 revolver adheres to the same high quality with the same painstaking attention to detail and the same precision found in the Freedom Arms full size five-shot sixguns."

[paul105]

Grip picture follows -- FA83 (Far Left, Brown), FA97 (Center, Black Micarta), and Ruger 50th Anniv Blackhawk (Far Right, White).  The FA grips have been thinned, flare at bottom removed, and a 5 deg bevel added to bottom.  The FA83 grips are thicker and longer than the FA97 grips.  The Ruger grips are basically the old XR3 (Old Model (3 screw)  Flattop) grips, which are different from the Ruger XR3Red grips (Old Model, 3 screw, With Ears protecting rear sight).   Fit and feel is an individual thing -- if at all possible, you should actually handle the two FAs -- probably easier said than done due to lack of stocking dealers.



FWIW,

Paul

[Bob96]

 My old vintage 1965 Ruger 357 Blackhawk grips were different than those pictured. Were mine even shorter than the white ones pictured?

[paul105]

Don't think they were shorter, just a different material.  Here's a link to Ruger Grip Frames

http://www.gunblast.com/Hamm_Ruger-SA-GripFrames.htm

Here's an overlay of the different Ruger Grip Frames that was copied from the above link



The KXR3 Short grip wasn't introduced until the early 1970s

[MarkH]

I would not agree with that statement ... it is a precise little bugger.   As for the gripframe comfort ... there is just not much way to know.  I shoot with a pretty low grip and have never had a problem with 83's or 97's.  Some shoot with a high grip and get whacked.  Some get whacked no matter how they try to hold it.  Same story with just about any make or model of single action revolver.  I would base your decision on intended use.

  In one posting I read that the Model 97 was brought out for Cowboy Action Shooting. It implied that the fit and tolerances were not as tight as the older Model 83. Is this incorrect?

[Ken ONeill]

There is no truth to the statement that quality control or precision is less with the 97 than with the 83. With regard to grip sizes, everyone else has given good advice and offered good comments. I can simply say that John Taffin's hand is bigger than mine, although both of us may be considered to have "short" fingers...and both of us consider the 97 grip to be "about perfect".

[Bob96]

  I can't locate a 97 to check out the grip. I do own a 45 Colt Betetta Stampead Italian replica of the Colt SAA. How would a 97 compare in grip length and distance from frontstrap to rear of trigger guard?

[MarkH]

Sort of in between a Colt "standard" SAA and a Colt Bisley.

[Boxhead]

My M97 45 Colt is a beautifully assembled piece that is absolutely tight, in every which way. It is superbly accurate and the grip works well with my fairly large hands even with the stiffer loads and it is a joy to carry. You will sometimes read of folks "badmouthing" the FA's guns, I suspect they have not owned one. Mine will go to generations of Boxhead's...