Model 83 Grip Frame Variations?

[Inspector-Callahan]

I have been able to find some spotty internet banter about the model 83 changing the grip frame shape at some point through the years. Can anyone verify this and does anyone know about what serial number this happened??

...I'm not referring to any round butt options here, just any variation in the standard steel grip frame.....

Thanks
IC

[Ken ONeill]

There are at least 3 significantly different configurations, maybe more. Then there are the hand finishing differences from gun to gun. Swapping grips is a crapshoot. I don't have a clue on timing...but prefixes and S/N's will vary across the 8 calibers, of course, as each has it's own S/N range. I rather doubt that the factory has kept even approximately close records on S/N points of changes.
I have managed to swap grips on only one of mine to another one. I also sold 1 set to a long-distance friend who said they "fit okay".
Caveat emptor on fitting used grips to another gun.

[Inspector-Callahan]

Thanks for the information Ken. Someone might want to post this as a stickey because I talked to the fine folks at Freedom Arms today and they informed be about a newer and older style of Model 83 grip frame and as you know this isn't widely known information. They stated that the change occurred at serial #8427. The newer grip frame included a change to the mainspring, but also they decided to make the grip 1/4 inch longer since they had to design a new part anyway. I am not sure what benefit the newer mainspring offerred, however.

This was a concern of mine since I had a newer edition PG 83 and I just recently purchased an older model field grade with the 1st generation frame. The problem is that one cannot really feel the difference between the two frames (in my scenario) because the FG gun had the junky Pacmayr grips that completely surround the frame making it impossible to compare the two.

Maybe someone out there has a photo of both with premier type grips that they can post showing the comparative difference??? Someone must have the newer and older style premier grade guns??

Thanks
IC

[Ken ONeill]

That S/N break could be somewhat helpful info to someone with a .454, contemplating purchasing or swapping grips from one  to another. Again, bear in mind that there were .22's (252), .44's, and .357's (353) in production at that time with different prefix and S/N ranges.

Yes, I have examples of the bolt and nut attached mainspring originals, as well as examples of the slotted mainspring holder that came later. You don't feel the difference externally, but the difference  in length etc., is obvious with the grips removed.
And, as I said, final individual fitting at the factory can still make for difficult grip swapping. The grips may or may not "bolt-up", but not necessarily "FIT".

Unfortunately, my photo posting skills on the site are non-existant.

[Yosemite Sam]

This is a related question, I hope you don't mind if I piggyback on this topic rather than starting a new one.

Can someone with experience of both give me a comparison of the model 97 and model 83 grip sizes?  I know the 83 is "bigger", but by how much?  Is it in the same category as the Ruger Bisley grip?

I love my 97 but the frame size has always been a little on the small side for me.  I'm wondering if the 83 would fit my hand better.

-- Sam

[Ken ONeill]

Sam,
Let's be very un-scientific here, and say that the 83 grip is about 10% larger than the 97. It doesn't FEEL at all like a Ruger Bisley grip, but let's squint and say it's kinda similar in size. However, the Ruger Bisley gripframe  doesn't have the "ears" at the top, like the FA's and most single actions do. For some people, that's a good thing...for others, not so much.
I use both 83's and 97's a lot. I have short fingers so the 97 grip fits my hand better than the 83. BUT...I'd hate to shoot .475's and .500's with that size gripframe. If the 97 gripframe is " a little small '' for you, you'd probably like the 83.

[EdK]

Again - unscientific but I'll toss in my 2 cents. The word that came into my mind when handling a model 97 was "cramped". We know these revolvers are somewhat rare so handling one was all I was able to do and was not able to test fire. However when handling at the shop the combination of the upper radius and the cross-sectional size of the grip frame caused me to come up with that word. I have large but not huge hands with a ratio of  largish palms and shorter fingers.

For me the model 83 is perfect - more ideal than a Ruger Bisley in fact the Ruger being bigger still. It is a shape of its' own but the best I could describe it would be the profile of a Ruger Bisley but smaller, more the size of a Super Blackhawk.

It has occurred to me that since we are all different the ideal approach to offering a revolver to the public might be to have a small series of gripframes, non-serialized of course, that the end-user could select from when purchasing a gun. These could be swapped without messing with the serialized frame and associated paperwork to provide an ideal fit. I realize this is not likely to ever happen but the thought crossed my mind. Maybe if all 300 million in the US carried a sixgun there would be the demand for such a thing. Wouldn't that be something 

[Yosemite Sam]

Thanks for the replies.  Unscientific descriptions are sometimes the best we can hope for.  Actually, I know someone locally who has an 83, and I may be able to swing a meet and great session.

My take on the 97 is that it's like a fine Italian sportscar:  Svelte, beautiful, and packs a lot of power into a little tiny chassis.  It's like shooting a Single Six with a bigger kick (mine's a .45 Colt). 

The "problem" with mine, if you can call it that, is that it's so small that my trigger finger ends up resting on the grip frame right next to the trigger, unless I go to great lengths to grip the gun differently.  This of course has a tendency to push the gun off target as you contract the muscles to squeeze.  I've learn to overcome it, and indeed am (finally) shooting my 97 as well as anything else, but I'd like to see how the 83 compares.

-- Sam