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Author Topic: Are all FA revolvers created equal?  (Read 1237 times)

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Offline IronAir

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Are all FA revolvers created equal?
« on: July 15, 2006, 09:33:07 PM »
Hello everyone,

I would like to ask your opinion on something that I have been wondering about for a while now.  Are the guns coming out of the factory today, better than, worse than, or the same as they have always been?

If a guy wants the best revolver that money can buy (I have heard that said about FA), should he buy a brand new one?  Or try to find an older one that is in new condition?  Is there a best of the best?

Along those lines, what do you all make of statements like these...(found on the internet, of course)

(1) the guns built in the '80s were put together with tighter tolerances than today

(2) some of the old guns had poor accuracy, caused by a bad batch of barrels

(3) there were issues related to the firing pin on some guns (I know dry firing can cause damage)

Any input would be much appreciated.  What do you guys think?

Thanks
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Offline dubber123

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Re: Are all FA revolvers created equal?
« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2006, 03:37:33 AM »
I know that a lot of guys on this forum have more FA experience than me, and I'm sure you will hear from them.  That said, my 2 year old 4 3/4" .475 is as tight after 3000 full power loads as it was when I bought it.  The fit and finish is superb, you can barely see the lines where the parts come together, and the stock grips fit perfectly.  It will also put 5 440 gr. cast bullets into .8" at 50 yds.  My only complaint is for the price, the 4 pound trigger is a bit much.  Only 1 example, but my new one is plenty nice.
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Offline SJPrice

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Re: Are all FA revolvers created equal?
« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2006, 04:02:51 PM »
I am sure you will hear from some of the old timer FA owners, but let me say the new ones are a work of art.  They lock up like a vault and are the most accurate factory revolvers you are going to find.  They come with snap caps and you should use them.  Dry firing them is not a good idea as is the case with most weapons, Rugers aside.  I know you can dry fire a Ruger all day and all night.  You can also not get FA kind of accuracy from every factory Ruger like you can from every FA.  If you do take the leap and buy one you will not be sorry.
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Offline Fiveshooter

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Re: Are all FA revolvers created equal?
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2006, 04:41:18 PM »
 I have early and new examples and I have yet to get a lemon. I think the mind set at Freedom Arms has ALWAYS been to build the finest production single action revolver in the world. I don't think I would get much argument that they are successful at it
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"Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level then beat you with experience." Not sure who first said this,but it makes sense.
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                   Billy

Offline MarkH

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Re: Are all FA revolvers created equal?
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2006, 02:20:00 AM »
I've noticed no differences in tolerances.  If anything, I think today's guns are better, due to improvements in springs.

There was a bad batch of barrels, but I would not give it much thought.  I have never had an FA with an issue that FA was not eager to fix.

Excessive dry firing may break the firing pin but may also drive out the firing pin bushing.  It is an easy fix but an easier prevention - use snap caps.
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Offline Questor

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Re: Are all FA revolvers created equal?
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2006, 04:21:58 AM »
My 2 cents on the matter are that FA will go out of business very quickly if word gets out that quality is slipping. Quality is their only stock in trade. I'd be very surprised if they ever let quality slip, unless they just don't care about the complany any more.
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Safety first

Offline scott williams

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Re: Are all FA revolvers created equal?
« Reply #6 on: July 17, 2006, 05:48:50 AM »
i had a firing pin break on an older model 83. cost $80 for a new pin and $80 shipping. the newer models have replaceable firing pins. if one broke you could order a new pin and replace it yourself. if i were contemplating buying a used FA, i would look to see if it had the new style firing pin.
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Offline IronAir

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Re: Are all FA revolvers created equal?
« Reply #7 on: July 17, 2006, 12:01:17 PM »
Thanks guys, for the input. 

I am not cutting on Freedom Arms at all, or suggesting that their quality has slipped in any way.  I just really like these guns and want to find out as much as I can about them.  I wish someone would write a book about the history of Freedom Arms, like Roy Jenks did for Smith and Wesson.
I would like to hear more about the changes that FA has made over the years.  The whens and whys are very interesting to me.  For instance...

When did the bad barrels appear and then disappear (what year or serial number range)?
How can I tell by looking if the firing pin is the new, easily replaceable version, or the more fragile old one?
Was there a problem with the mainspring when it was bolted to the frame?  Or did they change it just to save a machining step?
When did they quit using the adjustable rear sight that looks like the one on my Ruger?

Your comments are appreciated.



 
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Offline scott williams

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Re: Are all FA revolvers created equal?
« Reply #8 on: July 17, 2006, 12:58:51 PM »
cock the hammer and look at the end of the firing pin, if you see a slotted bushing, it is the new style. no bushing, old style.
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Offline MarkH

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Re: Are all FA revolvers created equal?
« Reply #9 on: July 17, 2006, 01:19:13 PM »
Join the Freedom Arms Collectors Association.  There is a link to it off of FA's website.  The FACA publishes the Five Shot Journal.  There is a bound volume of the old Five Shots available.  John Taffin's books are another good resource.

Do not worry about bad barrels.

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Offline IronAir

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Re: Are all FA revolvers created equal?
« Reply #10 on: July 17, 2006, 03:48:24 PM »
MarkH, you must be a mind reader.  I actually had a question about the FACA in my previous post, but didn't like the wording, so I took it out.  I was going to ask if any of you were members, and if you thought the Five Shot Journal would answer my questions.  $100 seems a little steep for the first year membership and 4 magazines, but after reading the link on the FA website a little closer, it may be exactly what I am looking for.  It would be great to get all of those past issues if they are still available.

I have Mr. Taffins "Big Bore Handguns" book, and you are right, it is pretty informative.  I've read the FA chapter several times (it's my favorite). 

The thing I like most about these internet forums though, is that people usually tell it like it is, either good or bad.  They are not being paid to write about how great stuff is, so you get to see both sides.  You don't see much "bad" stuff written in books or magazines.

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Offline MarkH

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Re: Are all FA revolvers created equal?
« Reply #11 on: July 18, 2006, 01:39:06 AM »
I thought it was only $100 if you want to be a Founder/Charter member?  Thought regular membership was something like $25?  Been a while since I joined.

Taffin's Big Bore Sixguns book is also good, as is Single Action Sixguns. 

The thing I "don't" like about internet forums is that people often tell it like they heard it was, or they think it might be ... why, I had a cousin shoot a 454 once and he thought it wasn't worth the money, therefore FA guns are overpriced - and of course, they will bind up on you in rough country if you drop it in the stream :)
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Offline SJPrice

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Re: Are all FA revolvers created equal?
« Reply #12 on: July 18, 2006, 06:21:17 AM »
I agree with Mark.  In fact I made the mistake of listening to the complaints on other forums about how the FA guns were too tight and therefore unreliable.  How they were way overpriced for what you get and how you could have 4 Rugers for the same money etc etc etc.  As a result I bought a BFR first.  It was a nice gun, but not what I was looking for.  I finally ignored the uninformed comments and purchased my FA 83.  The BFR was sold one week later.
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Offline MarkH

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Re: Are all FA revolvers created equal?
« Reply #13 on: July 18, 2006, 07:06:40 AM »
Yep - I have owned custom revolvers by top name smiths and have never owned the equal to an FA.  I've been through quite a few of them, trading and upgrading and whatnot, and swear that every new one I get is the best gun I've ever owned :)

I've not found very many FA owners who think otherwise.  I have heard some sour grapes ... sure ... but my experience with them has been that they are either (1) too used to other guns to really want to get accustomed to the Freedom Arms, so have a mental block, or (2) don't shoot the guns that they do have enough to be an authority on them one way or the other.  The Great Santilli from another forum comes to mind ... I think I am known as Flatlander on that other forum :)

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