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Author Topic: How do you choose between the 97 and 83?  (Read 2032 times)

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Offline rocky_taco

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How do you choose between the 97 and 83?
« on: January 15, 2008, 02:27:54 PM »
If the caliber you are interested in is offered in both guns, how do you choose?
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Offline Ken ONeill

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Re: How do you choose between the 97 and 83?
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2008, 12:40:24 PM »
That would be the .22, .357, or .41. The 97 is lighter, has a shorter action, is adequately strong for those calibers, is plenty accurate, has a transfer bar, is believed by many to have a "perfect" grip size and shape, and is cheaper. So the question is.... ???

On the other hand, if you need more power, the excellent 83 needs no excuses made for it.
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Offline rocky_taco

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Re: How do you choose between the 97 and 83?
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2008, 01:16:55 PM »
I'm leaning towards the 45 colt and would somewhat lean toward the 83 for the option of a 454.  But, I like the idea of the transfer bar safety.  Thus this becomes a tough decision for me. 
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Offline Ken ONeill

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Re: How do you choose between the 97 and 83?
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2008, 09:29:02 AM »
If you need or want a .454, fine and dandy. If you want a true .45 Colt 83, that cylinder will be an optional extra, as the base gun will be a .454, not vice-versa. If you want to shoot .45 Colt strength loads in the .454 cylinder, that's fine too, but you should use ,454 brass to accomplish that, and the internal volume of that case is larger than necessary for those .45 Colt ballistics.
If what you really want is a.45 Colt, there is a significant weight difference in the hand, and on the belt, between an 83 and a 97. It seems to me that the most important question is which cartridge and power level you want, before settling on the model.
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Offline STJ

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Re: How do you choose between the 97 and 83?
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2008, 11:57:43 AM »
With the 97 you will be limited on COL and therefor bullet weight due to the shorter cylinder.
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Offline 4MUL8R

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Re: How do you choose between the 97 and 83?
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2008, 01:21:34 AM »
I suggest shooting a friend's 454 Casull in some handgun before deciding if the Model 83 is worth it.
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Offline Old Griz

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Re: How do you choose between the 97 and 83?
« Reply #6 on: May 26, 2008, 08:29:03 PM »
If you want to shoot the big monster loads in the .45 ya gotta go with the 83. Do you plan to hunt big nasty stuff with this gun, or thin skinned stuff like deer? If you're not gonna hunt with it, go with the lighter 97. If you don't want to be limited by bullet length, the 83. What do you plan to use the gun for?
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Offline Golfswithwolves

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Re: How do you choose between the 97 and 83?
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2008, 12:05:42 PM »
I had a field-grade Model 83 in .454 and found that I did not enjoy the big round. The rubber grips on this model probably had something to do with it as they were too large for my hand, and I might have gotten along with the premium-grade wooden grips better. I traded for a Model 97 in .44 Special and have been very happy with the choice. 
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Offline Lloyd Smale

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Re: How do you choose between the 97 and 83?
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2008, 01:24:33 AM »
a good point. I like both of them but if it were going to be a 45 cal. it would be an 83 the 97s in 45 colt are just not long enough in the cylinder to be a good cast bullet gun. There are only a limited selection of mold designs that work with them. Same problem applys to the 41mags.  Now a 44 special  97 would be a sweetheart!
Quote from: STJ on January 17, 2008, 11:57:43 AM
With the 97 you will be limited on COL and therefor bullet weight due to the shorter cylinder.

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Offline jwp475

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Re: How do you choose between the 97 and 83?
« Reply #9 on: May 29, 2008, 06:47:18 AM »


  There is nothing at all wrong with using 45 Colt brass in the 454. A proper crimp groove will give the exact COAL lenght and espite the nay sayers there is no problem with this practice. Ross Seyfried has wriiting several article in the past tha t adrresed this issue. The same speeds are obtainablre with modern 45 Colt brass and the cylinder erosion claims are eronious .
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Offline EdK

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Re: How do you choose between the 97 and 83?
« Reply #10 on: May 30, 2008, 08:36:45 AM »
...and there is nothing wrong with using 454 brass for 45 Colt loads.
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