Model 83 "Packer"

[AussieMike]

G'day Everyone,

I've been lurking on the board for 6 months or so and have been very impressed with the knowledge displayed by members.  I live in Australia and have a firearms collector's licence and so am able to possess various handguns.  Three years ago I was lucky enough to aquire a Freedom Arms Premer Grade 454 Packer (3" barrel) with black micarta grips, octagon barrel and spare 45ACP cylinder.  It is a beautiful piece of craftmanship.

I imagine it was imported by someone for personal protection in the Northern Territory, a wild part of Australia where water buffalo and scrub bulls (beef cattle gone wild) present a significant risk, as to salt water crocodiles.

I have not been able to find out much information about the Packer model.  Could anyone tell me when this model was available, what sort of ballistics can be achieved in the 3" barrel, suggested loads and where to look for an original Freedom Arms holster - I have contacted the factory and they no longer supply these holsters.

Any information at all will be gratefully received.

Mike

[Carlislegr]

I can give a little info about the Packer's history.  They were introduced at the 1996 SHOT Show.  Only 150 were made in 454, 44 Mag, 357 Mag, and 50 AE.  About 10 in 44 Mag, 6 in 50AE, 5 in 357 Mag, and the rest were 454.  All were premier grade.  Both FS and AS were made but most 454's were FS.  Most were 3 inch like yours (but oterh lengths were also made) and included a knockout rod to knock the fired brass out of the cylinder.  Holsters were optional and included a pouch to hold the rod.  I only know of two 3 inch guns that were octagonal.  All had PACKER on the right side of the barell, later guns had PACKER farther to the right.  I have shot my 454's and 44 Mag's but since I don't reload can't address best loads, etc.  They are great little guns--congradulations on having one.

[Ken ONeill]

Congratulations, indeed, on your acquisition. They're quite rare, as stated by carlislegr.

[Lloyd Smale]

post some pictures id sure like to see one. The loads that would work well in it are the same loads that would work well with a longer barrel. Your probally losing about 2-300 fps with the shorter barrel but the neat thing about the fa gun is there stout enough that you still can work up a load in that little gun that will push a 300-350 grain hardcast bullet to 12-1300 fps and that load will kill anything that walks. A good starting point would be 27 grains of 110 with a 300-350 gain bullet using a cci mag small rifle primer or a winchester small rifle primer. Good whitetail and plinking load would be 12 grains of hs6 and the same bullet

[MarkH]

I have an article or two from the FACA's Five Shot Journal on the Packers.  If you will email me at mark@hargrovelaw.com, I will see what I can send your way.

As regards the holsters:

I believe I have seen a total of one, and it was on e-bay.   The others that I have seen have come with the gun inside.  They are scarce.  I've wondered if FA's current leather guy would make one.

[paul105]

Don't know if this is still avail, or if anybody is interested, but here is the link to Cabela's Ft Worth Store:
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http://www.gunsinternational.com/detail.cfm?id=100048958&string=cid=123
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Paul

[AussieMike]

Everyone,

Thank you for your input.  I have two other Model 83s and will ask you about them in other threads.

Mike