Looking for my first FA

[smacky]

I came close to getting one in the past but went with a custom Ruger instead.  The problem is calibre choice. I have or they are being customized, a .50, 356gnr,38super all on Ruger platforms. I'm thinking .44mag or .45colt, something I can shoot at the range all day and become my everyday go to gun . Thing is can I get a model 83 in those calibres? I have read here about the 97 having a short cylinder limiting bullet selection so I don't want to go that route.  I think if I can get a Model 83 in 45 colt not the 454 cylinder just the 45 colt round butted ,octagon 4 3/4 barrel, fiber optic front sight and 3lb trigger job. It would make a ideal anything that I would run into in N.Y. woods.

[Graybeard]

I have both. My .44 Magnum is a 7.5" FA83 and my .45 Colt is a 7.5" FA97. There are some limitations with the FA97 as it has the same length cylinder as the Colt so real long bullets are out if that's a big deal.

You can't get a .44 Magnum in the FA97 and you can't get just a .45 Colt in the FA83 but must buy a .454 and buy an extra cylinder in .45 Colt.

[MarkH]

Though the 83 is available in 44 Mag ... it makes for a heavy gun for an everyday packer.  My 4" 454 works as an "all-day" gun only with certain holsters, such as the FA "X" shoulder holster.  I wouldn't like it as a dedicated belt gun.

The 97, on the other hand, makes up for its shortcomings as a shorter-cylindered gun by being THE most packable single action out there, short of the Single Six and Bearcat centerfire conversions.

[smacky]

Some good info already. Since I have only owned Rugers what of the two FA frames sizes come closest to say a blackhawk? Mark H since you compared the ease of packability of the 97 to the single six and bearcat could the frame be that small?

[MarkH]

The frame size of the 83 is closer to a Blackhawk, but the five shot cylinder and being all steel make the 83 a good bit heavier. 

The 97 cylinder is slightly smaller and shorter than a Colt Single Action Army....I think....it may be very close in terms of diameter.  But the cylinder fills up the frame window, no wasted space anywhere on the gun, which makes the entire gun significantly shorter than the SAA.  I generally refer to it as an SAA or Old Model Blackhawk 357 with all the air sucked out of it.

Here are my 4" 454 and 3-1/2" 97.  The 454 is not that much bigger overall, but is a heavy chunk of steel compared to the 97.  Still, with the right holster, it is a good packer and has its place.

[smacky]

Mark what calibre is your 97? Those are two beautiful 5 guns Let me ask straight out if it was your first and maybe only FA and leaving out .50, 475 ,454  which model would you get. I don't own a SA 45 cal so I would like to give that a try but that 97 comes with COL probs.  Also what about value ,is their a market for the 83 in 44 mag? I don't see to many used for sale on Gunbroker and such.  Thanks for the help. P>S I found a shop within 30 miles or so from me that has both models so maybe just handling the two will help me decide!

[Graybeard]

Were I faced with that my answer likely would be an FA97 in .44 Special. Of course my first was an FA83 .454 Casull, next came an FA83 in .44 Magnum and then next an FA97 in .45 Colt. So in fact I didn't follow my own advice.

Bob sent the .454 for review and I came close to buying but didn't and returned it. I did the same with the first FA97 in .45 Colt but later had so much regret over letting it go back I ordered up one just like the one I had reviewed and I have to say I'm as pleased with it as I was the first.

Still I want an FA97 in .44 Special and will no doubt get one. I suspect it will wear a 5.5" barrel as my eyes have now improved to the point I can again see sights up that close. All the others have had 7.5" barrels. I like that length for shooting accurately but shorter is better for carry.

I'm sure Mark's answer will differ from mine as might the response from other long time FA owners here.

[MarkH]

There really is no way to answer the question as needs and abilities vary too much from person to person.

If I could have "only one" FA - and hunted with it - I would go with a 7.5" 454.  Not ideal, but for "only one" it would be the most representative of the quality and power and accuracy that the guns are known for.  It is a big gun, though.  And the recoil is not easy to master, particularly if you are not a handloader.  If you don't handload or are not committed to mastering the recoil, I wouldn't recommend a big cartridge like that.

If I was only interested in having a good all around single action - a using gun that might be hunted with but also serves other duties - no question about it, it would be a 5.5" FA 97 with adjustable sights and micarta grips in .45 Colt.  Could just as easily be 44 Sp or 41 Mag, I just prefer the 45.  I have express sights on mine and I do believe I prefer it over the 4-1/4" barrel length.  I certainly prefer it over the 3-1/2" barrel length on my short gun, but the 3-1/2" 45 is sort of a special purpose and has its place.

Re-reading your question, if you are leaving out the 50, 475, and 454, I would definitely go with a 5.5" FA 97 .45.  You could conceivably get an 83 in 44, 41, or 357, but the 97 will do all that those will do ... on a lighter frame, so the recoil will be heavier, but still.

I have a 5.5" 97-22/22WMR, a 3.5" 97-45, a 5.5" 97-45, a 4" 454, a 7.5" 454, and a 9" 454 ... a gun for every purpose.  If I headed for the hills, I would take the 5.5" 97-45 on my belt and the 3.5" would be somewhere in my pack.

I highly recommend handling both models.

[Ken ONeill]

Mark has given about all the advice one can give. Much depends upon your intended use, your experience and the size of your hand. I like and use 97's and 83's, with much more useage of 83's. In iron sighted versions, I prefer the 6".
Personally, my favorite all-around cartridge is the .44 Mag. However, if excluding the big boomers as you suggest, the 97 in .45 Colt or .41 Mag. will be hard to beat. In that case I personally prefer the 5 1/2".
Trying to handle each will be very worthwhile.
As you point out, .44 Mag. 83's are seldom seen in the used market. There are fewer made than in .454, but there may also be a reluctance on the part of their owners to sell them.
How's that for giving you no help? The longer range objective should perhaps be a 97 in .45 Colt and an 83 in .44 Mag. Since you've been accumulating "customs", you'll probably end up with multiple FA's anyway.

[benny]

hello,

i have very little experience compared to the others here, but here are my thoughts, having made the same decision not too long ago.  after handling the 83 and 97, i went with the 97 4 1/4" in 41 mag.  i liked the 83, but with a 6" bbl, which makes more sense to me on the big gun than the 4 3/4 it was too big for an "all around" user.  i can comfortably carry the 97 on my hip all day and the gun will handle a 250gr hard cast @ 12-1300 fps for any type of hunting i want to do with a handgun.  i tend to leave heavy stuff behind when i'm heading into the woods, so that is what works for me.

btw, as weird as it sounds, the recoil of the little 97 is much easier to controll and does not hurt my hand at all, compared to the s&w 657 w 7.5" bbl that i used to shoot.

i don't think you give up much with that 250gr 41 load as it has a great reputation for penetration.

best regards,
benny