Anyone got a FA 97 22LR or FA 252?

[wellfedirishman]

Howdy.

I just picked up a FA 83 in 454 Casull Premier Grade with a 10" barrel, in trade for a couple of pistols.  I am very impressed by it, the workmanship is superb.

I see that FA makes some very nice 22LR revolvers also.  Does anyone here have one?  What are your thoughts on it?

I love 22 revolvers and shoot them most times I go to the range.  I own Smith and Wesson K22s in 6" and 4" which are very smooth double action guns.  I also have a couple of Ruger Single Sixes which are very nice too, accurate and reliable.  I used to have a Dan Wesson 22LR pistol pack but sold it, as I did not like the DW double action when compared to the Smiths.

The FA 22LRs seem to be the Bentleys of 22 revolvers from what I read.  How do they compare to Rugers or Smiths (shot in single action)?  Any feedback would be appreciated. 

Oh, and if anyone has one for sale in Northern California, PM me please

[Ken ONeill]

Yep. One of each.
A 7.5" Mdl. 97 with T'SOB and 2X Leupold:



And a Mdl. 252 with a custom Gordon Logan base and a 4X Leupold:



Both are superbly accurate and have been used regularly for both target work and hunting. The Mdl. 252 / 83 is quite heavy and a 5 shot. I would probably recommend that a person get a 6 shot Mdl. 97 which is considerably lighter. Both are available with "Match" chambers which make the guns very slightly more accurate, but are a nuisance in the field, because they require thumb pressure (or a wooden dowel) to seat cartridges in the chambers. I would recommend "standard" chambers, personally... and they are still a bit tighter than, say, a Single Six. In the field, I can't tell any significant difference in accuracy of FA's standard chambers from the Match. I had my 252's Match chambers opened up to standard about 6 - 7 years ago. I've owned that gun since '96 and the Mdl.97 since 2002.

[wellfedirishman]

Thanks Ken, that is very helpful information.

I found someone locally who has  252 10" with match chambers, so I will shoot that and see how I like it, and also see what ammo fits and shoots best in the chambers.

To clarify, I am looking for an accurate range gun for shooting paper, steel chickens, and maybe clay pigeons on the berm.  I would not plan to take this hunting, as I have other guns that I would prefer for that job.   Hence, speed of reload in the field is not a big issue for me.

Also, I'd like something that is comparable in length (8-10") to my 454 Casull FA 83.  I was considering a Ruger Single Six 9.5" (found one locally for about $350), but all the reviews I read indicated that it didn't compare to the FA interms of accuracy.  Still, Single Sixes are a ton of fun.

In terms of range/silhouette guns, how does the accuracy of the FA 83 or 97 compare to a TC contender 10" 22LR bull barrel pistol? 

Thanks for your input, it is appreciated.

[Ken ONeill]

It depends upon the individual gun. The FA's are at least comparable to a bit better, in my experience.
I've had a 9 1/2" stainless Single Six since 1973. I like it a lot and I competed in IHMSA silhouettes a lot with it, but it's not in the same league with the FA's.

[hodgdon]

KEN do you have a price in mind on the fa--97 and 83-252.    THANKS

[Ken ONeill]

You could have your local dealer, the one with whom you are on the friendliest terms, contact FA by phone for pricing, then agree on a mark-up that the dealer would charge you.
I suggest that you review options and suggested prices on the FA website first. Checking on Gunroker is also an option.
None of mine are for sale.

[Axehandle]

Bentley?  I was thinking more like a Rolls....   
Beware the FA...  You are teetering out on a slippery slope!      My FA set started with a 10 inch 252...  A flood of centerfire FAs  followed.  A forum buddy offered me a deal on a 7.5 inch Varmint Class 252.  A short while later a local shooting buddy offered a 7.5 inch FA 97. 
+1 on the standard chambers.  Those match chambers provide the utmost in accuracy but require that you sacrifice your fingers...!

[wellfedirishman]

Thanks Guys for the inputs, that is appreciated. 

I shot my Mod 83 454 yesterday for the first time and it sure is smooth.  The chambers are noticibly tight, it will not chamber dirty cases or .457 bullets that my Ruger Blackhawk will eat without a hiccup.  I need to buy a .454 sizer to correctly size my bullets prior to loading.

I shot it with 45 Colt +P loads (W296) and it grouped them very well.

[paul105]

M83 .454C throats are pretty tight and any bullet over .452" in front of the crimp will not completely camber in the cylinder.  Unless the previous owner or owners fiddled with the throats, you won't be able to chamber ammo with bullets sized at .454" unless seated so that the .454" part of the bullet doesn't extend into the throat. 

Paul

[paul105]

If you are shooting .45 Colt ammo in the .454 C cylinder you should go to the following thread and read Bob Baker of Freedom Arms response -- scroll down to "Reply #20".

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,189645.0.html

Paul

[wellfedirishman]

Thanks Paul, that is good reading.  I will stick to 454 Casull cases  + .452 bullets in future then.

[paul105]

We were typing at the same time -- I modified my post re: .452 bullets.   You can use larger diameter bullets, but your must alter your seating depth -- like crimping over the front drive band on a SWC for example.   From my experience using .452 bullets will save you some grief.

Hope that wasn't too confusing.

Paul

[Ken ONeill]

Wellfedirishman:
.457" BULLETS IN YOUR BLACKHAWK ??!!!!! WHAT?? Stand by for a problem.

[wellfedirishman]

Ken, in general I agree with you on the use of oversize bullets.  In this case, I used soft lead black powder bullets and a light Trailboss charge.  The goal was to duplicate a black-powder type load, which it did.  However I do not recommend that anyone else do this.

The comment was more that the Ruger Blackhawk would chamber these rounds without any tightness.  The FA would not, indicating a noticably tighter chamber.

On a separate question:  Do Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk grips fit the FA model 83 revolver?

Wellfedirishman:
.457" BULLETS IN YOUR BLACKHAWK ??!!!!! WHAT?? Stand by for a problem.

[Ken ONeill]

No.