Author Topic: Freedom Arms SA vs. Ruger SA (Read 4435 times)

wildwillie · « **on:** September 20, 2004, 04:32:08 PM »

Hey y'all,
Just curious to hear if the Freedom Arms SA is that much better than the Ruger SA as to justify the huge price increase as far as accuracy and fit and finish goes. My .357 Bisley w/ 7.5" barrel is very accurate at about 1/3 the price of the FA...

MS Hitman · « **Reply #1 on:** September 20, 2004, 04:59:46 PM »

I have several of each and the Freedom Arms revolvers are well worth the difference in price.

cnTndr85 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2004, 01:57:09 AM »

I dont own a Freedom Arms yet, but I've handled and shot my buddies 454 and Yes, IMO they are definately worth it!
Mark

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2004, 12:53:36 PM »

TScottO · « **Reply #4 on:** September 21, 2004, 02:07:59 PM »

The Ruger may be 1/3 the price but FA is 4 times the gun.

Be Safe,
Scott

bigbore442001 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 21, 2004, 02:50:45 PM »

I'd love to own a FA but the Mass AG said that I can't have one. He seems to have a hair across his gluts over some kind of "safety standard".

If I could, I'd get one as they are well made and I was impressed at what I saw at the factory in Wyoming.

22popnsplat · « **Reply #6 on:** September 21, 2004, 03:42:23 PM »

The last handgun I bought was a FA 83 in 454 and it is very sweet . I found it new on Guns America for the price of 2 Vaqueros and grabed it as fast as I could .
Dont get me wrong , I own 4 ruger revolvers and enjoy them but the difference stands out .

ajj · « **Reply #7 on:** September 22, 2004, 07:44:27 AM »

I own several Rugers and one FA. Really top notch "fit and finish," where every surface is beautifully polished and every seam is hand fitted so that you can't feel the juncture with the tip of your finger, is expensive. That's just the way it is.

Steve P · « **Reply #8 on:** September 22, 2004, 03:59:42 PM »

I may be missing a couple of rare calibers, but I think I own about every normal production Blackhawk caliber made. I have two FA, one in .22 and one in .357. I have not shot the .357 yet.

The .22 will outshoot my Rugers, my DW, my Contenders, and a few of my rifles at 100 yards. Spent a LOT of money on it, hopefully will see many 1000s of steel animals fall due to proper aim at them.

I am the third owner of the 357. The last owner took 2nd place in a regional IHMSA match. The prior owners were way high at Internationals with it. Many 1000s of rounds already thru it. Looks new. Tighter than any of my Rugers or DWs, including new unfired ones.

Worth the money.

Steve

oso45-70 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 22, 2004, 06:56:05 PM »

Wildwillie,
You can't compare the craftsmanship of a Freedom Arms revolver with a Ruger. I'm not knocking Ruger as i have a bunch of Rugers from 22 to 454
and the FA comes out ahead every time when it comes to quality. Just a fact, The best way to find out is to try one and see for yourself. Have a good day...............Joe........

wildwillie · « **Reply #10 on:** September 23, 2004, 04:45:04 AM »

Preciate all the feedback! Maybe one day...

SingleFan · « **Reply #11 on:** October 01, 2004, 09:47:56 AM »

Wildwillie-

FYI...I even took one of my prized Rugers and sent it to one of them there high end pistolsmiths, spent lots of $'s to get a comparison with the end results between my newly customized Ruger and my FA.

The Ruger now shoots much more accurately than it did, but it still isn't up to snuff with the FA.

Now one thing I will say, just this past week my good ole uncle handed me his Old Model Blackhawk in .357. I was amazed at how good the action is and how accurately it shoots. We definitely lost something OMB to NMB.

DEANO · « **Reply #12 on:** October 02, 2004, 05:04:49 AM »

I've got a 4 & 3/4 FA 83 in .454, Premier Grade with the v notch rear sight and gold bead front sight. I have had it about 6 years and have taken three forky toes with it. I love it. It is my favorite handgun to shoot. I shoot Bull-X 300 grain hard cast with 296 and they are chronographed at 1505 to 1510. It has alot of pop!!!! and does wonders on steel and forky toes. I really love the sighting system on it, and you can't beat the FA for fit finish and accuracy. I carry it in a crossdraw Tom Threepersons El Paso Saddlery Rig around the farm, but I don't want to bang it up alot. I just bought a Ruger Bisley 5.5 SS, but haven't had time to fool with it. I am planning on toting the Ruger around the farm to keep from banging up the Freedom Arms.

Old Griz · « **Reply #13 on:** October 16, 2004, 05:27:11 PM »

:cb2: Wow. Tough question. Would I rather have 1 FA, or 3 Rugers? I guess I could have saved up enough to buy a FA if I hadn't bought so many other guns first. But then, I would have missed out on all the fun I've had with the other guns. A FA is more than just a gunit's a work of art. I've a few minor nicks and dings on my Rugers, that would not be minor (to me) if it was on a $1500 gun. Hmmmm. Maybe if I was a young buck of 30 or so, and had a loooooooong life time of shooting still ahead of me, I might make the investment. As it is now, my guns are my toys, and what I have works fine enough. Are FAs better? Sure. A BMW convertible is better than what I drive, but when I put the top down on my old convertible, it feels just as good. So I guess at the ranges I shoot, and with my limited shooting abilities, a Freedom Arms gun would be wasted on me. But they are by far the best SA handgun that I have ever seen.

KENTDEP · « **Reply #14 on:** October 19, 2004, 11:35:57 AM »

Ole Griz brings up a good point. I used to shoot IHMSA -years ago. If I were still shooting competitively I would have a FA revolver to shoot the revolver class. But since I don't compete anymore why spend the money if you don't have it in your budget? I have a great time with my custom Super Blackhawk. I doubt that I would enjoy a FA pistol as much if I had to sacrifice $1500 to buy it.

My $.02

Jay

unspellable · « **Reply #15 on:** October 19, 2004, 12:04:09 PM »

If only FA would make a double action...

Old Griz · « **Reply #16 on:** October 19, 2004, 12:24:58 PM »

:cb2: Geewhy lower their standards?!?

oso45-70 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 19, 2004, 02:37:41 PM »

Griz 454
In case you hadent noticed you are at 454 posts while we talk about the Freedom Arms Revolvers, Just thought that was kinda neat. Griz you have a lot of years left to shoot so break loose a few of those Franklins and get yourself a 83 FA...Good luck.........Joe........

unspellable · « **Reply #18 on:** October 19, 2004, 02:42:47 PM »

I'm handicapped. I've never been able to hit the broad side of a barn with a SA (Well, maybe a little better than that.) where as I can do pretty good with a DA. Something about the shape of the grip on a DA that just doesn't work for me. I have 5 Ruger SA's but they are range toys. For serious shooting I fall back to my DA's. I can consistantly put three out of five through a paper plate at 100 yards shooting offhand with a S&W M19 and that's when I'm out of practice. I could never do that with a SA. (I very rarely shoot a DA in self cocking mode.)

oso45-70 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 19, 2004, 05:32:38 PM »

Unspellable,Have you ever tried a single action with the bisley grip ? If you have not you might try one and if you and still can't do any good i guess you are a DA shooter all the way. I had the same problem when i first shot the singles but i have overcome the problem and now do better with my singles than i do with the DAs. To me the Freedom Arms grip is the easyest to control. To each his own i guess. Have a good day........Joe............

Old Griz · « **Reply #20 on:** October 20, 2004, 03:47:37 PM »

:cb2: Glad you caught that Joe. Maybe someday I might just run out of stuff to get and have to settle for a FA. Actually, I've almost got everything else I want 'cept for 2 or 3 remaining on my gotta get list. Maybe by the time I get up to post # 475 . . . (Naw, that'll be too soon.) I shudder to think what a 83 with a 6" octagonal barrel, black micarta grips, gold bead front sight with a V notch rear in .44 mag would cost! Probably more than my car is worth!

mr.frosty · « **Reply #21 on:** December 24, 2004, 06:36:58 AM »

Quote from: cknight98

while i've never handled or shot a Freedom Arms, i'm sure they are worth the extra. i'll probably never own one, as i just love the Ruger's. if i won the lottery i'd probably order one, but i'd have to buy a ticket first

i am willing to accept any and all donations to the mr.frosty for fa83 fund
just send to .............. :shock:

tecrsq · « **Reply #22 on:** June 05, 2005, 04:21:30 PM »

In a word "Yes"

I have shot many a wheelgun but never has one approached the level of perfection as the Freedom Arms model 83.

The gun is an absolute work of art and can only be described as a perfect execution in function and form.

The revolver is the finest I have ever shot and will no doubt be passed down to my son and hopefully his son!

Were you to have the chance to purchase one by all means Do It!

oso45-70 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 05, 2005, 05:44:57 PM »

tecrsq,

I want to welcome you to GBO and congratulate you on your choice of fire arms. I posted behind your other entry and told you to let your dog in he is about to wag his tail off.....Have a good day sir............Joe..........

tecrsq · « **Reply #24 on:** June 05, 2005, 06:41:50 PM »

Quote from: oso45-70

tecrsq,

I want to welcome you to GBO and congratulate you on your choice of fire arms. I posted behind your other entry and told you to let your dog in he is about to wag his tail off.....Have a good day sir............Joe..........

Thanks Joe and your right I better let him in.

By the way great folk's and conversation here.

LOL

myronman3 · « **Reply #25 on:** June 06, 2005, 04:35:14 PM »

Quote

Would I rather have 1 FA, or 3 Rugers?

i am sure most of you are familar with my tale of woe. the answer to the above ? is i would rather have 1 gun that works when i need it than 3 that break when i need them. f.a. all the way for me.

then add in the additional strength, flawless finish, unbelievable accuracy, better grip design, superior craftmenship (absolutely no comparision), resale value, and reputation; it is easy to see why i go for f.a..

mr.frosty · « **Reply #26 on:** June 07, 2005, 03:05:00 PM »

what about a bfr or a fa i know this should be its own topic but i just cant
resist so which one would ya choose?

myronman3 · « **Reply #27 on:** June 07, 2005, 04:00:22 PM »

f.a. all the way.

if you are going to spend as much as a bfr costs, why not put down a little extra and get the f.a.? resale value alone is enough to settle it for me; although there are many more reasons.

Old Griz · « **Reply #28 on:** June 07, 2005, 06:18:26 PM »

:cb2: Can't believe they made a BFR in .30-30. (Like .45-70 was normal.) If they ever come out with a 7.62x39, they might get my attention. Talk about a cheap shooter.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #29 on:** June 08, 2005, 03:10:07 PM »

single fan,

Which proves, You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear......Joe.......