what is the difference between the f.a. 83 + the 97?

[myronman3]

been having quality issues with my rugers holding up to mild usage and am thinking on possibly looking at freedom arms.   in a nutshell, what is the difference between the two models?

[TScottO]

The 97 is their small frame gun and was built more to appease the CAS crowd. They are offered in 45 colt, 44 special, 41 magnum, 357 magnum, 32 H&R, 22 LR and .17HMR. In the 45 Colt you will have trouble with shooting long nose bullets or the real heavy weight 45 Colt bullets because they protrude beyond the cylinder face. Buffalo Bore makes some pretty spicy 45 Colt loadings designed to fit in the 97’s short cylinder.

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#45colt

The 83 is the large frame gun chambered for 22LR, 357 Magnum, 41 Magnum, 44 Magnum, 454 Casull, 475 Linebaugh and 50AE. You can also but additional cylinders in 38 special, 44 special, 45 colt etc. If you want a handgun for hunting, in my opinion, the 83 is the way to go. To damage one of these revolvers with too much pressure you would literally have to do it on purpose. I have a 454 and a 475, each of these guns shoot one hole groups at 25 yards that are no bigger than 1.5 bullet diameters wide.

Each model has the same fit and finish. No corners were cut when building the 97.

Here are a few articles by Jeff Quin over at GunBlast:

http://www.gunblast.com/Freedom_97.htm

http://www.gunblast.com/Freedom_97-22.htm

http://www.gunblast.com/Freedom_97-32.htm

http://www.gunblast.com/Freedom97-17.htm

http://www.gunblast.com/Freedom-Options.htm

http://www.gunblast.com/Freedom_83-475.htm

The guns are not cheap but I don’t think you can buy a better quality firearm including full customs. They also use a better quality stainless steel than you will find on other handguns.

Be Safe,
Scott

[palgeno]

The size of the mod 83 vs the mod 97 grip frames and therefore reach to the trigger is quite different. I have the mod 97 in .22 and the mod 83 in .454 and shoot better off hand with the bigger gun. Even though my hands are only medium in size, the mod 97 seems too small and my trigger control is better with the mod 83! So I wear a glove to shoot the mod 97 to take up space and make the reach longer---sure don't need it for recoil. A glove is nice for .454 recoil so I use a thinner one or none at all for the mod 83. Kinda bassakwards.! :shock:  pg