Picked up the FA83 .44 Magnum today.

[Graybeard]

Well I drove up to Gadsden today and picked up my new FA83 in .44 Magnum today. It's a Premier grade with 7.5" barrel, action job and micarta grips. Bob sent a scope base and rings and also ne of his shoulder holsters for me to review also.

I've made arrangements to get some ammo from Bruin one of my advertisers to shoot in it. Need to contact Tim at Buffalo Bore and Hornady also. I've got some Garrett .44 Mag left from a previous review so will run some of that thru also.

The group on the target supplied with the gun measures 0.3" center to center as best as I can measure it. That's for five shots at 25 yards. Now I sure don't expect to be able to match that group. I assume that's from a machine rest. Nice to know the gun is capable of such tiny groups even if I'm not.  :eek:

[cnTndr85]

Well I drove up to Gadsden today and picked up my new FA83 in .44 Magnum today. It's a Premier grade with 7.5" barrel, action job and micarta grips.

You lucky bugger.........did ya get back in time to try it, or are you still just fondlin it?  I'll bet its a beauty, hows about postin a pic? just to show it off a little!
Mark

[myronman3]

so are you grinning now or what?  

i had another chance to shoot mine last weekend, and did very well.  i shot a 4 inch group freehand at 50 yards in a stiff wind.  the wind was gusty, and made it hard to hold steady.  so i dont consider 4 inches that bad a group given the conditions.   although the barrel is a tad long for my tastes, if i keep shooting it like this my tastes may change.

[Sgtshultzy1]

I just ordered a Premier with a six inch barrel.  Hope I didnt make a mistake by getting the shorter barrel.

[myronman3]

i doubt bbl length will affect the accuracy.  it is more personal preference.  i will bet a dollar to a doughnut the gun will shoot better than you can.

[TScottO]

Congrats GB, I guess that one’s a keeper?

Sgts- The targets for my 6” models are just as tight as the one GB is referring to. I think you’ll be well pleased.

Be Safe,
Scott

[Greybeard]

I'll probably get some photos today when the sun comes out for better light. Well after it warms some too. It's COLD outside.


Barrel length is really a very personal matter. After I got this one home yesterday and took it out of box I sat here at my computer desk with it checking it out from time to time. Since deciding on the barrel length between 5.5", 6" and 7.5" was a tough decision for me it's one thing I took a real close look at. Got out my ruler and measured off on the barrel where it would have ended if 5.5" 6" and 6.5" long rather than the 7.5" I chose. For the life of me I cannot see where any of those would have made any real contribution to making this gun more compact or easy to carry.

It's a big gun. There is just no getting around that fact. The FA83 is NOT a compact gun. It's quite a large gun. Two inches one way or another on that barrel isn't going to change that. Nor make it easier or lighter to carry.

Bottom line I know for me I made the right decision on barrel length.

[22popnsplat]

I have to agree that the 83 is a big gun , I have a fixed sight 4 3/4 barrel model 83 and it weighs about 9 ounces more than a vaquero of the "same size" in 45 colt.

[Lloyd Smale]

have fun with her pal!

[JOE MACK]

:grin: Enjoy GB. They are the most accurate revolver I've shot. I've got a M83 and M97 in .41Magnum along with a M83 in .475Linebaugh. I doubt if I'll ever part with them. You just picked up the Rolls Royce of revolvers. Just quit drooling on it. It's bad for the finish!

[44 Man]

It will be interesting to see what your group size runs.  That target from the factory was no fluke.  Last time I shot for group with mine (83 in .44 mag) was to verify the sights last year before deer season.  I've shot one load only for the last 10 years.  300 gr speer plated soft point over 19 gr of 2400.  That time I put all 3 shots on a 2" orange target square at 100 yds over sandbags on the bench.  Two shots were 3/4" apart and I pulled the other to 1 3/4".  Said 'That's good enough!'  44 Man