Author Topic: Just got a FA 97 in 44spl. (Read 1417 times)

De41mag · « **on:** January 30, 2005, 07:11:54 PM »

Picked up on Saturday a Freedom Arms Model 1997 in the 44 Special caliber.
Well while leaving the gun shop, was outside and decided to look at the factory fired target. Not to impressive, four shots close but the 5th shot or whatever shot it was, was low and to the left. Got home with it and measured the group. 1.6 inches. :cry: Not what i expected in a gun I paid $1600.00 for. Well went out today and shot it at an old stump in the back yard. Loaded a charge of 2400 and a 250gr. Keith bullet. Shot two cylinders full. 10 rounds total.
And sure enough... two shots, one from each cylinder hit the dirt, low and left, Just like on the target. :x
I tell ya, if there is a bad gun out there, I'll be the one who gets it.
Gonna call Freedom Arms tomorrow and tell them what is up.
Oh by the way, a buddy of mine bought one at the same time and place but it was a Mod. 83 44mag. His factory group was just a tad over the size of the bullet for five shots.
Very dishearting for this ole boy.

Dennis :cry:

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2005, 11:01:05 PM »

first thing i would do is number the cyls and make sure that its the same one each time or see if possibly it was you. Personally i wouldnt be a bit ashamed of a gun that shot into a 1 1/2 at 25.

myronman3 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2005, 12:21:00 PM »

Quote

Not to impressive, four shots close but the 5th shot or whatever shot it was, was low and to the left. Got home with it and measured the group. 1.6 inches.

if you are sure of your shooting, and the target from the factory was that way; i wouldnt be tickled, either. i would shoot it a little bit more to ensure it is the gun, and if so,then call them.

Quote

Not what i expected in a gun I paid $1600.00 for.

i would expect better myself. i, for one, am very interested for reasons you and i have already discussed. keep us posted on how this goes.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2005, 12:49:45 PM »

Dennis I spoke with the same FA gunsmith (John I believe) that you did today. I asked LOTS of questions. The factory standard on your gun is 1.375" outside to outside hole measurement. If your target is over this it should not have shipped. Regardless they will make you a happy camper on it before they stop trying.

You do need to shoot it on paper and with more than one load preferably. You and I will talk via phone more on this soon.

I spoke with Steve today. You were correct on the $40 shipping. A check is in order.

44 Man · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2005, 12:55:39 PM »

I don't believe that those targets are fired by hand so the target should be uniform. I'd definately call Freedom Arms. I can't see well enough anymore to conduct a test of each chamber, but that's what you should do. Five targets, three shots on each target from the same chamber. If you can shoot well enough, that should tell you if one chamber shoots to a different point. Yeah, when I was in my thirtys, I could tell the difference. Now I'm real happy to shoot a 2 1/2" 25 yard group with any open sighted handgun. 44 Man

targetshootr · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2005, 02:00:32 PM »

A 97 in 44 is on my list too. In a way, you could have lucked out. Now FA will fix that gun like no other or replace it with one that is cream of the crop.

Bob Baker · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2005, 08:17:47 AM »

A few thoughts. First, run some rounds through the gun, give it a chance to break in. Our test groups are with factory ammo which isn't always that accurate. Once in a while we even take the factory ammo, reseat the bullet and put a proper crimp on it just to make sure if we are seeing an ammo problem or gun problem. Setup on a bench with good sand bags to make sure what the gun and loads are really doing. When you say a round hit in the dirt it makes me question how you are setup for doing these tests. Was that one round so far off it totally missed a standard size target or what were you shooting at? What was the distance? At times when I am testing a gun or load I will adjust the scope/sights away from the impact point. That way I'm not shooting out my aim point and not tending compensate for where the bullet is hitting. I just put the impact point 3 to 4 inches away from the aim point, then don't even pay any attention to group size until I have shot all rounds.

De41mag · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2005, 06:40:01 PM »

44 Man and targetshooter;

I'm going into this being very optimistic. Since talking to John, the gunsmith at Freedom Arms. When he told me that there is not many accurate 44 Spl. rounds, heck not many 44 Spl. rounds period. So I'm going to be doing some loading and then going to the range Saturday and give it a workout.
After having it about 6 days now, the more I look at it the more beautiful it becomes. i hope it performs as well as it looks.
Mr. Baker;

Thank you for responding on this post. As I said eariler, going to the range with high hopes. Going to try cast and jacketed bullets. Plans are to use H-110, 2400 and HS-6. May try some AA#5 also.
I will post the range report on Sat. evening.
Wish me luck.

Dennis

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2005, 05:03:48 AM »

Dennis, sunny and 60s tomorrow. Why not pack it up and come on down. We can load five and shoot and load five and shoot. Heck with the shooting bench 25 yards from the loading bench we can try a bunch of things in short order to see what works.

targetshootr · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2005, 08:53:43 AM »

Quote from: De41mag

he told me that there is not many accurate 44 Spl. rounds, heck not many 44 Spl. rounds period.

That's a switch. Usually people say the 44 spl is one of the most accurate rounds even though it's hard to believe one large bore caliber would be inherently more accurate than another. Look forward to your updates.