Register
Log In
Home
April 25, 2008
Offline
Back in 1991, I was planning to go to my first silhouette International Championship match in a couple months. Among other guns, I had my Dan Wesson 722-VH10. Rimfire revolvers weren't all that accurate back then, most had Ruger Single-Six or Smith 617's, along with a couple Dan's. Mine was ok accuracy wise, better than most, but not great. My friend had just bought a new Freedom Arms Silhouette .22, and he raved about the accuracy and quality. I couldn't see paying $1300 for a rimfire anything, let alone a revolver… that was way too much money.
He kept telling me how I needed one, and I kept resisting. Finally, he said something that hit home…”You either buy a Freedom Arms .22, or compete against one.” Knowing how my DW shot, and seeing how well he did with his, along with knowing several other shooters that had also gotten a Freedom Arms, I made up my mind. I found the last one available in the entire country, and paid list price. It is a one-of-250 Pre-Production Model 252.
The gun reeked of quality and I took it to the range. Guessing on a sight setting 10 clicks from the bottom, I lined up on the .22 pig swinger at 50 yards. I heard the hit, so I finished off the 5 shots before walking downrange. All 5 could be covered easily by a dime! I said right there, “This gun is worth every penny of $1300.00.″ Subsequent testing at 100 yards with a rifle scope proved this is the second most accurate rimfire I own, and it beats any Anschutz Exemplar out there. Only my custom Calfee XP-100 rimfire out shoots it. It is a true joy to shoot…they are amazing guns.
The Savantist
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
Offline
FA's sure are beautiful. Incredibly well made. An FA is a true work of art. I periodically get my .500WE out just to look at it and feel it.
April 25, 2008
Offline
The summer of 2001 arrives, and my wife decides I should get a new gun for my birthday. Being a big fan of the .41 Magnum, I jokingly said a Freedom Arms in .41 would be nice. She said to order it since I always wanted one. Of course, it would be a Silhouette version with a 10" barrel. Six months later, it finally arrives.
Yes, I know the Pachmayr grips are ugly, but they serve a purpose for silhouette use. They keep the gun from recoiling past vertical with the full-power loads we tend to use. That is a silhouette rule you cannot break, for safety's sake. The Micarta grips are very nice, but also very slick, so Freedom Arms makes the steel versions with the Goodyears on them. This gun is superbly accurate…the only load I ever tried in it, was my trusty Dan Wesson load with H-110 and a Hornady 210 grain silhouette bullet. It shoots like a single-shot Contender out to 200 meters.
The Savantist
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
Offline
IHMSA,
Glad you started this thread. I too have a 500WE, but have yet to get it to the range. I have watched a silhouette .22 for sale in recent weeks, but fall into your early category of alot of money for a .22. Since we don't have any silhouette shooting in this area, I'll keep looking though. Nice pic and commentary. I know you have a United Sporting arms .22. How does that compare?
SMF
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
April 25, 2008
Offline
4 years later, we decided to build a Freedom Arms with some of the overtime money I had been saving. What would it be? Another .22LR, only this time on the smaller Model 97 frame. It was fun going through their website, picking out options, and this is what we came up with.
Of course, it had to be a Silhouette gun with 10" barrel, but this time a Premier version with the Winewood grips. The octagon barrel was a very expensive option we almost deleted, but then decided you only live once. This one won't shoot as well as my 252, but then again, no other gun will either. Comparing the two rimfires, which one do I like best? Obviously, this one looks much nicer, but the larger-frame 252 just fits my hand better.
The Savantist
April 25, 2008
Offline
The El Dorado .22 is a very nice gun, close to the Freedom Arms in quality. It is very tight on the tolerances. Accuracy is not as good yet, as I really haven't had time to test ammo in it to see what it likes.You should get that silhouette .22, that is a decent price. Almost got it myself, if I had the cash.
Mike is right...handling them is a joy, even if you don't get out to shoot them.
The Savantist
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
Offline
I've only held a FA gun, haven't shot one yet. But I must agree that it sure seems well made. Makes my Ruger feel loose & clunky, in comparison.
Thanks for the pics & commentary.
April 25, 2008
Offline
IHMSA80x80 said
4 years later, we decided to build a Freedom Arms with some of the overtime money I had been saving. What would it be? Another .22LR, only this time on the smaller Model 97 frame. It was fun going through their website, picking out options, and this is what we came up with.
Of course, it had to be a Silhouette gun with 10" barrel, but this time a Premier version with the Winewood grips. The octagon barrel was a very expensive option we almost deleted, but then decided you only live once. This one won't shoot as well as my 252, but then again, no other gun will either. Comparing the two rimfires, which one do I like best? Obviously, this one looks much nicer, but the larger-frame 252 just fits my hand better.
For this purchase, I told Dean to get whatever he wanted on a brand new gun, from Freedom Arms,
since he loved the FA guns such much that it would be a gift from me. Love the octagon barrel.
Marilyn
The Savantist
February 20, 2008
Offline
Marilyn, you've got taste & style. Nice to see you around here. Cheers, Photo
If you're going to drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
April 25, 2008
Offline
The Savantist
1 Guest(s)
