I would second buying the exact configuration you want if you decide to order a Freedom Arms revolver. I'd had a couple Ruger SBHs shortened to ~5", and wanted a similar length FA. I ordered a 4 3/4" Premier grade with an aux..45 ACP cylinder. I was loading and shooting quite a bit of .45 ACP back then. But on the infrequent occasions that I shot the FA gun, 99% was with my reduced .454 loads, hardly ever with .45 ACP. Fast forward 20+ years. As age has caught up with me, I'm real glad I ordered the FA gun just as I wanted it, especially that aux.. 45 ACP cylinder

This message has been edited. Last edited by: rock185,

"it will make you realized just how poorly made most everything else you own is." Truth.

After I picked up my latest FA (a 97 in 45, fluted cyl, premier), I constantly ask myself why I keep my Rugers...

I've also owned an FA 454 for close to 25 years. Mine is Field Grade - 7 1/2" barrel.

The recoil is stout, but not unpleasant nor unmanageable.

The precision of the build and the finish are incredible.

FA recommends that you purchase a separate cylinder if you want to use 45 Colt.

I have only handled FA revolvers and they are true masterpieces in build quality.

I have shot .454 Rugers. After shooting 3 of 5 I had enough.

The .500 Smith was more pleasant to shoot.

Less of a fan of recoil the older I get.

This stoked my desire for a handgun for hunting.

XP100 in 7mmBR. 1981 vintage, picked it up NIB in 1994 and installed the custom wood.

Many years ago I loved big bore six guns. I had a FA in 454, 7", Premium. We shot it a bit, was a handful. If I remember correctly my light load was 240gr, heavy was 300gr. We shot at a range in PA and it was great with steel plates and occasionally bowling pins. Damn, it could penetrate a pin! I aged and decided to move on from the big guns, still have a Python and that's it.

The gun was so well made, the grip well thought out. Even my wife, not a real gun girl, could handle it. Should have seen the look on her face the first time she shot with 300gr at 1800fps.