Custom work or Freedom Arms?

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cpti

Bearcat
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Jun 27, 2010
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I've shopped around for a while on some custom gun work and I'm having a bit of a dilemma.

Current example is my latest, one of the Single Sixes in 32. I want it converted to 327, slick it up, etc. By the time I get everything done to it I want done, add in the cost of the gun...I could get a Freedom Arms 97 in 327 mag.

So, which way to go? Send out the SS for a custom conversion, or go with the Freedom Arms? I've never had any custom work done before, so I don't know what to expect. Is it worth the jingle to send it out, or should I just pull the trigger on a FA?
 
My opinion, and it just that, go with the FA. The custom work is expensive and the waiting time, for most good smiths, is months. Have you thought about the new Ruger Blackhawk in .327? Cheaper than both and holds 8.
 
I have seen the blackhawk, but the driving factors are this:

1) I really like the thought of a single six in 327. Lots of power in a nifty little package.

2) I really like the fit, finish, and pure quality of a Freedom Arms.

3) I'm not really concerned with the wait time from a smith. I'm deploying for a year so I'd just send it off before I went across the pond and then pick it up when I get home.

Either way I go, I'm trying to snag a couple really nice firearms for my two kids. Nothing wrong at all with factory stock guns, I have plenty of those they'll get as well, but I'd really like to get a few custom pieces, or very high quality pieces (like the FA) for them.
 
Get the FA; no contest. If you sell, you'll never recover near the cost of a special gunsmith's job. IMHO.
Sonnytoo
 
Take the high road. Buy the FA and enjoy it while your sixgunsmith builds you the 327 of your dreams.
 
2 dogs":2z43ozdh said:
Take the high road. Buy the FA and enjoy it while your sixgunsmith builds you the 327 of your dreams.
Click to expand...

Ah, the expensive route. It does sound rather appealing :D
 
Of course if it is for your sons you could got the custom route and add some personal engaving. I think the custom route makes it more "yours" and serves as a great heirloom.
 
DonD, if you are referring to the Single Six, the answer is that it has enough cylinder WINDOW to accomodate the 327. You have to replace the cylinder. Here is mine, buit by Alan Harton of Houston Texas. Not cheap by any means but bad to the bone. Think about a 118 grain LBT gc at 1550 fps with very fine accuracy.....

327-1.jpg
 
Wow. I guess this should be asked in the Ruger-smithing section, but how does the lockwork and frame of the Single-Six hold up to the 46,000 psi of the 327 FM? Would frame stretch be a worry over time? Or would the conversion be more of a "look at it alot-dont itshoot much" endeavor?

Should I consider re-chambering (re-cylinder-ing) a Single-Six to 357 Magnum? As it operates at a much lower pressure than the 327FM). I'm thinking a five-shot 357Mag Single Six would be a fine packin' piece.

If the conversion to 327FM is safe and warranted over time (factory ammo) I'd have a couple candidates!
 
I vote for the FA 97 AND 8 shot BH to shoot NOW. In fact my 32 mag FA 97 needs to go to FA for a 327 cylinder fitting... Your full up custom 327 Single Six could easily be 12+ months down the road...
006-1.jpg

9032mag.jpg
 
We see some 357s on the NM Single Six but the 38 Special is a better selection for me... The OM Single Six can make a kewl little 41 Special.. Here is a Dave Clements 5 shot octagon barrel 38 Special Single Six
Clements382-2.jpg
 
If it's a family heirloom thing, go with the custom single six. Anyone can have a Freedom Arms with enough money. A custom revolver will be truly one of a kind you can pass down someday.
 
If the price is the same, and you buy the Freedom Arms, you will own two revolvers. If you convert, you will have one, if that makes a difference.
 
Don't be afraid to just shine up a box stock 32 mag Single Six... They make nice little things... This one is Bowen's work...
005-20.jpg
 
There was a thread with almost exactly this title not long ago. The thing about custom work on a Ruger SA is that you're still limited to the raw materials you start with. Get the FA...
 
JNewell":3nd24mav said:
There was a thread with almost exactly this title not long ago. The thing about custom work on a Ruger SA is that you're still limited to the raw materials you start with. Get the FA...
Click to expand...
Last year I was in the position of getting either an FA '97 or a custom Ruger in .45 Colt. I chose the FA because I wanted a gun built 100% properly from the ground up, not a stock gun that has had its warts removed by a smith. Not really knocking either the work of smiths or stock Rugers, it was just the way I felt most comfortable doing it.

-- Sam
 
You most certainly wont go wrong with a FA, plus there is no question it will be stronger than the Single Six, simply cuz its bigger.

But what Alan Harton can do with a Single action Ruger is just incredible. BTW, it will cost LESS to get a FA than to build one on a Single Six.

I dont have a 97 in 327 YET! But I definitely will!
 
Here's how I look at it. While I fully appreciate everything a Freedom Arms has to offer, it's still a factory gun. Your FA 97 will be just like everybody else's and you can have it in any material/finish you like as long as it's stainless steel. You have the opportunity to have a custom Single Six built exactly how YOU want it and that appeals to me. Bowen said that he could not rebuild a Ruger to be as precise as an FA but that's okay. A Ruger can be built into one fine shooting sixgun with myriad finish, barrel length/profile, sight, grip options available. The quote I got from Stroh to convert my Bisley Single Six .32H&R to .327 with a linebored cylinder, reusing the factory barrel with half cock conversion and custom sights plus the cost of the sixgun is a hell of a lot less than buying any FA. IMHO, the wait is all part of the fun, anticipation building with every passing day. All of which is exactly why I've got four custom Rugers, with several more in the planning stages and not a single FA on the horizon. Though I would love to have a .475 or .500 with 4 3/4" barrel and stocked in ivory micarta. Maybe some day.......
 
JNewell":vkeo2qka said:
There was a thread with almost exactly this title not long ago. The thing about custom work on a Ruger SA is that you're still limited to the raw materials you start with. Get the FA...
Click to expand...

This is the sticking point for me. At the end of the day, I have a really expensive Ruger. Again, not knocking Ruger, but there's a reason they aren't 1.8-2K firearms.

That said, I do believe I'll go ahead and send in the Single Six. Like I said, I'll be deployed and separated from my firearms anyway, and there isn't another firearm on the market, size-wise, that's comparable to the Single Six in 327.

Nothing says I can't add the FA later on.
 
Perfect solution. I have several customs and a bunch of stock guns. I have had a FA, it shot well, locked up tight, just didn't do anything for me.
 
Axehandle":1gjw386n said:
We see some 357s on the NM Single Six but the 38 Special is a better selection for me... The OM Single Six can make a kewl little 41 Special.. Here is a Dave Clements 5 shot octagon barrel 38 Special Single Six
Clements382-2.jpg
Click to expand...

Checked out Clements' sight and it says octagonal barrels for 454/475/480/500 only. Did he offer them on other calibers at one time? I like the octagonal barrels.
 
My 38 Special is a few years old. I found it on GunsAmerica a few years back... I am sure that there are others who still do the smaller octagon barrels.. Check with Alan Harton and John Gallagher.
 
Be advised, getting the ERH on a octagon on a Single Six is gonna cost you! The flat does NOT line up with abutment on the frame. That one that Axe has is a pretty special.....

Just an expensive Ruger? I think not. But thats me. Look at all the fancy rifles built on 98 Mausers over the years....

Speaking to the pressure issue. We have noted that my Harton gun has a LONGER cyilinder than some of the Bowen guns that we have measured. Hence, my ammunition has a longer OAL, thus lower pressures. Something that speaks to how long the gun will potentially last. Ideally, and if I were to do another custom Single Six, I would OPEN the frame window to accept a 32-20 length cylinder......
 
Lots of FAs and lots of custom Rugers here at my house.. With some it is the stainless of the FA that turns them to the custom Ruger. I'm thinking that since I have blue, stainless, and hard chrome Ruger customs that the stainless single action is not a fobia of mine. I'll have more Ruger customs and FAs.. :D
 
The rugers all shoot better than I am capable of shooting. And you can almost buy 3 of them for the price of a FA. I wouldn't have any problem making this decision I would get 3 rugers in different calibers and enjoy them all a lot more than 1 high dollar pistol that is a copy of a ruger. My thinking may be all wrong but that's why I own 33 handguns and not 2 or 3 super custom handguns. I have quite a few fine shooting handguns that I enjoy and if push came to shove I could sell and get most of my money back if not make money on them. A high dollar gun isn't as easy to get rid of as a regulsr known gun. I have 3 handguns that are in the $1000.00 range but most are closer to the $500.00 guns. I enjoy them all. When I go to the store and want a box of handgun ammo I can buy whatever they have I have a gun to fit it.
 
All the prices and "status" of certain guns doesn't mean squat to me. I am a hunter and it has to shoot where I aim it. I can get that from a Ruger out of the box or a bank vault tight FA. I actually prefer the lines of the Ruger anyway but the bottom line is it has to be accurate. I also do not like the idea of a 4 shot...it's just not natural.

The OP wanted something to pass down, I say pass down a custom that is unique, there will be only one then.
 
I did decide to go with the custom gun. Going all out with this one. Probably start the project in Feb 11, Lord knows how long until complete. Beastly list of expensive mods.

I'd probably be able to buy a pair of the FAs for what I'm guessing this will price out at :shock:

Work on Stainless Single Six Bird's head 32H&R:
- 327 conversion with custom cylinder and window expanded for max COAL
- 6" Octagonal barrel with either dovetail or Weigand FS
- Bisley hammer
- free wheel conversion
- scalloped loading gate
- Top strap built up and shaped to old M&P style
- adjustable rear sight
- action job
- BM Base pin

So, how about it?!
 
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