FREEDOM ARMS Model 83 unsafe?

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Home3

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Model 83 is one of my dream guns. Like many others, I consider it one of the best SA revolvers ever made. So when I came across this youtube clip, I was unimpressed. Not sure I understand the difference between a "Sliding hammer block bar" and a "Sliding transfer bar". But ..anyhow..here it is.

Now a heads up; this "Investigative Report"? is made by a law firm that represents the victims of this supposedly unsafe handgun (Must be a Texas thing!). Still there are some points to be taken there, I think. Unnecessarily long video, so skip to 7:30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD6m-oGUDlI
 
In my understanding, no different from the older three-screw Ruger single action revolvers.

Perhaps I should elaborate...it is my understanding all early single action revolvers operated similar to the FA you refer to. If you have a loaded chamber aligned with the firing pin, a bump to the hammer could set it off because the hammer rests against the firing pin. The safety message of the day was to keep that chamber empty. One would have to #### the hammer to fire anyway, which would rotate the next chamber into position so carrying with an empty chamber in front of the firing pin was no loss until after you fired 5 shots...because the sixth would be empty (in a cylcinder with 6 chambers).

Ruger changed their design by introducing the transfer bar safety (substitute other names for othe manufacturers using slightly different disgns). It prevented the hammer from resting against the firing pin when the hammer was at rest. When firing via a trigger pull, a bar slides into position "transfering" the energy of the hammer to the firing pin. Only with the trigger pulled will the gun fire. This allows the gun to "safely" (depending on your opinion) be carried with all chambers loaded. Ruger offered a free "upgrade" to all three-screws so that they could also have the transfer bar safety installed. Many three-screw owners did not go for this upgrade. I have Ruger single action revolvers both with the transfer bar and without. So does my dad. I don't have a problem with either. I will not implement the transfer bar safety on the old three-screw.

Have to keep every gun's specific operations in mind when handling. No different than learning the operations of any gun you pick up. If I had the cash, I would love to have an FA SA.

Hope that helps.
 
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NVShooter said:
In my understanding, no different from the older three-screw Ruger single action revolvers.

Perhaps I should elaborate...it is my understanding all early single action revolvers operated similar to the FA you refer to. If you have a loaded chamber aligned with the firing pin, a bump to the hammer could set it off because the hammer rests against the firing pin. The safety message of the day was to keep that chamber empty. One would have to #### the hammer to fire anyway, which would rotate the next chamber into position so carrying with an empty chamber in front of the firing pin was no loss until after you fired 5 shots...because the sixth would be empty (in a cylcinder with 6 chambers).

Ruger changed their design by introducing the transfer bar safety (substitute other names for othe manufacturers using slightly different disgns). It prevented the hammer from resting against the firing pin when the hammer was at rest. When firing via a trigger pull, a bar slides into position "transfering" the energy of the hammer to the firing pin. Only with the trigger pulled will the gun fire. This allows the gun to "safely" (depending on your opinion) be carried with all chambers loaded. Ruger offered a free "upgrade" to all three-screws so that they could also have the transfer bar safety installed. Many three-screw owners did not go for this upgrade. I have Ruger single action revolvers both with the transfer bar and without. So does my dad. I don't have a problem with either. I will not implement the transfer bar safety on the old three-screw.

Have to keep every gun's specific operations in mind when handling. No different than learning the operations of any gun you pick up. If I had the cash, I would love to have an FA SA.

Hope that helps.
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It was very helpful. Thank you.
 
09outlander said:
This is just some lawyer saying that any revolver that doesn't have a transfer bar is unsafe, it's bull#### and a cash grab.
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Yup. I heard a comment today on another lawsuit, the plaintiff was asked when he decided to sue , he stated " it wasn't my intention but then the lawyer contacted me about taking action" .. right behind the ambulance comes your lawyer.
 
This issues has been around for awhile. It definitely wouldn't dissuade me from buying a model 83. Additionally, it is kind of moot because we can't carry in Canada, and even if we could, I wouldn't carry with the hammer rested on a loaded chamber anyway, regardless as to whether the revolver has a transfer bar.
 
How many years was it before revolvers even had firing pins!? Everyone knew load one, skip one, load,load,load,load. The hammer was never to rest on a live chamber. Folks get shot by accident that way, or you could shoot yourself...its been that way since the 1860's!?
This story kind of reminds me of the series 70 BS. My advice is if you or your buddies don't know guns either learn or don't carry. Bad sh1t will happen...it's a gun! (the host of the clip was freaking me out btw...homosexual vampire!?...with the flu, aids, ebola...creepy anyway you look at it.)
 
Home3 said:
But the injured was not the owner or the carrier of the gun. Someone else dropped it. He was a bystander!?
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Then sue the gun carrier for being a clumsy person, and a fool. The manufacturer has nothing to do with either. This is just lawyers fishing for bigger money. Idiot proofing guns just gives you more armed idiots. - dan
 
It's worked since 1883 ....

We've had my girlfriends 454 casull out a few times and believe it or not it has not shot anyone on its own yet
 
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