According to countless hunters and shooters, no one makes a finer production revolver than Freedom Arms. The tolerances, the timing lock-up, and the commitment to quality results in a single action platform that can tame some of most potent handgun loads ever produced.

The folks at Freedom Arms boast of "accuracy seen 'round the world." We'll ask President Bob Baker and several of the most seasoned revolver hunters in the field if these standout single actions live up to that motto and what sets them above the rest. Click on the images throughout this article to learn more about each gun.

A Freedom Arms Model 83 Premier Grade SA revolver chambered in .41 Rem Mag with a factory matching box and manual. For sale now.

The Birth of Freedom Arms

Freedom Arms was founded in 1978 by Wayne Baker, Bob’s father, in collaboration with gunsmith and cartridge developer Dick Casull. Based in Freedom, Wyoming, the company began producing the "Mini revolver" the following year, a five-shot spur trigger gun that would go on to be offered in numerous variants, .22 chamberings, and even a percussion model.

A Freedom Arms spur trigger revolver in .22 LR.

Freedom Arms next turned its attention toward designing a big bore single action revolver. Casull's namesake cartridge, the .454, had made a big impression in the handgun world when announced in 1959. The wildcat round was slightly longer than the .45 Colt and thicker in the web, offering higher velocity and a chamber pressure comparable to some rifle loads.

Casull created heavily modified revolvers to chamber his cartridge. According to firearms writer Dave Campbell, Casull would typically use the Colt Single Action Army as a base and apply "repeated case hardening treatments until the entire frame essentially became case hardened." Casull then had to "re-engineer the lockwork to work with a five-shot cylinder that he machined from stock."

Dick Casull and his brainchild, the Freedom Arms Model 83 in .454.

Wayne Baker and Dick Casull worked for several years to bring the first factory-built .454 Casull revolver to market. News of the design spurred excitement in the handgun community leading up to the gun's release. Mike Mendes, who is featured in Larry Kelly and J.D. Jones’ book, 'Hunting for Handgunners,' was one of the first to adopt the Freedom Arms Model 83 revolver.

"In the beginning of the 1980’s I read a few publications about a new Freedom Arms .454 Casull gun and cartridge combo that was going to revolutionize the performance revolver community," Mike recounts. "I had to have one, as I was already a handloader of .44 Mag and .45 Colt to my hunting weight and power loads."

Two cased Freedom Arms "Dick Casull" revolvers sold for $4,314 at RIAC in June 2020.

The Freedom Arms Model 83 Revolver

In 1983, Mike Mendes traveled to one of the largest gun stores in his state, where he purchased one of the only two Freedom Arms Model 83 revolvers available that day. The store owner purchased the other himself.

"The hairs stood up on my neck as I cycled the crisp mechanical lock up of that big single action. You can read all about the superior quality materials, perfected tolerances, exacting fit and finish, but to me personally, the balance and feel of that ‘83 in my hand was magical."

For Mike Mendes, Freedom Arms kickstarted a lifetime love of handgun hunting.

The five-shot, single action Model 83 quickly found an audience with hunters and shooters. In subsequent years, Freedom Arms would offer the Model 83 in a variety of chamberings like .357, .41, and .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, .475 Linebaugh, .50 AE, and .500 Wyoming Express. But the gun's original pairing with .454 Casull continued to dominate sales.

Freedom Arms revolvers are found in a wide range of configurations.

According to President Bob Baker, the Model 1983 in .454 continues to be the most popular gun from Freedom Arms. Baker notes that "454 is always a great choice. It's got range and the horsepower for up close, and all the major game in the world has been taken with it."

A Freedom Arms Model 83 revolver in .454 Casull with a Leupold M8-2x Extender E.R. scope.

Freedom Arms Expands

With the Freedom Arms Model 83 making a name for itself in the large-frame revolver market, Freedom Arms would expand its lineup with the Model 97 mid-frame revolver in 1997. This six-shot single action is chambered in everything from .17 HMR up to .45 Colt. The gun is also offered in the proprietary .224-32 Freedom Arms (FA) cartridge introduced in 2009, a high-velocity varminting round derived from .327 Federal Magnum.

A Freedom Arms Model 1997 "Premier Grade" revolver chambered in .327 Federal with two extra cylinders sold at RIAC in 2023 for $3,231.

In 2008, Freedom Arms introduced a single-shot break-action pistol for hunting and competition. Chambered in a wide range of rifle cartridges as well as more traditional pistol offerings, the Model 2008 provides exceptional power and precision for shooters seeking a robust, multi-purpose handgun.

(Left) Bob Baker, behind his trophy moose, with a Freedom Arms single-shot chambered in .45-70. (Right) Bob Baker carrying two Freedom Arms 83’s for his Brown Bear hunt, a .475 Linebaugh and a .454 Casull.

Each Freedom Arms model is available in a variety of chamberings, barrel lengths, and extensive customization options. The Model 83 and Model 97 revolvers are found in two sub-models: the stainless steel Premier Grade and the more economical Field Grade. Special variants enhance their versatility, with the Model 83 available in both compact concealed carry and hunting-focused configurations.

Three special edition Freedom Arms Model 97 chambered in .357 magnum customized by noted gunsmith Ken Kelly of Mag-Na-Port International.

Freedom Arms Quality

The production of a Freedom Arms revolver is a testament to the company’s commitment to precision and quality. While many factory revolvers are produced in a couple of hours per unit, Bob Baker estimates each Premier Grade Model 83 takes 20 to 25 hours to complete.

"They can do quantity, but it’s hard for them, if not impossible, to uphold our kind of quality assurance running that many guns. Our guns are made to use."

Famed handgun hunter Larry Kelly poses with a large cape buffalo he had harvested with his Freedom Arms Model 83 Mag-na-port Stalker chambered in .454 Casull.

These tight tolerances have gained Freedom Arms a global reputation for accuracy and durability. Even Model 83 revolvers chambered for high pressure cartridges have a remarkable shelf life. Famed handgun hunter Al DiPrima, who has taken his Freedom Arms .454 all over the world, swears he hasn't had to adjust a screw.

Many Freedom Arms owners have noted how remarkably robust their guns are, with even the mighty .454 sometimes taking tens of thousands of rounds without needing repair. As Baker points out, "Some reach 50 to 100,000 on some of the smaller cartridges."

This cased Freedom Arms U.S. Deputy Marshal Model revolver sold for $3,450 in December 2020 at RIAC.

Writer and handgun hunter Shane Jahn offers high praise to Freedom Arms, calling their wheelgun line, "The finest production single-action revolvers in existence. Premium quality parts and exacting tolerances make these revolvers extremely reliable and inherently accurate. These qualities give me the confidence to hunt Africa's most glorious game, the mighty cape buffalo, with a handgun."

After five hard days hunting, this big bull fell to Jahn's Freedom Arms Model 83 in .454 Casull.

Freedom Arms in the Field

Despite owning numerous Freedom Arms guns in all three models, Mikes Mendes still favors the Model 83 revolver in .454 Casull. "It's an extremely versatile platform from which you can safely and effectively hunt anything and everything on earth. As my primary hunting handgun, I prefer a long barreled FA, with Leupold dual dovetail mount and the Superior 2.5x8 Leupold scope."

"Shooting a Freedom Arms Revolver gave me a superior feeling, creating a better all around shooter," Mike Mendes says. "When you feel good, you shoot good."

Prolific hunter Al DiPrima, who appeared in 'Single Action Sixguns' by John Taffin, shares a similar view on the .454. "I started with the .44 Mag. But as I gained experience and knowledge from guys like J.D. Jones and Mark Hampton, I knew for dangerous game I needed a better cartridge. The .454 is what I chose and never looked back. From 1988 to present day, my Freedom Arms .454 has never let me down."

On his Ken Kelly MagNaPort Freedom Arms .454, Al DiPrima proclaims, "From Africa to Alaska and back its my go to and favorite hunting firearm."

Shane Jahn's hunting record further showcases the versatility of Freedom Arms in the field. "Two cape buffalo bulls, gemsbok, giraffe, kudu and waterbuck have all fallen to my Freedom Arms revolver chambered in the mighty .454 Casull. Pairing this fine gun with quality ammunition enables the hunter to take any animal on the planet with a handgun."

This old dagga boy was taken up close, just before dark with the Freedom Arms .454. Casull. The exacting quality and reliability of the Freedom Arms revolver is greatly appreciated in situations like this!

Freedom Arms Around the World

Freedom Arms guns are a global fixture in shooting competitions. The revolvers are a frequent sight at U.S. events such as IHMSA matches and the Shootist Holiday, a gathering of wheelgunners testing, innovating, and showing off their favorite handguns and skills.

Freedom Arms President Bob Baker demonstrates the proper grip for the Model 83 in .454 to Rock Island Auction Company Marketing Director Matthew Peake.

Freedom Arms revolvers have gained a strong international reputation as well. The Freedom Arms Shoot, hosted at the Schießsportanlage Mellrichstadt in Bavaria, Germany, is a multi-day competition organized by Freedom Arms Team Europe, drawing sports shooters who compete with high-powered Freedom Arms revolvers. The event’s centerpiece, the Freedom Arms Cup, requires a minimum muzzle energy of 1,475 foot-pounds.

"Real guns, real loads." The Freedom Arms Shoot in Germany is an annual shooting competition focused on heavy-hitting Freedom Arms revolvers.

Fans of these precision handguns formed a "Freedom Arms Collectors Association" in 1994, with a newsletter called the 'Five Shot Journal' that helped connect the community before social media rose to prominence.

Perhaps one of the most influential contributors to the rising popularity of Freedom Arms has been the 'Joe Pickett' book series by C.J. Box. Reoccurring character Nate Romanowsk, a survivalist, falconer, and former Special Forcers operative, famously wields a scoped Freedom Arms revolver in .454 Casull.

(Left) Author C.J. Box poses with a custom Freedom Arms revolver. (Right) 'Battle Mountain,' the latest book in the 'Joe Pickett' series.

Freedom Arms Prices

From the Model 83 onward, Freedom Arms has positioned their products as premium firearms. In 1983, Mike Mendes paid "$825 for that first Freedom Arms, at a time when a stainless Ruger 44 mag revolver was $197.50. Some friends thought I was crazy, spending so much on a “gimmick” revolver. I knew better."

As Bob Baker notes, the company's three main markets are "hunting, competition shooting, and collecting." The comparative rarity of Freedom Arms revolvers have made these quality wheelguns sought-after items in the auction world and help them command and maintain an impressive price-point today.

A Freedom Arms Model 83 "Premier Grade" revolver in .454 Casull with two extra cylinders sold for $3,819 at RIAC in August 2023.

Freedom Arms for Sale

Even with limited advertising and a modest social media presence, Freedom Arms has continued to grow. The quality of the product is allowed to speak for itself, and as Bob Baker says, "We're not trying to be a household name, we just want to be the best of the best."

The perfectionist philosophy of Wayne Baker and Dick Casull laid the foundation for a gun that has been widely touted as the finest hunting handgun in the world. Freedom Arms can be found in every auction format at Rock Island Auction Company, offering numerous opportunities throughout the year for firearm fans of every aspiration to add one of these elite revolvers to their collection and experience America's precision wheelgun for themselves.

A Freedom Arms "Larry Kelly" Stalker and Predator two gun presentation case boxed set is available in RIAC's upcoming October 3-5 Sporting & Collection Auction.

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An outstanding Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum, one of only 735 produced with an 8 3/4 inch barrel. Available this August.