Freedom Arms
Encyclopedia
Freedom Arms is a Freedom, Wyoming
-based firearm manufacturing company, known for producing powerful single-action revolver
s. The company was founded in 1978 by Wayne Baker and Dick Casull to produce the Mini revolver then later a revolver chambered in Casull's powerful .454 Casull
chambering. This 5-shot revolver was the Model 83. Freedom Arms currently makes a single-shot pistol in addition to their revolvers.
and .22 WMR
. A beltbuckle holster version was made to accommodate the small revolver. A Boot Pistol model was available with a longer barrel. Production of the mini-revolvers ceased in 1990.
Co-founder Dick Casull, had been experimenting with several prototype rounds since 1956. Casull felt he could offer a more powerful version of the .45 Colt
and .44 Remington Magnum and built a number of 5-shot prototypes on Ruger Super Blackhawk frames. Freedom Arms was the first commercial producer for revolvers chambered in this caliber, the .454 Casull
, in 1983. This model is still manufactured today as the Model 83.
A number of variants upon the Model 83 have been produced, all with five-shot cylinders. The first was a .45 Colt in February 1986, followed closely by a .44 Magnum version. In 1991, Freedom Arms introduced the Model 252 in .22 long rifle and in 1992 the model 353 in .357 Magnum
. In 1993 the Model 555 was introduced in .50 Action Express
. .41 Magnum and .475 Linebaugh
chamberings were introduced in 1997 and 1999 respectively. Freedom Arms introduced their own .500 Wyoming Express
in the Model 83 .500 WE
in 2005.
The Model 97 design, with a Model 83 frame of reduced size, was introduced in 1997, originally with a six-shot .357 Magnum cylinder (.38 Special cylinder available). A five-shot .45 Colt chambering was introduced the following year, as was a five-shot .41 Magnum in 2000. Six-shot .22's are produced with .22LR sporting and match grade cylinders available, as well as .22 Magnum, from 2003. A five-shot .44 Special chambering came in 2004.
The Model 2008, introduced in 2010, is a single-shot pistol with interchangeable barrels, most in rifle chamberings.
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
-based firearm manufacturing company, known for producing powerful single-action revolver
Revolver
A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...
s. The company was founded in 1978 by Wayne Baker and Dick Casull to produce the Mini revolver then later a revolver chambered in Casull's powerful .454 Casull
.454 Casull
The .454 Casull is a firearm cartridge, developed in 1957 by Dick Casull and Jack Fulmer. It was first announced in November 1959 by Guns & Ammo magazine. The basic design was a lengthened and structurally improved .45 Colt case...
chambering. This 5-shot revolver was the Model 83. Freedom Arms currently makes a single-shot pistol in addition to their revolvers.
Models
Freedom Arms' first offering was a 5-shot mini revolver in .22 LR known as "The Patriot". It was later offered in .22 Short.22 Short
.22 Short is a variety of .22 caliber rimfire ammunition. Developed in 1857 for the first Smith and Wesson revolver, the .22 rimfire was the first American metallic cartridge....
and .22 WMR
.22 WMR
The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, more commonly called .22 WMR, .22 Magnum, or simply .22 Mag, is a rimfire rifle cartridge...
. A beltbuckle holster version was made to accommodate the small revolver. A Boot Pistol model was available with a longer barrel. Production of the mini-revolvers ceased in 1990.
Co-founder Dick Casull, had been experimenting with several prototype rounds since 1956. Casull felt he could offer a more powerful version of the .45 Colt
.45 Colt
The .45 Colt cartridge is a handgun cartridge dating to 1872. It began as a black powder revolver round developed for the Colt Single Action Army revolver, but is offered as a magnum level handgun hunting round in modern usage. This cartridge was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1873 and served as the...
and .44 Remington Magnum and built a number of 5-shot prototypes on Ruger Super Blackhawk frames. Freedom Arms was the first commercial producer for revolvers chambered in this caliber, the .454 Casull
.454 Casull
The .454 Casull is a firearm cartridge, developed in 1957 by Dick Casull and Jack Fulmer. It was first announced in November 1959 by Guns & Ammo magazine. The basic design was a lengthened and structurally improved .45 Colt case...
, in 1983. This model is still manufactured today as the Model 83.
A number of variants upon the Model 83 have been produced, all with five-shot cylinders. The first was a .45 Colt in February 1986, followed closely by a .44 Magnum version. In 1991, Freedom Arms introduced the Model 252 in .22 long rifle and in 1992 the model 353 in .357 Magnum
.357 Magnum
The .357 S&W Magnum , or simply .357 Magnum, is a revolver cartridge created by Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, Colonel D. B. Wesson of firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson, and Winchester. It is based upon Smith & Wesson's earlier .38 Special cartridge. The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in...
. In 1993 the Model 555 was introduced in .50 Action Express
.50 Action Express
The .50 Action Express is a large caliber handgun cartridge. It was developed in 1988 by Evan Whildin of Action Arms. The .50 AE is one of the most powerful pistol cartridges in production.-Overview:...
. .41 Magnum and .475 Linebaugh
.475 Linebaugh
The .475 Linebaugh is an extremely potent rimmed revolver cartridge developed by John Linebaugh in the late 1980s. The cartridge is based on the .45-70 Government case cut down to 1.5 inches and loaded with bullets weighing from to...
chamberings were introduced in 1997 and 1999 respectively. Freedom Arms introduced their own .500 Wyoming Express
.500 Wyoming Express
The .500 Wyoming Express or .500 WE is a "big bore" handgun cartridge. It was introduced in 2005 by Freedom Arms for their Model 83 .500 WE revolver.Like most handgun cartridges of this size, it is used almost exclusively in revolvers...
in the Model 83 .500 WE
Freedom Arms Model 83 .500 WE
Model 83 .500 WE is a single action revolver manufactured by Freedom Arms chambered for the .500 Wyoming Express round.-References:*Smith, Gary. "." Handgun Hunter Magazine, June 2008.*Quinn, Jeff. "." www.gunblast.com, 7 November 2005....
in 2005.
The Model 97 design, with a Model 83 frame of reduced size, was introduced in 1997, originally with a six-shot .357 Magnum cylinder (.38 Special cylinder available). A five-shot .45 Colt chambering was introduced the following year, as was a five-shot .41 Magnum in 2000. Six-shot .22's are produced with .22LR sporting and match grade cylinders available, as well as .22 Magnum, from 2003. A five-shot .44 Special chambering came in 2004.
The Model 2008, introduced in 2010, is a single-shot pistol with interchangeable barrels, most in rifle chamberings.