Freedom Arms is located in western Wyoming's Star Valley, a logical location for a world-class revolver maker, since the Baker family has deep roots in the valley. The historic Baker Cabin, located on Etna’s main street, is the oldest building in town. It was constructed by Bob Baker’s great grandmother Anna Eliza Baker and her 12-year old daughter May in 1889. The Bakers were the first permanent residents on the east side of the Salt River in the Star Valley. Wayne Baker founded Freedom Arms in 1978, and sons Bob and Don are now actively involved in the enterprise. Bob took son Cass and I for a private tour of his gun manufacturing facility a few years ago. Cass was in shooting sports in 4-H, and had to prepare a presentation, and Bob was kind enough to take the time for a tour.
This monster 454 Casull has an 18-1/2 inch barrel. Baker said even at 500-600 yards, they’ve got amazing accuracy.
Freedom Arms President Bob Baker, holding his company’s flagship product: the 454 Casull Model 83.
8 comments:
Cat,
I'm not sure what to make of this.
I live in England and I assure you that a hand gun's barrel length is irrelevant.
ALL hand guns in this country are effectively illegal.
Rgds,
Greg
Sad but true.
I have always wanted a Casull with a 4 1/2 or 5 inch barrel. The are made like Best English shotguns (I have fired a friend's). But they are not cheap!
Greg,
You are absolutely right - I must have written it down incorrectly, so I have now corrected the post.
BTW, this was the post from hell - I uploaded the photos and went to delete them, only to delete all my notes and a bunch of photos I've shot in the last week or so. Now I'm busy trying to do data recovery on my laptop ...
I'm just learnin' and livin' out here - but I'm puzzled by the purpose of an 18.5" barrel on a handgun? Simple accuracy? If that is the aim (no pun intended) why not just use a long gun?
Many lives ago, I had a .44 (I think) Buntline special - which was an anniversary or commemorative special sold during the time Gene Barry was starring in the Bat Masterson series on TV.
As I was training and showing Quarter Horses at the time, I happened to be at a show which featured Mr. Barry in his Bat Masterson garb as sort of "half-time" entertainment between classes. A local wag (who's intentions I've always questioned) loaned Mr. Barry a horse to ride into the ring - the horse was not docile, and Mr. Barry was obviously not an experienced horseman, but he covered the embarassment of the moment by drawing his "Buntline Special" and pretending to shoot the horse. Definitely not the way to win friends and influence fans among horsemen, but most of the ladies present 'lowed as how Mr. Barry could put his boots under their beds anytime he wanted ...
Hadn't thought of that in years, until I learned that Mr. Barry had passed away recently at the age of 80+.
Lady with the Cool Black Dogs ....
They are a bit more accurate especially with a scope-- notice the mounts-- but with a barrel that long there is no practical advantage over a long gun. They are extremely awkward and rather a stunt.
Hardcore handgun hunters go with the shorter barrels (like the one I mentioned) and practice a lot. Good Cassulls, Rugers, and Smiths, and customs made on a base of any of these by makers like Linebaugh or Bowen (Cassulls are almost custom from the start) all have the accuracy and power, and are much easier to handle! So is a .30-30 rifle, actually.
My wilderness backup is a slightly custom S & W Mountain gun.
I've been lusting for a Chiappa Rhino.
Now that is an interesting concept-- and prettier than the Ruger LCR Lib just got.
To Greg in the UK,
I am in the UK also, and as a firearms dealer, and I can assure you that a handgun's barrel length is [i]very[/i] relevant.
Handguns are categorically not illegal as a class as firearm, per-se. The word handgun or pistol is not used in the legislation.
What are effectively prohibited - with limited exceptions - are 'small firearms'. To be a Small Firearm the gun must have a barrel length of less than 300mm and the overall length must be less than 600mm.
So, if you have a 'handgun' which exceeds these dimensions it is legal to possess on a Firearm Certificate as any other firearm.
The dimensions are contained in the [i]Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997[/i].
AJL
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