Make: Freedom Arms
Model: 252 Varmint Class Premier Grade
Serial Number: G0873
Year of Manufacture: December 12, 1996 / Modern
Caliber: .22 LR, .22 WMR Cylinder Included
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with 5-Shot Side Loading Gate Cylinders with four-hole lightened hammer
Barrel Length: 5 1/8" Special Ordered Barrel Length
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a replaceable brass beaded blade on a ramped base screwed to the barrel. The rear sight is a wide V-notch fully adjustable blade, screwed to the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece black laminated hardwood panels. The panels have no notable wear or damage with only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Stainless Steel, Premier Grade Finish
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is strong. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows little to no handling or operational wear. There are a few minor scuffs on the barrel and ejector shroud, likely from storage. The screw heads are sharp. The pinheads are unmarred. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in Excellent - Like New condition.
Mechanics: The cylinder lock-up is solid with barely perceptible movement. The action functions correctly. The hammer has a ½ cock position. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in a one-piece blue cardboard Freedom Arms box with blue foam interior sections and serial-matching end-label, and conversion cylinder in a leather pouch. The conversion cylinder is in Excellent condition. The label on the box is marked for .22 LR, Adjustable Sights, SPL barrel, X22 Mag cylinder, Action, Premier grade finish, and SPL Grips.
Our Assessment: Freedom Arms' Model 252 occupies a fascinating place in the company's history. John Taffin recorded that the first five-shot .22 Long Rifle examples arrived in January 1991, originally bearing the Model 252 designation before the rimfire was incorporated into the Model 83 family, and that it quickly became the revolver of choice among .22 silhouette shooters. Building a rimfire on the same massive action developed around the .454 Casull presented a unique engineering problem - making competition weight without sacrificing Freedom Arms' strength and precision. Freedom Arms shortened the cylinder and extended the barrel rearward through the frame, reducing weight while bringing the rifling closer to the chambers. The results were extraordinary; Taffin wrote that his test revolver was so accurate he initially hesitated to publish its groups because he feared readers would not believe them, later reporting five-shot 100-yard groups around the one-inch mark with select ammunition.
This Premier Grade Model 252 is an especially interesting variation of that precision rimfire platform. Its serial-matching factory box documents a special-order 5 1/8" barrel, special grips, adjustable sights ,factory-tuned action job, Premier Grade finish, and the additional .22 Magnum cylinder, creating a beautifully tailored configuration. It retains about 99% of its original stainless finish with a 10/10 bore, exceptionally tight lockup, and its factory conversion cylinder and box. Combining Freedom Arms' renowned Model 252 accuracy engineering with a documented special-order short barrel and dual-caliber configuration, this is a distinctive and unusually complete example of one of the finest precision rimfire revolvers of its era.
