Author Topic: Custom Handguns (Read 1538 times)

gs50401 · « **on:** June 09, 2011, 09:37:21 AM »

I had an urge for a 50th anniversary .357 Blackhawk converted to 40 S&W. I have cooled a bit on that idea now.
Another was a .380 acp single six.

What do some of you have for custom handgun ideas?

williamlayton · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2011, 04:10:21 PM »

S&W 586 is going to Pinnacle for a sex change to .38super & 9x23.
Lory---what have I not changed on all my guns.
Sights, triggers, parts, lock-up, safeties, mainsprings, springs, ejectors, extractors, ports, hammers, firing pins, guide rods, slides, prim and propering, dolling-up, coloring, grips--I did mention grips--I love grips.
It is an addiction.
Always a trigger job--at the very least.
Blessings

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2011, 08:29:39 AM »

I got a 50th Anniversary 357 with the intent of converting it to a 5 shot 41 special as soon as I can come up with the money.

williamlayton · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2011, 03:30:44 PM »

Who you going to get to do the work and what is the cost ?
Blessings

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2011, 02:53:26 AM »

had a 32 special bearcat and gave it to my buddys daughter. had a 41 special single six. Sold it to boge quinn. Problem with conversion like that are that there as expensive as a big bore conversion and arent really suited to much. the 41 special can be used to hunt dear but a 380 or 40sw are basicaly best suited to self defense and for that purpose id prefer a semi auto. the 32 mag is about a plinker and thats it. A guy asked me about why i did them and i told him i had enough big bore customs and was just bored. For the most part there novelty guns. In the case of both of mine i was shoehorning big rounds into small guns and it did make them realitively fragile. Anymore i look at it like this. What are you gaining from going from the 357 mag to a less powerful 40sw. Or 380 in a sigle six when you can allready buy it in 32 mag which is just as powerful. Sure its fun to play and theres a bit of cool factor to these kind of conversion but there isnt much practicality. Anymore if i build another custom it will be in a working caliber 44 cal and up. Guns i actually will use in the field. Less flash and more smash! to me honest on a fixed income i doubt if another custom is ever going to happen but if I did come up with the money id like to build a 5 shot 44 mag on one of the smaller framed rugers. Now to me that would be a practical hunting gun but then I already have a bisley 44 special which is almost the same and cost me a third of what a 5 shot 44 mag would.

drdougrx · « **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2011, 03:17:51 AM »

+1 Lloyd

I keep building custom handguns and then after awhile....selling them because all the stuff I had to have ... well .... I didn't have to have it after all. I've got a older BH in 41 mag (XPRED) frame out to the smith getting turned into a bisley, and I suspect I'll find me a stainless Bisley and have a 480Ruger built.

williamlayton · « **Reply #6 on:** June 15, 2011, 03:38:28 PM »

Some folks collect guns. I rather enjoy the process of building shooters the way I want them---makes it even more fun to shoot.
I like guns the way I want them more that guns that are collectables and a value of money is placed on them.
Blessings

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2011, 02:56:22 PM »

I'm with Mr. Layton. I get some fixed up for specific uses, but I like to do as much of the work as I feel I'm capable. Adds to the pride factor I guess.

gs50401 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 16, 2011, 04:04:36 PM »

I like single actions in .40+ caliber and cheap or free brass. Thr 380 single six was way to be different. I have plenty of serious guns.

Ladobe · « **Reply #9 on:** June 16, 2011, 07:29:57 PM »

I'd had quite a few firearms "customized", some extensively and costing more than what the firearm itself sold for new. Most were long range rifles and specialty pistols for varmint/predator hunting though.

williamlayton · « **Reply #10 on:** June 16, 2011, 11:42:16 PM »

A custom gun can be done personally or by a smith.
I distinguish between custom and semi-custom. Baer/Brown--those folks build fine weapons. You can even have it customized for you. You can do the work--doing what you want to do. Custom is the way you want it rolled--semi is those boys rolling it their way---finely built, their way.
I don't have the skills to roll one myownself---the square parts become round and the round parts become square.
Blessings

drdougrx · « **Reply #11 on:** June 17, 2011, 03:11:38 AM »

I think if you want one...you should do it....never know what life will deal to you.

inthebeech · « **Reply #12 on:** June 17, 2011, 08:20:02 AM »

I am having a New Model Flat top Blackhawk in 44 Special fitted with a Bisley grip frame and hammer. It is a shame I can't get it back without that transfer bar

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 18, 2011, 02:57:55 AM »

Currently in front on me I have a Ruger 50th 357 Blackhawk waiting to get shipped of for a full facelift - rechambering, refinish, new configuration...the works. On top of that is a Single Six in .32 mag that'll get fitted with a brass birdshead grip frame and Bisley hammer/trigger. Grip frame will then be sent off for a nice set of grips.
Then there's the pile of grip frames, brass draoon, brass Bisley and a couple steel Bisley ones simply awaiting hosts. One will see home of a 7 1/2" 45Colt Blackhawk.

The rest...undecided.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #14 on:** June 18, 2011, 03:26:18 AM »

One of my favorite six guns is one i did myself. Well maybe not totaly myself as a couple friends helped. Its a 4 5/8s super blackhawk. I removed the stainless grip frame and replaced it with an aluminum one then bead blasted the hole gun. My neighbor scalloped the loading gate and recoil shield for me and anohter friend did the action. It is also fitted with an aluminum ejector rod housing. a bowen rear sight and clements front post. I installed a free wheeling pawl and 44 man from this fourm made me a set of scrimshawed grips. It didnt cost much to put together and its probably my most used sixgun. Its handy light and powerful.

Quote from: williamlayton on June 16, 2011, 11:42:16 PM

A custom gun can be done personally or by a smith.
I distinguish between custom and semi-custom. Baer/Brown--those folks build fine weapons. You can even have it customized for you. You can do the work--doing what you want to do. Custom is the way you want it rolled--semi is those boys rolling it their way---finely built, their way.
I don't have the skills to roll one myownself---the square parts become round and the round parts become square.
Blessings

S.B. · « **Reply #15 on:** June 22, 2011, 05:05:51 PM »

If I could afford it it would be a Reeder mini Mastadon.
http://www.reedercustomguns.com/revolvers/mastodon.htm
Steve

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 24, 2011, 03:40:26 AM »

Quote from: S.B. on June 22, 2011, 05:05:51 PM

If I could afford it it would be a Reeder mini Mastadon.
http://www.reedercustomguns.com/revolvers/mastodon.htm
Steve

I have a Reeder Mastadon in 475 Linebaugh.. What a great gun.

S.B. · « **Reply #17 on:** June 24, 2011, 06:59:05 AM »

Redhawk1, the mini looks very packable to me.
Steve

williamlayton · « **Reply #18 on:** June 25, 2011, 07:03:34 AM »

There are custom changes and full custom---both are fun experiences.
Custon changes can be one or two things, leaving the gun almost stock--be it a 1911 or revolver. Some of thses changes like action jobs, short or long triggers, caliber changes, lowering and flareing, etc. can be pretty inexpensive when kept to single changes and the results make the ownership of the weapon more more fun. It doesn't necesssarily increase the value.
We alking about shooters here--for the most part--not collectables.
Blessings

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 26, 2011, 02:59:13 AM »

Quote from: S.B. on June 24, 2011, 06:59:05 AM

Redhawk1, the mini looks very packable to me.
Steve

Mine is not the mini, I have a 6 inch barrel on mine.. Still very packable.. But yes the mini's would be very packable.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 26, 2011, 03:00:25 AM »

Quote from: williamlayton on June 25, 2011, 07:03:34 AM

There are custom changes and full custom---both are fun experiences.
Custon changes can be one or two things, leaving the gun almost stock--be it a 1911 or revolver. Some of thses changes like action jobs, short or long triggers, caliber changes, lowering and flareing, etc. can be pretty inexpensive when kept to single changes and the results make the ownership of the weapon more more fun. It doesn't necesssarily increase the value.
We alking about shooters here--for the most part--not collectables.
Blessings

None of my guns are collectables, they are all shooters..