...that doesn't have a year long wait?

My wife is wanting to get more and more into backpacking. This has me wanting a good backpacking sidearm. What I really want doesn't seem to exist. I want a non-compensated 4 - 4-1/2" barrel .454 Casull. I really like the Super Redhawk, but I think the 7.5" is too cumbersome for my purposes and the Alaskan is just too short. I'd like to buy a 7.5" and have it cut down to around 4 - 4-1/2". Something like this...



BTW, this is NOT my photo. I created my own in photoshop but photobucket is down for maintenance right now.

My guess is the one in the pic is probably 5" or so. In my head, I'm picturing one that the back edge of the front sight is almost touching the front edge of the larger section of the frame. I think it would take someone skilled enough to cut and recrown the barrel, re-attach the front sight and lower the front sight blade to compensate for the new barrel length. They'd also need to be able to fill in what was left of the roll marks on the barrel and reapply the finish. I was wanting one of the target grey models so they'd need to be able to match that or refinish the whole gun in something similar.

Who do you think could do this work that you would trust with a nearly $1k revolver?

Didn't Ruger recently make a run of revolvers that are basically what you're looking for?

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
Didn't Ruger recently make a run of revolvers that are basically what you're looking for?

Not that I know of... I know they make the Alaskan, but it only has a 2.5" barrel and I'd like a bit more than that. I found the details on the pic by the way. It is a 4.8" barrel done by magnaport.com, but they specialize in porting barrels and I do not want ports. I just don't like them. I will see if they could do something similar without the ports, but it looks like it is a package and I don't know how custom they will get.

Yeah, a 2.5" seems kinda, well, specialized. Don't know the answer, but you may find something at sixguns.com or sixgunner.com.

quote:

Who do you think could do this work that you would trust with a nearly $1k revolver?

One guy that comes prominently to mind is Alex Hamilton of Ten Ring Precision in San Antonio. He does outstanding work on revolvers.

Hamilton Bowen is about as good as it gets in the world of revolvers. That's who I'd check out first.

I agree with Alex Hamilton as being a great gunsmith. He built up a Colt XSE 1911 for me that I carry as much as I can.

Locally in NC, I use Greensboro Gunworks.

Brian is the gunsmith/owner. He has done lots of work on my carry guns, and I've sent a bunch of folks there. No complaints.

Cherry's Fine Guns trusts him, with guns more expensive than $1000.

Give him a call, (336)668-2809. Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI.

Greetings,

Before you begin on your project revolver, I recommend you speak to Hamilton Bowen about the Ruger grey coat Super Redhawks and his experiences with rebarreling these guns.

quote:

Originally posted by frogger:
Who do you think could do this work that you would trust with a nearly $1k revolver?

Randy Lee at Apex Tactical!!

Why not just get one of the new Ruger KRH-45-4's and fill it with some Buffalo Bore .45 Colt +P ammunition? You could use the money you would save to send it out to Randy to clean up and tune the action. Just a thought.

quote:

Originally posted by 45R:

quote:

Originally posted by frogger:
Who do you think could do this work that you would trust with a nearly $1k revolver?

Randy Lee at Apex Tactical!!

NO!!!!

Randy is the absolute best when it comes to Smith & Wesson revolvers, he's been training me to work on them too and I'm astounded at what kind of things Randy can do with a Smith.

I wouldn't ask Randy to do a Ruger......

quote:

Originally posted by 45R:

quote:

Originally posted by frogger:
Who do you think could do this work that you would trust with a nearly $1k revolver?

Randy Lee at Apex Tactical!!

+1000 for Nelson's wise advice, though you'll have to see if Randy does this specific work.
Hamilton Bowen is better known for this type of heavy-caliber work, and like Randy Lee he's also an astonishingly good and clever craftsman.
You cannot go wrong with either shop.

Your idea sounds great and shouldn't be too hard to build.

Please realize that there is a direct relationship between the quality of a shop's work and service, and the length of their backlog. In my experience, fast shops aren't as busy, and that's usually for a reason.

-Bruce

For what it's worth, here is a pic of a custom Super Redhawk that just got delivered to it's rightful owner. It is unfortunately the last Grey coated Ruger I will work on.

My recommendation is get a traditional stainless version as any nicks or damage can be easily removed without much cost.

You da man Master Lee

Another vote for Randy Lee, as I have heard nothing but high praise for his work.

quote:

Originally posted by Randy Lee:

Now there is a revolver worthy of bringing with you into a post-Apocalyptic world!

Randy - i gather that is the Ruger we spoke about last in San Diego

...believe him when Randy says he won't work on another one

quote:

Originally posted by Randy Lee:
For what it's worth, here is a pic of a custom Super Redhawk that just got delivered to it's rightful owner. It is unfortunately the last Grey coated Ruger I will work on.

My recommendation is get a traditional stainless version as any nicks or damage can be easily removed without much cost.

Thats a good looking wheelie my friend!! Whats life without the little challenges

Flork will now assume lead man in the Ruger division at GGI.

poor Flork...pergatory for you

Yes....The Ruger Wrecker Division.........FLORK SMASH