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| The Whack-Job Whisperer  |
I have always wanted a Novak's Custom S&W 3rd Gen pistol. A full house 915 or 645. Or a 4566 or 4506-1 gone over by the Novak's smiths. With the Novak's logo stamped on the slide. When they were around and available, I couldn't afford one. Now that I can afford one, Novak's no longer works on making custom 3rd Gen S&Ws. Anyone here have one?  Can we see a picture of it? Thanks! Regards 18DAI7+1 Rounds of hope and change | ||
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| Each post crafted from rich Corinthian leather  |
As a recent Novak’s owner (Browning Hi Power), I’d like to see their work on S&W autos! "The sea was angry that day, my friends - like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli." - George Costanza | |||
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| Member |
Novak did great work on Smiths. Smith&Wesson used him as a consultant when designing the 3rd Gens. He knew the platform very well. Novak would say though that Smith did not take all his advice. I still have a CS9D worked over by Novaks as well as a Super9. | |||
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| Buy that Classic SIG in All Stainless, No rail wear will be painless.  |
18DAI, Here is one for you! http://www.novaksinc.com/4516.html NRA Benefactor Life Member NRA Instructor USPSA Chief Range Officer | |||
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| The Whack-Job Whisperer |
Thank you cee_Kamp! The 4516 is one of my favorites. That pistol is beautiful......well.....except for the hook on the trigter guard. Dunno about that. I wish I could get them to work on one of my 4516s. I'd be happy with just the action work and an 11° crown on the barrel. Thanks again for the pic! Regards 18DAI 7+1 Rounds of hope and change | |||
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| Member |
Does Novak still take orders for specific custom work? All I could find on their site was firearms already finished. | |||
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| Member |
Never followed the whole Devel thing. What purpose did the hook ever serve? I love that gun but that ridiculous hook ruins it for me so I’d love to hear the history, explanation, link, etc. | |||
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| The Whack-Job Whisperer |
Last time I called Novak's to inquire......2014?..they were not doing any S&W 3rd Gen customization. Evidently, that has changed, based on a customized 4516 appearing for sale there. I am planning on calling Monday to see if they will work on my 4516 no dash model. I want the action work and re crown on the barrel. Not the ball cuts or the hook. And I want the famous NOVAK'S logo stamped in the slide. NOT the cheesy laser etching.  AFAIK the hook on the trigger guard came about from an old pistol shooting technique where one placed the forefinger of their support hand on the front of the trigger guard. I don't know who did it first, but I think Paris Theodore of Seventrees and ASP pistol fame did it first, with the ASP. Charlie Kelsey incorporated it on most of his Devel pistols. Mr. Wayne Novak collects Devel guns. And was imstrumental in the development of the S&W 3rd Gen pistols. I would love to know what ideas he proposed to S&W that they passed on. Regards 18DAI 7+1 Rounds of hope and change | |||
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| Member |
His collection of Devel guns is amazing. | |||
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| Buy that Classic SIG in All Stainless, No rail wear will be painless. |
I'll bet that fugly hook appendage really wouldn't be that hard to remove. 1. hacksaw 2. files 3. stones 4. sandpaper 5. beadblast Then it would be like it had never been there. NRA Benefactor Life Member NRA Instructor USPSA Chief Range Officer | |||
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| The Whack-Job Whisperer |
Yes. But the dent in my head from my wife finding out I spent $2500 on a handgun, will be MUCH harder to remove. Regards 18DAI7+1 Rounds of hope and change | |||
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Oriental Redneck |
I can see two functions that Devel hook on that 4516 Smith serves. 1- It prevents your weak hand's index finger from slipping off, for those who shoot that way. 2- When you run out of ammo, you can still put a hole in your enemy's head using that thing.  Q | |||
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| Member |
I recall Novak saying he was not happy with the 3rd Gen trigger and was vocal about it with Smith's management at the time. | |||
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Resident Rogue and Blackguard |
I had a 3914 done over by Wayne a long time ago with bar dot night sights, shaved slide stop/safety and coated in black-T. Nice gun but the finish started peeling after a few months of shooting and carry. I sold it off shortly after and never looked back. In my circle, Novak's was the go to shop for Commanders and Hi-Powers. I miss those days. Save the whales. Redeem them for valuable prizes... | |||
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| Member |
I think the black-T finishing was outsourced to whoever that black-T guy was back in the day (Birdsong?). Novak himself typically recommended his bead-blast blue finish as it was simple, cheap, well understood and easy to redo when it came time to do that. At the time, I though his low-tech approach was quaint and unsexy compared to the new wonder finishes hitting the market (like black-T). In retrospect, he was probably right. | |||
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| Member |
His shop did a lot of work for me back in the day. 645, 1006, 1911s and of course High Powers. Most of the guys who did the work left his stable. Curt Wickman, Dennis Deem and RIP Joe Bonar. New crews come and go. Their work was outstanding, but I have nothing done recently. But I am sure IF, again IF they still do it. The work is second to none. | |||
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| Member |
I talked to Joe Bonar a day or two before the accident. I think I talked to him on Friday and the accident was on Saturday. We wished each other a great weekend before hanging up. He was talented and knowledgeable for sure and was doing most of the work on Smiths at that time. | |||
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| Member |
It is worth a call or email to Novak to see if they will work on your pistol. I have one build in process and they are working on another. I supplied both pistols. | |||
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