Custom Revolver for My Brother - Where to get the work done?

Brad W

Brad W

New member
My younger brother is getting married and he was joking with his fiance about how he wants an engagement gun from her. She didnt seem that interested in that idea haha but I am.

I know he likes the snub nose and that he loves my Ruger gp100. So obviously a good compromise is the SP101 with 2.25" barrel.

Using this as a base I want to make it something special. I am considering porting, and action job, some finish work (bead blast probably), etc. I am not a millionaire so it needs to be somewhat economical but also some good work! Which is why I am here. You guys have any experience/suggestions?

I am leaning towards Gemini Customs for the work because they are well known for their work on SP101s but the prices do reflect that reputation as well. I also may not need all of the work that they offer in their lowest "package". I also looked into Magnaport but their pricing is pretty confusing so I am not sure what the cost would be.

This is along the lines of my thinking for the project though this has some extras I couldn't afford haha

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There are plenty of good revolver smiths out there. One thing is I'd see how he feels about porting before you commission that work. I hate porting...
 
I agree with GC.... NO PORTING on the little gun. You will take a loud gun to intolerable.....

Let him learn to shoot the stubby with hand control and the right ammo.....

Good on you for thinking so much of your brother.

Just my thoughts....
 
Hogue makes some nice wooden grips, bead blast it, a spring kit and some quality night sights would seem like a special little gun to me. You could even polish the hammer and trigger to make it a little different. Being able to say that my brother put it together for me would be better than a full custom to me.



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Originally Posted By: Rock KnockerI believe Mag-na-port can do everything you are looking for, they are known for their porting but they also to trigger work and other stuff.

http://www.magnaport.com/index.html

Yup. Around 15 years ago I sent my old three screw .44 Super Blackhawk for them to work their magic on. Barrel cut to 5.5", Magnaported (of course) action all slicked up. The only customized revolver I own to this day. I have no complaints at all.
 
I've read mixed reviews on the porting. I was considering it because it is unique and some people (including Jerry Miculek) swear by it. I've never actually fired a ported pistol or revolver but I have fired a S&W 500 with a brake and my AR10 with an aggressive brake and they are nearly too loud for regular use so I appreciate that note.

I will look into these shops. Thanks for helping g the search.

I do also like the idea of doing some things to make it unique myself. I am very handy and have made custom knives etc so a little polishing and custom touch are within my abilities. Do most shops do a good consistant bead blast? I'd probably pay for the action work so I can avoid breaking through the hardened layer and ending up with hammer push off in 5 years.
 
I am sitting on a S&W 19 and 66 both with 2.5" barrels and really thinking hard about some custom CC work... I really like these guns.

NO PORTING...... LOL

Good luck with your project
 
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Engraving seems a bit out of my budget. Atleast decorative engraving.

I probably will skip the porting. Would anyone recommend just finding a local ship to do the rest? I have no idea how to determine the quality of their work.
 
Talked to a local shop and apparently they are legally prohibited from doing gunsmithing that results in metal chips being produced?! I vaguely remember hearing about this but that seems insane. Some shops must be able to this or porting would be out of the question. How do I find the shops capable of custom work? I was also considering a moon clip conversion.
 
I'd echo the sentiment NOT to get porting unless you KNOW they want it. I have a ported 4" revolver. Yes, we should always wear hearing protection, but there may be situations where we don't. I ONCE fired this particular revolver in a hunting situation without hearing protection. I own multiple revolvers of similar design, but the ear pain of this one is an order of magnitude worse than any other.

Unless something bity and scratchy is gnawing on my arm, I would never do so again.

I would never carry a gun for SD with ports. The positives are way countered by the negatives.
 
I have truly never heard of such a thing.... doesnt mean it aint true.....

I think I would go with some rounding of the grip, some really fantastic grips, action and trigger work and some sight stuff and then have some spare bucks for a really fine pancake holster and matching "stiff belt" and a speed loader carrier or two.
 
I talked to a local smith and he has a 1970s S&W 64 2" he might personally sell and customize for me. My only concern is that the price for the gun is $500. Seems kind of high to me. I am hoping we can negotiate the price a bit because the custom work is fairly priced.
 
Excellent condition pre-lock S&W revolvers pull a premium price. If that M64 was a 3" round butt it would have a cult like following and bring another $100. Chamber it in .357 as in a M65 or M13 3" RB and add another $100. If the gunsmith knocks $50 off and it's in very good + condition it's a fair price about anywhere you go.
 
Sounds like he might be flexible on the price. I found a nearly identical version on gun broker at $370 about to expire in a couple minutes. The reserve is not met but it shows that demand isn't much more than $400
 


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