I always wanted a custom gun and finally pulled the trigger on one abt 2 yrs ago. It was impossible to find a model 16 for a reasonable price so I had one built. Andy Horvath was the person to make it because he lives abt 30 miles away and has a good reputation. Gave him a 17-3 and after about 8 months I got the custom .32 long back from him. Had the barrel cut to 5" to match the 5" K-38 I have. He added a Weigand interchangeable front sight base to it. The hang up was re-boring the bbl, took abt 6 mos. Added some KB Ropers in exhibition English Walnut to it to finish it off. Actually put the Ropers on at Andy's when I picked it up.

Lets see you're pride and joys that you finally had made and are proud to own. Show them off here so everyone can see them. It can be a rifle, shotgun or handgun. Larry

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Looks great. The closest I can come is a Shiloh Sharps Quiglet in .45-110 that I had made with my initials inlaid in the receiver. No pictures though.

The closest I can come is something on which I refinished the stock.

So, how does your new K32 shoot?

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

Jebus, that is one fine looking revolver you have there! Just the way you wanted it too. I can appreciate the desire to have a custom firearm made just for you. Nothing like it!

Here's a few of mine to get this thread of yours going:

Custom Fitz'ed Colt Official Police .38 Special with engraving by Michael Gouse:





Ruger New Model Blackhawk .44 Special with birdseye maple handles, Gouse engraving, Turnbull case hardening, and Skeeter Skelton cattle brand on the backstrap:





The above Ruger matches up to my S&W 624 .44 Special engraved by Gouse as a Skeeter Skelton tribute with his cattle brand, Weigand Combat rear sight, gold bead front sight, and birdseye maple Skeeter Skelton handles by Deacon Deason of Bear Hug Grips (r.i.p.):







Marlin 1894 .44 Magnum with custom 16" barrel, John Wayne big loop lever, saddle ring, oiled walnut stock and forearm, engraved by Gouse and case hardened by Turnbull:

My latest project is a 1972 Walther PP .32 West German police trade-in pistol:



I had my gunsmith (Mario Matelli with Bullseye Firearms and Gunsmithing) cut new dovetails for a set of Novak sights (including a gold bead front) and weld a beavertail grip tang on so the slide wouldn't cut railroad tracks of blood in my hand:





Michael Gouse engraved the Walther with relief style Acorns & Oak Leaves and I had the trigger, hammer, magazine release, and safety fire blued by a local metal finisher:







Then I sent it to Accurate Plating and Weaponry to have the Walther hard chromed:















Happiness is a filthy muzzle!





-Steve
www.policemarksman.com

Jack Weigand built this for me when we used to shoot the old PPC and IPSC back in the mid 80's. Hybrid, Para P13 lower, Colt Combat Commander upper with everything slicked Meprolite sights and a bunch of other stuff.

Well, I recently sold four of my vintage customs, partly to cover the cost of a new custom build that is almost done. They were cool guns that will hopefully be enjoyed by their new owners. Luckily, I still have a few left that I am hanging on to so I have something to post here. Of course, many of you have seen these before.

Krebs Custom "CROWBAR" S&W M28 that has been converted to .45ACP among the many custom mods.




This is a Clark Custom Meltdown Colt 1991A1 Compact that was refinished by Dietrich Gunsmithy a couple of years ago.



This one is Novak/Joe Bonar built Colt 1991A1 Commander, it's all business and a great carry gun.


My 9mm 360J doesn't look like much but it's had a bunch of work done on it by Pinnacle, in addition to the caliber change. It gets carried all the time.

__________________
Don't kiss smiling dogs!

Just to be "Devil's Advocate"==what constitutes "custom"?

Engraved vs factory engraved?
Caliber change?
Barrel change?
Shorter?
Longer?
New grips versus engraved and grips?
Blued versus nickeled?
New sights? New sight blade?
OTC scope mounts vs custom scope mounts

For example: I have a 1901 Colt Bisley, shipped as blued (?), gold plated then plating removed and custom engraving, carved ivories with rubies. Obviously, a custom but I bought it that way.

Or a Ruger birdshead that I put a Bisley grip on? Or a Ruger birdshead that I put a plow handle on==now the factory does that.

Or, I have a Ruger SBH coming from Gary Reeder: 5.5" barrel, 5-shot 454. ported, Ivory micarta grips and my name engraved. Someone else is doing it for me to my specs.

Sounds like you're well aware of what a custom is. Why don't you post some pics?

__________________
Don't kiss smiling dogs!

OK:

Here's a 1901 Colt Bisley, sent to Mexico City. After sale, it was gold plated (now worn off except for flutes), engraved (Indian style=pretty primitive, Indian shooting a jaguar, chasing a stagecoach, etc), Ivory grips, carved with ruby eyes. No one can give an explanation on how it ended up on the Apache Res in NE Arizona.




Artificially aged Dragoon:


"Faux" Model 12 Riot gun/trench gun.


Birdshead converted to a "Sheriff's Model":


Nothing special: Wife's Vaqueros with just custom grips.



Another birdshead, this one converted to a Bisley.


Also have a SAA Nickled with real pearls (in the shop)

Bearbio, you got the hang of it. There are some very nice guns being shown. Hope more join us showing off our pride and Joys. Hope to see more rifles.

When I first fired my gun with open sights it seemed to shoot average. I mounted a B-Square scope mount on it and a red dot. It wasn't sighted in, just needed to see how it grouped. The red dot was more of a peanut shape then a dot. The groups are at 50 ft, I'm very happy. Larry

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I'm surprised there are't more guns pictured here. Custom gunsmiths are very busy making guns that the factory don't offer. Larry

Just got these yesterday[IMG][/IMG]

And another
[IMG][/IMG]

As a lefty it is hard to find a shotgun that fits properly. Most are built for those that shoot off their right shoulder. Well, I struggled for years with one gun or another. Then, through some serious horse trading, I managed to get a handcrafted Trap gun. It still didn't have a lefty stock on it so, I saved for a year and finally got a custom stock. Now it's just a pleasure to shoot.

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Freedom isn't free.

Mm6mm6, is Gouse expensive to have him engrave a gun? Always wanted an engraved gun, what's the time period having one done? Larry

Model 28-2 with 5 inch barrel:


Model 16-4 with extra cylinders chambered in .32 S&W Long and .32-20 W.C.F.:


Model 624 with a Model 29 barrel, that I installed on the gun:


Not much customizing on this 645, but I checkered the rear of the slide, because I wanted a different look:

It don't take much to make it yours and that is custom in my books.
Blessings

__________________
TEXAS, by GOD

[QUOTE=WC145;137761914]

This one is Novak/Joe Bonar built Colt 1991A1 Commander, it's all business and a great carry gun.




awesome cmdr

__________________
Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442

Like Bearbio, many of mine are single actions. This first one is an old model 357 Ruger that I sent to Andy Horvath along with the Clements bisley hammer and the Smith & Wesson model 57 barrel for him to turn into a 41 Special L'il gun. Turnbull did the coloring. It recently go a fresh set of shoes by way of a Powers two piece brass Colt style grip frame I converted to birds head then had Jim of Nutmeg Sports fit with elephant ivories.


This next one is the first old model Ruger Hamilton Bowen converted to a #5 gun. This is a dual cylinder gun in 41 Magnum and 41 Special with ivory by Paul Persinger, rust bluing with fire blued screws and a Powers #5 grip frame.

Colt Army Special .41


Colt 1917


Avenging Angel 1851 Colt ( Uberti)

Avenging Angel 1860 Army Colt ( Uberti)


Avenging Angel 1860 Army with round butt grip

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OGCA Member.

I should add that very few of mine have factory grips.

started out as a 98 mauser.

280 Ackley improved
McMillan barrel
kdf muzzle brake
timney trigger
turned bolt handle
laminate stock

Started as a blued 1991. Custom tuckable holster.

Hewe are some of mine that, though, do not fit in the BBQ mode of custom, have all had the hand of a good gunsmith caress them.
Blessings

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TEXAS, by GOD

This originally started out as a 80's vintage Springfield GI model. Frame tightened, slide fit, mainspring housing reshaped and stippled, mag well beveled, beaver-tail safety fit, ambi safety fit, trigger job to 4 lbs, Bowmar sights fit, front strap and front of trigger guard stippled, top of slide stippled, frame metaloyed, slide blued. Ejection port relieved, and a Chip McCormick titanium hammer fit. I did all the work except milling the slide for the Bowmars, and the metaloy finish and the bluing.


This High Standard Victor has had a Falcon barrel added with weaver rib and a Red Dot sight and a set of Vitarbo custom grips made to my hand print added.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Not a true custom, but a pretty rare Commander National Match fitted with Ivory grips, ambi safety, and Micro sights--

A Second Model .44 Target upgraded with post-war sight--

A First Generation SAA Colt customized ala Elmer Keith by (I believe) Croft/Hutchins/Sedgely way back when, reportedly owned by Keith's pal Al Ellinger. The cylinder is a replacement and the engraving was done by a Forum member a while back--

A Pre-64 Model 70 in 300 H&H that I restocked from a block and lightly customized, many years ago--


A Beretta 70S that I built frame-up because I wanted a steel-frame fixed-sight gun and they weren't imported that way--

An engraved (by whom, I don't know) Pre- Model 24 wearing non-relieved smooth Cokes--

Here's a Nice PPC built on a model 15 frame. Use it in an 8 week double action only match at the local club. Very accurate, life is good. Larry

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I've shown these before, but what the hell......



1964 Clark Longslide .45acp
Built in the days before the were any pre-made 6" slides avalible. This is actually two slides cut and welded together with a handmade custom barrel. Even after 50 years it still locks up like a bank vault, has a trigger that must be felt to be believed and is far more accurate than I'll ever be.



Model 28 .45 Colt Snubbie
This is one of my own creations. I started with a bare nekkid Model 28-2 frame, found a 25-5 cylinder and a Model 25-2 barrel. I cut both ends of the barrel and put the whole thing together myself.

I'll toss another one into the fray. This is a 5 shot 414 Supermag I had Alan Harton build. I wanted it to be able to use a Lovell scope mount for a Freedoms Arms so I sent him my Model 83 41 mag and Alan rebuilt the top strap to match it perfectly. He also did the octagon barrel, bisley conversion and the CCH coloring as well as the cocabola grips.

Love all the ideas we have for customizing our guns.

I always wanted a single shot of some sort for offhand shooting and couldn't sell my Contender for a reasonable price. I found a 10" .22 bbl and there is no .32 long bbl that was made. Called MGM barrels and will order a 6" barrel in .32 long this week. Don't need any of the other 32's or the power or speed. I'll see if they can make the chamber short so the bullet engages the rifling when it's inserted. I'll post pics when I get it, Larry

A former M29-2 45 Colt.



A 38 WCF M28-2.



An Old Model 44 Mag Bisley.



A 44 Special Old Model.





A 38WCF Flattop.



A 41 Special Single Six, I mean Five.

[QUOTE=Malpasowildlifer;137768178]Joe Bonar was a genius. I had two of his creations, his son works for Wayne. They do great work....To bad Joe left us...He was great.

My lightly tweaked Series 70. Clark Custom Guns did the bottom; extended safety, beavertail grip safety, trigger job, and stippling (LOVE that Clark stippling). A gunsmith whose name I forget, and who has since retired, worked out of San Antonio and did the sight installation. It's been shot a lot and that sight hasn't budged. The spare slide has night sights on it if I need them. This is my 'go to' handgun if I ever need one.

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the python has been posted before. but since this tread is about customs, it was ordered by me for my 27th birthday present to myself.

Wilson Combat updated Colt Combat Elite .45 ACP





Alan Harton built 10mm Ruger Vaquero w/J-Frame sights

Another to add to the Clark custom's.
This one a Clark Model 61-S built using a Colt .38 SPL Kit. Built in August 1966. This pic shows the non original trigger which has since been replaced with a stock Colt steel short trigger to bring it back to as built.





This is the finished product after sending a period correct trigger to Clark Custom for the installation of an over travel screw and locating period correct stocks.

Toss another one into the thread. Original framed bisley vaquero with octagon barrel and Clements S&W style sights. Benn Forkin installed the barrel and rebored the 357 Maximum cylinder to a tight, long cylinder 45 Colt and sent the frame off to Turnbull for coloring. Roy Fishpaw did the musk ox horn grips.

This one started life as a 6 1/2" Ruger flat top 44 magnum old model. Jim Stroh did the barrel shortening, action work and metal detail work including installing his front sight and fitting the Clements bisley spurred hammer. He also installed the Powers two piece steel gripframe. Jim sent the gun off to Nutmeg Sports where the one piece ivories were installed.

Hope we can see some more of the guns we had re-done to something we always wanted. There has to be more custom guns out there. Lot of nice guns displayed so far, Larry.

So many good looking guns of all types I did not see one I didn't wish I had. Good job to all of you.

You will find Gouse to be the least expensive with the quickest turnaround time. There's a reason I keep going back to him. So does John Taffin.

Gouse Freelance Firearms Engraving & Montana Art Emporium

Just give Gouse a call and talk a bit.

There are more of them hiding in the safe, we just try to trickle them in so we don't clog the thread up all at once.

Bought another one off gun broker. Originally a rifle in 310 cadet, the round is very close to a 32/20. Always wanted one in 357 magnum, it arrived last week. Lucky to see it right after it was listed and hit the buy it now button. Will have pics soon. Has a 26" octagon bbl and nicely done wood. Larry

625-4 with 5" full lug turned into a 4" Mountain Gun with bead blasted finish






R & D Precision .308 win. w/ U.S. Optics SN3 3.2-17x44mm




Wells Rifle Shop .243 win. throated for 105 gr - 115 gr bullets




G.A. Precision .223 rem. for 75 gr + bullets. Built by Eric Reid.

A few years ago I blundered into a LGS about 15 miles from the house. I was looking for a Coke machine and some salted peanuts for a snack. About 20 minutes later I headed for the house. I no longer owned a G-22RTF... or a 100 rd. value pack of WW .40 S&W ammo. However, I was the new owner of a very pretty little 15-3... and a RIA 1911-A1. The RIA only had about 80% finish but it was otherwise in fine shape.

The 15-3 had a slight bit of corrosion on the barrel but was otherwise in excellent condition. The RIA I figured would be a good car gun. But, the more I shot it the more it grew on me. I figured one day I'd buff it and do a cold blue job. Very happily before I could launch out on that little experiment as nice gentleman from Black Ops Armoury contacted me and asked if I'd send the pistol down to them for a look/see. That was in December of 2007. In March of 2008 it was returned. They altered the hammer and grip safety to keep the skin of my hand from being cut during shooting, the consequence of my having been burned in a gas fire back in 8/98. They did an action job, trigger job, checkered the front strap, Ceracoated the pistol in black, tended to the throating so that it will now feed empty brass as well as any type of ammunition I've been able to find and installed adjustable sights. The also refinished the grips. The pistol went from a sows ear to the proverbial silk purse.

To top everything off, they did not include a bill. I contacted them about this oversight. The owner informed me that they figured I'd been a full-time service pastor for 30 years and that it was time someone did something for me. I was shocked. I still am. Today I had that RIA at the range with a Marvel 1911 .22 LR conversion on top. It runs like the Energizer Bunny, it just kept going and going!

Below please find two links. The first is to pictures of the pistol as well as pictures of how it shot using WW 230 gr. FMJ's firing a standard qualification course. The second link is to some pictures at the Black Ops Armoury.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/2184882...n/photostream/


http://blackopsarmoury.com/files/211...73_640x458.jpg

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<><

Here's the latest. Came in since this thread opened. Engraving says it all.

Built from parts CCO .38 Super



Colt enhanced Combat Commander 9mm slide
Storm Lake .38 Super barrel and bushing
Fusion Firearms checkered alloy Officer's frame
10-8 trigger
Cylinder and Slide hammer, sear, disconnector kit
Colt Officer's flat mainspring housing
Various Wilson and Ed Brown parts
Elk Stag grips by Patrick Grashorn

I'm reviving this thread to add a couple of guns and see if anybody else has anything new show off.

This one was just finished a few months ago. It's a Colt 1991A1 .38 Super that was built by Robin Dietrich. Robin is a very talented young guy, he did all of the work on this gun, including all of the hand checkering and serrations and fitting it with 9mm and 9x23 barrels, everything except the finish, which is Ionbond DLC. Since these pics were taken I've fitted the grips and cleaned up that little bit hanging over the bottom of the grip frame.







This one is a S&W M10, when I bought it it had been someone's PPC project gun. A lot of work had been done, it had a 686 barrel fitted, had been round butted, made DAO, had the Bomar sight rib, but it was very rough and far from finished. I had Dietrich's Gunsmithy finish it and turn it into a house gun for my wife. Robin recontoured and crowned the barrel, repaired and tuned the action, and bead blasted it. Mahovsky's Metalife hard chromed it. The end result is an accurate, sweet shooting .38spl with a wonderfully light and smooth action.

__________________
Don't kiss smiling dogs!

The only Gun I can remotley call custom is My G.I Model Rock Island 45 acp because I changed the Beaver Tail and Hammer and Grips.