looking for possible value custom PPC
- Thread starter rubiranch
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Without any hint from a well known builder, these tend to trade in the $350-$450 range and yours shows a lot of wear. If you have evidence of a Bill Davis, Ron Power, Austin Behlert, Travis Strahan, you can double that or nearly so.
In my opinion...
These are steals in the current market because they shoot like a house afire and typically have ridiculous double-action trigger feel, better than you'll find in any Python.
However...
You need to be a handloader to enjoy one, because they are almost always typically spec'd for use with Federal small pistol primers, and using ammo with most any other primer tends to give FTF on 1 or 2 rounds from every cylinder.
In my opinion...
These are steals in the current market because they shoot like a house afire and typically have ridiculous double-action trigger feel, better than you'll find in any Python.
However...
You need to be a handloader to enjoy one, because they are almost always typically spec'd for use with Federal small pistol primers, and using ammo with most any other primer tends to give FTF on 1 or 2 rounds from every cylinder.
wheelgun28
Member
I have never seen that trigger guard mod before.
Its quite interesting, could be a clue as to who did the work.
Also check under the grip, could be markings or other clues.
I have a few PPC guns, great shooters.
Its quite interesting, could be a clue as to who did the work.
Also check under the grip, could be markings or other clues.
I have a few PPC guns, great shooters.
lamarw
Member
This is one I acquired for a little under six hundred dollars back in February. It is based on a Model 10-7, and appears like new. I am sure it cost a lot more to build than what I paid, but there just does not seem to be a big demand for them anymore.
A lot of value there for little cost.
A lot of value there for little cost.
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Exactly my sentiments... the old school PPC competition is all but gone so the demand for these is excruciatingly low, but if you just want one to shoot and enjoy, the value is unbelievably high.
I am no manner of an expert, but I would believe that nearly any/all PPC revolvers of exactly this style is spec'd for the Federal primer and will give many, many misfires, especially in double action, with any other primer. I own three of these revolvers myself, and that is the case with all three.
I have also experimented (with all three!) in adding more mainspring tension and getting a harder primer hit -- I have succeeded with each, however it absolutely affects the totally inspiring double-action trigger stroke, so I ultimately put each of them back as the builder had set them.
I am no manner of an expert, but I would believe that nearly any/all PPC revolvers of exactly this style is spec'd for the Federal primer and will give many, many misfires, especially in double action, with any other primer. I own three of these revolvers myself, and that is the case with all three.
I have also experimented (with all three!) in adding more mainspring tension and getting a harder primer hit -- I have succeeded with each, however it absolutely affects the totally inspiring double-action trigger stroke, so I ultimately put each of them back as the builder had set them.
Oops, I forgot to add:
One of mine is a lesson on exactly that. My Travis Strahan is one of few that he built that he did not sign... typically, Strahan would, with an electric pen, sign the right side of the barrel at the muzzle, making it obvious who had done the work. On my revolver, it is not signed, but every little detail that his guns always had appear on mine, and one absolute tell-tale is the conversion to a coil mainspring and the rigging device (for lack of a better term!) that he constructed and fit inside the grip frame of the revolver. That device and the specific way that he cut the inside of the trigger guard to give him a flat surface for his trigger over-travel screw to stop against are telltale marks of a Strahan-worked revolver.
As to why my revolver doesn't have his signature? I can only imagine that the customer that ordered it must have asked for it to be left off... which I find to be a real pity. I would love if it were signed by a legendary gunsmith.
Totally agree, if the revolver is not marked or signed somewhere as to who did the work, often times you can narrow it down by making a note of the features as most of the builders found one particular way they liked to do some part -- and then they did it the same same same each time.
One of mine is a lesson on exactly that. My Travis Strahan is one of few that he built that he did not sign... typically, Strahan would, with an electric pen, sign the right side of the barrel at the muzzle, making it obvious who had done the work. On my revolver, it is not signed, but every little detail that his guns always had appear on mine, and one absolute tell-tale is the conversion to a coil mainspring and the rigging device (for lack of a better term!) that he constructed and fit inside the grip frame of the revolver. That device and the specific way that he cut the inside of the trigger guard to give him a flat surface for his trigger over-travel screw to stop against are telltale marks of a Strahan-worked revolver.
As to why my revolver doesn't have his signature? I can only imagine that the customer that ordered it must have asked for it to be left off... which I find to be a real pity. I would love if it were signed by a legendary gunsmith.
It would be interesting to see how an S&W was converted to coil mainspring. Can we see some pics?
lamarw
Member
There is currently an open auction for one crafted by Austin Behlert. Not familiar with his notoriety as a gunsmith.
When my friend was looking it over I remember him mentioning about the primers and loads.
I'll have him look under the stocks again for any names but I think he would have noticed if there's was a name or signature anywhere on the gun.
Hopefully we can get it sold.
No demand, not a known maker, value minimal... $200 - $250 as a paper or tin can plinker.
I sold a "Davis Custom" PPC revolver built on a Model 13 with a 4 inch barrel and was still chambered for .357 mag for $400 but it was really a chore.
They are cool guns but the demand is very low as other have noted.
They are cool guns but the demand is very low as other have noted.
It's been said many times, I'm sure some folks don't care to hear it, but it's no less true regardless of opinions. When you really want to try and get an idea of what a particular gun may be worth to sell, the best indicator is to go to the largest market where most of that particular item is sold, most often.
I don't know of any single place where you are more likely to find an older, used, and worn PPC revolver, especially one that is a K-frame S&W that was customized in the 70's or 80's... than Gunbroker.
And I can tell you confidently, experience has shown me that the revolver in post #1 is worth more than "$200 - $250 as a paper or tin can plinker" and that a Bill Davis in any condition other than broken/non-functional is going to sell for more than $400.
rubiranch, please feel free to send me a PM if you're interested in selling that to me, but my suggestion is to put it up on Gunbroker with a lot of pictures.
I don't know of any single place where you are more likely to find an older, used, and worn PPC revolver, especially one that is a K-frame S&W that was customized in the 70's or 80's... than Gunbroker.
And I can tell you confidently, experience has shown me that the revolver in post #1 is worth more than "$200 - $250 as a paper or tin can plinker" and that a Bill Davis in any condition other than broken/non-functional is going to sell for more than $400.
rubiranch, please feel free to send me a PM if you're interested in selling that to me, but my suggestion is to put it up on Gunbroker with a lot of pictures.
I will let you know as son as I know exactly what we are going to do with it. Another family member may have some interest in it.
Thank you.....
Great picture, that one I also found in a web search, as noted that ine is credited to Fuzzy Farrant. I could not find a picture of Travis Strahan's version but it is extremely similar to the one in the picture.
Safestuffer
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I paid $350 for mine. The labor involved probably cost more, with a 6" slab sided bull barrel, an aristocrat rib/sights, and a butter smooth action. It is near mint with almost no wear and 99% finish....done by "coles customs", whoever that was.
Thanks Tommy F!
Mike in Reedley
Member
Looks like an Aristocrat Rib and barrel, which were entry level components from Brownell’s at the time. There should have been an underlug for the forward lock at the tip of the ejector rod to lock into. It could be that an indent ball was added to the inside of the crane, which would be visible when the cylinder was open.
Some builders cut obscure angles on the forcing cone and without a gauge, it might be hard to determine. I shot a similarly equipped post war 5 screw M&P (mine had the underlug) in revolver class in IPSC back in the 80’s. It was crazy accurate and fast. If I could do an physical inspection and if it had the ball indent front lock and all else was passable, it would be worth $400 to me.
Some builders cut obscure angles on the forcing cone and without a gauge, it might be hard to determine. I shot a similarly equipped post war 5 screw M&P (mine had the underlug) in revolver class in IPSC back in the 80’s. It was crazy accurate and fast. If I could do an physical inspection and if it had the ball indent front lock and all else was passable, it would be worth $400 to me.
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