Recent content by kpmtns

I was looking at a local shop today, and saw a used, 686 seven shot, round butt revolver that had its 3 inch barrel replaced with a 4 inch barrel. (The 3 inch barrel is also included.) everything looks great about the revolver. Should I have any concerns about the barrel swap? Is there anything...

Beautiful. I've wondered about the Ahrends grips. Not sure if the grooves fit my fingers, though.

For Father's Day, I got a 6" 686-3 in excellent condition. It looks hardly shot. The only downside is it didn't come with factory grips. Instead, it has Pachmayr finger groove grips (which feel pretty good, but don't look great to me). Factory target stocks are a bit too big for me, and I was...

Steve--I think you hit the nail on the head. I am normally fine with holster wear and other "normal" wear, but things like rust, pitting, and damage get under my skin a bit. I think I will pass, but will sleep on it first. Thanks for all the thoughtful replies.

It will be a pampered shooter, like about every one of my guns. I'm not buying to resell or flip it, but if I don't love a gun, I tend to get rid of it within a few months (to free up cash to buy something else) and I don't want to take a bath on it. So, I guess this one is sort of on the edge.

Sorry--my term "ding" means a little dent. In this case, it is a tiny flat spot where the "corner" of the end of the barrel got hit against something hard, and made a flat spot or slight indentation.

That's what I was thinking.

I found a 17-4 in 97% condition with standard grips, trigger, and hammer (no box or papers) for $560 firm. (Can't remember if it is pinned or not.) The only issue is that there is a 1.5 millimeter ding with no bluing on the edge of the muzzle (not on the crown, but on the outside edge). Would...

SOLD PENDING FUNDS. I am selling a pair of excellent++ N-frame Goncalo Alves Target grips with screw. Beautiful grain. Only blemish is a tiny 2mm spot in the varnish on the front side near the bottom (see photo) that can easily be repaired. Otherwise the grips are perfect with no scratches or...

Thanks, I'll let you know.

Not sure about matching s/n--need to go back and check, but let's assume they match for now. Grips are hard black rubber; no cracks or chips, but they have shrunk a tiny bit so that they are not tight against the frame, but have a very, very slight gap. I need to go back and measure the barrel...

I'm no stranger to SAAs and modern Colt and S&W revolvers, but need some help on a top-break. I found what appears to be a New Model No. 3 in .44 Russian at a pawn shop. It has basically no finish left, but the metal is in good shape with scattered shallow pitting on it. I'd like to know how to...

SOLD PENDING FUNDS I took in on trade a Smith and Wesson 629-6 Classic .44 Magnum with 6.5" barrel. I went out shooting with it today, and realized I'd rather have something different for paper punching. It would make a great hunting revolver. It is in excellent condition, with box and...

After playing around with some guns in the shop, I think true round butt grips are what I want--the conversions seem to have a lot of extra wood that doesn't do anything with my grip (except, perhaps, look very nice). I guess I'll order a pair new...

Come guys--someone has to have a pic of at least a stainless K or L frame round butt with Stags and a T-grip!