.......let me throw in some comments. This forum is a dangerous place, it puts ideas in your mind and that is bad when your dealing with an old, feeble mind like mine.
As with most of us we spend a long time looking for the perfect carry handgun. In spite of the countless arguments pro or con about platforms, brands, calibers ect.,with some pretty impressive folks behind some of these stances on this gun or that one it still boils down to what works for you the individual.
I have learned after starting my LE career in1976 that I am best suited for revolvers, Smith & Wesson revolvers to be specific. I have also learned I am very comfortable with the .38 / .357 magnum calibers. Have also learned that the 3 inch K frame is pretty near perfection for my use.
I have also found grips, holsters and other accessories that work for me and enhance the performance and use.
I have also found that good , very good Gunsmiths/Craftsmen can greatly enhance your hand held firearms. Had very good luck with Cylinder & Slide, Nighthawk, and a couple of others.
Wanted to own a revolver with a checkered backstrap since seeing examples with that modification many years ago and that desire was reseurected by Cowboy Bob and other examples shown on the forum.
As I was looking for some one to perform this work I wondered if there was someone close to this part of the country that would be good to do this work.
I called Bob Reeves and asked him if Nighthawk would do this and he told me no but provided the name of a new young custom gunsmith in SW Mo. Dustin Housel, HS Custom. That name sounded familiar and then I remembered a recent article by Roy Huntington in "American Handgunner" about this young man and how impressed he was with him and his work.
There you go 2 gentleman whose opinions about firearms that I listen to and I trust had both reccomended Dustin. Made the call and could not have been more pleased than I was when I met him. As Roy said in his article Dustin has a passion for firearms combined with incredible talent and best of all for me a strong interest in revolvers and innovations and custom work on them that has gone on for years.
He is on board the train bound for carry gun perfection and every file stroke he performs strives for that goal.
I can not recommend this young man strongly enough !
Thank you Dustin . I plan on other projects headed your way in the future.
