PPC Revolver Pics
- Thread starter SPDGG
- Start date
Just recently found this one and I think it's pretty cool!
Bill Davis Custom PPC done on a 1982 Ruger Security Six in two tone blued and old school hard chrome.
What I hope to do next (in addition to punching some paper…) is to dig through my boxed-up archive of old gun magazines to try and nail down a closer date as to when this build might have been commissioned and the price tag on such a job.
I've got a few custom PPC revolvers and this one is likely in the highest condition of all.
*EDIT* whoa those last two images are both in wacky sizes, sorry about that.
Bill Davis Custom PPC done on a 1982 Ruger Security Six in two tone blued and old school hard chrome.
What I hope to do next (in addition to punching some paper…) is to dig through my boxed-up archive of old gun magazines to try and nail down a closer date as to when this build might have been commissioned and the price tag on such a job.
I've got a few custom PPC revolvers and this one is likely in the highest condition of all.
*EDIT* whoa those last two images are both in wacky sizes, sorry about that.
Your digging may yield more than mine, but here goes. I have 1982 Davis price list that shows a stainless Grade III build at $460. Davis would start with either a fixed sight Smith or Ruger as a basis, at the same price.
Simple enough so far, but the additional custom work to make yours into a pinto would be additional. Therein dwells the wild card. Perhaps an expensive one.
My two PPC revolvers are built up on stainless Ruger Six series. They were built up by Greg Roberts, who was in Santa Cruz CA at the time.
Not too long after I had bought my first one, I was practicing with another shooter, a top shooter who was always in the upper reaches of the Governor's 20 in CA (far, far above me). At one point his revolver, also built by Greg on a Smith model 14, jammed. My colleague opened it up and found that one of the frame mounted pivot pins had sheared off. This would necessitate a trip to Dr. Roberts. My colleague remarked that in a match he would be out of luck as this was his only PPC revolver.
My bride was there and witnessed this. On the way home she told me to order another PPC revolver to have a back up. So I had Greg build me a duplicate. For a few years this one went to the matches too, just in case. But just in case never came, so I got lazy about carrying it with me.
Just in case never did come. When LE and teaching responsibilities ran me out of time and I dropped out of competition in '84, the back up got retired too. So besides my primary I also had, and have, a brand new PPC revolver.
My extremely thoughtful and generous bride is still by my side, and still just as thoughtful and generous.
Simple enough so far, but the additional custom work to make yours into a pinto would be additional. Therein dwells the wild card. Perhaps an expensive one.
My two PPC revolvers are built up on stainless Ruger Six series. They were built up by Greg Roberts, who was in Santa Cruz CA at the time.
Not too long after I had bought my first one, I was practicing with another shooter, a top shooter who was always in the upper reaches of the Governor's 20 in CA (far, far above me). At one point his revolver, also built by Greg on a Smith model 14, jammed. My colleague opened it up and found that one of the frame mounted pivot pins had sheared off. This would necessitate a trip to Dr. Roberts. My colleague remarked that in a match he would be out of luck as this was his only PPC revolver.
My bride was there and witnessed this. On the way home she told me to order another PPC revolver to have a back up. So I had Greg build me a duplicate. For a few years this one went to the matches too, just in case. But just in case never came, so I got lazy about carrying it with me.
Just in case never did come. When LE and teaching responsibilities ran me out of time and I dropped out of competition in '84, the back up got retired too. So besides my primary I also had, and have, a brand new PPC revolver.
My extremely thoughtful and generous bride is still by my side, and still just as thoughtful and generous.
She knew that it was much like a snowblower! If you dig out the wallet and throw fat money at a snowblower in the fall, you can expect a series of mild winters without enough snow to ever fire up that machine. So goes a custom PPC backup! Not all too different than a sketchy forecast during a motorcycle trip, we would simply open that day WEARING the rain gear, almost ensuring we'd never see any tangible rain! 
As to the works of Bill Davis, I have read where he thought it was silly to use adjustable sight revolvers as a base, so the legend was that if you had a Davis built on a 14, 15 or 67, it was an owner-supplied base gun. This Ruger is a Service Six, so perhaps this was commissioned on the buyer's supplied base gun. If that's the case, I would assume he did the build somewhat later in the 1980's, but I do very much appreciate the insight from your 1982 price schedule— and fantastic story from your bride!
As to the works of Bill Davis, I have read where he thought it was silly to use adjustable sight revolvers as a base, so the legend was that if you had a Davis built on a 14, 15 or 67, it was an owner-supplied base gun. This Ruger is a Service Six, so perhaps this was commissioned on the buyer's supplied base gun. If that's the case, I would assume he did the build somewhat later in the 1980's, but I do very much appreciate the insight from your 1982 price schedule— and fantastic story from your bride!
Agree on the snowblower concept. Same principle, but we prefer Honda snowthrowers for their manueverability. We have three, plus various manual devices (such as Canadian snow scoops). If they don't happen to see much use at some given period, that is acceptable for the peace of mind when we do need them. And inevitably we do.
I don't recall reading Davis' stated preference for fix sighted base revolvers, Smith or Ruger, but he was, of course, right.
Given that, I would agree with your guess that yours was built up on a customer's gun.
My back up was also built up on a Security Six because I did not even notice it when I bought the revolver. Greg Roberts did the same relief of the bottom rear of the Bomar rib to clear the backstrap as Davis did.
Regardless of source, that pinto appearance is very atrractive.
I don't recall reading Davis' stated preference for fix sighted base revolvers, Smith or Ruger, but he was, of course, right.
Given that, I would agree with your guess that yours was built up on a customer's gun.
My back up was also built up on a Security Six because I did not even notice it when I bought the revolver. Greg Roberts did the same relief of the bottom rear of the Bomar rib to clear the backstrap as Davis did.
Regardless of source, that pinto appearance is very atrractive.
Found this one searching Gun Broker for "Wilson Combat" guns (1911's) in 2016 and I knew it was something I had to buy just for the name and the way she looks.
Kinda been a safe queen - but took her out a few times and it's a tack driver.
You can find some info about the PPC guns Wilson built … model 10's built between '83-'90 with a google search - but not a lot of info.
Never shot PPC till this year with my buddy (retired sheriff now 93 and still shooting) who has been shooting PPC forever and is an accomplished shooter.
So far I've been shooting service matches with an auto - last time out with my 952 - but plan on giving this blaster a try sometime
Kinda been a safe queen - but took her out a few times and it's a tack driver.
You can find some info about the PPC guns Wilson built … model 10's built between '83-'90 with a google search - but not a lot of info.
Never shot PPC till this year with my buddy (retired sheriff now 93 and still shooting) who has been shooting PPC forever and is an accomplished shooter.
So far I've been shooting service matches with an auto - last time out with my 952 - but plan on giving this blaster a try sometime
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Palmetto Sharpshooter
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My first PPC revolver. Built by Plaza Gunworks 1988.
Palmetto Sharpshooter
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My second and favorite PPC revolver.
Palmetto Sharpshooter
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My third PPC revolver. Built by George Wessinger. It was a beautiful gun. I just couldn't get accustomed to it.
Palmetto Sharpshooter
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My fourth and final PPC revolver. It's another Bill Davis Grade IV. I liked it a lot but not as much as my first David Grade IV. I'm not sure exactly why because I shot some of my personal bests with it.
AJ
US Veteran
Looks kind of like my old Behlert. Mine has seen a lot of miles and rounds through it.
Palmetto Sharpshooter
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Tell us more about the extractor rod. It looks like a 2" extractor rod with a 4" center pin.
AJ
US Veteran
Will take some close ups tomorrow.
AJ
US Veteran
As promised:
As you can see the revolver is well used. The previous owner shot a lot of PPC with it. Still functions and shoots as if new. My only complaint is that there is no knob/button on the end of the ejector rod. The only change that I made was to put on original S&W Combat grips that a friend gave me.
AJ
US Veteran
I noted it was missing a knob/button on the end of the ejector rod. It can be rather hard on your hand to punch it hard to eject the spent rounds. If you just use your thumb it is not bad. Bt the looks of it that was the way it was made. No marks on the rod to indicate there was ever something there. May be that is how it was ordered by the original owner or just the way Behlert made it.
Palmetto Sharpshooter
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If it was mine, I'd buy an extractor rod for a full size k-frame and install it.
AJ
US Veteran
It is not a gun that I shoot all the time. I just push in the ejector rod with my thumb. As far as I know this is how Behlert built it, so will leave it as is.
Can someone explain to me, the different Bill Davis Grades and Names he has for his various PPC revolvers? (Maybe I should start a different thread). I've seen "Bill Davis" barrels fitted to revolvers here in Australia but I doubt any of his full custom handguns made it out to here. I had always assumed the barrels where just imported as Parts. Besides his name engraved on the barrel, how else could you tell that you are buying a genuine Bill Davis PPC revolver and not just an Aussie gunsmiths customised S&W with a Bill Davis barrel?
I'd also be interested in learning about the development of his grips/stocks. Plenty of these have come to Australia. Thanks.
I'd also be interested in learning about the development of his grips/stocks. Plenty of these have come to Australia. Thanks.
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