The Kindness of Strangers

[Watchdog]

A little story here, if you don't mind. When I joined this forum about twenty months ago, I was hoping to learn about Smith & Wesson revolvers and anything relating to them. What I wasn't prepared for was the depth of member knowledge, their overall friendliness and willingness to help, and the almost total absence of all the B.S. I'd encountered on a couple of other gun forums.

So...a few days ago, there was a thread in another section of the forum. It concerned "unusual S&W grips". It was about the steel plates sometimes seen on the bottom of revolver stocks.

A forum member posted a photo of a couple of pair of stocks with the plates on them, and I casually replied that I'd sure like to have one of those buttplates.

Well, long story short, within a few minutes of my posting that, I received a PM from forum member Chris (aka CWH44300) saying I could have a pair of his N-Frame grips and their buttplate that were in the photograph.

Now, I'm not naturally a trusting person. I didn't understand his use of the word "have". Was he going to let me borrow them? Was he trying to sell them to me? Did he want me to return them once I saw what they looked like on one of my guns? What's going on here?

End of story? He gave them to me. No strings attached. No charge. Shipped them to me at no charge. I received them yesterday and was sort of (and continue to be) blown away by their appearance. They look much better in person than in the photograph that is in the thread. Within ten minutes of getting them home from the post office, they were on my 4-inch '64 Model 28-2! The change from the Smith checkered targets is dramatic...and the Smith checkered targets are beautiful stocks. But these stocks, along with the glistening buttplate, give the revolver a totally different look. I'm now considering getting some engraving done on the buttplate.

So. Thank you, Chris. I don't know what else to say. Maybe I can do something nice for you someday.

Oh, and that "whole different look" for the 28-2? I've included a photograph. See for yourselves.

 

[Comrad]

I bet he got as much pleasure out of giving as you did receiving.

Tis the season.

 

[weatherby]

Chris is a genuinely good guy.
I've had similar experiences here.
One in particular really stands out for me.
The Gentleman thought a special holster of his and a special gun of mine.
Belonged together. Some day my son will tell of how they came together.



Now about that son some members have been pretty good to him too.
This was from his first ever gun show.
He was invited behind the booth to handle the guns most dream of

 

[SAFireman]

Yup,

This forum has some of the best members that can be found anywhere on the net (or IRL).

Some time ago, I placed a WTB for a shooter grade model 58. One of the forum members shipped his first year nickel model 58 to my FFL the same day (before I had even gotten his check in the mail).

My father, and fellow forum member, posted photos of a gun that he had bought and within a day one of the members here had sent a VERY NICE custom holster down to him (because it belongs on that gun kind of deal).

There are a lot of really great gentlemen (and women) circulating around here.....maybe it's time for another karma thread from me....

Thanks y'all for making this a great place to visit.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

This is a very friendly and helpful forum. I've been helped out several times by generous members.

 

[Mr Pokeyman]

It was very generous of Chris to "give" you those grips, they are unreal. I have never seen or even heard of a butt plate. It is nice of you to give him the credit he deserves. Good for both of you. How about a little info on that great looking holster and belt?

 

[theoneff]

Nice job Chris and thanks for sharing the story Dog, Cheers to all, Ted

 

[sophie]

What a great story. I have never seen butt plates like those before and I like them. What a nice gift from Chris.

 

[CWH44300]

I'm glad you like them, they look great on your HP.
That whole rig is just plain, classy!

By the way,
I'm just doing what's been done to me, by some very high caliber members of this forum.

Thank you all for making this site, the best on net!

Chris

 

[Old Corp]

Can only agree about the high caliber (no pun) of our folks here.
A few years back, my - then 'grail gun', a M1955 Target .45 revolver appeared in a WTS ad here. I sent a PM and email with all the pertinent info, along with my dealer's FFL copy (I had it, 'cause I worked there).
Darned if the daggone gun was not ENROUTE before I could get a check started to the gentleman.

Please lets all keep it this way.....

 

[ginzo]

What a great place, lots of selfless people here, strangers no less. I like to think that as a rule it would be this way in day to day life, but mostly not. I refuse to participate in the ignorance, I still hold the door for strangers.


"I fear the day technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots."

― Albert Einstein

 

[Watchdog]

How about a little info on that great looking holster and belt?

The belt is El Paso Saddlery's lined Garrison Belt with border stamping. That's their Threepersons holster in crossdraw configuration. The holster is lined with pigskin and has a hammer thong instead of a retention strap. The rig also has a matching 12-round cartridge slide, but it isn't shown in the photograph.

 

[fthorsby]

Chris is right, that is a classy looking rig.

 

[snubbyfan]

Bunch of good people here.
A member here sent me a copy of PALADIN85020 aka John Marshall's book "101 Classic Firearms." Don't know she wants to remain annonymous or not but I will say that she's a Goddess.
Also thanks to certain forum members who ordered leatherwork from me, not only will we be able to notch up the heat a little this winter but I've got enough supplies to stock up my long neglected Etsy store.
I'm going to change the name, feel free to make a suggestion.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/406247-etsy-store.html

Stay tuned for a 10,000 post karma.

 

[CO_Kid]

When I first started shooting/buying guns, I was a big fan of anothr gun company that rhymes with "Holt". Came to this forum (under another name, forgot the password), met some great people, started buying and shooting Smith's and got hooked, both on the guns and the people.

 

[Boogsawaste]

I came to this site for the same reason. Looking for info. Love this place for the reasons listed. And I'd also like to thank Hapworth here publicly for sending me a strain screw the other day got a k frame of mine up and running. Went out of his way and sent it free if charge. Might just be a screw to some, but it's the thought that counts to me. So thank you Mr. Hapworth.

 

[muddocktor]

I've only been here a short while, but I have definitely felt that the friendliness and helpfulness for members here is much better than many other forums I've visited and participated in. And Chris, you are one stand up guy for doing this for Watchdog. I remember reading that thread not long ago and it was interesting. Those stocks and steel plate look "so right" on that 28-2 of Watchdogs.

 

[Mcwsky09]

I was going to send some magazine base plates I don't use to a member looking for them without asking for anything in return but another member beat me to it before I could find mine.

On a car forum I sent a member a printed manual that I had two copies of without asking for any money in return - even though the market value of the manual at the time was around $10 and it cost a buck-something to ship.

 

[BAM-BAM]

][/URL]

....... sure would like to have one of those................!










Worth a shot......LOL Weatherby and his secret stash was a great help in finding the right "shoes" for my 2 Model 34...... Thanks again!!!!



I sent a "Terrible towel"..... to a Steeler's fan in Australia earlier this fall. Got to help a fan who is literately half way around the world!!!!!

Sometimes the only bad thing about being on these forums is that we make friends but are often to far apart!

 

[bigmoose]

That El Paso crossdraw rig is the perfect way to display those outstanding grips and plate. Well done!!

 

[Watchdog]

That El Paso crossdraw rig is the perfect way to display those outstanding grips and plate. Well done!!

The crossdraw works well for me in situations where a strong side holster might be awkward. Like sitting at a table and especially when driving. And speaking only for myself, I've noticed that certain ways I stand or lean on things make the crossdraw more accessible than a strong side. Plus, if you want to, you can wear a crossdraw holster closer to the center line of your body than you can a strongside. Meaning that if you're right-handed and try to wear a strong side holster closer to your center line, you'll have to crimp your wrist some to make the draw. With the crossdraw, your right hand falls naturally to the grip. Just my opinion, you understand.

I think crossdraw fell out of favor for years, but I seem to be seeing a rekindling of interest in it lately. And when you get right down to it, there isn't a whole lot of difference between a waist-level crossdraw and a shoulder holster.

 

[JohnRippert]

You are correct. Lots of really good people here. I also agree with you on crossdraw holsters. They are my favorite.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Cross-draws are handy...... for driving.... but more importantly to me..... outdoor activities like ATVing or horse back riding ( concealed to semi-concealed)...I like the gun "up front" at 10 o'clock rather than my normal IWB at 4:30..... easier to get to and a better location to keep track of/protect you gun.

I like the Bianchi 511 for revolvers...... and about a year ago I discovered Kirkpatrick Leather's...... "Texas Cross-draw" well made (all double stitched) one works well with my 6906 and another one for my Beretta Compact or Centurion.

 

[Watchdog]

When I first started shooting/buying guns, I was a big fan of another gun company that rhymes with "Holt".

You're allowed to say "Colt" on this forum. I'm a big fan of the brand, myself. Always have been, always will be.

 

[Frank46]

And when you start talking about the 44 special that's when you know you have fallen into a group of folks that are special. Learned more about the three 44 specials from the fine people here and in a very short time. Frank

 

[Lt JL]

The butt plates were often added by officers who had to provide their own weapons. The plates protected the stocks from seat belt buckles, the car door jambs, any pretty much other environmental hazards. Look at photos of old cop service revolvers that did not have the plates, and you'll see what I mean. They were not for clobbering miscreants between the eyes.

 

[Watchdog]

The butt plates were often added by officers who had to provide their own weapons. They were not for clobbering miscreants between the eyes.

Miscreants...I've always liked that word. Don't see it used much any more.

 

[ginzo]

This could be the word of the day!

Miscreants...I've always liked that word. Don't see it used much any more.

 

[Mark6005]

Looks like a couple members had an early Christmas thanks to a couple other members. Nice to see

 

[H Richard]

You are right on about the Quality of the people on this forum. I have "met" many, and a few I have actually gotten to meet in person. It is really great when you can go to a foreign country and have a "internet friend" take you to their range and shoot. In a couple weeks I will be 800+ miles from home and will go shooting with another Forum member. I'll offer that if any of you are ever coming Quincy, IL area to call me if you want to go to a range.