BobR1
Member
I would imagine everyone has heard of Power Custom. You see their name on Gunsmithing Jigs, and Fixtures, as well as all kinds of aftermarket parts for 10-22's, Blackhawks, etc. in the Brownells and Midway Catalogs. What some of the younger readers probably do not know is that Ron Power has been building match revolvers for something like 40 years. He was proclaimed the #1 Revolver Smith in the World by the Pistol Smith Guild at one time from what I understand.
Ron is probably best known for his PPC revolver work. He also works on Action and Combat DA Revolvers, as well as Single Actions. From the boxes of disassembled guns on his work bench, it looks like he is staying busy on Single Action Rugers lately. Over the years I have had him do his Power Custom Combat work on a 4" 686, a 5" 610, and a 3" 625. He worked on the 625 twice. After the original build, I had him rebarrel it to a 5" for an IDPA gun.
THIS VISIT
I had decided to put my original 3" barrel back on my 625-2, and start carrying it in my CCW gun rotation. I called Ron up to see if he could work me in. I figured I would take a few other revolvers I needed various things tweeked on along with me.
Ron did the barrel change on the Power Custom Combat 625-2 without a hitch. Ron unscrewed the 5 inch and screwed on the 3 inch barrel. Perfect frame alignment, and a perfect barrel cylinder gap. This took about 10 minutes including locating the tools.
Next up was the Power Custom Combat 610. I had Meprolite night sights installed on it several years ago, that had went South over time. I wanted a new Rear Sight Blade installed on it. Ron ended up installing a complete rear sight. Ron checked his baby out, and corrected some end shake while he was at it. Back in as good a condition as when he first finished it for me.
Next up was my 64-2 Project Gun. I had already slicked up the inside a little and installed a spring kit. I had Ron Chamfered the Chambers, and do the Ball Lock modification to it. This was a 31 year old 64-2. Ron checked it out, and corrected some end shake, and adjusted the Yoke Alignment on it. Ron also discovered an extractor alignment pin missing. Out came his box of pins, and he replaced it while we were at it. Ron told me he had been using the same cutter to chamfer cylinders for the last 40 years.
Last up was my 617. I had installed a .250 Fiber Optic Front Sight on it a while back. The .250 fiber optic sight was too tall. I figured the best correction would be a taller rear sight blade. Ron got out his box of S&W rear sights and a dial caliper, and found me a taller sight, and installed it. Problem solved.
I got to watch every step of the work being performed. It is a great experiance watching a Real Master work. I was with him while he did his Power Custom Combat work on my 686 and 625 several years ago. No secrets, just a Master Gunsmith, and Inventor who knows exactly what needs done, and does it flawlessly.
After we were finished with my revolvers Ron gave me the tour of his newly constructed facilities. Last time I was up his shop was in the basement of his house. His new facilities are pretty impressive. Right down to the two 1050 Dillon reloaders set up and operational in the show room.
During the tour, I had my hands on the new Ruger Factory 25 round 10-22 magazines that are not out yet. They looked very good by the way. I am sure they will be a best seller as soon as they hit the shelves. Ron's new 10-22 Replacement Match Trigger assembly was also very impressive.
It is a good thing I live 140 miles away from Power Custom, or I would never get anything done around the house.
Bob
Ron is probably best known for his PPC revolver work. He also works on Action and Combat DA Revolvers, as well as Single Actions. From the boxes of disassembled guns on his work bench, it looks like he is staying busy on Single Action Rugers lately. Over the years I have had him do his Power Custom Combat work on a 4" 686, a 5" 610, and a 3" 625. He worked on the 625 twice. After the original build, I had him rebarrel it to a 5" for an IDPA gun.
THIS VISIT
I had decided to put my original 3" barrel back on my 625-2, and start carrying it in my CCW gun rotation. I called Ron up to see if he could work me in. I figured I would take a few other revolvers I needed various things tweeked on along with me.
Ron did the barrel change on the Power Custom Combat 625-2 without a hitch. Ron unscrewed the 5 inch and screwed on the 3 inch barrel. Perfect frame alignment, and a perfect barrel cylinder gap. This took about 10 minutes including locating the tools.
Next up was the Power Custom Combat 610. I had Meprolite night sights installed on it several years ago, that had went South over time. I wanted a new Rear Sight Blade installed on it. Ron ended up installing a complete rear sight. Ron checked his baby out, and corrected some end shake while he was at it. Back in as good a condition as when he first finished it for me.
Next up was my 64-2 Project Gun. I had already slicked up the inside a little and installed a spring kit. I had Ron Chamfered the Chambers, and do the Ball Lock modification to it. This was a 31 year old 64-2. Ron checked it out, and corrected some end shake, and adjusted the Yoke Alignment on it. Ron also discovered an extractor alignment pin missing. Out came his box of pins, and he replaced it while we were at it. Ron told me he had been using the same cutter to chamfer cylinders for the last 40 years.
Last up was my 617. I had installed a .250 Fiber Optic Front Sight on it a while back. The .250 fiber optic sight was too tall. I figured the best correction would be a taller rear sight blade. Ron got out his box of S&W rear sights and a dial caliper, and found me a taller sight, and installed it. Problem solved.
I got to watch every step of the work being performed. It is a great experiance watching a Real Master work. I was with him while he did his Power Custom Combat work on my 686 and 625 several years ago. No secrets, just a Master Gunsmith, and Inventor who knows exactly what needs done, and does it flawlessly.
After we were finished with my revolvers Ron gave me the tour of his newly constructed facilities. Last time I was up his shop was in the basement of his house. His new facilities are pretty impressive. Right down to the two 1050 Dillon reloaders set up and operational in the show room.
During the tour, I had my hands on the new Ruger Factory 25 round 10-22 magazines that are not out yet. They looked very good by the way. I am sure they will be a best seller as soon as they hit the shelves. Ron's new 10-22 Replacement Match Trigger assembly was also very impressive.
It is a good thing I live 140 miles away from Power Custom, or I would never get anything done around the house.
Bob
