Why send a Smith revolver to Karl Sokol?

[Jim Watson]

Why not just get a new hammer? You'd have to remove the old one anyway if you were going to try and add a new spur. And while you have the hammer off, get a new action job if you need it. In for a penny, in for a pound.

Because it has a very nice action already; smooth and light DAO.
If I could get a spur inset into the existing hammer it would save having to start over.

 

[C Islander]

I'm a big fan of 65's. Yours is a work of art!!

 

[BrianE]

I hear Karl does awesome work and by the looks of it, theyre right.... happy shooting!

 

[KLYDE]

That gun is an absolute work of art in both planning and execution. Just doesn't get any better than a fixed sight K frame.

How long did you have to wait for the build?

 

[UpTheHill]

How much does something like that cost?
Also, can guys like this take a revolver you are not really satisfied with, and make it the way S&W should have?

Karl is very reasonably priced. I've had him work a 617 that I used for bullseye shooting so that the double action pull was pure pleasure, I've also had him work on IDPA revolvers, and a carry revolver. he know what he's doing and does a great job listening to what you need and makes it happen.

 

[Hawgleg44]

That gun is an absolute work of art in both planning and execution. Just doesn't get any better than a fixed sight K frame.

How long did you have to wait for the build?

The time I had to wait for mine to get done wouldn't be the same for yours. I've been friends with Karl well over 20 years and I tell him the same thing every time I send a job to him. I have plenty of guns to carry so I tell him to work on my projects as fill-in jobs whenever he has spare time. When you email him about your specific jobs, he can let you know an approximate timeframe.

That said, he is a one man shop so keep that in mind. If he says it should be done in six weeks, DON'T start calling and emailing him on day 43 complaining your gun isn't delivered back to you yet! He has had customers like that before.

I look at custom work like this like I do my NFA stamps. I know approximately how long it will take, so I send it off and forget about it until I get the surprise that it's ready. If you call constantly checking the progress of your build, you are only taking time away from your build and making it take longer!

 

[Hawgleg44]

Because it has a very nice action already; smooth and light DAO.
If I could get a spur inset into the existing hammer it would save having to start over.

The amount of welding and blending that would have to be done to add a spur to an existing bobbed hammer would cost far more than installing and fitting a new hammer, then doing another action job.

 

[9mmsubgun-m11]

Beautiful piece of equipment!

 

[Squarebutt]

I knew Karl when he was here in MA, and have also had him work on a couple of 1911 guns since he went up to VT. He does superb work, whether it's a minor project or a full-house custom like the beautiful Model 65 above.

 

[j38]

Thoughtful mods, … executed with style. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Jerry

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

I know I'm digging this one up.

But had to say WOW! That is one sweet set up. Thanks for sharing.

Any chance on a up date? Ok, just an excuse for more photos.