Holy Grail Revolver
- Thread starter SW351C
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I will not buy a handgun that I cannot or would not shoot. I may relegate a firearm to non-shooter status, due to a combination of well-earned sentimental value and rarity or unavailability of replacement parts, but if paying money for a new-to-me acquisition, it has to be something I am willing to fire.
I am not counting “wall-hangers” in the above statement, but I would hang a grail-quest gun on a wall, anyway.
ApacheCoTodd
member
I shoot most anything unless it is both unfired and carries a wildly inflated value as such.
Todd.
NeroM
Member
IMHO- shoot !!
Then fondle, while cleaning.
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
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- Dec 1, 2020
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Shoot it. Every chance I got. That’s why I want one.
Offhand McFlan
Member
Possibly a stainless Redhawk that could take every type of 45 imaginable, almost... and without moon clips. Hopefully that patent that Charter Arms has on the internal retention mechanism for rimmed ammo on the Pitbull will run out, and eventually be seen on bigger and better brands.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I've had three built. I'd still like to do a full coverage SAA.
The first was my Open Top. I had it fitted with TruIvory, carried it for several years and shot it a bunch. As a test mule for the next one, I had it engraved by Michael Gouse and refinished in carbona blue by Turnbull. Later had it fitted with real ivory.
Couple years later, I had Jack Huntington build me a .500JRH off a 50th anniversary .44 Blackhawk. Had it engraved and finished the same way. Ivory from the same tusk on both sixguns and the custom bowie. I also made an elephant hide rig to go with it.
Couple years after that, Jack did its stainless twin in .44Magnum. Rob Rowen did the grips of Dall sheephorn.
This one was a Grail Gun of sorts. A USFA Pre-war .44Spl that I sent to Nutmeg for ivory.
The first was my Open Top. I had it fitted with TruIvory, carried it for several years and shot it a bunch. As a test mule for the next one, I had it engraved by Michael Gouse and refinished in carbona blue by Turnbull. Later had it fitted with real ivory.
Couple years later, I had Jack Huntington build me a .500JRH off a 50th anniversary .44 Blackhawk. Had it engraved and finished the same way. Ivory from the same tusk on both sixguns and the custom bowie. I also made an elephant hide rig to go with it.
Couple years after that, Jack did its stainless twin in .44Magnum. Rob Rowen did the grips of Dall sheephorn.
This one was a Grail Gun of sorts. A USFA Pre-war .44Spl that I sent to Nutmeg for ivory.
I wanted a 1st Generation, black powder era 45 Colt SAA with a 4-3/4" barrel but the price of a clean example scared me off the idea. Then I discovered late production USFA single actions, made with all US sourced parts. I finally found this one and was told it was un-fired when I bought it. That lasted until I got to the range with a box of black powder hand loads.
When the above picture was taken it had digested a hundred rounds or so. Since then the round count is approaching 500. I will keep shooting it as long as I am able and can find components to load ammunition.
Dave
When the above picture was taken it had digested a hundred rounds or so. Since then the round count is approaching 500. I will keep shooting it as long as I am able and can find components to load ammunition.
Dave
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
USFA did such a good job with timing and bolt fitment, you can barely tell it's been turned. My 12/22 has probably 5000rds through it but it looks unfired unless you get your eyeball close to the notches.
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
This WAS one my grail guns. I decided to drop it from my list. I just found one for sale here in California for $2800...please!
My “grail guns” are very simple.
I already have one of them. A Colt Detective Special. Mine is even more special because it was actually carried as a Detective’s duty gun.
My other grail guns:
S&W model 27-2 or earlier
1905 S&W in .38 Special with a 6” barrel
Colt’s New Service in .45 Colt.
I did want a model of the 1917 S&W or Colt but I finally just gave up on that.
I have a couple of other Grail Guns that aren’t revolvers. I also have a list of revolvers that I want that aren’t “grail guns”. The guns I listed above I have wanted for a long time.
I had no idea what my Grail revolvers would be until I saw them.. two minutes ago. ^^^^
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
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Not a revolver but definitely a Grail Gun: AR-14. I'd love to have one.
MacAR
Member
Pretty simple, really:
Colt SAA 2nd gen, 44 Special.
Colt New Service, see above. Or maybe one of the 357 conversions... naw, it's gotta be 44.
S&W Hand Ejector, also in 44.
And one other, non-revolver: Colt Government Model 1911, 45 acp.
I'm a hopeless romantic, I guess. But I sure do like those big old 44 wheelguns.
Mac
Colt SAA 2nd gen, 44 Special.
Colt New Service, see above. Or maybe one of the 357 conversions... naw, it's gotta be 44.
S&W Hand Ejector, also in 44.
And one other, non-revolver: Colt Government Model 1911, 45 acp.
I'm a hopeless romantic, I guess. But I sure do like those big old 44 wheelguns.
Mac
Not a revolver but definitely a Grail Gun: AR-14. I'd love to have one.
Well if you get one it will certainly be a rarity. Maybe even a one-of-a-kind! LOL
Dave
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
When PSA offered their "Angry Joe" AR14 lowers, I came this close to ordering one.Not a revolver but definitely a Grail Gun: AR-14. I'd love to have one.
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
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- 11,032
I may not be able to buy one if I find it. They are probably fully semi automatic.
Monac
Member
If we are counting imaginary guns, then I want a top break. It could be either an eight shot 22LR /22 Magnum, a six shot 32 Magnum, or a five shot 38 Special +P - I'd be good with any of them. Just as long as it had S&W style adjustable sights, a Hopkins & Allen style scissors-lock for the top strap, and looked something like an H&R 999. Make mine with a four inch barrel, okay?
If it's a real gun, then maybe a German Mayer & Sohne top break 32 Long revolver with a spare 22 rimfire barrel and cylinder: https://www.waffen-pfandleihhaus.de/beschreibungen/n1103.html
Fat chance. I don't think they were made very long, and I don't think any of them were sent to the USA. Also, they may be a largely cast-zinc gun like the Arminius revolvers, so they may not be as good as this one looks. BTW, can anyone tell from the cylinder flutes if this is a 5 or 6 shot gun?
Second choice: a Smith & Wesson 32 Regulation Police Target: https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/72/2360/sw-32-regulation-police-postwar-target-revolver
But not one like that. I don't like to own guns that are both rare and mint, because I don't have the ability to shoot them (or even handle them) and keep them mint. And banging them up drives me nuts. I'd rather have one that's been around the block a few times already.
As I understand it S&W put together about 200 of them together in the 1950's from pre-war parts, so they are priced like an aircraft carrier when they turn up.
If it's a real gun, then maybe a German Mayer & Sohne top break 32 Long revolver with a spare 22 rimfire barrel and cylinder: https://www.waffen-pfandleihhaus.de/beschreibungen/n1103.html
Fat chance. I don't think they were made very long, and I don't think any of them were sent to the USA. Also, they may be a largely cast-zinc gun like the Arminius revolvers, so they may not be as good as this one looks. BTW, can anyone tell from the cylinder flutes if this is a 5 or 6 shot gun?
Second choice: a Smith & Wesson 32 Regulation Police Target: https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/72/2360/sw-32-regulation-police-postwar-target-revolver
But not one like that. I don't like to own guns that are both rare and mint, because I don't have the ability to shoot them (or even handle them) and keep them mint. And banging them up drives me nuts. I'd rather have one that's been around the block a few times already.
As I understand it S&W put together about 200 of them together in the 1950's from pre-war parts, so they are priced like an aircraft carrier when they turn up.
Biblethumpncop
Member
- Joined
- May 22, 2009
- Messages
- 402
For a couple of decades, the gun I wanted but never actively pursued is the S&W model 65 3" Ladysmith. The enclosed ejection rod and round butt are what set it apart from the rest of the 3" Smiths. I was reminded of it yesterday when I saw one pop up locally. I haven't bought it but I'm tempted...
aarondhgraham
Member
For me, being as I have a love for matching rimfire/centerfire handguns,,,
My Grail Gun is a Smith & Wesson Model 45.
It's a plain Jane S&W K-frame,,,
Essentially a Model 10 chambered in .22 LR.
The last one Is saw on Gunbroker was in pristine condition,,,
The buy-it-now price was 2,300 bucks.
Back around 2005 or so,,,
I had the chance to buy a very nice one for 900 bucks,,,
I foolishly passed on it and have been kicking myself ever since then.
Aarond
.
My Grail Gun is a Smith & Wesson Model 45.
It's a plain Jane S&W K-frame,,,
Essentially a Model 10 chambered in .22 LR.
The last one Is saw on Gunbroker was in pristine condition,,,
The buy-it-now price was 2,300 bucks.
Back around 2005 or so,,,
I had the chance to buy a very nice one for 900 bucks,,,
I foolishly passed on it and have been kicking myself ever since then.
Aarond
.
Arkansas Paul
Member
I have 2 grail guns on the list.
I would shoot them both, though one more than the other.
I want a 1st generation SAA in good shootable condition. It would be taken out and shot occasionally.
Also I would like a custom job. Ruger .44 magnum, tuned right with a banded barrel. Nice grips from Rowen. All the nice touches.
One day.
LOLBELL
Member
This is my Holy Grail. It’s a 327 Blackhawk made from “oops” parts. To date it remains unfired. When I get a hankering to shoot a 327 Blackhawk I break out its all stainless brother.The story behind this revolver is when the Blackhawks were being made carbon steel was loaded to cut the cylinders and 60 some odd were cut before the mistake was realized. Ruger, not being one to waste anything built and offered to employees the “Zebra”, or Pinto as my sons call it. It’s stainless except for the cylinder and ejector rod and housing.
I acquired it from a gun shop owner who had bought it from an employee.
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