Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
Mods, I put this one in the general handgun forum since it's talking about many items. You may want to move it if you feel there is a better place for it.
I just wanted to share this as it may help someone picking out their first revolver, and remind them that a stock revolver need not remain so.
The first handgun I bought was a Ruger SP-101 in .357, and it has been my primary carry gun for 4 years. For a revolver, it carries nicely IWB and is totally reliable. There are a bazillion threads singing the praises of the Ruger SP-101 and their durability, and I agree with those positive posts, so I'm just going to leave it at that and state that I think these guns can not be over glorified for a small framed .357. There are a few modifications that a person can add later on if they are on a budget though, and still end up with a really fine and classy carry piece. That's not to say that SP-101's aren't fine pieces to begin with. They certainly are, and they scream "practical" with every shot.
The first alteration I did was to hand polish the gun while watching the television. It's easy to do, and it's kind of therapeutic. I liken it to a gun enthusiast's version of knitting. I used Mother's Mag Polish and the shine on this gun is the result of about 25 hours worth of rubbing it down by hand. It isn't difficult to do. I can actually see my reflection in the barrel now with some detail.
Next was the grips. I have a set of CT laser grips I put on her when I carry it, but for the range, and general presentation, I put a set of Badger Custom Grips on. Badger is a great company to order from. The grips are top notch in quality, they are comfortable, they are rugged, and they arrived very quickly after I ordered them. I believe it was less than a week. If you've ever thought about buying from them and aren't sure, hesitate no longer, as they are well worth the money.
Finally, I've been carrying this gun in a Galco single clip IWB holster since I got it. It carries nicely in that holster and the Galco price is very reasonable. I recently picked up a Springfield XDS and well, with an extra round, and a much slimmer profile for IWB carry, it is likely going to take over my CCW need. So the Ruger has now become a trail gun for me which means I really don't need to conceal it. In fact, with the very high population of mountain lions here, I absolutely should be open carrying this gun with the heaviest and hottest .357 loads I can handle. So, a new holster was in order that makes the gun more comfortable to shoot. So, being the prideful descendant of an Irishman that I am, I began searching for a hip holster made of leather with a Celtic carving on it. This, and many good reviews lead me to Simply Rugged Holsters.
These guys really get an A++ in my book. I asked them about a holster they had on their website for a larger revolver that appeared to have Celtic knot work, border stamping, and basket weaving on it and asked if I needed to select all three options on mine to get one that looked the same as the one pictures. I was promptly contacted and informed that the smaller holster I was ordering had little room for basket weaving in addition to the Celtic knot, but if I said I wanted it, they would try and make it fit.
After sleeping on it I decided that I'd just go with the knot and border stamping. I received the holster 3 weeks later, and considering they say it will take 6 weeks, that was great! I opened the box, and the holster had all three options on it. So they sent me a fantastic quality leather pancake holster that looks like it will last a lifetime, that fits the gun like a glove, straps to my side like it was the thing missing from my hip forever, with absolutely beautiful carving and stamping, with a $30 option added that they didn't charge me for............ in half the time they said was needed to fill the order! In my book, customer service doesn't get any better than that! If you need a quality leather pancake holster, these guys are great, and I would definitely buy from them again. If you have ever had any reservations about buying from them, cast those reservations aside.
I just wanted to provide a little free advertising to four great companies that deserve our business. This is just my opinion and experience. I hope yours does not vary. Ruger firearms are superb in form, function, fit, and price. Mother's Mag Polish does a great job of shining them up. Badger Grips make for comfortable and beautiful shooting options. Simply Rugged makes them easy to carry, and is the icing on the cake. Thumbs up to all of these companies.
Now that is a classy looking carry piece if I do say so myself, and it is finally what I want it to be....... an heirloom. On to the next project!!!!!
I just wanted to share this as it may help someone picking out their first revolver, and remind them that a stock revolver need not remain so.
The first handgun I bought was a Ruger SP-101 in .357, and it has been my primary carry gun for 4 years. For a revolver, it carries nicely IWB and is totally reliable. There are a bazillion threads singing the praises of the Ruger SP-101 and their durability, and I agree with those positive posts, so I'm just going to leave it at that and state that I think these guns can not be over glorified for a small framed .357. There are a few modifications that a person can add later on if they are on a budget though, and still end up with a really fine and classy carry piece. That's not to say that SP-101's aren't fine pieces to begin with. They certainly are, and they scream "practical" with every shot.
The first alteration I did was to hand polish the gun while watching the television. It's easy to do, and it's kind of therapeutic. I liken it to a gun enthusiast's version of knitting. I used Mother's Mag Polish and the shine on this gun is the result of about 25 hours worth of rubbing it down by hand. It isn't difficult to do. I can actually see my reflection in the barrel now with some detail.
Next was the grips. I have a set of CT laser grips I put on her when I carry it, but for the range, and general presentation, I put a set of Badger Custom Grips on. Badger is a great company to order from. The grips are top notch in quality, they are comfortable, they are rugged, and they arrived very quickly after I ordered them. I believe it was less than a week. If you've ever thought about buying from them and aren't sure, hesitate no longer, as they are well worth the money.
Finally, I've been carrying this gun in a Galco single clip IWB holster since I got it. It carries nicely in that holster and the Galco price is very reasonable. I recently picked up a Springfield XDS and well, with an extra round, and a much slimmer profile for IWB carry, it is likely going to take over my CCW need. So the Ruger has now become a trail gun for me which means I really don't need to conceal it. In fact, with the very high population of mountain lions here, I absolutely should be open carrying this gun with the heaviest and hottest .357 loads I can handle. So, a new holster was in order that makes the gun more comfortable to shoot. So, being the prideful descendant of an Irishman that I am, I began searching for a hip holster made of leather with a Celtic carving on it. This, and many good reviews lead me to Simply Rugged Holsters.
These guys really get an A++ in my book. I asked them about a holster they had on their website for a larger revolver that appeared to have Celtic knot work, border stamping, and basket weaving on it and asked if I needed to select all three options on mine to get one that looked the same as the one pictures. I was promptly contacted and informed that the smaller holster I was ordering had little room for basket weaving in addition to the Celtic knot, but if I said I wanted it, they would try and make it fit.
After sleeping on it I decided that I'd just go with the knot and border stamping. I received the holster 3 weeks later, and considering they say it will take 6 weeks, that was great! I opened the box, and the holster had all three options on it. So they sent me a fantastic quality leather pancake holster that looks like it will last a lifetime, that fits the gun like a glove, straps to my side like it was the thing missing from my hip forever, with absolutely beautiful carving and stamping, with a $30 option added that they didn't charge me for............ in half the time they said was needed to fill the order! In my book, customer service doesn't get any better than that! If you need a quality leather pancake holster, these guys are great, and I would definitely buy from them again. If you have ever had any reservations about buying from them, cast those reservations aside.
I just wanted to provide a little free advertising to four great companies that deserve our business. This is just my opinion and experience. I hope yours does not vary. Ruger firearms are superb in form, function, fit, and price. Mother's Mag Polish does a great job of shining them up. Badger Grips make for comfortable and beautiful shooting options. Simply Rugged makes them easy to carry, and is the icing on the cake. Thumbs up to all of these companies.
Now that is a classy looking carry piece if I do say so myself, and it is finally what I want it to be....... an heirloom. On to the next project!!!!!
shucks 
