Higher-end revolvers?

[SaxonPig]

I suggest a S&W Registered Magnum. An example with some surface rust and missing stocks will cost about $3,000.

Decent, with an old factory refinish will run in the $5,000 neighborhood.

Good original blue, uncommon features or barrel length and you're talking $10,000.

Original box and tools makes it a $15,000 - $20,000 gun. Add maybe $5,000 if the registration certificate is there.

That high end enough?

 

[Chuck Dye]

Bowen Classic Arms

 

[PzGren]

The grips were custom made. No, I do not use high end ammo, yet. I use CCI and a 9 ring average bulls-eye style is good enough for practice.

 

[PzGren]

I suggest a S&W Registered Magnum. An example with some surface rust and missing stocks will cost about $3,000.

........
That high end enough?
__________________

High end or high priced collectible?????

 

[AJD]

US Firearms

http://www.gunblast.com/Cumpston_USFA-PreWar.htm

I was inclined to start looking for my own second generation Colt when a conversation with premier revolversmith, Hamilton Bowen, changed the equation entirely. Bowen had been using the USFA revolvers as a favored basis for his custom single actions, replacing the Italian lock work with domestic parts. Now, not only are the frames and barrels produced domestically, but the company has abandoned the brittle action parts in favor of high quality American components. Current examples Bowen had examined exhibited perfect fit, finish and timing as well as careful attention to barrel/chamber measurements. Bowen summed it up in this wise: “There is really nothing that needs to be done to them.”

 

[mtngunr]

USFA's are properly dimensioned in bore/chamber-throat relationships, and look about as nice inside as any pre-WWI revolver....

 

[.38 Special]

Don't forget the Triple Lock. It -- and the registered Magnum -- are in fact very nicely put together guns with top-notch craftsmanship and finish. They're not just "collector's" guns that are considered valuable only because they are rare and old.

As for the OP's question, I think he's silly. He wants to know what's nicer than stock S&W, but won't count Performance Center guns because of the lock, and also doesn't count the Korth because, apparently, it's too nice. So maybe I'll play as soon as the OP finishes out his list of arbitrary disqualifications.

 

[PzGren]

-Freedom Arms
-Pre 2001 S&W
-Current Ruger with smith work
-?
-?
-?

I was never happy with any pre-2001 S&W revolver until the action was improved and the gun often needed little adjustments. Worst were the guns from the period with the darn floating hand! My 629 Classic Hunter and 686 CS1 had that stupid thing!

Despite the lock, a Performance Center gun will do better than 98% of shooters will be able to appreciate, not even make use of.

And a Korth does not cost it's weight in gold, a good 1911 is not a really cheaper. Add to the list:

-Freedom Arms
-Pre 2001 S&W
-Current Ruger with smith work
-? S&W Performance Center
-? Korth
-? Colt Python
- USAF
- Colt SAA

However, I would really not call a pre 2001 S&W revolver higher end, they did set the standard being the most common handgun for a long period of time! And that in itself isn't necessariy negative and the very reason why I have a few of them in my humble accumulation of shooters.

 

[SaxonPig]

Pz- You would be hard pressed to find a better made revolver than the pre-war Magnum S&Ws (a Colt Python from the 1950s or early 1960s would be a close race). They were hand-built with total commitment to top quality fit and finish. The blue on an original RM has to be seen to be believed.

Collectible? I suppose. But I am not a collector. I have a 4" RM that I shoot regularly and even use sometimes for my carry gun.

 

[PzGren]

I had the pleasure to shoot a couple of them over the years. The problem that I see is that the prices reflect disprortionate collector value .

Yes, they are nice! The finish and fit is completely different from today's standards but considering metallurgical advancements, and all other things considered , I will go a different route.

I admit, even at their time, the registered Magnums were not standard quality but top notch - and they still are but at a very high price due to their collectability.

 

[bluetopper]

I wished Freedom made a double-action revolver. The S/A grip just doesn't fit me.

 

[mec]

Factory built: Freedom Arms, Korth, USFA, STI Texican.

Custom: Google up the American Pistolsmith's Guild and study the member specialties/web pages. Avoid other "custom smiths" except for Clements and Alan Horton.

 

[Redhawk1]

Custom: Google up the American Pistolsmith's Guild and study the member specialties/web pages. Avoid other "custom smiths" except for Clements and Alan Horton.

And why is that?

Jack Huntington and Gary Reeder are very good custom gun smiths.

 

[mec]

Huntington Revolver

custom ruger by Alex Hamilton, Ten Ring Precision (APG) with engraving by Tommy Kaye and grips by Roy Fishpaw. Finish by Turnbull Restorations .

Bowen Classic Arms (APG)

Reeder revolver

Reeder Revolver.

 

[JohnL2]

uppercrust Nazis.

(chuckling)

 

[PzGren]

Factory built: Freedom Arms, Korth, USFA, STI Texican.

I have been to the Korth shop in Ratzeburg, Germany. I would not call it a factory but a small shop in a quiet, beautiful town. And I talked to the only guy on the premises on a Friday morning - auf Deutsch. I think Les Baer is a whole lot bigger, so is Bowen.

 

[crebralfix]

S&W Model 27 Registered Magnum Performance Center from Lew Horton

It has everything on the gun that you could want except night sights.

 

[Noxx]

PzGren,

I'd say you did alright on your Korth, here's the same .22 on Gunbroker....

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=108530180

 

[mbkmkk]

Randy Lee of Apex Tactical is the current darling of revolver competitors because of his light, smooth double actions.

He also does great work on 1911's. He put in Bull Barrels in a couple of my 10mm's.

 

[PzGren]

Noxx,
....and you do not even know how ridiculously little I paid after a dozen years of wanting one!

Just when I was prepared to pay a hefty price, I got for ....a song.

And now I am looking for the SIG P210 that I also lust after for many, many years since I have first tried them...

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Korth. The only way to spend more on a revolver is to pay someone to machine one for you out of a solid chunk of gold.

Actually, I know one other way.... I'll charge you $10,000 for my Rossi, and if you pay me that, you will have spent more.

I hear that you CANNOT BEAT Freedom Arms, but never owned one.

 

[Rmac58]

http://www.kitsune.addr.com/Firearms/Revolvers/Mateba_Model_6.htm
Anyone familiar with this?