Pics of Custom Ruger SP101

[Geno]

Beautiful. I think to fully apreciate the improvements, you should post a pic of it in its original condition (as factory-issued). That will make the hencements really stand out.

 

[Matt Almeda]

Sp101

Looking good!

 

[Matt King]

Very Nice!

 

[Sulaco]

Very nice work. I'd be scared to shoot it after all of that work though!

I have an SP101 in Target Grey finish and until now, was perfectly happy with it. Now I want it finished like yours!

I know what you mean about the trigger stacking up. One of these days, I'll send mine off and have it worked over for the same reasons.

 

[Quaestor]

I have registered especially to tell you that this is the most beautiful revolver I have ever seen- very well done!

 

[DrDanke]

Thank you Quaestor, and thank you everyone for the kind words. I am good at making good photos, but the pistol does look better in person, and in the hand. It's always fun and rewarding making a $400 pistol into something thats special.

 

[Nil]

Is it normal to salivate over a gun?

 

[eric.cartman]

Two Words

WOODEN GRIPS !!!

Otherwise very nice job.
BTW, would you do the same to mine? i would pay of course.
PM me if you're interested.

 

[chris in va]

Very nice, beautiful job.

It's a safe queen now though. Kinda like one of those jacked up Jeeps with all the shiny rims and doodads. I'd be afraid to shoot it.

 

[Black Adder LXX]

Very nice...

 

[solvability]

Very nice.

 

[Brian Williams]

Nice 101, a pretty tank.

 

[BSlacker]

Very nice gun and the photos are great as well. The reflection of the cartridges is a great way to show the quality of workmanship.

 

[glockman19]

She's a Beauty...

 

[DrDanke]

Took a couple of more pics for you to enjoy. Enjoy!

 

[Mike Kerr]

Just incredible looking. Very handsome indeed.

Regards,

 

[DevilDog0402]

Just curious, but did you do the work yourself?

 

[MCgunner]

Very nice. At least I have the grip if not the mounting screw. LOL

 

[wcwhitey]

Very nice, beautiful work! If you find yourself with some downtime I have a Ruger SBH that could use some sprucing up. Seriously, you do some very nice detailed work as another poster mentioned you should go into business. I would pay to have my SS Ruger look that nice. Bill

 

[DrDanke]

Yes, all the work was done by me. Sorry, but I am not currently licensed to do any work on other peoples firearms.

Also, thanks again everyone for all the kind words!

 

[Dave Dembinski]

I've ... I've never really wanted a Ruger revolver before. What is this strange new feeling ...

Amazing work!

 

[Serpico]

Since you aren't selling your services, would you mind tell us how you got that gorgeous shine on the cyliner and trigger guard?

 

[MaterDei]

Nice photos. I'm not a revolver guy but it's pics like that that might make me change my mind.

 

[MCgunner]

Since you aren't selling your services, would you mind tell us how you got that gorgeous shine on the cyliner and trigger guard?

My guess would be a little rouge, a buffer wheel, and lots of time and elbow grease.

I'm not a revolver guy but it's pics like that that might make me change my mind.

Revolvers are what a handgun is supposed to look like. Hey, you guys got your JMB guy, we got our Sam Colt.

 

[DrDanke]

Actually, everything was done by hand. The cylinder was done on a flat machinists block with 600 grit sandpaper stuck to it. Then to 800 grit sandpaper, and then to 1200 grit. Then it was carefully hand polished with Flitz metal polish on pure cotton tight weave fabric stretched over a machinists block.

A buffer or buffing wheel is a no no with cylinders, as you do not want to touch, modify, or round off the timing stops on the cylinder. Everything has to be kept as flat as possible. A dremel and conical buffer was used for the flutes on the cylinder.

The trigger guard was done all by hand starting with 600 grit sandpaper, 800 grit and then 1200 grit. Close attention was kept during sanding around any edges as to not round them off too much. Stubborn casting flaws were sanded with 440 grit first to save time. After the final sanding with 1200 grit, the trigger guard was then polished by hand with Flitz metal polish. A small dremel buffing wheel was used with white compound around the bottom of the trigger guard (only non mission critical parts) to save a little time, only where keeping a sharp edge is of no concern.

After some machining and filing on the frame to straighten some things out, the entire frame was sanded with 600 grit sandpaper by hand with 1 or 2 fingers until all metal flaws were eliminated. Then a once over with 1200 grit paper, and it was ready for the bead blasting. I'm pretty sure I didn't need the fingerprints on my fingers anyways. I wonder if they will grow back?

No magical easy way around a quality job. It takes time every night working on a project like this. And the time sure does add up when you work on a pistol for a few months. I honestly have no idea exactly how much time I have in this pistol. I probably don't even want to know!

There was tons of little steps in between, but that pretty much sums it up.