Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Who are the best gunsmiths for Ruger revolvers?

Can anyone recommend the best gunsmiths for Ruger DA revolvers ?

Thanks

Hamilton Bowen & Dave Clements are the ones I've always used.

Have not yet felt justified in the expense of a custom gunsmith for myself, but the two mentioned would be at the top of my list when/if I did.

Ben Forkin is pretty good too.

What are you thinking about having done?

I bought a custom Ruger directly from Bowen. It really didn't have much custom done, but it was what I wanted, so I treated myself. Other than the fact it was now a 2 round revolver, it was a nice piece...

Not sure about Clements, but it was obvious to me that Hamilton isn't working on everything that comes from his shop. I can understand that, but quality control would be nice. He decided to just take it back, but wasn't very nice about that matter, as if it were my fault. It kinda spoiled me on custom anything.

Unless you're changing calibers, I recommend living with factory guns and spending the extra cash on ammo, trips, etc.

Never used any of them, but Gary Reeder has some nice stuff on his site.

Alan Harton in Houston though I am not sure if he is taking on work given his backlog. I have many custom revolvers that he has done for me. All flawlessly done with a couple being pretty complicated builds.

My understanding is that Reeder guns do NOT go up in value. I don't like all the "extras" he does to them. I'd pass on him.

I am the ashamed (because I didn't do my research) owner of a brand new, unfired, Gary Reeder single action revolver in S&W 500 Magnum. I have been trying to sell it for over a year. It went through 3 months of constant re-listings on Gunbroker. I work in a gun shop. The owner has my revolver front and center in his gun case, and it's on his web page. I think in the last 8 months 3 people have asked to hold it. No interest - none - zero - nada.

But, I'll cut it up with and oxygen/acetylene rig before I let anyone low-ball me for it. I'm already asking $500.00 less than I paid. I won't go any lower.

This is a warning to those who are thinking of having a full custom revolver made by a master gunsmith - avoid Gary Reeder; Go with Hamilton Bowen. Only downside to Hamilton Bowen is there is a 3-year wait to get your firearm.

Depends on what you want done.

Ahlman's in Morristown, MN, does a great job of tuning revolvers and they are both quick and inexpensive.

If I have a revolver that I've bought to shoot, rather than as a collectible, I almost always have Ahlman's do their smooth/tune and forcing cone jobs.

www.ahlmans.com

I had David Clements convert a GP100 to 10mm and give it an action job and some other stuff and am very happy with it. It took right at a year but it was worth it to me.

Want a GP 100 slicked up, and combat sites installed....should require a bit of milling I'd think.

Buy the Wiley Clapp GP100 that Ruger makes, put in a set of Wolff springs and you'll be set.

Magnaport does wonderful action jobs on DA rugers. I'd add Jack Huntington to the list for top Ruger smiths and it's worth noting he is work is not only top drawer but reasonably priced and his turn arounds are typically pretty reasonable to boot.

This. You'll be miles ahead.

But if you still want to work with the one you've got, I'd use David Clements for what you want.

http://www.clementscustomguns.com/gp100.html

Dave Clements did a great job on my GP100, converted from 357 to 10mm.
Ronnie

I wonder if Dave Clements can convert my Reeder handgun to one that would sell?

Gary Reeder Bisley conversion. Atrocious...

No personal experience; but heard good things about John Gallagher

John Gallagher - Gallagher Firearms Inc.
(205)384-5229
3923 Bird Farm Road
Jasper, Alabama 35503
johngallagher1bellsouth.net