Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Grail Gun?

Recently acquired one of my grail guns. The Smith & Wesson model of 1989 5” N frame 45 Colt.
Another one would be a Model 58 Smith and Wesson converted to 44 Special or 45 Colt.
Les

Serious question...how would that be different than a Model 24 or 25-5?

How about a Herters 401, anyone every see one?

Main thing I can think of would be a heavy barrel with fixed sights.

I would really like to have a Registered Magnum someday. Barrel length not overly important as long as it’s factory. If we’re dreaming I’ll say 4” with King red reflector ramp, humpback hammer, and an original S&W grip adapter. Problem is they’re high dollar these days and I want to use it in the field, tough to take a $7500-10000 revolver out hiking and crawling around the weeds without worrying about it.

Same situation applies to a New Service Target in 44 Russian and Special. I’d think really enjoy a nice one, might even know where ones at that could be bought, but I feel like I’d want to baby it and wouldn’t enjoy it to the full extent.

As far as grail guns already attained, I own a 2nd model Hand Ejector Target 44sp and a much easier found but sought after 6” 16-4 32 Magnum. A pair of very nice 38/44s, 1 each Outdoorsman and Heavy Duty, are in my regular rotation of packing iron. I have a custom engraved Browning Highpower that gets lots of compliments. And hopefully I get to pick up my 5” 625 Model of 1988 on Monday, not super rare or expensive but I’ve been on the hunt for a decade now.

I've seen exactly 1 of them in real life... ever

^ this!
Not too many fixed sight N frame smith’s. I like smooth fixed sight revolvers.

Look back a couple pages. I posted a picture of one with its 357 and 44 companions. I have had a lot of fun with my 401. They’re a bit ungainly looking but well made and strong. And the oversized plow handle grip handles recoil as well as the Ruger Bisley.

I recall those ads too. They are what prompted me visit Bill Grover. My #5 was $985 the others were $1500. I bought mine with a portion of the per diem I was receiving at the time while on an assignment in Houston.

In 1974 I got to run a couple cylinders of factory Winchester 255 grain 45 Colt, through a Model 58 that had been professionally converted. It was the personal gun of a FFL I was acquainted with.

I was 18 and distracted by those wonderful things that distract 18 year old boys, so I never asked who did the work. But damn, I loved that gun. He had the action done when it was converted it was slick. It had to be a rebore because it still had the OEM front sight. It shot a little high with 255s.

Love to shoot (or at least fondle) that bad boy.
Bob

My .38 Super is my go everywhere, do anything pistol. When I hit the trail, that's what's with my most of the time...it's a working gun, and it shows it. A lot of finish missing on that pistol, but I'll probably have it bright nickeled this year.

The rest are my Grail Handguns. I can't think of any handguns I would trade any of these for. It would have to be something pretty special.

I spend most of my time shooting the 3 revolvers.

New Frontier.44/40