Alan Harton Custom Gun Work.

[Colt45r]

I am planning on having an Alan Harton Custom Ruger Bisley Five hole built in .45 Colt and I wanted to know what others think about his work.  I am wanting the ultimate Bisley built in .45 Colt and have heard that he is one of the very best.  Want to know other expert opinions on how they compare to, lets say a Hamilton Bowen gun and so on.  Be good to also here from Mr. Fermin Garza.  I have heard that he has a few of them.  Thanks for your opinions in advance.

[Encore64]

I wont compare any gunsmiths work, but can tell you Alan does top notch work.

[whitworth]

You would be correct as he is among the best. You will not be disappointed in the least.

[Colt45r]

Thanks guys!

I like the style of his work.
I just want to hear other's opinions on him.
I think that he is great as well.

[jayhawker]

As good as they come, superior at welding when needed.

[kings6]

Alan is where I send any gun that needs specialized machine work like welding D&T holes, SAA type top strap conversions etc.

[c.r.]

Alan is also a good person.

[curmudgeon]

Beauty and functionality can be two different things, but quality is always quality. Any of the top pistolsmiths can do all of the above. What is beauty to one person is in the eye of the beholder, color case hardening to me is beautiful but I prefer precision metal work and functionality. A stock that fits me to a T might not impress someone else. But, the top pistolsmiths can build it the way you want, I want strength and durability over beauty. But those are my specs not someone elses personal requirements. I like a bbl band front sight. to me both durable and beautiful. I like a dbl gold bar front blade, not important to others. I like a # 5 cylinder pin style. The proof off the custom 5 or 6 shooter is in the shooting. I like 200-500 yd shooting, means little to others so that's what I like my sixguns for. I have both full custom, some with spl work, others just slicked up actions and triggers. Others have been reasonably satisfactory out of the box for general use.

I have found, as I move towards twlight that I have to take into consideration the normal ageing process, strength, eyesight,
reflexes, Overall health that I am not the shooter I once was. However my interest in shooting the big bore blasters still intrigues me and doesn't dampen my interest. So, the days I can't hit a pie plate at 50 yds., just makes me concentrate that much more. Still durability and precision workmanship trumps a pretty set of stocks or a beautiful CCH. FWIW dept.

[squawberryman]

Having a few I can agree with each man's opinion here. What I'll toss in is do not assume anything for your build with any maker. Specifically, if you want your hammer CCH, do not assume he will narrow the stem of it to prevent scratching. If you want a brilliant polish prior to bluing, do not assume it'll get done without that request. Each maker is different and communication with each is a learned task. Took me a while to get trained! The "blueprint thread" is very vague in the actual description of what went into each gun. The wish list on my 8 shot 327 was a full page long. Enjoy his work and your gun sir.

[boxhead]

I have been using Alan since 2003 and have more than a handful of his pieces. What he does with a five shot conversion no others do that I am aware of. He bushes the pin path internals eliminating all slop before he installs the bolt stop guide that the rest do, this I am pretty certain no one else does. I own a Bowen Nimrod 500 L and have handled and seen the internals of Alan's five shots. I would choose Alan if I were doing a five shot build.

[wildwillalaska]

I just got another Harton custom couple weeks back. Alan got it finished up just in time for Christmas--but with travel and family affairs, must admit u haven't had time to shoot it yet.

What I can say is it turned out exactly as I wanted, stainless 4" octagon barreled vaquero 5-shot 45 bisley with ivory micarta grips also by Alan.

Locks up as tight or tighter than any freedom arms, TLA, Bowen or Linebaugh I own. Excellent quality is apparent from all the work he did.

Will

[Colt45r]

Thanks guys!
Your input is reassuring.
Great information as well.
That is why I joined this forum.
I have been reading it for a while now, but decided to join up.
This forum is great, because of all the great knowledged ones on it.
I have seen other wise on other forums.
This is one of the best ones I have seen.

Thanks Guys and have a great new year.
I am excited about my Harton 5 shot.

Justin

[2 Dogs]

You wont find a more courteous person to do business with. Harton is just top shelf all around. He has built some magnificent pieces for me. The fact that he is is such high demand speaks for itself.

[Colt45r]

Thanks Mr. Garza.
I have heard that you have quite a few of them yourself.
I want the ultimate and I think that this will be the one.
Then of course, I will have to have another.
I am broke like that.

Thanks,
Justin

[sixshot]

Allan does top notch work, I only own one full blown custom sixgun & Alan built it as perfect as can possibly be done & as mentioned he's a great guy to deal with.

Dick