Post by CraigC on Mar 7, 2024 12:19:05 GMT -5
Way back in 1990, at the ripe old age of 16, I was already a couple years deep into an American Handgunner subscription and well on my way to becoming the sixgun nut I am today. I was already a fan of folks like Bob Milek, Ross Seyfried, JD Jones, Larry Kelly and others. Chief among those early enablers was John Taffin and that has lasted until this day. I don't recall exactly but I'm sure the article on the "Lil Rugers" built by Andy Horvath had a lot to do with it. No doubt it was what sparked my interest in the .44 Special cartridge and Skeeter's idea of converting the Old Model Blackhawk .357 to chamber it. It was so influential that 10yrs later, when it came time to build my first custom, it was indeed an Old Model conversion on a beater flat-top I'd found in a local blackpowder shop and the work was done by Jim Stroh. It was heavily influenced by one of the sixguns from the article.
Fast forward another 20 plus years and I decided to finally have Horvath build me a Lil Ruger, like my favorite from the article. I had procured a basic "eared" Old Model .357 years earlier, along with a take-off XR3 grip frame. About two years ago, it was boxed up, along with slabs of resin ivory and sent to Horvath. The details were to include a new premium barrel at four inches, polished and roundbutted grip frame, polished blue finish, a custom front sight and color cased hammer and trigger. As usually happens, you end up forgetting about this treasure in the making, so I was surprised to find a hand written letter from Horvath in the mail. The sixgun was finished and he needed only payment. This is what returned. To say that I am ecstatic would be an understatement, it's been a long time coming.
Fast forward another 20 plus years and I decided to finally have Horvath build me a Lil Ruger, like my favorite from the article. I had procured a basic "eared" Old Model .357 years earlier, along with a take-off XR3 grip frame. About two years ago, it was boxed up, along with slabs of resin ivory and sent to Horvath. The details were to include a new premium barrel at four inches, polished and roundbutted grip frame, polished blue finish, a custom front sight and color cased hammer and trigger. As usually happens, you end up forgetting about this treasure in the making, so I was surprised to find a hand written letter from Horvath in the mail. The sixgun was finished and he needed only payment. This is what returned. To say that I am ecstatic would be an understatement, it's been a long time coming.