Right now if you were going

[foxtrapper]

To have a full custom single action in the Linebaugh calibers, who would be the top smith? For beauty, solid build and resale value.

[zeus]

Bowen if he will take the work or forkin.

[Odin]

Bowen. Without question.

Edit to add: Order the deluxe action tune. Experience bliss.

[potatojudge]

For resale it needs to be Bowen or Dustin

Not a knock on the other phenomenal builders out there, it’s just they’ve got a market reputation for “the best” like Turnbull does on restorations.

[boxhead]

Harton without question.

[bigbrowndog]

Agree with taterjudge, name recognition goes to Bowen and Linebaugh. Jack is getting more and more. Personally I wouldn’t be concerned with resale value, when I have one made it’s for me and resale is for someone else to worry about.

Trapr

[2 Dogs]

Harton. No question in my mind.

[kings6]

I have guns built by all those guys and have been in several of their shops but I have to say that the attention to detail and the machine work down to thousands of an inch just on a grip frame in Dustin’s shop was something that needs to be seen to be believed.

[singleaction]

Unless Harton has gone back to working on Rugers, or one has a long standing relationship with him, he maybe should not be mentioned. Mr. Harton may be the best builder their is, but he usually won’t build on a Ruger these days for just anyone.

[bigbore5]

If you're looking for a long term before you want to flip it, I would go with an up and coming smith. Ryan Ross or Ronnie Wells. If more short-term, then Bowen or Huntington.

Personally, if I m having one built, resell value really doesn't mean anything to me. If I am worried about my heirs, there's far better investments. My guns are for my enjoyment only. A Ross perfected BFR is just that, perfect. I'm sure it would be hard to find a Ruger that would top the "Mad Scientist" Ronnie Wells' work. He's a perfectionist with the skills to pull it off.

[weiler]

I pinged Ronnie about a build but harvest season kind of distracted me.

Aside from opinions on the engraving designs, how are folk’s experience’s with Reeder Custom Guns? I pinged Gary about recreating a Linebaugh gun Jim Taylor has written about (pending me finding a 3 screw donor)

[bigbore5]

I have two Redhawks from Reeder and had considered an old model three-screw in 41sp. No real complaints about his work on the Redhawks, but I am still not convinced by his "Maxi-Throat". It's just a wide, deep forcing cone. They do shoot well though. If you use him, he will leave off the silly lazer engraving upon request.

After the first of the year, I think I will try getting a spot with member Larry Crow for one of his accuracy packages and a refinish for a troublesome old model 357 I have. Fermin corrected the cylinder throats. I did a trigger job and installed a Bowen target rear sight. Ronnie Wells provided the Biznana grip frame and the excellent Tigerwood grips. But from the Ransom Rest, it's at best a 3" gun at 25yds. Time for it to see a professional. If that doesn't fix it, then I'll have Ronnie turn it into something cool. Like a 45 Cowboy +p.

[bushog]

Is Harton taking orders for 5 shot Ruger conversions, or any Ruger work for that matter?

[kings6]

Generally speaking he is not last time I talked to him.

[crazyhorse]

Harton for me but I would love to have a Bowen Nimrod also.