Custom Gun Show & Tell with Bobby Tyler

Today, we have some sweet firearm eye candy - and some sage advice from a custom gun maker. Brownells Gun Tech™ Steve Ostrem sits down with gunsmith Bobby Tyler to look at some custom revolvers and a 1911 from Bobby's shop, Tyler Gun Works in Friona, Texas. So what is a "custom" gun? Bobby's definition is any gun configured to suit your fancy. You can go extreme or keep the changes simple, but a custom gun is basically the physical realization of what's in your heart. Bobby's approach is to get the gun's accuracy and functional reliability nailed down before tackling cosmetics. Any factory gun that's well-built can be improved, starting with work on the action to "take the gravel out of 'em." Here's what Bobby brought: a Ruger® Bearcat® Shopkeeper with holly birdshead grips, color-cased frame, and full action job and accuracy package. Ruger® Blackhawk® in .44 Special with a target-crowned octagon barrel, gold bead front sight, Elmer Keith No. 5 grip frame, gravel removal (of course!), and hand-fitted red stag grips. What's that setscrew behind the hammer for? Bobby explains. Next, a Colt® 1911 Gold Cup tastefully hand-engraved by Rocky Sharp, with a royal blue finish on the slide, color-cased frame, and mammoth ivory grips. The engraving passes what Bobby calls the "turn test". Finally, a Smith & Wesson Model 19-3 Combat Magnum with a round-butt grip frame, color-cased hammer and trigger, fine-tuned timing, full re-bluing (hand polished, not buffed!), and white mammoth ivory grips. More advice from Bobby: A guy (or gal) has to do a little research to figure out what he (she) really wants on that custom gun. You can save a bit on the cost by checking your gun safe for an old, good-quality base gun to start with. What about choosing the caliber? Figure out what you're going to DO with the gun, then select a caliber that's appropriate. The gun's purpose also affects the choice in trigger pull; you don't want a super-light target trigger on a hunting revolver! And when you spend the time and money to get a really nice custom handgun, don't skimp on the gun leather for it. What's the custom gun of your dreams, either one you already have or the one that's in your head? Tell us about it below!