Chopped SRH 480 - my version

[Arokcrwlr]

I just got this back from the smith. It started out as a 9.5" gun and like many I wanted something more packable like an Alaskan.

The very respected pistolsmith that did the work would not hack the barrel off flush like an Alaskan, but instead wanted to remove the barrel to do the crown properly. That necessitated about an inch of barrel be left to to allow use of barrel removal/installation tools (compromise #1). Compromise #2 consisted of the front sight. I didn't want an unsightly dovetail cut which wouldn't have looked right anyway with the stubby barrel. So, I went with a modified front sight of the smith's design. It features a removable blade system which is cool. From a functional standpoint it is top notch. Compromise #3 is the bead blast finish. It was done with a coarser media than I would have liked which produced a grayer finish than wanted. I may get a black treatment finish applied at some future time - until then I'll live with it.

The action job is top notch and well worth the expense. The trigger breaks clean with no creep or over travel in SA mode. The DA trigger pull is smooth throughout the range of motion and breaks nicely - not as good as a Smith, but much improved over stock.

At 30 yards it is a tack driver from a bench rest. That is the most important "feature" that I care about.

Anyway, here it is. Any comment is welcome - be honest, you won't hurt my feelings. The SRH is probably the most homely looking Ruger made - I don't think its' looks were hurt by the work done, but I'm not sure they were helped either...

 

[larry237]

It looks like a real functional woods defense gun. I have an Alaskan and I have always wanted it to be just a little longer. With this class of gun, you want it to shoot fast and well to save your rear in bad situations. If the lines don't flow, who cares. A smooth action will help you shoot better in double action and a little better sight picture is another plus. Good job.

 

[32magfan]

I actually like the short length of barrel added. The front sight the 'smith created looks really good to me.

I have only come to appreciate the larger Ruger DA revolvers lately. All I had before last year was a couple of SP101's. Now I have a 45 Colt Redhawk 4", 4" 327 GP100 and a 3" GP100 in 357. All my guns are stock so far - I keep buying too many to get one to a pro for "spiffin' up".

If I had a SRH to customize, I would copy or closely follow your example - nicely done.

My .02,

32Magfan

 

[robertkirksey]

Jim Stroh?

 

[Skalkaho Slim]

I like like it very much. I've often wished my Alaskan had just a little more bore as well. Chopped at the frame makes it just a little too snubby for me.

Luckily, the trigger on mine is absolutely fantastic and has one of the most crisp SA's and smooth DA's I've ever used. Has put a few Smiths of mine to shame and made some of my other Ruger's downright jealous.

I find it very utilitarian looking and just don't see anything wrong with it.

 

[Lefty SRH]

The front sight looks VERY similar to the Ruger No.1, I think it looks good. Who did the work? I have to agree on the finish, its a little coarse. Why did he talk you into that finish?

 

[Rumrunner]

BUTT UGLY- Send it to me and I will keep it hid in a holster on my hip.

Looks good, I like the finish. I want to do this with a 44 one of these days. I will probably even keep the barrel an inch longer than yours. I also think the Alaskan is just a bit too short. Plus you have the option of putting a red dot or a scope on there. This would help in load developement or make it a longer range hunting gun. Very Nice!

 

[Arokcrwlr]

Jim Stroh?

Yes

 

[Arokcrwlr]

The front sight looks VERY similar to the Ruger No.1, I think it looks good. Who did the work? I have to agree on the finish, its a little coarse. Why did he talk you into that finish?

That's the only blast media that he uses. Anything finer makes too much of a mess in his shop, so he doesn't offer it. The finish is actually very smooth and fine, but with the color is darker than it would have been if a finer media was used. In the back of my mind, I had the idea a metal treatment like Ionbond, Hardhat, Melonite, etc., so the "target gray" finish needed to be blasted off anyway. I'm going to keep it this way for a while - treatment is always an option down the road.

After shooting it, spending time fondling, dry firing, etc. I think that what I set out to accomplish was delivered. I am pretty happy with it overall - not perfect, but probably as good as can be done with a gun built like a brick.

Thanks for the comments of all so far. 8)

 

[robertkirksey]

The more I look at the pictures, the more I like it. One thing for sure, it is a true custom, not a "package" gun. And done by one of the best. The finish looks fine, just enjoy it, I certainly would!

 

[Lee Martin]

Mean looking rig.

 

[steve b]

Pretty is, as pretty does. That gun is beautiful ! Top notch anti-b'ar gun thar ! steve b

 

[steve b]

Pretty is, as pretty does. That gun is beautiful ! Top notch anti-b'ar gun thar ! steve b

 

[Boxhead]

Mr. Stroh is a perfectionist in the extreme. Nice piece.

 

[steve b]

Now I understand how double posts happen. Things clogged up, bogged down, at some point got frustrated and hit the refresh button. Bang, double post. steve b

 

[Lefty SRH]

Where is Stroh located?

 

[robertkirksey]

Somewhere in Georgia, I forget exactly where. Google "Alpha Precision".

 

[BobAZ]

I like it!

What was the turnaround time?

 

[Frank Castle]

Welcome to the Brotherhood of "custom" 480 Alaskans!

By the way that thing is SICK!(I mean that in a cool way) now get a cool holster to match that Alaskan.

 

[Arokcrwlr]

Jim Stroh is located in Comer, GA - northeast of Atlanta. He is about 30 min from my house - unfortunately, that doesn't get me to the top of the list any quicker.

The turnaround time was about six months due to his backlog. Once he asked for the gun, it only took him about a 2 weeks (with Christmas in between) to complete two identical guns - mine and a friend's.

Thanks Frank! Yes, I need to get a holster made for sure.

 

[Ken ONeill]

I like it a lot.

 

[5of7]

Did you happen to chronograph any loads in it before and after? I am interested in the loss in velocity due to the reduction in length. Also, what length is it now?

Did you notice any difference in recoil or muzzle rise in the shorter version? 8)

 

[Bob R]

Looks to me like you ended up with about a 3-1/2" barrel. That is plenty short. If I were having one of mine shortened I might have even went with a 4" - 5" length.

Great gun, and a great job.

Now that you have it packing length, you need to load up some shotshells for snakes. The 480 will hold around a 175 grain payload of #9 or #12 shot. You should have a real snake exterminator.

I also like retaining the scope ring attachment. If one were to hunt deer or hogs with it, you could still install a 30mm UltraDot on it.

I have my 9.5" set up for hunting, and my 7.5" set up for plinking. I can see the advantage to having one with a short barrel for holster carry.

Enjoy

Bob

 

[Arisin' Wind]

Incredible. Simply incredible.

 

[Arokcrwlr]

I did not chrono it before the chop and I only fired a cylinder through it before using factory 325 gr Hornady. The long barrel had very mild recoil - the short barrel is definitely snappier, but still not bad. Maybe someone who has a 9.5" gun and factory ammo can check velocities - I will chrono the stubby using factory ammo the next opportunity that I get. I plan to load mainly 400gr cast for it and will definitely chrono as part of load dev.

I haven't measured the barrel length, but I'm guessing it's between 3-3.5".

Shot shells is something I haven't thought about - I may give it a try.

I'm kind of surprised - I somewhat expected somebody to say "that's freaking ugly". Being more of a SA guy, I have always thought the SRH was homely. However, the more I fiddle with it, the more it's growing on me. For the purpose of a packable bigbore handgun for dangerous encounters (of which DA is preferable to me), I'm happy with the end result.

 

[Frank Castle]

my 7 1/2 480 slings 325 Gold Dots around 1,300fps and out of my 2 1/2 barrel Alaskan its around 1,100 fps. But a 370 Lead with a healthy does of H110 shoots around 1,100 and hurts a little....but no sticky brass problems.

 

[americal]

Looks mighty fine---- a clean, neat, look --all business to the max--a BEAR gun to carry for sure 8) :)

 

[Tommy Kelly]

Yours looks nice but I'm still going to hold out for someone doing a chop with the original style front sight setup. Till I find someone mine will stay 7.5". I have a 454 alaskan and like everything about it but I missed out on the 480's.

 

[Arokcrwlr]

I hear what you're saying - I'll share the thought process that I used...

It's not beyond Jim Stroh or any of the prominent smiths to do a factory style front sight. That's what I had originally envisioned when I decided to do this. However, Mr. Stroh wanted to remove the barrel to cut the crown properly and was concerned with re-installing the barrel. That decision resulted in the additional barrel stub and I had to reconsider the front sight options. When you deal with talented smiths who are used to doing things the right way (or what they think is right) sometimes you can't have it your way if you want them to do the work.

There is no doubt that if I wanted to pay for it, that Mr. Stroh could have duplicated an Alaskan in nearly every respect. But then I'd have way more into this project than just waiting to find the real deal and pay the inflated price for it. I chose to compromise because I didn't want to dump a pile of money into this project and the end result is more than adequate for any conceivable purpose of mine. Anything is possible - all it takes is $$$.

 

[jitt]

outstanding weapon...should come from the factory in that configuration!