Southern Proud....Western Tough
Gregg Richter from Colorado
Gregg's Custom .475 Linebaugh. Photo courtesy of Gregg Richter © 2010. |
I met Rod through the Handgun Hunter Magazine web forum
and commissioned him to build me a custom Ruger Five Shot Revolver in .475 Linebaugh from a
Super Blackhawk that I sent him.
As usual when building a custom gun, issues come up and have to be resolved. Rod not only helped me through the issues, and resolved them to my satisfaction, but did extra work on my gun just to make sure that I got the gun that I wanted, even if I overlooked some minor details when ordering. When he finished it, I was in awe and did not want to shoot it, as it was too "purty." Well, shoot it I did, and I am very happy with it. Since then, I have had Rod work on two other Rugers for me: a Single Six and a Mark III, and as usual he went above and beyond. Rod is my pistolsmith. Gregg Richter Producer "Handgunning Mule Deer and Pronghorn Antelope" Video www.hunterseyevideo.com Current Holder of World Record Handgun Mule Deer, SCI Originator and Coordinator of Handgun Hunters International Antelope Hunt |
Ed Folmar from Idaho
Edward's Custom .475 Linebaugh named, Ndlovu (African for "Elephant") Photo courtesy of Edward K. Folmar © 2011. |
Tuesday I took posession of my 475 Linebaugh that Rod, of Dixie Firearms made for me. To say that I was pleased
is an understatement. First off, I have quite a few handguns, some custom and three Freedom Arms, but this gun
is without a doubt the most exciting firearm I have ever owned!
Just to hold it brings a smile to my face. It conjures up visions of being back in Africa facing a big tusker. The feel of this gun is unbeliveable -- silky smooth and tight as a Fort Knox vault, a trigger that you caress instead of squeeze. The bluing is deep, the case hardened grip and cylinder frame would make Turnbull green with envy. There is no play in the cylinder in any position. Recoil, ah yes, it has recoil, but the rounded butt with the chunky grips make it pleasant to shoot. My 45-70, in a Contender, shooting the 405 gr Cor-Bon Penetrator is still the recoil I feel the most. The price of this gun is $400.00 less than either of my two Freedom Arms revolvers which were $2000.00 each and did not come with the best action or trigger jobs that they should have come with. This gun has the best action and trigger that I have ever felt, included in the price. I will never buy another Freedom Arms product as long as I have a master gunsmith like Rod to deal with!!! We have not only quality here, but a firearm that has warmth, personality, beauty, indestructablity, and brute force termination at your finger-tips. I find the Freedom Arms without warmth, steril and cold, as I say this, this gun brings a smile to my face, you want it with you in all situations. I'll close for now,but as I use this gun more and more I'll update my findings, as always these are my opinions on the subject which I am entitled to as I do have a little experience behind me. |
Dan Bowers from Pennsylvania
Dan's Custom .41 Magnum Before 
Dan's Custom .41 Magnum After |
After getting completely fed up with the poor performance of a
thoroughly thrashed and beat up Ruger Blackhawk .41 Magnum, I shipped it off to Rod for an extreme makeover.
During the discussions of what I wanted for an end product Rod suggested that we try a bunch used factory parts to rehab my Ruger. We used a factory take off barrel that was treated to a custom throat and crown. He also had some used internals and a Wolff Spring kit to finish things off. After precisely fitting all the pieces Rod bead blasted and matte blued the steel pieces. The grip frame and ejector rod housing were baked with a matte black finish also. The final look was finished with a set of Hogue wood grips. The fit and finish are awesome! I wanted a "semi-custom utility revolver" and that's exactly what Rod delivered. It is perfect! Once I got the Ruger back it was treated to a range session using the same loads from before it was rehabbed. Using iron sights, the 210 gr. cast loads piled into groups under 2" off-hand at 25yds. That's good enough for me!! At 100yds I was able to put five of six rounds on a 6" steel plate using shooting sticks as a rest. Rod also rehabbed a Competitor Corp barrel when he did the Ruger. It is a 16" .357 Magnum that he rechambered to .357 Maximum. I also had him bead blast and blue it. Prior to the rechamber the Magnum shot poorly at 100yds with every load I tried. Now it rockets out 180gr SSPBs under 2.5" with the first loads. Needless to say, the next time I need any pistolsmithing work done the guns will be getting shipped to Rod. Thanks, buddy! Dan Bowers |
A. Squires, Jr. from Indiana
Muzzle Brake's on 30-30 and .243 Contenders |
I met Rod on the Handgun Hunters forum. He responded to a thread I started on muzzlebrakes and before it was over had my Encore 243 barrel in the mail.
Thinking about the conversation we had over the phone I put my Tender 30-30 barrel in the mail the following week. The 243 barrel turned out awesome, he matched the finish of the barrel to the point it looks factory made. The 30-30 barrel I had him put a chrome brake on it and all I could say was "WOW". He's a good guy and does awesome work, not to mention his prices as far as I'm concerned cant be touched. A. Squires, Jr. |
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Marvin Sartin from Texas
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I got acquainted with Rod on the forum at Handgun Hunter Magazine. I subsequently purchased two new Ruger 22/45 pistols. Both had horrible triggers. Rod agreed to modify them for me. I did not expect them to return with match quality 2 lb or less triggers.
I am very pleased with his work and his turnaround time was awesome. Needless to say, I will be sending more work to Rod. Everything met or exceeded my expectations. Thanks Rod. |
| Philip Bills from Montana |
I contacted Rod about having a 26" Encore 300 Win Mag barrel cut down to use as a handgun barrel. He was very helpful and shared his experiences with this round in a handgun. I wound up having him cut the barrel down, add a muzzle brake and do a matte blue finish. He also did a matte blue finish on a .223 Rem barrel for me.
When I got the barrels back I was very impressed with the quality of his work. The 300 Win Mag barrel he modified is very accurate and the brake really tamed this round. He got the work done quickly and kept me informed from start to finish. Excellent work Rod! Thanks, Philip Bills Montana |
| Dave Tarbell from North Dakota |
I had the very good fortune to come across Rod through the HandgunHunt.com site. My son has a BFR 454 that spread rounds like a flock of partridge. After an action job and work on the cylinder he was more than surprised to get back a piece with a 2# trigger and shot one inch at 50 yds. with factory ammo. The quality of all work and finish was excellent.
I recently bought a 44 SBHH Bisley that had a trigger like shaking hands with big foot and two chambers with a mind of there own. Rod uniformed all throats and performed an action job. It hardly resembled the piece I had sent him. The action was smooth as glass with a 2# trigger. With a red dot sight mounted, the first 5 went into an inch and a quarter. Rod's an excellent person to deal with and I have no doubt about his integrity. He's the kind of guy that will not leave a customer unhappy. The work done for me was beyond expectations. Oh yeah, he is a hell of a nice guy too. Dave Tarbell in North Dakota |
| Bill McLennan from Texas | Dixie Firearms provides top notch gunsmithing. Rod Huelter was recommended by Mike Bellm (the master-smith of Thompson/Center Contenders) -- but I didn't want a custom Contender.
I asked Rod to tune-up a S&W M19-2. Rod's S&W action job and his blue finish turned out top-notch. I'll be sending more work to Dixie Firearms.In a past life, I was a PPC shooter and I wanted this M19-2 tuned to PPC distinguished revolver specifications. Rod did that. His turn-around time was exactly what he said it would be. All during this job there was never a question in my mind - no if's, when's or but's - about Rod's promise to deliver. Today, with over 200 rounds down range, I have thoroughly tested this revolver and I trust it. I now carry it as a defensive handgun. That wasn't my initial plan, but that's the way it proved out. Bill McLennan, San Antonio (TX) PD - Retired |