Irish Dave....A Request, Please.

[Rancid Roy]

Irish Dave,

When you have time could you post a left or right side pic of your 5 inch Laramie "unskinned" from its holster with the "gutta percha" grips on it?

Thanks, I am thinking of buying one and having the same grips put on it.

Regards, Rancid Roy.

[Irish Dave]

No problem, Roy, I'd be happy to oblige.
I'll have to take a couple shots so give me a day or so, if you don't mind.
But I'll be glad to do it.

Oh, and don't hesitate to remind me if I have a brain fade and forget.

[Rancid Roy]

Thanks, I'll patiently be waitin'.......

[Irish Dave]

Roy:

Is this OK?

[Rancid Roy]

It is perfect senor.

I saw your posts over in the leather forum as well. Nice stuff over there but I still like yours the best.

I am hoping to pick up another 6 1/2 inch nickel laramie and a 5 inch blued Laramie but they have apparently discontinued them and I suspect the "run" is on now.

Thanks, Rancid Roy.

[Irish Dave]

Thanks, Roy, for the kind words and happy to oblige on the photo.

I hate to hear that about the Laramie. As far as I'm concerned this one is the best handling and truest shooting CAS/WAS revolver I have ever owned.
If I were to guess, I'd say the excessive retail price hurt sales dramatically. But that's just an opinion.

[Irish Dave]

UPDATE:

As Marshal (prez) of NCOWS I just got off the phone with a spokesman at Beretta USA in Accokeek, MD.

He said he was not aware of any plans to discontinue the Laramie.
For '08, he said they would continue to be available only in .38 SP and .45 LC with no plans for a .44 Russian chambering at present and that the 6.5" barrel may be dropped in the blued finish.
The nickel versions would still be available in 5" or 6.5" but the blued version probably only in 5".

[Rancid Roy]

Very interesting Irish Dave and I hope true. And surprising to me that the blued 6.5 is to go and not the nickel.

I have been under the impression that blued handguns are way favored in CAS over nickle. With the polished stainless somewhere in the middle.

I have two Schofields [7 and 5 inch], one Russian [7 inch] and one Laramie [as stated here]. I too find the Laramie the best handling of the group although I still enjoy all of them. I had read of the original NM #3s that in their day a few folks said they were the best balanced handgun they ever held.

However I definitely, for me, feel the 5 1/2 Colt S/A or a good clone is the best balanced handgun I have ever handled or felt. Except a S&W 38/44 Heavy Duty in 4 inch configuration.

Thanks for the report, Rancid.

[Will Ketchum]

In original S&Ws I think you will find there were more nickled guns than blue.  Perhaps that is why they are popular.

I know if I ordered one it would be nickle.

Will Ketchum

[Rancid Roy]

Will Ketchem, you are correct and that is why I couldn't hardly wait to get a nickeled Laramie. I just had to have a nickeled Smith.