My Old Dakota

[Curley Cole]

The gun on the bottom is my new 357 Taylor. The gun on the top is a 45lc Dakota I bought 22 years ago (I got it for $129 as a kit in the white called the Californian) I finished it to look old. It had brass triggerguard/backstrap which I have always hated. I just got a Armi San Marcos triggerguard/backstrap and grips. I was going to put on poli-ivory grips from Boones Traders, but I think it looks pretty good as is..What do ya'll think?

Curley

[Forty Rod]

Looks good to me, Curly.  You done good.

I had one, 7 1/2" .357, that I sold unfinished.  Never did get to work on it.

[Micheal Fortune]

They both look great, when I first saw the topic I thought it was about a areo plane, 

[Silver Creek Slim]

Looks good ta me. 

Slim

[El Peludo]

Good lookin' couple, there, Curley.  Those older and "unusual" pieces are always interesting.  Are you possibly thinking of getting rid of that brass triggerguard and backstrap?  If so, let me know; I'll take it off your hands.

[Curley Cole]

El Peludo,

As soon as I get this up and running (I have to change out the mainspring and screw, I will get in touch with you.) I want to be sure it is fully functional before i get rid of them.

thanks
curley

[El Peludo]

Thanks, Curley,

I wait with 'bated breath.   

[Danny Bear Claw]

I thinks they looks just fine with the wood handles Curly.  I'm not a big fan of plastic, although I do own a few with "poly" grips.  My Bisley Vaquero has white Pearlite grips which when compared side by side to my old Colt PP with real pearl grips, I think the Pearlite looks better.  Now, the real pearl grips show some pink and blue hues in them but they are quite fragile.  I even made a small chip while firing it while wearing a ring on my finger once.  I guess I'm "old-fashioned" in that I believe a gun should be made of steel and the grips made of wood or some other "natural" substance like wood,  horn, bone or ivory.  Now my matched pair of long barreled Vaqueros wear genuine stag horn grips which have aged to a nice dark tan color and they's real purty!
btw... I own a "New Dakota" model in 44-40 and it's all steel and one of my favorite sixguns.

[Curley Cole]

Danny Bear Claw

I do agree that natural is best. the poly-ivory I use has a bit more ivory powder than most. I get them from Boone Traders, they sell everything ivory including real ivory grips.

My other "old Dakota" is also 22 years old, but got it finished. 4 3/4" 357. I put stag grips on it about 15 years ago and looks and feels great..

curley

[Curley Cole]

El Peludo

Got the Dakota up and running just fine, it feels real good. I have sent you an emule about the brass.

thanks
Curley

[Wymore Wrangler]

Leave it as it is, it's a classic now...

[J.D.Cayhill]

I like those Dakotas from Taylor. I picked up one new a little while back in .45 with the same barrel lenght as yours. It was good to go right out of the box. It is smooth, timing is spot on, shoots point of aim with 250 grn. slugs, and the fit and finish is as nice as I have ever seen on a Uberti clone.

Who would have ever thought ten years ago there would be all the quality choices in shooters, grips, and leather we have today?