Just a little background, I'm a gun enthusiast and my soon to-be-wife had never held a gun before we met. She's been a good sport and has shot everything from my Buckmark to 1911s in .45 ACP. Her favorite thing to shoot (by far) is .22 pistols. She really took to my Ruger Mark series guns, even over polymers and we've talked about a gun of her own. Her only complaint with my Ruger guns has been the weight (all are Target or Hunter series guns with some upgrades). Last week, a guy at our range had a 22/45 stock, and she loved everything about it but the sights and trigger. So I have started the wheels in motion to get her the perfect gun. I feel like weight is #1, sights #2 (she likes fiber optic front sights), and trigger third. I told her I could buy her any Mark series they make and change out sights and trigger, so just pick the color scheme she wants, and I'll make it happen.
As it turns out, when I asked her what color she'd ideally have, she said red. In her perfect world, red like her Kitchenaid stuff. Aw, yeah! Easy-peazy, right? So I found the NRA Davidson's Mark 3 22/45, some Pac Lite offerings, and a few others. She'd be happy with any of them, but she'd really just prefer a red gun with black parts and grips. Suddenly, I can not find one, even online! So I put it on her to find me her dream gun, and I can take it from there. Less than an hour later, she sent this pic to my phone: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7OMwIz7HuiQ/maxresdefault.jpg
I contacted TI, and they are happy to do a barrel for me, but will not coat a stipped lower to match, nor will build me a red pistol. I contacted VQ today, haven't heard back yet. I contacted a cerakote guy, and he will coat anything I send him, as long as it's completely stripped. He mostly does 1911s and Glocks, and does great work but isn't familiar with the platform.
Just figured folks here have been through this sort of thing and would know what to do. I'm willing to drop up to $1000 on this pistol. Maybe a sconch more, but I feel like we're already well past the point of diminishing returns. Thanks for your thoughts in advance!
As it turns out, when I asked her what color she'd ideally have, she said red. In her perfect world, red like her Kitchenaid stuff. Aw, yeah! Easy-peazy, right? So I found the NRA Davidson's Mark 3 22/45, some Pac Lite offerings, and a few others. She'd be happy with any of them, but she'd really just prefer a red gun with black parts and grips. Suddenly, I can not find one, even online! So I put it on her to find me her dream gun, and I can take it from there. Less than an hour later, she sent this pic to my phone: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7OMwIz7HuiQ/maxresdefault.jpg
I contacted TI, and they are happy to do a barrel for me, but will not coat a stipped lower to match, nor will build me a red pistol. I contacted VQ today, haven't heard back yet. I contacted a cerakote guy, and he will coat anything I send him, as long as it's completely stripped. He mostly does 1911s and Glocks, and does great work but isn't familiar with the platform.
Just figured folks here have been through this sort of thing and would know what to do. I'm willing to drop up to $1000 on this pistol. Maybe a sconch more, but I feel like we're already well past the point of diminishing returns. Thanks for your thoughts in advance!