LEVEL THREE

Kings River Custom (KRC) proudly presents our Level Three Big Dog Top Shelf Pistols — the ultimate expression of craftsmanship and commitment to excellence. Each Level Three represents the zenith of our skills, combining unparalleled fit, finish, and design to create a firearm that is as functional as it is exquisite. These heirloom-quality pistols stand as a testament to our dedication to the art of custom handguns.

Starting at

$13,250.00

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Main Information
Additional Custom Options and Upgrades

Model Options and Pricing

  • 5″ Government Model in .45 ACP — $13,250
  • 4.25″ Commander Model with Bull Barrel in .45 ACP — $13,500 (+$250; comes with no front cocking serrations, can be added upon request)
  • 9mm Conversion (available for both models in Bull Barrel) — +$250
  • Bull Barrel Option for 5” Government Model — +$250
  • Color Case Hardening — $1,200 (small parts +$300)
  • Level Three Hand Engraving — $3,000
  • Nitre Blue small parts — $250
  • Nitre Gold small parts — $275

Unmatched Craftsmanship

Every Level Three Big Dog begins with a carefully chosen foundation of forged stainless steel or carbon steel. This premium base is enhanced by our signature processes: Level Three Engraving, Color Case Hardening, Nitre Blue/Gold small parts, and a handmade 14kt Gold Bead front sight.

Artisans of Distinction

  • 50+ hours of hand engraving
  • Multiple months for Color Case Hardening
  • Polishing to a 1000-grit finish before engraving, bluing, and small part finishing by specialized contractors
  • Tedious hammer hook to sear engagement fitting performed by Lonnie Miller

The KRC Experience: Ultimate Precision

  1. Bespoke Fitting — meticulous slide-to-frame fit, precise barrel alignment, and a perfectly responsive trigger.
  2. Exquisite Finishes — 1000-grit polish with optional case hardening and Nitre Blue/Gold accents.
  3. Handcrafted Details — handmade 14kt Gold Bead front sight, high-relief engraving, mirror-polished components.

Features That Define Level Three

  • Precision-forged frame and slide
  • Match grade barrel (5″ Government or 4.25″ Commander Bull Barrel option)
  • Caliber: .45 ACP standard; 9mm conversion available
  • Single-side thumb safety (ambidextrous optional)
  • Performance-tuned trigger
  • Enhanced high-relief grip with 25 LPI checkering
  • Premium grips:
    • Standard: SK Grips Mammoth Ivory, hand-selected
    • Optional: Presentation Grade Desert Iron Wood,  or Meteorite (Aletai / Campo Del Cielo by Ben Jennen)

Finish Options

  • Standard: Forged Carbon Steel (high-polished bluing)
  • Standard: Forged Stainless Steel (standard finish)
  • Optional: Color Case Hardened frame (with fees for beavertail, MSH/magwell, barrel bushing)
  • Optional: Nitre Blue or Gold small parts

Exclusive Presentation

Each Level Three Big Dog is delivered with a custom walnut display box by artisan Ronnie Ferrier ($1,200 value):

  • Solid walnut with dovetail joints and brass hinges
  • Hand-sewn felt insert
  • Rare earth magnets to secure the lid
  • CNC-milled KRC logos with Birchwood inlay

Also included:

  • KRC Gun Rug

Standard Features (Summary)

  • Forged carbon slide, frame & small parts
  • Flushed & crowned barrel
  • Speed chute / magwell
  • Single-side safety
  • Mammoth ivory grips
  • Fixed or KRC adjustable black rear & gold bead front sight
  • High-polished (mirror) small parts (2000-grit polish, triple labor)
  • Wide rear cocking serrations
  • Ball end mill cuts
  • Complete dehorn
  • Rear of slide checkered 30 LPI (upgrade option)
  • Slide blue finish
  • Curved trigger

The KRC Commitment

  • Lifetime warranty — guaranteed craftsmanship and reliability
  • Comprehensive testing — function and accuracy validation
  • Ongoing support — KRC family service long after purchase

More Than a Pistol — A Legacy

Choosing a Level Three Big Dog means acquiring a piece of American artistry and sophistication. It embodies the very highest standards of custom firearm manufacturing.

Experience the ultimate in custom craftsmanship. Choose Kings River Custom Level Three Big Dog — where heritage meets innovation, and extraordinary quality is a promise.

We choose Quality over Quantity.

Basic Options

  • Ambi Safety: $250
  • Checker Mainspring Housing (20, 25, 30 LPI): $300

Sights

 

  • Gold / Silver Bead Front Sight: $90
  • Fiber Optic Front Sights (green / red): $70
  • RMR Cut (rear of slide): $700
  • RMR / Holosun / Trijicon OPTIC — CUT & PLATE WITH TRITIUM REAR IRON SIGHT (Optic Included): $1,150

Texture Work

  • Stipple — Frontstrap: $300
  • Stipple — Mainspring Housing: $170
  • Stipple — Beavertail Memory Bump: $60
  • Stipple — Bottom of Round Butt Mainspring: $60
  • Stipple — Front of Trigger Guard: $125
  • Full Hand Stipple (Rear of slide, Front Strap, Front & Bottom of Trigger Guard, MSH & Beavertail Memory Bump): $930
  • Checker Front Strap & MSH (30 LPI): $300
  • Skip Line Checkering (FS & MSH): $575

Fluting

  • Flutes — Chamber (Bushing Gun): $90
  • Flutes — Barrel (Bushing Gun): $140
  • Flutes — Chamber (Bull Barrel Gun): $90
  • Flutes — Barrel (Bull Barrel Gun): $140

Finishes & Engraving

 

  • Full Hand Engraved Level 3 *Standard* (by the Gun Engraver): $3,000
  • Full Hand Engraved Level 3 *English* (by the Gun Engraver): $4,500
  • Color Case Hardening — Frame (TB or PW): $1,200
  • Color Case Hardening — Slide (TB or PW): $1,200
  • CCH Frame and all small parts (TB or PW — Beavertail, bushing, MSH/Magwell): $1,500
  • Bluing Entire Pistol (TBR, PW, or Barron) — 1000 grit polish: $1,000
  • Bluing Entire Pistol (TBR, PW, or Barron) — 2000 grit Mirror polish: $1,200
  • Cerakote (Souled Out Cerakote) — Single color complete pistol: $200
  • Cerakote (Souled Out Cerakote) — complete pistol (Level 1 Finish): $350
  • Cerakote (Souled Out Cerakote) — complete pistol (Level 2 Finish): $500

Grips

  • VZ Base G10 “Fallout” Grips with KRC Medallions: $80
  • SK Grips — Crosscut Mammoth Tooth: $900
  • SK Grips — Solid Mammoth Tooth: $1,000
  • Ben Jennen Meteorite — Aletai pattern (Hand Cut, Clear Coat, Custom Display Box, LOA, Composition Sheet): $5,000
  • Ben Jennen Meteorite — Campo Del Cielo pattern (Hand Cut, Clear Coat, Custom Display Box, LOA, Composition Sheet): $5,000
  • Ben Jennen — Crosscut Mammoth Tooth w/ KRC handmade silver Medallions: $1,100
  • Ben Jennen — Solid Mammoth Tooth w/ KRC handmade silver Medallions: $1,100
  • Ben Jennen — Standard Desert Iron Wood (Hand Rubbed Finish) w/ KRC handmade silver Medallions: $500
  • Ben Jennen — Standard Desert Iron Wood (Clear Coat Finish) w/ KRC handmade silver Medallions: $550
  • Ben Jennen — Top Tier Desert Iron Wood Burl (Hand Rubbed Finish) w/ Large silver Medallions: $650
  • Ben Jennen — Top Tier Desert Iron Wood (Clear Coat Finish) w/ Large silver Medallions: $750

Other Options

  • Bull Barrel upgrade (includes FLG & plug): $250
  • Caliber upcharge (9mm, .38 S, or 10mm — ramped barrel / bushing / 3 mags): $250
  • Flute Barrel Hood: $90
  • Flute Barrel: $140
  • Threaded Barrel Upgrade: $250

Custom Display Boxes

  • Custom Made Pistol Walnut Wood Boxes (range): $1,500 – $1,800
  • Custom designed boxes by customer — pricing determined after bid is built (per KRC and Ronnie Ferrier)
  • Note: These boxes come standard with Level 3 and Founder Series models; can be added to any order on request.