Finally Bought One!

[Cayoot]

Well I went and did it.  I paid way too much I'm sure, but I wanted it, so I did it.

I purchased a Dan Wesson 44HV with an 8 inch bbl off Gun Brokers

Its a Monson gun and has a bit of honest wear, but looks great to me.

I picked it up last night.  I didn't have time to mess with it at all, except to throw 6 cartridges (RCBS 44-250 KT over 10 gr of Unique in Starline mag brass).
I have a fire extinguisher (8 inches wide) hanging at the back of my backyard (50 yards from my back porch).  So I quickly stepped out onto the back deck and fired 6 rounds at it.

I figured I would miss, because I was sure the gun was sighted in for something more stout.....I just wanted to see how the gun felt when fired.

Boy was I surprised when I rang the extinguisher with all 6 shots!  And the recoil was more like a stout .38 spl!  This gun is huge, but I love it!

My first handgun ever purchased with my own money was a brand new DW .357 hv back in 1979 (I was 17 at the time).  I had to sell that many years ago and have wanted another DW since.

Now my life seems complete!

[gypsyman]

Cayoot, welcome back to the club. DW's are alot like potato chips, it's hard to stop with just one!  gypsyman

[Cayoot]

I know...I can already feel the fever coming on!

[Steel Shooter]

Yes, it is a fever sometimes. They sure make a sweet revolver. They are hands down, my favorite. Over the past 25 years, I've probably owned darn near twenty of them, and currently own 7.
Thanks for letting us now your story.

[hemiram]

Due to money problems, I have had to pass on two really nice 6" 44 Magnums that went for a nice price, one hadn't ever been fired, and the other maybe had one box through it. Both were nearly perfect, and it killed me to have to let them pass by. Sooner or later, I will get one to go along with my 715 and 15.

[Cayoot]

I'm afraid my price wasn't that nice.  I paid $595 (plus shipping)

It came with an extra "Power Port" bbl (which I don't see a need for) and the wrench (no feeler gage) in the original styro.

However, I figure that it is a gun that I'll probably (hopefully) keep for a long life.  Keeping it in that perspective, $600's not alot of money.

[blhof]

My current DW is a 357supermag.  You can get replacement barrels/shrouds for changing lengths from CZ for around the same price as used ones come up at auction.  Auction parts used to be a bargain but recently that has changed and I just buy new from CZ and they fit perfectly.  My first experience with DW was when my brother bought a model 15 in 1972 and we went to the dump and proceeded to destroy rats without even adjusting the sights.  New gun and factory 357 ammo and it was a pure joy to shoot.  I've owned 3 and regreted selling the first, but won't make that mistake again.  My supermag is also a Monson gun, I found in a pawn shop covered with dust; got it for $160. about ten years ago.  The broker said to make an offer/but no return as they don't make bullets for that gun any more.  I let him know after the wait, when I picked it up that it will fire 357mags as well.  I've since put several hundred rounds through this gun and it still shoots 3/4" groups; if I do my job.

[GetGunz]

Congratulations on your purchase.  It will provide you a lifetime of shooting enjoyment.  The price is irrelevant as one cannot assess enjoyment in monetary terms.  Dan Wesson firearms are some of the best available! You have done very well for yourself!

[Laremm]

I bought a 44 mag in the spring, 4 inch barrel. Paid almost 600.

Looks like they hang around that price alot.

Mine looks like it was fired once.

[Cayoot]

How does it shoot in the 4 inch?  I can't believe the accuracy of this baby with the 8 inch tube!

I'm thinking very strongly on purchasing a 4 inch tube and shroud and feeler gauge from CZ as a Christmas present to myself!

[Illhunter]

i was looking at a D.W. 357 mag with  4" bbl guy told me whe would take $390 is this a good deal or should i try and bargain a bit more on it i want to be able to use it for deer possibly. 

[Steel Shooter]

Illhunter:
It seems that $390 is a bit on the high side, unless the gun is super pristine. If it's in average to above average condition, it would probably more often be seen at around $300 to $350. Tell us more about its condition, and if you finally end up getting it. We all like to hear about acquisition stories.

Wayne

[Cayoot]

Another important question is:
What is the city of manufacture?

That will be on the side of the firearm

[Illhunter]

not sure what city of manufacture will have to go look at it again. i would say excellent no wear spots that i could find to speak of need to go back and look some more thought it would be a good gun for deer hunting maybe a longer barrel would be good investment to. the gun is really nice don't know about the accuracy.

Terry   

[georgeld]

Wayne:
Sounds like you might be a DW expert from reading your comments here.
This is my first post in this section.

I've got a lovely DW here my neighbor said to see if I could sell for him.

It's a stainless, 8" .357 CTG, Monson  Ser#357S005332

Bore looks near as perfect as I've seen. Barrel side's and rib edge's have quite a few very minor scratche's. Grips have one little ding. I shot six light cast 38's and six full 357's the other night in the shop just to get a feel for how it handles, no target, just into a block of wood I shoot at now and then. Fire's and handles just fine.

He's not sure of the value though. There's nothing with it, just the gun with the 8" barrel and shroud installed. I've never handled one before this.

Would appreciate comments, offers, value info, or whatever anyone is willing to say.  IF I  knew more about it, I'd post it in the classifieds, but, am not ready for that. Need info first.

Thank you gentlemen,

George

[Reed1911]

George, going rate is going to be about 300-350 for a used in less than perfect but not abused .357.

[Steel Shooter]

George:
A good place to get an idea of what a comparable gun would sell for is the auction website Gunbroker.com
In the left side margin you can click under the word "Firearms", the word "Revolvers", and then when you get to that page, up near the top you could type the words "Dan Wesson" in the search box and hit Go. Watch this category for a few weeks, and you'll probably see a gun similar to the one you have been asked to sell. I think, from what you have described, that your DW will fall somewhere in the $300 to $350 range.

Welcome to this forum!
Wayne

[Laremm]

i am over in Iraq right now, so I am not shooting much, but the 4 inch was great, I will buy all the barrels for it.

Its too bad they didnt make a 2 inch for the 44.

I own a 357 stainless with the 2, 4, 6 and 8 inch barrels.

When i return I am sending it to DW to have it refinished.

My 44 is blued and looks like it was fired once and never fired again.