Dan Wesson 744vh

[crazysccrmd]

I'm looking for input on price for a DW I'm considering. Serial number shows it should be a 1984 Monson, MA manufacturing, 44 magnum, stainless finish in good shape. It is listed for $900 and includes:

6 Inch Ported Barrel, and 6 inch non ported Barrel
4 Inch Non Ported barrel and 4 inch Shroud
Original Dan Wesson Smooth Hardwood Fingergroove Grips
Two REd Ramp Sights and One Yellow Ramp Sight
3 Barrel Nuts
One Barrel / Cylinder Gap Gauge
Instruction Manual
Arm Patch
Takedown tool
Leather Holster
Hogue grips that arent factory original.

I have never handled one, how does it compare in frame/grip size to a S&W N frame? I had been holding out for a new S&W 69 but being able to swap between 6" at the range and 4" in the woods is attractive. The DW is cheaper than buying two separate 4" and 6" 44s.

 

[Hamfisted]

Are you really gonna swap out barrels out in the woods? The issue with the big DW revolvers was quality control. I own one, but it is not my favorite revolver. It is not my HD gun. After a few thousand rounds and needed gunsmith repair it has become a safe queen. I'll probably trade it for something I'd rather shoot more in the future. The Monson is simply a big heavy novelty range gun. I doubt you'd take it on a second trip to the woods. If you had your eye on a 69, get the 69.



-Mike






The frame grip "nub" ....

 

[RugRev]

Comments: the grips in the picture look like Dan Wesson grips and not Hogues unless they are in addition. The Wesson is huge and the 6" weight is specified as 56 oz and the 4" I don't recall what it was. I had one with a Redhawk and kept the Ruger and sold the Wesson. A 4" std. barrel S&W 29/629 should weigh about 43-44 oz and if you can find a Mtn. Gun it will go about 39 oz so the S&W's are definitely more portable. I had several Wessons years ago and never much used the switch barrel feature and they do need to be sighted in when changed.

 

[crazysccrmd]

Sounds like I'll pass on it then. I had a 629 Mountain Gun and sold it to fund a 69 but saw this today. The interchangeable barrels were attractive but sounds like the 69 will be a better fit.

 

[Steve CT]

I know some guys that would snap this up in a heartbeat, a 4VH/6VH DW 744.

I agree that you would never change out barrels in the woods, that was not the intent with the interchangeable barrels.

$900 is a very good price. The DW Large Frame is a very strong, accurate revolver, and the 4" barrel assembly is a relatively uncommon and desirable item

 

[SunnySlopes]

Throw a scope on the longer barrel and it could be the one I sold. I didn't like it. The internals are cast and couldn't be worked on to any appreciable degree. The angle of the hammer spur is so shallow that it invites slippage when cocking.

But all of that is moot since the OP decided not to buy.

 

[SPW1]

I like dan wessons ok, but not at the prices they have been selling for the last few years. I own several dan wesson revolvers and when they were cheap they were decent value, but they are not cheap anymore. 900$ is not out of line with current market value for what you described, but it is more than the gun is worth IMHO. I bought the same gun in blued form 5 years or so ago in excellent shape with six and 8 inch barrels for around half that price. in the 400-500$ range with a couple barrels I consider them a decent value for what you get. At 900$ I do not. Obviously that is just one man's opinion though and opinions are subjective.

 

[rswartsell]

I respect the fact that others are giving their opinions based on experience. I think their opinions carry a certain amount of weight. As far as the Dan Wesson experience I have, I just do not agree. Granted my experience has been with a .357 15-2 Monson but it has been completely positive and I have grown to love the gun.

I am however one of the DW buyers that got it cheap a few years ago. When I first bought it, it needed a thorough cleaning badly. At first I was unhappy with the trigger action but removing the calcified lubricants from what was apparently years of over oiling was just the ticket.

When I got done the finish is beautiful, the action much improved (still the DW weak point IMHO) the gun is amazingly accurate and exceptionally well behaved with very heavy .357 hunting loads. It has been my opinion that the recent price escalation is due to;

1. General gun related inflation due to political climate coupled with
2. The gun was previously underappreciated for what it is

I do know that the DW has been through a few iterations and if there are quality control issues with some phases of their history I am simply not aware of them. That doesn't mean there weren't problems, but you couldn't prove it by me.

Regarding the woods barrel change? Actually if you came prepared you probably could do it. Why would anyone want to? The ability on your home bench to re-purpose the revolver without having to buy a new one seems an obvious advantage to me. YMMV. Poo-pooing this ability as a worthless gimmick just leaves me baffled as to your reasoning.

My 15-2 serves the role of hunter for me and I couldn't be happier. It doesn't have a bullseye level trigger action but hunters don't need them. My previous 686+ for target/range, the DW 15-2 for the woods.

 

[crazysccrmd]

The revolver has been sold so the temptation is past now.

 

[rswartsell]

Well I guess there are at least a few more out there that thought that was a mighty fair deal.

 

[hemiram]

I would be one of them, I would jump all over that deal, if I didn't have a .44 DW already.