Well, my user name pretty much says it all… I’m a DW newbie, from MN. 

I was first made aware of DW revolvers in about 1991. Some IHMSA shooters were putting on a “Silhouette Clinic,” at the clubhouse of the Oakdale Gun Club (OGC). There was a classroom portion, where an overview of the game was presented. Some members brought in their “tools of the trade,” for display/discussion. 

I don’t remember if there was a DW .22 present at that time, or not. I DO remember a .445 Super Mag… 😍

We went down to the range, where we were allowed to shoot some targets, if we wished. I had brought my S&W 617 w/6” barrel, so I headed for the rimfire targets. Bill Hoppe(?) from Bill’s Gun Shop in Lilydale offered to be my spotter. (Bill was the one who sold me that 617, at the shop!)

I contorted my (large, not slim) frame into something resembling the Creedmoor position, on one of the supplied shooting mats. I got a few chickens, which made me happy. I got a few pigs, which also made me happy. I think I got only one turkey- that DIDN’T make me happy! 😡

On to the rams! 

I think I missed the first ram, but by that time was getting comfortable with trusting Bill as my spotter. I connected with one of the subsequent rams. I heard my revolver go “pop,” and a moment or two later, the ram tipped one over, in slow motion. 🤗

I looked up inquisitively, at Bill. He said, “Yeah, that was YOU!”  🤪 I ended up getting two rams, which I was pretty pleased with! 

I also set centerfire targets at an OGC silhouette match with a guy named “Bug” for a couple days, as part of my membership service hours. We were in a bunker dug into the berm, about 150-175 yards downrange. The Range Officer would call on an old phone line w/dry cell battery, to tell us “The line is safe!” We’d go set the turkeys and rams, head back to the bunker, and call back to make the line hot. Neat memories! 

One thing lead to another, “life got in the way,” and I haven’t been to a Silhouette match, since. How can that even happen? 🫢

—ANYWAY—

DWs have been “on my radar” for many years.

I’m mostly a rimfire guy, but have a couple of big boomers. For years, I’ve had my sights set on a DW 10” VH stainless .22 like Dean (IHMSA80X80) once had as his avatar. I even exchanged messages with Dean (and his wife Marilyn, after his passing!), over on RimfireCentral.com. ❤️

Fast forward a few years, I recently found a DW 722 w/10” barrel on consignment at a (somewhat) local shop. Single action only, vent rib shroud, no underlug, ram on shroud near muzzle, no “ETG” serial number prefix. Seemed to be fairly heavily used, but I didn’t see any red flags.

I felt they had it priced “optimistically,” but I made an offer. They declined, and I was planning to walk. They seemed a little surprised, and asked for a counter offer. I made one, they accepted it, and now a DW lives at my house! 👍

Glad to avail myself of the community knowledge I’ve found while “lurking” here. I’ll get my serial number entered, shortly. 

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