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February 21, 2026
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Hi, new member here …
I purchased a 744VH (4”, 6”, 8”, 10”) new back in the late 1980’s and put maybe 1000 rounds through it. Great gun… just not practical for what I needed, so it’s been in the back of the safe and taken out just to clean over these many years. But my son has a renewed interest in target practice, so I took it out to go over it in order to gift it to him. While cleaning after putting another 50 rounds through it (did I mention this is a great gun?) I popped the cylinder out by pushing on the back side, without touching the latch! The spring and latch seem to be functioning properly, so I started looking to see what the problem may be. What I found was the latch is a trapezoid shape, while the notch in the frame is a half moon so it only catches on the points of the trapezoid. Has anyone noticed this on their DW’s? Do they make half moon latches? This seems very out of place… I’ve never had it open before while shooting nor while cleaning but all of my other brand revolvers lock up tight. Any information would be appreciated.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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They're all that same shape- even the large 445 Super magnum. I suspect there's some dried crud in the spring or channels, preventing full travel upward. The first things is a disassembly and cleaning. The spring could be weak and need replacing as well, but I suspect dried oil to be the culprit.
A previous discussion HERE.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
February 21, 2026
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Are you saying all of the frames have a half moon or round notch? As per my note above… I have been around firearms my whole life and own many. This gun has been gone over and cleaned four times a year for the past forty years…. While not being shot. It doesn’t have crud or grime in the notch…. The notch in the frame is half moon/rounded and the latch is trapezoid shaped, only allowing the points of the trapezoid latch to catch in the half moon notch before bottoming out. I guess I’m really asking someone who has a large frame DW to let me know what their gun has as far as the notch and latch.
btw… thanks for the link, I read this before and searched many sites on the web with no answer to my question… I’m hoping you guys, in your infinite wisdom, could help me with this.
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
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I think Ron may be saying the crud/old dried oil can be down inside the latch not letting it rise up enough to get good purchase on the notch. The latch doesn't need to be rounded as it should catch along the entire edge of the notch if it travels to it's full extended height our of the crane.
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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Ron is right about the shape of the latch being a trapezoid. Have you checked the latch spring? You will have to remove the latch from the crane to check the spring and the channel that the latch runs in.
February 16, 2016
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From what I've read, I still expect dirty parts.
February 21, 2026
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Thanks guys… I will take apart again and re-clean. It’s good to know that the notch is rounded on others. I may just purchase a new latch if I am not seeing any build up in the spring area of the latch. Hopefully I will get this straightened out… thanks for the quick replies and the photos everyone.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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The spring may be worn and lost some strength- change the spring before the latch if it's all clean...
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
February 21, 2026
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Thanks “rwsem”…. That would be a much cheaper route 👍… thanks for the help!
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