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October 9, 2025
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Greetings,
As the title says...I guess I have a "Dan" but missing the "Wesson"!
Inherited a DW .44V frame only. No barrel, shroud, wrench, or feeler guage. I think that is all I need from what I have been reading and gathering from the webz and now hopefully here.
My new to me DW:
It looks to be in great shape. Don't know why the trigger and hammer are gold or if that was some sort of option?
Gun is Blued or says so on the box it came in:
It looks more like dark blue to me, maybe black? What is Bright Blue?
So, I need said barrels, etc, but don't know which ones. Standard, Heavy, ported, non-ported, stainless..etc.
Can someone point me in some sort of direction that would round out this gun? Thinking general shooting, maybe 8 inch?
Thx.
Supporter
Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Bright blue means highly polished and Blued as opposed to a matte finish. Blue, black, plum are all the same. Plum is the color some frames turn.
The Power Ports are not actually a ported barrel. The barrel tube can have 6 holes near the muzzle which let's gases into the space between the barrel tube and shroud, and then releasing the pressure through the ports in the shroud. 91!2" Barrel Assemblies don't have the ports but shorter ones do. The 44 came with two barrel tubes. The one without holes for lead bullets and the ported one for jacketed bullets if you didn't mind scrubbing the shroud out after each use. Most folk don't use the tube with holes at all.
The ' gold ' hammer and trigger are probably aftermarket. EBay is probably the best place to hunt for the appropriate barrel assembly. A Monson shroud with the two line roll mark would be more period correct. The frame came without a BA. Hence RCVR on the label. Receiver/frame. You might consider buying several length BAs. 4, 6, 8 and 91/2" are available. Some few 21/2" are out there but I can't imagine why anyone would do that. The choices are either Vent or Vent Heavy with a full lug.
Dans Club
March 28, 2023
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I could use that if you want to sell it! I just happen to have a 10VH barrel sitting here all alone!
Dans Club
December 7, 2020
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Or you can just order New Barrel assemblies, and wrench, tools from the Dan Wesson/CZUSA Factory Webstore:
https://shop.cz-usa.com/dw-products/revolver/barrels-shrouds/44-magnum.html
Or, Toll/Wrench from DWF Supporter EWK: https://www.ewkarms.com/zen8/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=67
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This is the 2nd or 3rd such Dan we've seen lately with the Gold Cerakote Hammer and Trigger lately. In this case being sent by factory as a receiver and having those parts, I wonder if this was another spin on the Dan Wesson Gold Series Trigger jobs? It does not make sense to have aftermarket parts put in but not have a barrel for it?
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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I prefer the 6VH as the best all around BA for the 44. Not too heavy and long enough for anything except Silhouette Shooting.
October 9, 2025
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Ole Dog said
Bright blue means highly polished and Blued as opposed to a matte finish. Blue, black, plum are all the same. Plum is the color some frames turn.The Power Ports are not actually a ported barrel. The barrel tube can have 6 holes near the muzzle which let's gases into the space between the barrel tube and shroud, and then releasing the pressure through the ports in the shroud. 91!2" Barrel Assemblies don't have the ports but shorter ones do. The 44 came with two barrel tubes. The one without holes for lead bullets and the ported one for jacketed bullets if you didn't mind scrubbing the shroud out after each use. Most folk don't use the tube with holes at all.
The ' gold ' hammer and trigger are probably aftermarket. EBay is probably the best place to hunt for the appropriate barrel assembly. A Monson shroud with the two line roll mark would be more period correct. The frame came without a BA. Hence RCVR on the label. Receiver/frame. You might consider buying several length BAs. 4, 6, 8 and 91/2" are available. Some few 21/2" are out there but I can't imagine why anyone would do that. The choices are either Vent or Vent Heavy with a full lug.
Dog,
Got it on the ported barrels.
Monson Shroud with the two line roll mark? What is that? Got a pic or is there one on this site?
So, vented or Vented Heavy Lug.
Thanks alot.
October 9, 2025
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Stmstan 445 said
I could use that if you want to sell it! I just happen to have a 10VH barrel sitting here all alone!
445,
Probaby not. I want to keep it. 10VH seems like a bit much.
October 9, 2025
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SC
Scout728 said
Or you can just order New Barrel assemblies, and wrench, tools from the Dan Wesson/CZUSA Factory Webstore:https://shop.cz-usa.com/dw-products/revolver/barrels-shrouds/44-magnum.html
Or, Toll/Wrench from DWF Supporter EWK: https://www.ewkarms.com/zen8/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=67
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This is the 2nd or 3rd such Dan we've seen lately with the Gold Cerakote Hammer and Trigger lately. In this case being sent by factory as a receiver and having those parts, I wonder if this was another spin on the Dan Wesson Gold Series Trigger jobs? It does not make sense to have aftermarket parts put in but not have a barrel for it?
Scout,
Yes, I see that.
thx
Dans Club
March 28, 2023
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Dan Wesson has the same motto as most ladies, the longer the better! 10 inch is pretty mild compared to a 12 or 15 inch available for 357 magnums. 10 inch was the longest barrel made for the large frame guns i'm pretty sure unless the aftermarket (EWK?) made a large frame longer than 10 inches. I will admit I do not think any barrel over 10 inches is practical for most use. The 15 inch barrels on a 357magnum looks a bit crazy I don't know if they used them in competition. They sure go for a lot of money!
Supporter
Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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MN44, do not think a new Norwich BA adds any value to your gun. The greatest value of a collectable firearm is as it left the factory. You should seek an unmodified trigger and hammer. That is NOT factory work. Vent 91/2" Barrel is very nice. Not as heavy and the long sight radius helps accuracy.
October 9, 2025
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Stmstan 445 said
Dan Wesson has the same motto as most ladies, the longer the better! 10 inch is pretty mild compared to a 12 or 15 inch available for 357 magnums. 10 inch was the longest barrel made for the large frame guns i'm pretty sure unless the aftermarket (EWK?) made a large frame longer than 10 inches. I will admit I do not think any barrel over 10 inches is practical for most use. The 15 inch barrels on a 357magnum looks a bit crazy I don't know if they used them in competition. They sure go for a lot of money!
15 inch barrel. Geez.
Reminds me of that scene in Johnny Dangerously.....
October 9, 2025
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Ole Dog said
MN44, do not think a new Norwich BA adds any value to your gun. The greatest value of a collectable firearm is as it left the factory. You should seek an unmodified trigger and hammer. That is NOT factory work. Vent 91/2" Barrel is very nice. Not as heavy and the long sight radius helps accuracy.
Ok, good to know.
Thanks, Dog.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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BTW, the 12 and 15" barrels are used for Silhouette shooting. They are too long for off hand shooting. Either the Creedmore or dead frog positions are used. You cannot support the barrel except with your body. The Creedmore, position is laying on the ground with your feet facing the target. You prop your head up with your off arm and lay the barrel on your calf on your shooting hand/leg. A leather apron protects your leg from the cylinder gap blast. The Dead Frog is sitting on your behind facing the target and your elbows rest on your knees, to support the barrel. I would not be able to do either I am very unflexible. It is one of my superpowers and also my handicap. I also don't feel some pains like normal people. You can drill my teeth to a nub for a crown or root canal without novocaine and I barely feel it. But if I scratch my eye i am washed with pain. I also feel my sciatica at times.
Dans Club
March 28, 2023
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I do have a 8VH (Vent Heavy) Monson barrel in very good condition if you're interested PM me!
June 8, 2009
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OP? What are YOU planning on doing with YOUR DW.44? Get it ready for a sale and make as much money as you can? Keep it, get it ready to shoot, and shoot it for fun? Pack in on your hip or chest?
"Inherited" Does it have some sentimental value to you that you want to keep it?
Figure out a few of those answers and you'll have an easier path forward.
My .44 came with 8V barrels. The comp. (power control?) barrel has never been used. It's a big heavy gun. A VH barrel would ve even heavier. I have a Diamond D Alaska Guide chest holster to carry it...makes it nice to carry.
I bought a 4VH barrel assembly shortly after I got the gun. I like it a lot. Heavy enough to be pleasant shooting with my loads. I have an order in with Diamond D Leather to have a hip holster with a flap made for it.
Years after I bought my gun I wanted a 6VH barrel and finally found a NOS one. I think I paid more for that barrel than I paid for the whole gun originally. I have a Bianchi holster for it. It makes a great shooting gun that is still "carriable". For me it's right on the edge of needing a chest holster.
If you're just going to have it as a range toy, then the holsters don't matter!
I originally had a DW15 & DW22 with barrels of 4, 6, and 8" I was shooting a lot at that time and found I shot the 6" a LOT better than the 4". I shot the 8" only about 10% better than the 6". 6" has always been my favorite length for shooting when I have a choice.
Good luck and welcome to the family!
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