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December 26, 2018
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I am considering purchasing this 744 for $700.
The seller rates it 8.5 to 9 out of 10. The seller is about 5 hours away from me and I have not had a chance to look at the gun in person yet.
I am looking for a nice revolver for a range toy. I am mainly a semi-auto pistol person and only own a couple military revolvers, a Nagant and a break top Webley converted to 45acp with the heaviest/worst trigger I have ever found on any gun I have ever shot or messed with.
I have been looking for a good deal on a S&W but when this popped up it peaked my interest. I have read about Dan Wesson revolvers in the past and have been reading up on them this past day. I already reload 44 mag and have a head setup for my Dillon. I have read a little about downloading 44 mag to 44 special velocities which seems like it would be a fun shooter for a target gun / range gun. My 44 semi-auto requires full power loads to function and I don't find it to be unmanageable in any way... but it would be nice to be able to shoot some lighter loads... hence the 744... and I have always wanted a really nice shooting revolver with a good trigger comparable to my 1911 target pistols with worked over triggers.
Any advice on the price or the revolver would be appreciated. Seller says he is pretty firm on the price.
No box, no paperwork, no wrench and no feeler gauge. The Tasco scope and mount are included but I wouldn't have much use for them. I would probably purchase a shorter barrel and keep the scope mounted for plinking and gongs. I have read through what to look for when buying a revolver.
Thanks,
Michael.
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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Welcome to the forum.
If the gun is as the seller states, it is worth the asking price. That scope mount appears to be a B-square clamp on mount. They sell on eBay for 100 to 150 dollars and are in demand. Should you decide to sell, that would help lower your out of pocket cost. You can get a first rate barrel wrench from EWKArms, see his link on the right side of the screen.
Check the gun carefully before buying of course.
Let us know if you need specific info, we are glad to help.
The 744 will handle any 44 load you put in it, they are very robust guns. They also tame the recoil very well so hot loads aren't unmanageable.
Good luck.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
Dans Club
October 17, 2008
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June 11, 2016
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It is a great buy as long as timing, and lock up are good. Also check the top strap for etching.
December 26, 2018
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Thank you for the welcome and thank you for the replies! I am going to proceed and try to purchase. Thank you for the comment about the scope mount... very good to know.
I have thoroughly familuarized myself with the EWK website. I don't understand why all the barrels are out of stock? Does he make them when ordered? The aluminum alignment stud makes sense to me and will be ordering a wrench if I purchase the revolver.
I didn't have any specific question, I have done a lot of reading, much of it on this site. I have pretty much sold myself on DW revolvers... in theory. I was mostly looking for a check if the price was inline.
February 20, 2008
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If all is well with the gun, you will not be disappointed, at all.
If you're going to drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
December 26, 2018
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Just bouhht it. Now I have a 4hr drive home
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
December 26, 2018
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Just got home... long day... a lot of driving... a lot of snow! 🙂
I would say the revolver is at least 8.5 to 9 out of 10 like the seller described. Everything seems tight and well aligned to me... but quite dirty. The seller only owned the gun for about a month... I saw where he traded a 1911 for it on Northwest firearms about a month or so ago. It is nice that his recollection lined up with what I found in the past online listings. He said he only shot one cylinder full using 44 special. At first the short ownership alarmed me... then I looked at his history and he changes firearms more often than I change my underware.
I am very impressed with the trigger, both SA and DA. In Oregon private transfers have to go through an FFL. While we were waiting on the background check and B.S.ing with the pawn shop owner he showed me a few of his revolvers... he is a S&W guy. He had a Performance center S&W Model 25 (45lc) new in box. I was very impressed with the trigger on 25 too! I actually liked the wider trigger on the S&W a bit better... due to the width. Weight of pull seemed about the same to me. The DA on the 744 definitely seem superior to me. A S&W 625 (stainless model 25) is one of the revolvers I had on my short list. I think I will like the 744!
There are a few of the most minor scratches (more "hard rubs" because they don't really break the surface) on the 744. They should be very easy to remove with some triple ought steel wool. Not really any nicks that I can find. I did check the top strap (thank you for the reminder) and see no flame cutting at all. I just hope it has a good cylinder gap! 
It is very HEAVY!!!! With the 8" barrel and scope and mount it is a lot of weight to hold steady at arms length. I am going to be looking to lighten it up a fair bit... I hope! I am kind of thinking of maybe going with a 4" barrel. I will send EWK an email in the next day or two to inquire about barrels. He doesn't list any barrels in stock... I wonder if he makes them to order? If he machines them when the barrel is ordered I wonder if he would make a 5" barrel? I don't know why 5", it just sounds cool to have something a bit unique. I am open for barrel suggestions???? Mostly I will just be plinking / target shooting. Although silhouettes does sound like they would be fun to try some day. MY Desert L5 (Light weight 5" barrel) is about 3 pounds which makes for a nice weight. It would be nice to have the 744 about the same weight, give or take.
The grips on the 744 are too small for my hand. The pawn shop owner noticed this too. He showed me his 629 with some really thick custom grips. My Desert Eagle also has really thick grips and they do an excellent job of spreading the recoil over a large area of my palm. It would be nice to find some really thick grips for the 744. I really like Hogue or Pachmeyer finger grove rubber grips on my other pistols. I think I read here that the Hogue grips for DW revolver come in small frame and large frame... with small, medium and large grip sizes available in each? I am a pretty decent woodworker, I can make myself some custom grips if I need to... I have before and they turned out pretty nice.
I will try to post some pics soon. I appreciate all the responses and help!
P.S. Just pulled the scope off... better weight and better balance. I am still thinking a shorter barrel is in my future though.
February 16, 2016
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Glad you're happy with your purchase .. try a Vented 6" BA and you will fall in love. Many different factory and aftermarket grips for a large fram are readily available.
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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Congrats on your purchase Michael! My first DW was a 44 with a 6VH Barrel Assembly. Even my wife loves shooting it. It is still my favorite. I highly recommend the 6VH. It seems to be just the right weight and balance. The 6VH Compensated shroud (not the Power Control) would also be a great choice. The factory may have one of these lying around.
It is probably not a good idea to use steel wool on your gun. It can leave very small pieces of steel imbedded in the stainless and lead to rust in that spot. The 3M Scotchbrite pads are a good choice instead, or wet-dry sandpaper (I like to use oil with the sand paper)
You will never regret your purchase.
August 8, 2016
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Damn, that's a steal for $700 - at least in my area (Massachusetts). I paid $825 for my 744 VH6 a couple years ago. No accessories.
EWK had a bunch of barrels in stock back in March but have since sold out. I suspect he'll have more in the coming months. He does this as a side hobby not his main job so you'll have to be patient with him. I've been waiting over a year for one of his railed 15" stainless 357 barrels...
March 25, 2008
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glad to hear you like the DW44, as time goes by you will end up with more
keep a eye open on e-gouge or the gun broker as many barrel assemblies are listed there. Sounds like your in Oregon so welcome from a longtime Oregonian! Dayton
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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All good advise. Snake-eye is spot on about not using steel wool. Blue steel on stainless leads to black corrosion.
You got a great price. I am sure the gun is in fine working order. 44 mag DWs are tremendously strong. I would recommend buying factory barrel assemblies on ebay. The gun and barrels will have a better value down the road if you sell it. That is the only reason EWK are well made.
The 4" can be pretty brutal for a day at the range. After a couple of cylinders it gets gets tiresome. My favorite for the sheer accuracy is the Vent 10". It is lighter then the 8VH.
Lastly you might want to keep the scope and mount in case you want to hunt. You can get just a shroud and keep the scope mounted on the 8VH. You have your choice with just a change of shroud.
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