Avatar
Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_TopicIcon
To vent or not to vent.
Avatar
Kegs Allen
Member
Members
Forum Posts: 3
Member Since:
June 18, 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
July 13, 2019 - 4:51 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Greetings one & all,

                      I am a newbie.  I have just inherited a Dan Wesson .44 Magnum 744v.  I know nothing about it. It came with a spare, ported, 8" barrel.  The 8" barrel installed is not ported but the shroud is. The porting on the barrel does not align with the porting on the shroud, when installed it sits a half inch in front of it.  So, a couple of what some would consider mundane questions.

Should the barrel porting and the shroud porting align exactly?

How the heck does one tell if either barrel will take a Magnum load?  Neither of them are marked.

Could they be for plain .44 loads only?

I'd appreciate any help you knowledgable folk can give when you have time.

 

   Many thanks.........Kegs.

Avatar
rwsem
SOWELA (Southwest Louisiana)

Supporter
Members


Moderators


Dans Club
Forum Posts: 5272
Member Since:
February 22, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
July 13, 2019 - 5:54 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Be sure to visit the new Members Introduction Thread!

It's called power porting- not a great system but what you describe is normal.  The barrels only fit the 44 mag frame and will absolutely handle magnum loads.

Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....

Avatar
Scott_B
Member
Members
Forum Posts: 117
Member Since:
July 2, 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
July 13, 2019 - 6:41 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

You inherited a fantastic revolver. I'm looking to acquire a 44 or 744 at some point myself. From what I can tell, the 744s are nowhere near as plentiful as the 44s, so their value is even greater.

There's another thread I started regarding the porting methods used on 44s because I wasn't familiar with it either. All of those that are, however, agree with exactly what Rwsem stated above: the holes in the barrel and the ports in the shroud do not align. In addition to that, however, you'll want to keep the barrel and shroud very clean because it seems the two can seize up together when extremely fouled and not properly maintained. From the sounds of it, most owners of 44s seem to prefer the non-ported barrels inside those ported shrouds.

Unfortunately, the barrels were never marked for caliber. There's no problem with putting full-house 44 magnums through the revolver though. It's a very strong gun and people routinely put 300+ grain bullets through them.

Enjoy and welcome to the forum. 

Avatar
Kegs Allen
Member
Members
Forum Posts: 3
Member Since:
June 18, 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
July 13, 2019 - 9:16 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Hey Guys,

            really, thanks a lot to you all.  Getting the hang of it now, it all fits together.  I appreciate your time.

 

   I don't believe this rig has ever been fired, still smells of factory grease and not a blemish.

 

   Would like to get a handle on it's age though, serial number 00316*  Anyone point me in the right direction?

 

   Thanks again, Lads.......Kegs.

Avatar
Stinger
Member
Members
Forum Posts: 3361
Member Since:
February 16, 2016
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
July 14, 2019 - 8:47 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Kegs Allen said
Would like to get a handle on it's age though, serial number 00316*  Anyone point me in the right direction.

dwf-welcome to the dwf

https://www.danwessonforum.com/wp-content/files/DanWessonSerialNumbers.pdf

Avatar
Kegs Allen
Member
Members
Forum Posts: 3
Member Since:
June 18, 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
July 14, 2019 - 3:08 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Thanks a lot, Stinger, got it pinned to 1981.  Nice one.

 

   Best.......K.

Avatar
LeonardC
Member
Members
Forum Posts: 184
Member Since:
June 8, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
July 14, 2019 - 6:45 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Would you please describe the porting on the barrel?  Number of holes, shape, and location (within the groove or?).  Follow-up to the talk within "Ported Barrels for 715s?" below.

Thank you.

Avatar
pops2
beavercreek,oregon
Member
Members
Forum Posts: 811
Member Since:
March 25, 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
July 14, 2019 - 11:34 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

you have a nice early 44m with that serial number range you should have the short hammer spur, still very good a little hard to mount a scope and get your finger on the spur under the scope but few seem to hunt that way. occasionpost-picsshow it off

Forum Timezone: America/New_York
Most Users Ever Online: 658
Currently Online: superdan, bigmitty
Guest(s) 42
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
Steve: 10330
SHOOTIST357: 4788
Dave_Ks: 4300
Ole Dog: 3879
Stinger: 3361
Supermagfan: 3235
zoommb: 3161
IHMSA80x80: 3014
Blacktop: 3004
brucertx: 2311
Newest Members:
Larry E White
Bimmerland
Fredton
surbhi
pyncnetty
JamesJearl
Aaronnib
Cireinnox
Superdave
Mac427
Forum Stats:
Groups: 11
Forums: 42
Topics: 16630
Posts: 145920

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 88
Members: 11181
Moderators: 4
Admins: 1
Administrators: Jody
Moderators: lbruce, Charger Fan, rwsem, SCORPIO