This is a factory letter printed in the March 1982 edition of "The Silhouette", concerning the new DW .44 Mags that might have been overweight.

Dan Wesson Arms, Inc.
.44 Magnum Revolver
Product Configuration Changes

    Commencing immediately, the following changes are being made to the Dan Wesson Arms 44-V10 and 44-VH8 models.
    These changes are being made in order to assure that the weight will consistently be below 64 ounces, this being the maximum qualifying weight in the International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association competitions.
    The ten inch barrel for the .44 Magnum will now be shortened to 9.7 inches. This reduction in length applies to all ten inch .44 guns and barrel assemblies, both vent and vent heavy. With the reduction in length, the weight for the vent 10 will then qualify for IHMSA. The vent heavy ten barrel assembly for the .44 will still be overweight for IHMSA competition, and no further action is planned for that version. We will continue to refer to 9.7 inch barrel assembly as a "nominal ten inch" barrel, and will so footnote in our advertising material and specifications.
    The eight inch barrel for the Dan Wesson .44 will remain at 8 inches. No change in the vented version of the shroud is anticipated. The "weight problem" has been with the vent heavy eight. In order to conforrm to 64 ounce maximum established by IHMSA, approximately .045 inch additional material will be removed from the bottom of the shroud, from the muzzle back toward the extractor rod slot. At that point, a slight radius will be formed.
    The massive Dan Wesson .44 Magnum was designed with the safety of the shooter in mind as well as a concern for accuracy. Some early models produced in the vent ten and vent heavy eight styles exceeded IHMSA's 64 ounce rule. While not all of the guns produced ended up in the hands of IHMSA shooters, some of those that did have caused challenges at IHMSA matches. It has been reported that there are guns now in the IHMSA organization that could be disqualified for the 1982 competition.
    Dan Wesson Arms produced these guns in good faith, with the intent of them being 64 ounces or less. It will now make a good faith effort to IHMSA members who need the weight adjustment.
    Accordingly, any IHMSA member who has a Dan Wesson .44 with a vent heavy eight or a vent ten configuration can return the gun to the factory for adjustments. The gun will be weighed upon receipt on an electronic scale certified by the local Department of Weights and Measures. Those guns that are 64 ounces or less will be certified as such at the factory and returned to the owner with certification. Those guns that are indicated to be in excess of 64 ounces will be modified to meet the weight limitation. Repair or replacement of the barrel assembly is solely at Dan Wesson's option. Some shooters may prefer to retain the barrel assemblies that they now have by virtue of the fact that the change in configuration of the vent heavy eight and the vent ten now render the earlier edition to be collector's items. The guns will be weighed with the Walnut flared grip, as that is the standard configuration as assembled. While the factory does provide an optional Zebrawood grip and a Combat grip, each of these are slightly heavier than the standard flared grip and could cause the gun to be overweight.
    In forwarding guns for adjustment, please mail to:
Dan Wesson Arms, Inc.   
IHMSA Weight Department
293 S. Main Street
Monson, MA 01057
    All shipments must be prepaid. We recommend that shipments be insured, as Dan Wesson Arms, Inc. assumes no responsibility for shipping loss or damage.

At the time, Dan Wesson petitioned IHMSA to change the weight rules for Production guns. IHMSA refused to do so. Dan Wesson then fixed the problem as above, later stating that IHMSA's refusal to change the rules was the correct thing to do. Dan Wesson thanked IHMSA for staying the course, cause it aided DWA in making some necessary changes to the new large frame gun.

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