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October 27, 2010
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I have lately become very interested in trying to acquire a Model 40 357 Supermag especially with the Slotted barrel. I am trying to do my research on the firearm and specifically things to look for when buying considering most everyone will be used. I heard about flame cutting the top strap that plagued guns chambered in the round from the get go and currently reload so know to keep the bullets to the heavier weight variety, but for the most part it will probably be fed 357 mags and 38s which I have heard is fine so long as I'm proactive about keeping the cylinder clean from the powder of the shorter cases.
The point of all this really is, I'm not looking for an overly collectible piece but don't want to have problems down the road either, but I have found a gun and know it has had about 250 rounds of 357 Maximum run through it and not sure how much flame cutting is really acceptable?
If someone has some expertise to pass on regarding the subject, I'm always happy to learn.
Thanks,
dustbusterplus
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Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
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That looks like a fairly minimal amount of flame cutting to me. Also, remember that the flame cutting is never going to get so bad that it compromises the safety of the gun. The flame cutting gets to a certain point (this one looks like it may already be there) and then it never gets any worse because it can't produce enough energy to cut any deeper.
You don't have a thing to worry about, IMHO. Many of us have and shoot these guns and no one has experienced a failure due to flame cutting,
Enjoy it! 
-Mike
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DWF Supporters
October 14, 2010
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I run IMR-4227 in mine instead of H110 or win296. I have read that those can act like a sandblaster in the maximum.
Support your local IHMSA range.
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Dans Club
March 27, 2009
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Hoss has it! \ I have wondered if a person could coat the strap with some of the hard coatings! Mine is cut about like this one and I don't worry about it!
October 27, 2010
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What is a fair price for a Model 40-V8S with the original box and extra barrel with a few marks under the trigger guard and bright spots along the edges of the vent rib? There's no holster wear and the frame and barrel are a nice bright blue. I'm not really sure about the value of these since I just recently got interested in owning one.
Thanks for everyone's help.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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In my area that is a $750-900 gun. It could go +$100 from there and still be a good value
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
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January 24, 2009
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Honestly, I think most of the ".357 Maxi stigma" came about because of the Ruger guns. In the early days, many of those guys would load them hot-n-light, resulting in deep flame cut. As a result, Ruger caved & discontinued their guns after a couple years...DW chose to stand their ground & informed their customers to use heavier bullets, not bullets made for .38's. The TC crowd never had to worry about this, of course. I haven't seen many (only a half dozen) DW's which looked worse than your pic, and none of those have been rendered unusable AFAIK.
So looking at yours, I wouldn't be worried...I would shoot the snot out of it!
BTW, I run mine with heavy bullets & IMR4227, and my top strap still looks great! DW's have a TON of meat in that top strap. Anyway, since I have my pic host site open tonight, here's some model 40 gun porn of mine...just to nudge you over the edge.
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December 4, 2011
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That flame cut doesn't look bad at all. That is a fairly common sight and there is plenty of 'meat' left in that top strap. I have a few of these guns, all have some degree of cut, all get shot and I don't hold back on the loads either. Shoot with confidence, buy now 
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
October 27, 2010
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Thanks for the words of encouragement. I actually sent the guy the money last week and hoping to see it come in this week. It comes with a little ammo and I actually came across a box at a gun show this weekend. I can't wait to shoot a SuperMag.
I'll try to post some pics once it comes in and I give it a good cleaning. I need to get some shots of my whole DW collection anyways.
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December 4, 2011
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The model 40 is the tamest of the supermags. The weight of the gun makes even hot loads feel light and it very controlable and accurate, have fun.
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
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Range Officers
Dans Club
March 27, 2009
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Teasers! Dang shoot the M 40 and enjoy!
July 3, 2014
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I have been researching the 357SM and have read that light bullets and ball powders cause the flame cutting. I remember it was an article by Elgin Gates so I'm pretty sure it was reliable.Yes the cutting can only so deep.The Rugers suffered worse because their forcing cone was only 5 degrees and not 11 degrees like DW. If I remember correctly.
February 20, 2008
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I would be more wary about a gun without any flame cutting...
If you're going to drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
December 19, 2015
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I have a 40 in the bubba Plum color. It is an absolutely beautiful purple. It may be my favorite.
You can't go wrong with that extra barrel worth an easy $225+ all by itself. I have to say that I think the SuperMags are the best of the DWs. Fit and Finish are outstanding.
Ya gotta shoot the Max ammo. It is accurate and hard hitting at the target. The recoil is a giant surprise as it is very manageable. Nothing like a 44 Mag. Find a reloader or get started.
The Maximum is the best "accident" I've had in a dozen years. It's right up there with the Seville I found a couple of months ago.
You're gonna love this.
Prescut
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January 24, 2009
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Prescut said
The Maximum is the best "accident" I've had in a dozen years. It's right up there with the Seville I found a couple of months ago.
Which Seville do you have? We do have an "other brands" area, you know.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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I just bought my first SA. I found a NIB Ruger 357 maximum 101/2" at my local gun shop. I think I got a deal. May not shoot it. I have two DWs. I gave the serial number to Coogs. Alas it is not the one he is searching for.
😂
July 3, 2014
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Ole Dog congratulations. Talked to my friend today. Getting ready for competition he had run 600-700 rounds thru his Ruger 357 maximum and noticed the flame cutting had stopped.Worried my friend had gunsmith check it out while he had it apart to re-ream forcing cone to 11 degrees from stock 5 degrees, cutting stopped a little over 6 thousandths of an inch deep, wanting to know why, next step was metal hardness test.It had case hardened area as it flame cut top strap. Self eliminating problem. 
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