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September 19, 2011
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Forgive me if this has been covered previously... my search-fu is pretty lame.
I've got a 6" DW 741, the barrel has a ring in the bore, somehow. I've been looking for a replacement barrel or barrel set for about 5 years... with very little luck. It doesn't appear EWK is going to produce .41 barrels... I don't even see barrels on his webpage in any caliber, let alone .41, anymore.
Question: Rather than using this thing as a doorstop, how viable is a conversion to .44MAG? I'm assuming everything is the same on the standard large frame DW's, including the barrel threading. I suppose the trickiest part will be the cylinder. .44 parts and barrel sets are far more plentiful than .41... and this way I could actually shoot this thing while still searching for a replacement .41 barrel or set.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Assuming will get you in trouble. First off, 41 mags sell for more money than 44 mag. I understand that is not a consideration. Most importantly, the 44 barrel will not screw into the frame of a 41. The thread count of every Dan Wesson is unique to the caliber, small and large and Supermag frame. A 44 will fit a 445 because they are the same caliber. You could ream out the 41 cylinder to 44 though. You would have a lot of expense though. Perhaps the frame could be retreaded to accept the 44 barrel but maybe not.
Occasionally 41 mag BAs show up on eBay. That is your best option. They may be pricey but it will be far less expensive than trying to convert the 41 to 44. Another option is to sell the 41frame on Gunbroker and use the proceeds to buy a 44 mag. Between the frame and shroud it may be enough to buy a lesser valued 44 mag.
February 16, 2016
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I've already got a 6" model 41, so would be interested in purchasing your 741 frame and shroud.
PM me.
September 19, 2011
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Ole Dog said
Most importantly, the 44 barrel will not screw into the frame of a 41. The thread count of every Dan Wesson is unique to the caliber, small and large and Supermag frame.
That was the information I was looking for... I just didn't know. I find it kind of nutty that something as similar in size as a .41 and .44 would be a different thread pitch, but if it is, it is.
Honestly, I don't want a .44 DW, I want (and have) a .41 DW... but I really want to SHOOT it, not just look at it on the shelf of the safe.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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I have about 12+" of leftover .410 barrel blank. It's just over 1.25" so would need turned down considerably and then threaded. 1:18.5 twist. $125 shipped to TX, if you want it... PM if interested. Ron
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
September 19, 2011
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Thank you, Ron, for the offer... but I don't have either the tools nor the skill to turn that down into a usable component.
Dans Club
October 17, 2008
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I think your only option at this point is to buy a .41 mag barrel assembly and continue to enjoy shooting.41 mag
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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I am curious. Have you shot it? I don't think it will be dangerous to shoot it. Accuracy may suffer. Does anyone have more knowledge about safety or accuracy? It might lead up a bit if you use lead bullets.
September 19, 2011
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Dan Fan said
I think your only option at this point is to buy a .41 mag barrel assembly and continue to enjoy shooting.41 mag
Ole Dog said
I am curious. Have you shot it? I don't think it will be dangerous to shoot it. Accuracy may suffer. Does anyone have more knowledge about safety or accuracy? It might lead up a bit if you use lead bullets.
The .41 DW is one of my all-time Wish List favorites... I don't really want to part it out or butcher it up, let alone sell it... I just want to shoot it.
I have shot it... I mentioned before I'm sticking with mid-range cast bullet loads for the moment, until I can sort it out. I don't know if I should be concerned, but on the other hand, I don't really want a face full of metal if that barrel decides to separate under a big load of W296 and an XTP.
February 16, 2016
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charlie98said
I don't really want a face full of metal if that barrel decides to separate under a big load of W296 and an XTP.
I'd think the shroud would contain the barrel separation.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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There are pictures on the Internet of a Dan Wesson barrel with several bullets lodged in it following a squib. No burst barrel.
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
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My first DW .44 mag I purchased with a 15” BA was damaged by a previous owner due to a squib with 2 or 3 more rounds fired with the squib still lodged. Barrel didn’t burst, but the barrel swelled at each subsequent round fired after the squib. I couldn’t get the barrel off the frame so I sent it to DW and Bob was able to salvage the shroud, but unfortunately he had to damage the barrel. I’m still looking for a replacement 15” barrel.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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You will be looking a long time. EWK made the large frame barrel lengths over 10". I haven't seen one for sale in many years.
February 16, 2016
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Ole Dog said
EWK made the large frame barrel lengths over 10".
Thanks Ole Dog, I'm still learning. Never heard of them, much less seen one.
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
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I did some research on having a reputable gunsmith with Dan experience (& recommendations as knowledgeable) create a 15” replacement barrel, but never followed thru. Maybe this fall/winter I’ll pick up that torch up again.
February 16, 2016
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charlie98 said
I've got a 6" DW 741, the barrel has a ring in the bore, somehow.
Out of curiosity, where in the barrel is the bulge?
Ole Dog and I were discussing alternative solutions. We speculated that the factory could rework the damaged barrel and get at least a 2-1/2" Barrel, if not a 4" from it. Obviously depends where the ring is. They could machine a new forcing cone or muzzle, depending what end was tossed in the garbage You could then use any large frame shroud in that length to shoot it, while you continue your quest.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Kurt, Fords of Crystal River might be able to make a long 44 BA or barrel. And you could berth your boat in Crystal River. You would be 3 hrs from Snake-eye, 90 minutes from me and another 60 minutes from Stinger 
.
August 8, 2016
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I got my desert eagle 3 barrel set at Fords right now to be hard chromed. Currently a deep polished blue finish now. Anyway I heard fords is the best when it comes to refinishing.
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January 24, 2009
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Got a link for Fords?
August 8, 2016
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Charger Fan said
Got a link for Fords?
they post a lot of their work on Instagram and Facebook.
https://instagram.com/fordscustomguns?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
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