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January 22, 2008
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So far very little information has been added about Elgin Gates the creator of the SuperMag cartridges and the founder of the IHMSA. I have added a new page under History titled Elgin Gates - Creator of the SuperMag. If you have additional information that shoudl be added simply reply to this post and I will update the page. Below is the text we are starting with:
In the 1970's the late Elgin Gates decided to designed a series of new Magnum cartridges. All the new cartridges were dubbed SuperMags by Gates and were 1.610" in length,or about three-tenths of an inch longer than standard Magnum Cartridges. Mr. Gates made up cartridges in .357, .375, .44, .45, .50, and .60 caliber. In the 1980s with the help of Eligan Gates, Dan Wesson Arms produced SuperMag revolvers in .357, .375, .414, and .445. The basic idea behind the SuperMag series was simple. It strived to offer performance that was superior to every magnum revolver cartridge of a given diameter in existence at that time. This was achieved by lengthening the cases to both increase powder capacity and boost operating pressures. These Cartridges were made from Star-line Brass, not from another caliber so some people may consider them proprietary cartridges, and others may consider them wildcats.
January 22, 2008
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Below are a couple of pictures of SuperMag Ammo...
November 1, 2008
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I was looking to get a .445 that I could hunt with and found it difficult to find ammo.
Any ideas short of reloading?
January 22, 2008
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Reloading is probably your best bet. But looks like Buffalo Bore is getting ready to come out with some. Based on a post from another forum ammo is also available from Reeds.
November 1, 2008
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November 2, 2008
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I met Elgin at the 1988 Internationals. He invited any one that wanted to shoot his new round from his first Dan Wesson 445, needless to say I had to have one after that and when they became available I bought my stainless 7445 VH8 from the "Silhouette" Serial Number ETG445S110 I also have 200 pieces of brass I bought at that time that is head stamped ".445 Gates"
Elgin was a real gentleman and answered every letter I wrote him when I started shooting IHMSA to correcting the chamber in an re chambered XP100 in 7mm IHMSA I bought from him.
Here is a picture of a picture that was taken at the 1988 Internationals, I was receiving a trophy from Elgin you can see Bill Bartram in the background with the microphone.
It does not seem that it was 20 years ago!
November 1, 2008
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My brother bought a new model 15 in the early 70's, that started our love of DW's. Around that time I read an article about the 357Supermag either by Elgin Gates or quoting him. I wanted one, but being in The USAF I ended up over seas for a while and then had children. In 1992 my teen son was in a pawnshop and called me about an unusual DW for a real cheap price. I went there to find a 357supermag for $200 beside a 357 mag for $300. I asked why the price difference. The clerk said they had had that one(the Super) for over a year and it wasn't moving, I asked why; he stated that they don't make ammo for that gun anymore. I only had $160 and asked if he would take that and he said "only if you don't bring it back... no refund". Made the deal; it had drag marks, but was unfired. I still have it and it's had asteady diet of handloaded heavy bullets. I guess dreams do come true.
January 22, 2008
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Salvo, thanks for the great information. I'm hoping that more folks will see this post and add additional information since there's really not much on the net about the relationship between the Dan Wesson (The Company) and Gates.
It would be great to fill in some of the history.
Here is a photo of a 414 SuperMag Case with a Gates headstamp:
November 2, 2008
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My pleasure guys, I took a few pictures of the brass and the revolver, I still have 50 pieces of brass that are brand new. The other 150 are used
Here is a picture of the .445 next to a .44 Mag.
I found a web site a few years ago that has quite a bit of history of the switch barrel Dan Wesson revolver. Claims the inventor was the late Karl R. Lewis. Very interesting reading at the very least, hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.
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