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December 19, 2015
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The gun is on gunauction at
DAN WESSON ARMS DW .445 SM, SS, Ported, Excellent .445 Super Magnum
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December 4, 2011
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That is a factory compensated barrel assembly and the barrel nut is located behind the slotted compensator. What you are seeing is a removable cover that helps the compensator function. It unscrews from the compensator and allows a special long barrel wrench, called a compensator wrench, to be inserted deep into the shroud to remove the actual barrel nut.
BTW welcome to the DWF, please stop by the New Members thread and introduce yourself and tell us more about you and the type of shooting you do.
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
December 19, 2015
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Scorpio,
You took almost ten minutes, after I asked, before you had the answer. Thanks much.
Nice forum!
I was editing my profile and starting my intro thread while you answered. Let me know what you think. You are one of the members on here that got me to quit lurking and register. I like the cut of your jib.
I have a couple of 357 SuperMags, but that compensator on the 445 SuperMag adds an awesome profile to that pistola. It's interesting that today I started looking at older DW with the external nut and I liked the look alot. I thought it was supposed to be the "ugly nut"? And now I'm looking at a SuperMag with the external. Hell, I'll admit it, I like the Barney plum color too.
I was shocked at how well my DW 715 with 8" soaked up that extra recoil from the Supermag. It seemed less than some hot loaded 357 Mag. Of course, that could have been the excitement from hitting a gong at 115 yards with a revolver.
My real question is what do you think the 445 SuperMag recoil would be like with those ports? I have a Python with 8" that is ported and I'm guessing that the ports and barrel length soak up about 20% of the recoil. It is barely more than a 38 Special from a short barrel without ports.
Somebody please disagree with my guesstimates.
I also started out this year deciding to shoot a lot more 38s than 357 because of the recoil effect on my 67 year old hands and joints. That went out the window with the discovery of the SuperMag. I carry a S&W scandium 360 that weighs 13 oz. when i walk backcountry about a week a month. That is clearly the most recoil of anything I have ever shot. It is notoriously painful to shoot without danger distracting you. I know recoil. I just don't know this 445.
I assume I could always shoot the 445 SuperMag with some lighter handloads.
It seems to be an overkill cartridge. With velocities over 2000 fps, what distances am I trying to reach? What niche or purpose is this aimed at?
Prescut
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December 4, 2011
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The 445 is a very potent round indeed, basically a 44 magnum, magnum. I have a five inch non compensated barrel on one of mine and it doesn't recoil all that bad. The compensator slots basically help tame muzzle climb, they don't do anything for rearward recoil, for that you want an EWK muzzle brake, it will dampen felt recoil.
The SM frame is very heavy and with that 8VHC BA, and the rubber grips the gun will be very manageable. As you stated, some lighter hand loads will make for easier control and less recoil. If you reload, the supermag calibers are all very fun to shoot and load for. The 375 is the most difficult to obtain brass for, but the 445 brass is available from Starline and uses standard 44 cal bullets like the 44 mag.
I'm a bit confused by your comments about having a 715 Supermag. You either have a 715 (if its stainless steel) small frame 357 magnum or you have a 740 (again the 7 denotes stainless) 357 Supermag. There is a world of difference in size and weight between these two frames so you will easily know which is which. A pic would help and, we love 
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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July 2, 2011
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I have a 7445 with an 8" non-ported barrel. I run some pretty stout hand loads. I find it to be amazingly accurate and the recoil is surprisingly manageable.
I second the comment!
To the paranoid people who check behind shower curtains for murderers:
if you find one...what's your plan?
December 19, 2015
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Sorry Guys,
I've been looking at 715s all day and got a little lost. Yep, it is the stainless steel 7 and a Supermag 40; so yes a 740. I have taken a dozen hours to even get started with models and features. The lack of markings, or inconsistency, on the gun can be maddening. I like the ones that say Model 11, or Model 12, or .... I have a plum porkchop with 42xxx in what I think is a 15 because of the rear sights. How to tell if it's a 15-2 still eludes me. Something about a 1/4 inch barrel dif?
If it's not a 740 Supermag, I got to figure out how I closed a cylinder full of my first long-legged Supermag cartridge reloads. And how I didn't blow the cylinder when it exploded.
And Pictures. Well this is my first day and I got to figure out if I need photobucket or can I cut/past images. I'll get er done.
As to the recoil, I appreciate your comments. Felt recoil is so subjective. I'm 5'9", 175lbs, with 67 year old hands and joints. I love to shoot. Once again with feeling, I love to shoot. I shoot from sunup to sundown. Shooting heavy recoil full loads is bound to catch up. I guess it's decision time again.
Thanks mucho,
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March 2, 2008
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I use PhotoBucket, although it is preferred to host your photos on DWF. The concern with using outside hosting is that if that fails/goes out of business, etc. your pictures are lost on DWF. PhotoBucket seems well enough established over many years that I don't think that will be an issue.
And here is a favorite of mine (from PhotoBucket):
Not just any .445 Supermag, but Serial Number 000001. Our son was home on leave after his deployment in the Persian Gulf, and we were visiting my favorite LGS where I am well known as the "Dan Wesson Guy". One of the counter guys greeted me with "You have GOT to see this". New in box, unfired, and my son had to have it. Technically I was the second owner, my son the third. A great friend here on DWF sent out some brass, Andrew loaded up 50 rounds, and off we went shooting. Obviously, the rocks on the berm became targets of opportunity 
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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December 4, 2011
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You don't need photobucket, just click on attachments below where you type, click upload photos, a dropdown will allow you to find the pics you want. When done, hit the upload button, that's about it. Please resize the pics to 640x480 before posting so they display properly.
The -2 guns are basically the newer straight shrouds without the porkchop leg.
From the sounds of your shooting style, you will love the 445 SM. I usually shoot the big guns last before heading home. Don't get scared off. The gun in the auction would be a great one to start with. Price is maybe a little high but not unrealistic.
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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July 2, 2011
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Definitely save the big boys for the finale of your range day. Well, almost the finale. After a day of 9mm, .357, .45ACP, .41 and .445 I like to have last go of my "hot hand load" .357......
Then the guys at the range look at me wonder why I'm giggling. It feels like shooting a .22!
To the paranoid people who check behind shower curtains for murderers:
if you find one...what's your plan?
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