December 8, 2010
I was in a gunshop here in Alaska recently looking for a back-up gun for bears for my wife when hiking. I ran across a used Dan Wesson. I've never owned a DW before, have never even shot one, but I had heard they were strong, so on a whim, I got it. Now I'm trying to find out what I've got. It is a 2 1/2" fixed bbl 44magnum, blued with the words "Wesson Firearms, Palmer, Mass. USA" and "44B00218x" stamped on the frame. .44 MAGNUM CTG is stamped on the lug under the bbl. It fits perfect into a Ruger Alaskan holster, exact same size.
I've been a single action man for years, but wanted a DA .44 for my wife, something with a short bbl easy for her to carry. But I would like to carry the heavy 340 grn. hammerhead ammo from Garret when in the back country myself when riding.
I've been reading your posts, and you're obviously fans of DW, but you are also straight forward and knowledgable. Is this model of gun as solid and tank as it feels? I paid $550.00. The action is sooth and tight, the trigger smooth. Not been able to get to the range yet.
Any feed back?
December 8, 2010
I must really be getting old. After I posted this topic, I found where I had asked the same question back in December. I don't even remember becoming a member of the forum back then, though I was reading all I could to glean info. My apologies guys, and thanks to those who responded before.
Any other feedback would still be appreciated, though. I'll try to send a picture.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
March 27, 2009
2 1/2" fixed 44 is a rare one. Most only in 4" as far as interchangeable, yes anything you would put through a ruger black hawk will run fine in the DW!
Welcome again if I missed the first time! I wanna see some pics and soon or the dreaded worthless will come out!
Wesson was the second company after Dan died!
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
March 27, 2009
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
Steve CT said:
I think you have a very beautiful, and somewhat unusual (rare?) Dan Wesson there. Good catch!
I must agree. That is a relatively rare DW to have acquired, very impressive!
Also, thanks for posting the it turns out that yours is what I expected it was. I will get one for myself someday…but I will probably pay a premium, as I usually do with most of the less common DW's models I really want.
December 8, 2010
Thanks for the replies. I have been searching all over the internet, and have not been able to find another referance to another Wesson configured quite like this one. The bbl is definitly fixed, and it has adjustable sites. I even checked a blue book for gun values, (just for my own info though, it's not for sale ) and nothing quite like this one was listed. So I was gettin' a little worried. But, I guess I hit a pretty good lick after all.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
I just leafed thru another gun "anthology" at the bookstore, and it did list a Model 44 FB in 2" and 4", while the 744 was listed in all 4 barrel lengths.
Yours is pretty unique around here.
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
December 8, 2010
Steve, I finally found something too. There is a Q&A article on gun values in a 2003 issue of Guns and Ammo that reads as follows;
Q I recently purchased a Dan Wesson .44 Magnum revolver with a 2-inch fixed barrel, serial number SD10XXX. There is no model number on the gun. I have the original box which has a label that had been modified. I'm assuming the box was original for the interchangeable barrel models, and I believe the unmodified label read "Model .44VH." The label now reads ".44H." It has also been marked "2 FB." Through research on the internet, I learned that Dan Wesson only made the fixed-barrel guns in 1994. I contacted the current company vie its web site to inquire about the manufacturing date of the gun. I received a response indicating that when the company was sold in 1996, all serial number records were confiscated by the ATF, therefore no information could be provided. Please let me know what you can about it. I am particularly interested in its value. It's in 98 percent condition. --J.W., via e-mail
A It seems you have an extremely rare Dan Wesson. The Model 44 fixed-sight came in 4-, 5-, 6- or 8-inch-barrel configuration and was manufactured from 1994 to 1995. There is no listing of a 2-inch barrel as an option for any of the Dan Wesson .44-caliber revolvers, fixed or interchangeable. In its original box, you have a gem as Dan Wesson revolvers are becoming increasingly collectible. A unique item such as your 2-inch .44 Mag should be worth in excess of $1,000 to a collector.
So the book you found was a little more up to date and knowledgable than this Q&A, but interesting info all the same.
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