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January 18, 2018
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Hi all revolver newbie here. Looking to get my first revolver and I'm hoping to find a DW 44mag however in my searches I keep seeing all kinds of variations. So my first question is why are some of them full lug (think that right nomenclature) and some half lug? Are different barrel lengths still made or find-able or should I try for a complete set? Honestly I think I'd be ecstatic to find a blued (tomorrow I might prefer stainless I've been known to flip flop lol) 6in and be set. I'm thinking a hunting gun but have no intention of mounting a scope.
Thanks for the help!
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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Welcome. Please drop by the New Members area and introduce yourself and tell us more about you and your shooting style etc.
To answer your question on barrel shroud style, it all come down to preference. All styles will function accurately so don't worry about one being 'better' than another. It's like all the different options on today's cars, aside from color you can get all kinds of kewl stuff to personalize it to your taste. Same with the barrel shrouds.
I personally like stainless guns as the finish is very durable and scratches can be easily polished out where as blue guns are more difficult to refinish.
The heavy underlug shrouds provide more mass to the gun and can help a little with muzzle rise when firing heavy loads. They also make the gun heavier to tote around with you so for hunting, a 6 or 8 inch standard underlug may be a better choice, especially for finding holsters.
Dan Wesson can make new shrouds for you but it's not a cheap way to go. EWK also makes aftermarket shrouds but there is usually a fairly long wait until he can do up a batch. Ebay and Gunbroker sell shrouds that are used in various condition but again the price can be hefty. You'd be better off buying a gun with the style you think you want and add shrouds later as your desire and funds dictate. The 44 is a great gun and there are usually a fair number of them on the auction sites at varying prices. Good luck in your search and post some pics when you get your new Dan.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
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If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
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June 11, 2016
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Welcome from Wisconsin! Hope this helps the VH (full underlug) vs. V (vent rib partial underlug) is just a matter of preference. Sets are always nice and right now from what I have seen the market is soft on most Pistol Packs so good time to buy. You can save money by buying a 44 and look for individual original manufacture barrels on E-Bay or Gun Broker but in most case pay more than if you bought a pack but then again you get the barrels you want. Also if you are not looking to make it a true original pack you can buy new barrel assemblies at EWK or CZ, the new CZ barrels are laser engraved and I believe the EWK are roll marked. I have a real nice VH Stainless Set with 6-8-10" barrels it is my favorite. You could also consider a 445 Super Mag which can shoot 44 Mag or Super Mag ammo, just another option. You will end up owning many Wesson's they are addictive DWAS (Dan Wesson Acquiring Syndrom)
January 18, 2018
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Thanks guys! BTW im in Wisconsin too (Madison)!! So that all made sense but I think I got a little confused. Is the frame of the gun the deciding factor if I can put a VH or V barrel on it? Or can I put V or VH barrel on if I have them? Or is the "shroud" a separate piece from the barrel that can be interchanged?
I'm hoping to find a Blue'd 6in VH 44mag (hadn't thought of a Super mag but maybe). And prices do seem very reasonable right now, just trying to find one is more an issue. I was looking a a super redhawk but aesthetically like the DW much much better
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June 11, 2016
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Hello again my daughter lives in Madison and I lived there for two years while I built Wolf Appliance also went to college there. All barrels can be interchanged with any frame of the same caliber. Wish you luck finding what you want there are many available. I always look for a pack and then send question regarding pricing on GB if I think it is to high sometimes they agree and will give you a buy now option.
Above is my 44 Stainless Pistol Pack Set, love it!
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December 4, 2011
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A barrel assembly consists of an inner barrel tube, an outer shroud in either standard underlug, vented underlug, Heavy underlug or Heavy Vented underlug, and a barrel retention nut. The barrel threads on the frame end are caliber specific to prevent one from accidentally putting the wrong caliber barrel on a frame., ie to prevent a .41 mag barrel to be installed on a .44 magnum, for obvious reasons. Within a caliber, any barrel length can be installed on the frame and any style shroud slid over the barrel tube. That is the beauty of Dan Wessons, one frame and as many different style and length barrels as you can afford, I mean want. 
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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December 4, 2011
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I should add that not ALL Dan Wesson's are of the interchangeable barrel variety. They made a number of 357 and 44 mag guns in Fixed barrel configuration. These guns don't have a barrel nut on the muzzle end and you cannot swap barrels on them. There are far less common than the interchangeable variety but they are out there so thought I'd mention that to you since you are new the the world of DW. Most of the fixed barrels are of the heavy shroud style and usually have corner of the shroud under the muzzle cut at an angle. That said, there are exceptions to that but I won't confuse you any further. Ask the seller if in doubt.
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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March 25, 2013
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The large frame guns come in mostly Vent and Vent Heavy shrouds. My personal favorites are 6" VH, the heavy shroud to control muzzle flip. 10" V because of the accuracy of the long sight radius and 8" V if you are going to scope it. 6" is not quite long enough to extend beyond some scopes and mounts. Of course, it is best to acquire them all in blue and stainless. 4" is also available. There are some rare 21/2" but that is brutal. Small frame guns range from 21/2"to 15" in the 4 styles Scorpio mentioned. Besides esthetics, weight can be an issue. Anything over 10" is pretty hard to hit anything unless you are in a IHMSA position.
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