[frankjoe]

I purchased a DW without barrel. a 38 and a 357 shell fits in it, all the frame has is a serial no. on it, anyone know how to find out what it is? serial no. is376990. ty

[HOME DEPOT GEORGE]

If both of them fit without sticking out the front of the cylinder its a 357. You can call 607-336-1174 ext 21 and ask for Genny she is real nice. They still make all the barrels for all the old mags and even the 357 maximum. I ordered a barrel w/o the shroud,barrel nut and tool from them for 139.00. It was at my house within 5 days. you can expect to pay 125 to 250 dollars if I'm correct since you need the shroud also, hope this helps. HD GEORGE

[El Hombre]

All Dan Wesson frames use different barrel threads for each caliber. This is to prevent the wrong barrel being used in the wrong frame. So, if you have accesss to a 357 barrel, see if it will screw into the frame, if so, you probably have a winner. If the 357 mag cartridge fits with no slop, that is probably what you have as there aren't any other options that would accept the 357 mag.

Small frame Dan Wessons were only chambered in 22, 22 mag, 32-20, 32 H&R mag, 38 special, and 357 mag.

Large frame Dan Wessons all calibers started with a "4". (41 mag. 44 mag., 45 LC, 460 Rowland.) The only exception is the Norwich NY produced 360 DW which is a stretched 357 magnum. (In between a 357 magnum and a 357 supermag) Your frame would say Norwich if it is a 360 DW. (Although could also be a Norwich produced 357 magnum).

Supermag frames were chambered in 357 supermag, 375 supermag, 414 supermag or 445 supermag. If your gun is a 357 supermag, the cylinder would be 2 1/16" long.

Note that the 357 barrel is interchangable in all size frames chambered for 357 based cartirdges, but the barrel shrouds are specific to the size frame you have. (44 mag barrels will also work for 445 supermag, and 41 mag barrels for 414 supermag)
There are only 2 different barrel nuts used, small frame and large/supermag frame. They are not caliber specific.
Shrouds are also not caliber specific, other than their markings. They are interchangable on the same frame size. (example: 22 LR shroud can be used on 357 mag, ect.) The exception to this is that supermag shrouds can also be used on Large frames. (But Large frame shrouds CANNOT be used on supermag frames because the ejector rod cutout is not long enough.

Hope that helps!