[Snaps]

I've been thinkign about getting one just to have, sort of like my DE. Just things I've wanted since I was little and can afford them now.

Anyway, I was in the gunshop today picking up a few random things and I asked one of the guys about them. He, and another guy he brought over both told me that they've got a bad reputation for blowing themselves up.

Any truth to this one?

[Myself]

I have been thinking about one of these also so I am also interested in any additional information avialable. Problems with the 45 win mag or the 475? Anyone know?

[Snaps]

Oh yea, I'm really leaning towards the 475 Wildey Mag. With a distant second option as the 44 auto mag.

[Old Fuff]

Wildey Moore has been in business for a quarter century and I've never heard of his guns blowing up. If one did I'd suspect a questionable handload. I think you encountered a gunshop commando who would rather sell you something else rather then go to the trouble of getting what you want.

[stans]

Never heard of Wildey's blowing up, but I am sure someone somewhere has overloaded a cartridge to the point it did blow up. Gunshop guru's always seem know a whole lot about absolutely nothing.

[Peter M. Eick]

I did a lot of internet research on the wildey because I was considering one. Blowing it up in my opinion is a reloading issue. It looks like a good design and that is not the problem. If you search around, the common complaint is sharp corners and reliability issues with the gas system. Works great when clean, but after a few hundred rounds it starts to cough a bit.

I passed because when I held one I can see the complaint about sharp edges. I was going to get one of the 44 auto mag ones.

If you buy it, do a detailed range report and let us know how you think of the sharp edges.

[Marcus]

I always wanted one too until I handled one. I`ve heard about the reliability issues but figured enought tweaking the gas system and adjusting loads could take care of that but the ergonomics were IMO deplorable. The grip is huge,the trigger reach is really really long and the corners of the grips frame are literally LESS rounded than a 2x4. In fact on the example I handled they were perfectly square and exposed even where the web of the shooting hand rests. Bet that`s comfy with hot .475 loads! :what: Overall it made a DE feel like a Hi Power. It also made me appreciate what a well thought out and ergonomic design the .44 Automag is. I still like looking at Wildeys but I have no desire any more to own one. YMMV Marcus

[Snaps]

kind of answers I was hoping for. I figure I can get away with handloading as long as I don't get hot with them. I've never actually seen one in person though. Just think it could be a cool thing to have more for collection value than anything else.

Thanks for the responses.

[Badger Arms]

There are always rumors of guns 'blowing up' but they are most often rumors. Have seen many pictures of Glocks and 1903's blown up. Have seen a few of M-16's. More than a few muzzleloaders, revolvers, etc that were all traced to squib, double, or bad reloads.

BUT, I have never SEEN a Wildey that's been blown up. Yes, they do have sharp edges. There appears never to have been any thought put into dehorning or ergonomics here, only looks.

One note on damage and reliability. Any time you put an adjustable gas system on a gun, you are bound to get a knucklehead who opens it all the way up and then shoots the most powerful load he can squish into the case with a the heaviest bullet he can buy or cast, whether or not it fits. In my opinion, guns should be designed to shear the rear half of the slide and put it through the head of somebody stupid enough to do this to remove that person from the gene pool. WAIT, forgot. Beretta already made a pistol like that and sold it to the US government. :uhoh:

[WESHOOT2]

Know a source for Barnes bullets for the 475 version.
Know that IF I were to EVER buy one I'd get the 45 Mag version ONLY.
Know..........

[GAMALOT]

I have owned one for some time now and in reading all the above posts I have to agree with the great info.
I have never heard of one blowing up but I can imagine how one could do it!
They are a great looking weapon and they do have some mighty sharp edges.
They are also a very accurate and very powerful load.
I bought mine while living in the Rochester, NY area where only shotgun hunting was allowed for Deer. Handguns were also allowed in any caliber above .38 Spl.
The Wildey was a great alternative for the long shots.

I call this a "gunsmiths gun"! When it works it works great and when it does not function properly it stinks.
Weshoot2 has helped me on loading and I have not had time to test them.
Anyone with the knowledge on reloading and the time to do the tweeking to get it right would be thrilled owning this gun. Mine is equiped with 1.5-4 power Burris SS scope and it looks awesome and is very accurate well past 150 yards. The .475 WMF with a 300 Gr. Barnes bullet is a hard hitting load and suitable for about any game that walks.
I had my gun sold to a fellow who finally decided he could not get permission from his "BOSS".
They are very expensive, think the last time I checked around $1400 for the basic gun in a cardboard box.
Barnes quit making bullets for the 475 a while back and I bought out the remaining stock of 6000 250 & 300 Gr. Plan on spending a bunch to get the gun, scope, casings, bullets, dies and a few extra mags. Then, if you have time and ability, plan on having a blast tweeking a gorgeous handful of heavy metal. At 100 yards it pulverizes a cinder block and at the range it is deffinately an eye catcher.
You might want to be a rather large fellow to handle this one because the grip is big and the triger is a bit extended for the average size guy like me.

[WESHOOT2]

Still think about that stuff........let me know how it goes.

[LeonCarr]

Wildey Moore (Owner/Operator of Wildey Firearms) claims that every time the movie Death Wish 3 is shown on TV, he sells a gun :).

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

[GAMALOT]

I think he is right and I got the fever.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v722/Gamalot/4%20sale/DSCN1336.jpg

Going back to my original post above, the gun is a PITA to get dialed in and you will need to be an accomplished reloader which I am NOT:banghead:

I think mine needs a new owner with a big mitt and much stronger wrist with the time to get it right.

Gary

[SigP229R]

Huuuummmmmmmmmmm did someone say "hand cannon"? Just a "little" something for wifey's purse!!!!

[GAMALOT]

:D:D

Only if "Wifey" goes by the name BUTCH or ROSEY O! :)

Gary