Dan Wesson .44mag

[Gordon]

I almost bought a clean blued older Dan wesson .44 today. I never owned one before. I liked the feel and the da &sa trigger pull were real good. The cylinder would unlock and turn backward toward relief ramp on bolt cuts when I applied pressure in that direction . It would not do it with gun cocked. Is this normal? I didn't want to waste the $300 they want for it if it is a chronic defect ect. Whats up with these guns?

 

[dude]

don't worry about a thing as it will be the best $300 you have ever spent!!

it's not a 'combat' or the seemingly ever popular 'tactical' handgun...........that's just the way they work and rapid fire is not an issue

I dropped $850 last year on a new compensated 6" .44mag that does the same thing and could not be happier.

 

[stans]

The cylinder would unlock and turn backward toward relief ramp on bolt cuts when I applied pressure in that direction .

That is just not right, it sounds like the locking bolt is rounded or is not engaging the cut in the cylinder. If the bolt is not engaging the cut, it could be debris or a bur or possibly a weak or broken spring. Contact Dan Wesson, odds are they will want to see this revolver. They have a stellar reputation when it comes to customer support, even if you did buy a used gun.

 

[The Mighty Beagle]

I just traded for one of those Monson-produced .44's. Be aware that the factory will charge you for repairing these older guns, as it is a new company and older products ARE NOT covered under their warranty.

I don't have my gun in front of me but am satisfied that it does not do what you describe. I'd pass on this one.

However, I wouldn't give up on getting a Dan Wesson .44 mag., they are probably the most comfortable-to-shoot .44 mags ever made, and are downright user-friendly in other important ways. In the limited amount of winter shooting I've done with mine, I have so far found it to be pretty accurate and ... pleasant even.

It's the only DA .44 I can actually shoot well in double-action mode.