357-8-times
Member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2007
- Messages
- 210
The DW VH8 in .445 Supermag (8" vented full-lug barrel) can fire .44 mag and unfired models can be had for about $900 but are really hard to find and it weighs 66 oz., much of which is probably near the muzzle!
The S&W Model Performance Center 629 Light Hunter (7.5" ported barrel) can be found new for $950 and weights only 52 oz.
Which will be a better value? DWs seem to hold their value despite being owned by CZ now and the .445 cartridge barely having any following; a new S&W PC model is about the same price and it is a Perf Center!
Both should be really accurate, but the 2.25" cylinder on the DW may be an issue with .44mag. I get mixed responses from owners saying it is super-accurate and some say it was noticably innaccurate with the shorter cartridges. I really like being able to adjust the gap on the DW, that is definitely a perk.
Shooting-pleasure is another mystery- DW has a solid underlug on a vent-heavy barrel (good for recoil, bad for balance) and is much heavier overall. The Smith is lighter and the barrel has no significant underlug, but it is ported, so felt-recoil should be reduced, but actual recoil should be greater than the DW. Weight or porting, which is more important?
Aesthetically, the Smith looks like something out of a sci-fi flick from the 50's (I really dig that) but the DW looks much more intimidating (I also dig that.)
The S&W Model Performance Center 629 Light Hunter (7.5" ported barrel) can be found new for $950 and weights only 52 oz.
Which will be a better value? DWs seem to hold their value despite being owned by CZ now and the .445 cartridge barely having any following; a new S&W PC model is about the same price and it is a Perf Center!
Both should be really accurate, but the 2.25" cylinder on the DW may be an issue with .44mag. I get mixed responses from owners saying it is super-accurate and some say it was noticably innaccurate with the shorter cartridges. I really like being able to adjust the gap on the DW, that is definitely a perk.
Shooting-pleasure is another mystery- DW has a solid underlug on a vent-heavy barrel (good for recoil, bad for balance) and is much heavier overall. The Smith is lighter and the barrel has no significant underlug, but it is ported, so felt-recoil should be reduced, but actual recoil should be greater than the DW. Weight or porting, which is more important?
Aesthetically, the Smith looks like something out of a sci-fi flick from the 50's (I really dig that) but the DW looks much more intimidating (I also dig that.)