Got a new baby today.....

[Jonny V]

I'm really in to Dan Wesson revolvers (and 1911's too for that matter), and recently I saw a very nice 445 Super Mag on Gone-broker up for auction....It carries IMHSA serial number 003, and there didn't seem to be much interest. Lately, 445's have been going for right at $2000....

I already owned one, but this was too good to pass up. $1700 later, it was on it's way from Idaho...By god, if there's anything better than one 445, it's two 445's....






The gun was covered in about 20 years of dried out oil, but it cleaned up quick. It's not an unfired example, but it was cared for and came with the box and all paperwork and the barrel wrench too. I now have pistol packs in 22 LR and 357 mag, a 44 with two barrels, and the 2 445's...I saw on another DW thread here that these things are like expensive rabbits and I gotta agree, they sure are!! (NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT EITHER LOL)

 

[Ru4real]

I bid on that DW also. I’m glad it went to a good home!

Enjoy!

 

[Buckeye63]

I missed out on one bout 5 year ago .. I was 10mins late .. $550.00 OTD .. no box lightly used..
I still have nightmares !!!!

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

I missed out on one bout 5 year ago .. I was 10mins late .. $550.00 OTD .. no box lightly used..
I still have nightmares !!!!

Can't push the "like" button on that!

 

[Targa]

Wow!! Awesome revolvers!

 

[Iwsbull]

Sweet. That is nice.

 

[Old Dog]

Woo. Not normally a DW revolver fan, but ... those are sweet. Plus, I think you can even find that caliber in stock online ...

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

 

[Jonny V]

Woo. Not normally a DW revolver fan, but ... those are sweet. Plus, I think you can even find that caliber in stock online ...

theres a guy who sells loaded 445 ammo on gunbroker, but this round was never adopted by SAAMI...load data is available from Accurate powder however. Pressure can run as high as 40K lbs so you have to be careful. Power level is in the 454 Casull range.

 

[Riomouse911]

Nice buy!
I bid $1,400 on a DW .41 with two barrels recently, it went for North of $1,700. The prices on these classics keep going up .

Stay safe.

 

[grammontS]

Love the Dan Wesson revolvers , I have a 15-2 and a 14-1

 

[Gordon]

I wonder how close to the S&W .460 round that is ?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Can you shoot regular .44 Magnum in them?

 

[Jonny V]

I wonder how close to the S&W .460 round that is ?

It'll be a bit behind the 460....that being a 45 caliber and the 445 being a 44 caliber. You have to remember that this round is 1980 technology. I feel like it would do better if it could be loaded with some of the modern powders that ammo makers have to work with. As it is, you can get 454 level performance from it with safe handloads using Accurate 1680 (my favorite) or another powder.

Can you shoot regular .44 Magnum in them?

The 445 case is 3/8" longer than a 44 mag, so yes, you can shoot 44 mag in them, although you are asking the bullet to make quite a jump from case mouth to chamber mouth...


The appeal of a 445 SM isn't so much in raw horsepower as it is in owning a really nice handgun. Honestly, there are far higher power guns on the market. However, I really doubt that the increased power of a 500 vs the 445 will ever make even a scintilla of difference in a real world situation. It's like comparing a 30-06 to a 300 Winmag... There will be a thousand guys who will swear by the 300 as the best thing ever, but scant little proof as to why that is so. Quality plays a role too, and anyone who honestly compares the two will come away liking the DW revolver better. The new Smiths just aren't what the older ones were.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

It'll be a bit behind the 460....that being a 45 caliber and the 445 being a 44 caliber. You have to remember that this round is 1980 technology. I feel like it would do better if it could be loaded with some of the modern powders that ammo makers have to work with. As it is, you can get 454 level performance from it with safe handloads using Accurate 1680 (my favorite) or another powder.



The 445 case is 3/8" longer than a 44 mag, so yes, you can shoot 44 mag in them, although you are asking the bullet to make quite a jump from case mouth to chamber mouth...


The appeal of a 445 SM isn't so much in raw horsepower as it is in owning a really nice handgun. Honestly, there are far higher power guns on the market. However, I really doubt that the increased power of a 500 vs the 445 will ever make even a scintilla of difference in a real world situation. It's like comparing a 30-06 to a 300 Winmag... There will be a thousand guys who will swear by the 300 as the best thing ever, but scant little proof as to why that is so. Quality plays a role too, and anyone who honestly compares the two will come away liking the DW revolver better. The new Smiths just aren't what the older ones were.

Oh ya, Im a big fan of the DW medium frames, and Ive had a few chances to pick up a large frame here and there. Very nice!