My first DW

kcub · January 26, 2013, 02:50 PM

357 max I got in a trade.

What a smooth double action! Haven't shot it yet, never had this caliber before...

Microgunner · January 26, 2013, 02:56 PM

Congratulations.
The .357max is definately a bad boy.
The up side is it'll also fire .357mag and .38spl.
Be careful of the cylinder latch on your new revolver, DW's weak link.

Photos?

Japle · January 26, 2013, 03:01 PM

I had a DW .357 Max years ago that I used for metallic silhouette. Super accurate gun with plenty of power.

I sold it. Stupid!!

warnerwh · January 27, 2013, 01:52 AM

I never heard of DW having any problem at all with the cylinder latch. In fact it is a superior design to smith and ruger's lockup. It is very strong.

kcub · January 27, 2013, 07:39 AM

Best I can do from my phone camera. I guess slots in barrel are to reduce weight for silhouette competition; wish it did not have them.
357 max compared to 45 acp

Gdawgs · January 27, 2013, 07:55 AM

Sweet find! I love my Dan Wessons and have always been intrigued by the 357 Max. I too have never heard of any issues with the latch, other than I've had the retaining screw come out before. Nothing a little locktite can't fix.

Enjoy. If it's like every one I've ever shot, it should be a great shooter.

kcub · January 27, 2013, 08:05 AM

Maybe I can find a replacement part (barrel shroud?) without the slot cuts.

Gdawgs · January 27, 2013, 08:22 AM

What don't you like about the slots? I like the looks of them.

J A · January 27, 2013, 08:52 AM

Check the EWK Arms website. The shroud may be available there. Enjoy the DW. Great guns.

Microgunner · January 27, 2013, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warnerwh

I never heard of DW having any problem at all with the cylinder latch. In fact it is a superior design to smith and ruger's lockup. It is very strong.

As a pawn broker for the last 25 years I've handled many DW revolvers.

I learned early on, the hard way, to check the cylinder latch competence of DW revolvers.
We do this by dropping the revolver on it's right side from about 6 inches onto a non marring surface such as a publication.

You'd be surprised how many DW cylinders will just pop right open with this test. These revolvers are in need of repair.

On the other hand I have never been able to get a S&W, Ruger or Colt revolver to fail this test.

So, just to clarify, I believe the DW cylinder latch is superior for accuracy but inferior for duribility.

kcub · January 27, 2013, 01:47 PM

Not an issue with this one, it has hardly been used.

Went to the range, boy those max loads have a lot of muzzle blast! Too much for an indoor range. Shoots darn well though. Shot some +p .38 Blazer,very nice groups!

Went back to academy for more but it was all gone. Should have hogged up the whole lot of it.

kahrguy · January 27, 2013, 07:20 PM

Never seen a DW open up and been shooting them for 36 years.

kcub Nice trade. Now your ready for shillouette matchs?? Talk to EWKarms and see if you can get what you want for a shroud of his design and check out starline brass for the 360DW brass. Its easier to find a quality load data with it than the max brass.
Sent some info to you.

January 26, 2013, 02:50 PM	#1
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	My first DW 357 max I got in a trade. What a smooth double action! Haven't shot it yet, never had this caliber before...

January 26, 2013, 02:56 PM	#2
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	Congratulations. The .357max is definately a bad boy. The up side is it'll also fire .357mag and .38spl. Be careful of the cylinder latch on your new revolver, DW's weak link. Photos? __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

January 27, 2013, 01:52 AM	#4
warnerwh Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2009 Posts: 329	I never heard of DW having any problem at all with the cylinder latch. In fact it is a superior design to smith and ruger's lockup. It is very strong. __________________ Portland, Or

January 27, 2013, 08:52 AM	#9
J A Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: The Hawkeye State Posts: 191	kcub Check the EWK Arms website. The shroud may be available there. Enjoy the DW. Great guns.

January 26, 2013, 03:01 PM	#3
Japle Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2004 Location: Viera, Florida Posts: 1,340	I had a DW .357 Max years ago that I used for metallic silhouette. Super accurate gun with plenty of power. I sold it. Stupid!!

January 27, 2013, 07:39 AM	#5
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	Best I can do from my phone camera. I guess slots in barrel are to reduce weight for silhouette competition; wish it did not have them. 357 max compared to 45 acp

January 27, 2013, 07:55 AM	#6
Gdawgs Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 656	Sweet find! I love my Dan Wessons and have always been intrigued by the 357 Max. I too have never heard of any issues with the latch, other than I've had the retaining screw come out before. Nothing a little locktite can't fix. Enjoy. If it's like every one I've ever shot, it should be a great shooter.

January 27, 2013, 08:05 AM	#7
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	Maybe I can find a replacement part (barrel shroud?) without the slot cuts.

January 27, 2013, 08:22 AM	#8
Gdawgs Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 656	What don't you like about the slots? I like the looks of them.

January 27, 2013, 01:47 PM	#11
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	Not an issue with this one, it has hardly been used. Went to the range, boy those max loads have a lot of muzzle blast! Too much for an indoor range. Shoots darn well though. Shot some +p .38 Blazer,very nice groups! Went back to academy for more but it was all gone. Should have hogged up the whole lot of it.

January 27, 2013, 07:20 PM	#12
kahrguy Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2012 Posts: 561	Never seen a DW open up and been shooting them for 36 years. kcub Nice trade. Now your ready for shillouette matchs?? Talk to EWKarms and see if you can get what you want for a shroud of his design and check out starline brass for the 360DW brass. Its easier to find a quality load data with it than the max brass. Sent some info to you.