DW Used .44 - Your Thoughts

[m60-guy]

This is sort of my introduction as well as my first post. Howdy!

I've admired DW revolvers for many years, but never had the money to go for a new one. However, there seems to be a "flood" of old DWs entering the market now, and I already took a chance on a complete W-12 kit (#7996) - apparently unfired because there was no wear on it to speak of, even internally. This gun has since rewarded me at the range, and wowed my brother, who previously thought he'd seen what there was to be seen in terms of handgun accuracy. The external nut doesn't bother me - I think the gun is beautiful.

Since then, he's been asking me, "are you going to get a .44 DW?" He loves his .44s, and he reloads scads of them. He dutifully reports back to me whenever he spots a DW in a gun store. It used to be that the average shop carried maybe one new DW, if one was lucky, and then they dried up for a long time. A recent visit to my local shop, and lo and behold, there are several used 14s and 15s for sale... So that got my wheels turning, and I've since been asking around for large frame DWs.

We stopped by a gun show today, and amid the various over-priced items and poor selection, I spotted an 8-inch DW in .44 mag. So I did a precursory inspection, and asked a few questions. The finish wasn't perfect, and a bit of forcing cone wear (as compared to my W-12). The bore looks good, but I didn't test the cylinder lock-up (it was bound with a plastic tie). The gun wasn't a rusty nail, so apparently the previous owner knew how to care for it. Note: I have very good vision, and I can spot defects at arms length, so our definitions of a "good" finish may vary.

I couldn't quite place the age. I was hoping you guys could give me a ballpark. It doesn't have a pork-chop shroud, the barrel nut is hidden, the barrel lug is full-length, and squared. It also has the old-style hammer, like the one on my W-12. It includes only a barrel nut tool. No manual, no gauge, no case. The guy was asking $350. I went with my gut instinct and walked. My personal feeling is that it might need a new barrel, it needs the gauge, and I need something to put it in. What would those parts cost? I figure that if I deduct those, it's worth closer to $220. I'm willing to bet that's close to what the dealer paid.

Your thoughts?

[unspellable]

The gauge is a non-issue unless you are trying to have an all original kit from a collector's view point.  I don't use the DW gauge on mine.  I went to the auto parts store and bought a feeler gauge set for around $5 and use it for measuring cylinder gap on all my other revolvers as well as setting the DW.

Perhaps two years ago I bought a blue DW 44 with an eight inch barrel with full under lug and showing some wear for $275 and figured I got a steal.  Haven't changed my mind since.  Prices for these vary considerably from region to region, they tend run in the low range around here.  It's two years since I bought that 44 and prices have risen since.  If I were to sell it now I'd expect $350.

The dealer may have paid $220 for the one you saw, but that's irrelevant.   What will he sell it for after you haggle or not as the situation indicates?  He isn't likely to sell it at a loss.

First question in trying to determine the age is what is the exact company name and city on the side?

[m60-guy]

It's a Monson, I believe.

I mentioned the dealer's cost because I figure I'd be futile to aggravate the guy if he paid a high trade-in price from the previous owner. The reason I'm stressing over the accessories is that used models in NIB condition are going for $400 in some gun classifieds. If I were to have the equivalent value with this one, i.e. purchasing all the accessories, the equivalent value is more like $480, not $350. Yes, I'm being a pedant.

But that's my assumption based on a steady market and a good supply of these. Apparently you're telling me that is not the case. Duly noted. I'm in Connecticut, where everything is a little more expensive. How much is a gallon of gas in Iowa?

p.s. I took his business card. So I haven't burned my bridges yet. :o)

[unspellable]

Last time I looked, gas was 212.9 for regular without alcohol.  Bit cheaper with alcohol.  State gas tax here is two cents less on gasahol.  For the last year gasahol has been running three or four cents cheaper at the pump.

The DW used prices are quite regional for several reasons having nothing to do with the general cost of living in the same regions.  For several years they totally dominated silhouette shooting so they were popular in areas where silhouette shooting was popular.  On the other hand here in Iowa silhouette shooting has had a low profile.  We were about the last state to allow handguns for deer hunting.  So big field revolvers were not all that popular.  What ever the virtues of a DW 44 may be, it will never displace the Colt Detetctive Special or the S&W Chief's Special.  Since we have allowed deer hunting there has been a mini boom in large revolvers.

Lately the price on everything has been going up.