New guy here, I have a supermag looking for info

[HOTWHEELZ]

Hello all,

   I got this gun from my uncles collection after he passed its a D.W. .357 maximum or supermag no case but has an extra barrell unused and the feeler guauge for setting head space and alot of maximum brass. I was told it would be good for silhouette shooting, I have been doing some reading on the the .357 max and it talks about flame cutting, also minimum bullet weights etc., But I also read some of these problems were only in the ruger's is this true?  Im not sure if going to keep it but i would like to know more about it. Or should I hold onto it are they going up in value ? I have plenty of other pistols I shoot and not sure if this one will make it out often. I love my D.W. point man 10mm great gun so I have no doubt this is a solid gun but I dont see myself shooting sihoutte anytime soon. I will try to post pics later.

[unspellable]

The feeler gage is for cylinder gap, not head space.  While the barrel shroud is marked 357 Maximum the revolver is actually chambered for the 357 SuperMag which is not the same cartridge.  The 357 SuperMag is slightly longer and will handle heavy bullets better than the Maximum.  The Maximum case length is 1.605 while the SuperMag case length is 1.610.  I find that when I buy Winchester maximum brass it comes out of the box at 1.610.  The significant difference is in the OAL  Bullets, especially heavy ones, are seated farther out in the SuperMag and will be too long to chamber in a  Ruger 357 Maximum.

The 357 Maximum erosion problem was mostly due to to a very poor factory load.  (Massive charge of very slow ball powder with a light bullet going for velocity at the expense of all else.)  This was an offshoot of Ruger not wanting to make the frame window long enough to take the SuperMag.  With a proper load it will not be a problem.

My advice: Be jealous of it.  Learn its ins and outs and you will be pleased unless you are just not into big high performance revolvers.

[Reed1911]

If you decide to sell it let me know I'll be interested.

As far as flame cutting, I agree 100% keep the loads to sane levels and with 158, 180, 200g bullets it is a non-issue. You also can shoot .38 special, .357 ,mag and .360 DW ammo in just fine. It is a great caliber for just about any type of shooting and medium and small game hunting.

[HOTWHEELZ]

here are some pics

[blhof]

I've had my max for 12 years and have shot hundreds of rounds through it.  Your gun looks like a clone of mine.  The shroud with the cutouts was an expensive option for IHSMA shooting to make weight.  I also have a reduced diameter barrel that was also an IHSMA option to make weight.  In factory shroud and barrel the DW's were originally over allowable weight.  Your's appears to have been not shot or cleaned very well.  There doesn't appear to be drag marks on the cylinder.  If so it's even more valuable as a collectable, but all DW's are great shooters and the max is no exception.  I have a scoped shroud that I can place 1 1/2" groups at 100 yds and i've rung a gong with the 10" barrel out to 200 yds.  Good luck and as said above; if you want to sell it let me know...  I was lucky enough to talk to a DW gunsmith several years ago about the flame cutting and even with the heavier rounds there is some but it's self limiting and they have been proven in many competitions since it's introduction.  Even many of the Ruger max's are still around and shooting fine.  Mine was purchased used and still shoots fine.  The spare barrel is because the forcing cone wears from heavy use more rapidly with lighter bullets.  You can still buy barrels and most parts from the CZ/DW plant in Norwich, I have several spare barrels, picked up at auction sites.  I've only worn out one barrel in 12 years.