Finally got my DW 744 fixed up

[Tom C.]

I have a 8” HB DW 744 that I used 20 yrs. ago in handgun silhouette. It worked pretty well, but I stopped doing that and the cylinder locking bolt got screwed up and it didn’t lock up properly. A year ago, I finally decided to do something about what had become a safe queen: I sent it to CZ/DW and got the bolt replaced and had them put on a 6” light barrel. It was working better, but I measured the chamber throats with a pin gage and found they were tight and inconsistent. I broke down and bought the reamer from Brownell’s and cut the cylinder. I shot it last week and was getting a lot of gas at the barrel/cylinder gap. I dug out my barrel tool and the shim and tightened the gap by rotating the barrel about ¼ turn. Now it is shooting very well. I think I have a new favorite .44.

[Steel Shooter]

Congratulations!
You know, I was shooting IHMSA silhouettes 20 years ago too. Where were you doing it, and how good did you get with the DW 744, if you don't mind me asking?
In silhouette shooting, early on I started with a DW in .357 Magnum, 10" barrel, then went to a DW in .44 Magnum, 8" barrel, and finally to a DW in .445 SuperMag, 8" barrel. The .445 became my favorite, and I bought it from IHMSA around '88 or '89 I think. The accuracy in all of them was excellent, and they stood up to the heavy use of throwing heavy bullets down range frequently.
What kind of grouping are you getting out of your 744 now?

Wayne

[Tom C.]

I live in Maryland and mostly competed here. I did ok. Won some local matches. I moved on to IPSC and then CAS.
So far, I am only shooting it at 10 yds. the distance I shoot most stuff because that is the distance I shoot the CAS stuff. At this distance, it is shooting little ragged holes, but that shouldn't be too surprising. Prior to reaming the cylinder, it wouldn't do that well. I think I finally have it mechanically in pretty good shape.