Dan Wesson Razorback with new Spalted Maple panels

[REDLINE]

To make sure I'm clear, you're saying; 

DW 44 MAG guns (also chambered for 445 Super Mag) are closer to the size of S&W X-frame (460 and 500 S&W) platforms than S&W N-frame (44 Mag...) platforms.

Is that right?

[Retired Squid]

Yes, but I've never measured an X Frame I'm just going by what owners of both say. It would have been my guess that Large frame DW would be in between the two, but closer to X frame. I had a S&W 500 owner tell me the cylinder walls looked thicker on my DW, but he thought the top strap on his 500 was thicker. What is amazing is these guns were designed in the early '70's and it's taken S&W 30 years to catch up.

[REDLINE]

That's impressive.  It makes me wonder how the cylinders of a few different makes compare.

I would like to see side by side pictures of the guns and cylinders from: 
Freedom Arms 454 Casull (good for an average of 65,000 PSI),
Dan Wesson 445 Super Mag (good for an average of ~60,000 PSI, maybe more),
Linebaugh Ruger Bisley Super Blackhawk conversion 475 Linebaugh (good for an average of 50,000 PSI),
and S&W X-frame 460 S&W Mag (good for an average of 65,000 PSI).

[Retired Squid]

Several years ago the guys on the DW Forum compared the S&W N frame (before X frame), the big Ruger and large frame of DW revolver. Those guys involved were owners of DW's, the S&W's and Ruger's. They all had the tools to do the measuring and most were surprised at the difference, the DW was winner hands down in several key area's. N frame was not even close runner up, the cylinder walls were the big difference area for N frame. The distance between cylinder holes was almost half of DW and IIRC about 50% thinner from those cylinder holes to outside walls. It was also considerably thicker walled then the Ruger, the Ruger was about mid-way between the two best I remember of this bout between members in all measurements taken.

The only place the S&W won a measurement so to speak was the top strap, it was either wider or thicker then the DW, but don't remember about Ruger. The cylinder and rear of frame where all the energy hits hardest is far more important then top strap, but that's not to say top strap not important. Best I remember there were a few guys that got rid of their N frame guns, but this was 5 to 8 years ago and I'm lucky to remember what I had for lunch when wife gets home about 6:00pm and ask me what I had for lunch.   

[REDLINE]

Interesting.  Do S&W n-Frames use a six shot cylinder and DW revolvers a five shot cylinder?  If so, that alone makes a huge difference.  I know both Freedom Arms revolvers and Linebaugh conversions both use five shot cylinders.

[Retired Squid]

All DW's ever made were 6 shot, in the comparison the S&W's were 6 shot as were Ruger's. Look again at the DW 5" 1911 Razorback of mine and the DW 744 beside it, that's not any trick of photography, the gun is huge even with 2.5" barrel installed. You can tell from photo if you look close that the internals drop out from the bottom on the large frame guns which makes frames stronger and I think was also done on the Ruger revolvers. I need to look up the 300 gr loads I shoot in the 744 and that I carry with 4" barrel installed if going into feral hog area on foot. The recoil on that load is about like a 357 in an N frame Smith.

[mlk3454]

Stupid question. Is there a 10mm revolver option for DW? I don't see any offerings now for revolvers from CZ.

[Retired Squid]

No such thing as stupid question if you ask it honestly because don't know the answer.

No 10mm/40 or 38 Super option. I've bugged Keith about it for several years now, but he says for their market share it would not be worth time and money to redesign and build as they would never sell enough of them to break even. Also the 10mm due to OAL would probably not work in small frame gun because cylinder might not be long enough and at present time no large frame revolver in the works and as for 38 Super it's about numbers to sell.

Also they are not S&W size where they can build several model and types at same time, they have to rotate their building of guns. Keith told me when the next run of revolvers were, but I don't remember if it was late this year or some time next year because I'm not real interested in a new revolver as yet. My next DW will be a light weight Commander style in 38 Super to replace a Colt LWC 38 Super I currently carry.