PDA

View Full Version : Dan Wesson Switch Calibers



missionary5155
12-10-2012, 09:08 PM
Greetings from Illinois
Starting the packing to head back to Peru in January so thought I would post a DW Family picture of possibly the only DW switch caliber revolvers around. Please know that no frame or origonal rare DW part was altered, disfigured or made inoperative. Revolver return to origonal is relativly easy and no harder than a detailed cleaning.
On top is the 414 Supermag / 375 switch revolver. Middle is the 45 Colt / 44 Mag. Bottom is the 32-20 / 357 mag. Origonal cylinder and barrel is with each parent revolver. 55699

The first switch finished (3 years ago) was the 414 Super Mag built on the 375 SM parent frame. Origonal 414's are selling for $2k + and way beyond my thought of a reasonable price. My 414 revolver shoots as well as and is a real power advance over the 41 mag (350 fps gain). I like the bigger hole option over the 375 SM plus I get at least a 50fps velocity gain with the same weight boolit. The 414 SM is one fine caliber in a revolver. Also have a 414 SM Contender and a 414 SM Marlin 336.55700

Next in line and finished this past July is the 32-20 built on a standard 15-2 .357 frame. Again the 32-20's are selling for about 3x's an average .357. Cylinder was purchased on the open market. The barrel is a custom threaded .310 barrel . This particular revolver was made to accompany me in my groundhog hunts when carrying a Savage 32-20. I hunt ditches and woods edges and have some close shots at times that fit right in to a revolvers capabilities.55701

Last month (Nov) I finished the 45 Colt transformation of a standard 44 Mag DW. This time an extra 44 mag cylinder was reamed to 45 Colt. The barrel again is a custom threaded .452 barrel. Cylinder throats were reamed to .4525+. I always wanted a 45 Colt double action capable of heavy loads. The DW revolver is capable of fulfilling that goal. But again a real 45 Colt DW is somewhat rare and easily exceeds what I have invested in my two caliber DW revolver. Accuracy is on par with my 45 Colt Ruger BH's. This will make a fine white tail or hog thumper.55702

So there you have it. I am pleased with the outcome. The experience, the time involved plus the help and advice several local gun machanics kindly gave made it all well worth the effort.
Mike in ILL Merry Christmas to you all !

rwsem
12-10-2012, 11:18 PM
Awesome job, Mike. Merry Christmas!

jmsj
12-11-2012, 12:23 AM
Mike,
Those are just too cool!
I really like the 45 Colt conversion.
I hope you have a great Christmas before you head south.
Good luck and God Bless for all your good works, jmsj

Dennis Eugene
12-11-2012, 01:05 AM
Very very Nice, Thanks so very much for sharing and educating. Dennis

MT Gianni
12-11-2012, 10:58 AM
Those look great. If you ever get the bug and find a 32 H&R cylinder it could easily be reamed to 327 Fed. I am not sure but think that could pass up the 32-20 in velocity.

Irascible
12-11-2012, 11:16 AM
Hmmm, Now if I could only find a spare 44 mag cyl :>)

shorty500M
12-11-2012, 07:15 PM
that reminds of thought i had recently when purchasing a nice .41mag dan wesson- nab a couple of .44 cylinders, ream one to .45 Colt then whip out a couple of 6inch barrels to match shroud from my blanks on hand and duh quick 3 caliber Wesson with one frame, one shroud, one nut, 3 barrels and 3 cylinders! Ok ok yeah 2 nuts one barrel nut and one big bore nut, lol me!

missionary5155
12-11-2012, 08:16 PM
Greetings Shorty
Yep that is the way it is done. That frame is the key to a whole set of calibers.
Mike in ILL

Combat Diver
12-11-2012, 09:58 PM
Outstanding, enjoy your revolvers!


CD