Any Virginian Dragoon Fans?

As far as I know, only the American made guns had the inscriptions on the butt. They also had much heavier frames than the Hammerlis. The Hammerli was a pretty good Colt clone, of about the same size. The American guns were as big, maybe bigger than, a Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk.
Click to expand...

Yes, AND...the Hammerlis were never called "Dragoons". Whenever someone says "Virginian Dragoon" it should automatically be assumed they are refering to the American made Interarms design, but so many people don't know the difference and call the Swiss guns "Virginian Dragoons".

The Hammerli Virginians look much like a Colt, and were sold from 1973-76 through Interarms. The Virginian Dragoons are quite a bit larger, have other big differences from a Colt, and were made and sold by Interarms from 1977-84.

There was at least one other, minor player in the Virginian line, but the manufacturer escapes my memory right now. I believe it had bare brass gripframes.
 
Last edited:
I had a Hamerrili and sold it, great gun, very high quality but I wasn't into the cowboy thing. I want adj sites on my pistols.

Have handled the VA Dragoons and they are also very nice. I always keep an eye out for one.
 
i have a v dragoon that is stamped april 1974 and it has the insciption liberty forever on it and has virginian dragoon stamped on the barrel. it's also as big as the blackhawk so it kinda blows a couple statements here out of the water.
 
I think your mistaking the reason for the April 1974 stamping on it. that's the pat. date, not the manufacture date.
 
I have the 10.5" 44mag Silhouette model. Problem the most accurate handgun I've ever shot - thats including my 8" Python.

Dragoon005.jpg

Dragoon003.jpg

Dragoon001.jpg
 
mega twin said:
I bought one of those when they first came out. They had a dealer special when I was an FFL,I think for $159.00 for a stainless .44 mag.
I wasn't in to single actions, so foolishly sold it.It was a very well built,and accurate firearm.
Click to expand...
That's where my 8 3/8" stainless .44 came from too, but I remember it as $155.00. Either way, we're in the ball park. I also picked up a .45 Colt cylinder somewhere, but have never found a .45 barrel.
 
Pricing

Any ideas as to how much one of these is worth? I have a .44 mag stainless Dragoon. The barrel measures about 6 5/8", and the inscription is Yorktown with a date. I bought this gun with the intention of scoping it for deer, but I think I want to find something more conducive to a scope.
 

Attachments

  • .44 1.JPG
    .44 1.JPG
    103.8 KB · Views: 91
  • .44 2.JPG
    .44 2.JPG
    94 KB · Views: 69
In 1977 a blue/Case .44 with 8" barrel 1776 was retail for $218. This is when they first came out from the Interarms plant. My dad has one he ordered from a dealer.
 
$155.00 probably is correct,jbar. I remember at the time that it was a very good price for an American made stainlees steel revolver,
 
Any ideas as to how much one of these is worth? I have a .44 mag stainless Dragoon. The barrel measures about 6 5/8", and the inscription is Yorktown with a date.
Click to expand...

In 2005 it's listed value was $210-265.
 
Last edited:
Doggonnit!!
Y'all are messing with my mind.
I have been thinking about a .45 LC Bisley Ruger for a +p 45LC handgun.
I think a strong 45LC +P is a sweet spot.
Way back,mid 70's maybe,I almost bought a VD (?) Friend steered me to a SBH.No regret,but I have wondered.
So,TODAY I saw a 7 1/2 stainless .44 VD for a decent price in a pawn shop.
(asking <$400 )

I have 30 years machining experience and have done a fair amount of gun work.I could fit a 45 bbl and do a fine job of line boring that cyl,then chamber it for 45LC.I coud match the throat dia to the bore dia of I was doing it...
I could octagon that bbl.....leave a sight base integral.......

Seems like a fine,stout foundation for what I want,fairly long cyl too......

HMMMMM.....Please,somebody talk me out of it??
 
A little more on the Dragoon

I went and handled the aformentioned one at the pawn shop.It had ben carried,minor cosmetic wear.Very smooth,very nice trigger,just working clearance in the lockup,a sound handgun.

This one had an interesting basepin safety.If you pushed the basepin all the way in,it locked the gun

The cylinder certainly looked adequate for .44,but it did not look like a good candidate to bore to .45 for a 45+P gun.

Still,I was considering it to just be what it is,a nice .44

Then,with my usual 2 handed grip,cocking with the non-shooting thumb.I discovered with my big,meaty hands,the hammer spur had to be forced into the web between my thumb and forefinger at full cock.

So,I smiled,and left it there.I do not have this issue with a Ruger or Colt.
 
Just got back from the gun range...

My father-in-law finally got his Virginian Dragoon back from his brother after about 20 some odd years. it is the stainless with the 8.375" barrel, with a rubber grip. That is probably the most accurate big caliber revolver that I have ever shot. Considering that it was my first time firing that gun I shot 12 rounds in the inner two rings of the pistol target. Not too bad, considering that (at least to me) I am more accurate with that than my father-in-laws smith and wesson 38 special, which for some reason the rounds start creeping up the target after the first 2 shots, or at other times, to the left in a strait pattern. I thought it was an issue of mine but after shooting that, I got to play with the Dragoon and after adjusting to the kick I was shooting within the inner circle consistently.
 
Question for Jeff

Hey Jeff,

I see you did a float trip on the Tagagawik River. I am interested in exploring that part of the world myself. Any chance you would be willing to share some of your logistical / transportation information? Let me know.
 
A friend of mine has a .44 in 7 1/2 inches and I had the pleasure of being given the opportunity to fire it. It's a terrific gun, its mass soaked up the recoil and I barely felt it. It's also amazingly accurate. One of the best "five shooters" I've ever fired. I have no idea what his gun weighs, upwards of 50 ounces, I'm guessing, because it's a huge chunk of stainless steel. I imagine that it would make a superb handgun for hunting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top