Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Interarms Dragoon revolvers

Anyone know anything about these? I was bumbling 'round a pawnshop yesterday, and saw a particularly nice in in 44 mag with about 5.5" barrel, but did not get it our of the case or anything - when were these made, and who made 'em? Were they accurate? Durable?

Any experience?

Well made, durable, BIG.

Not Ruger SBH strength, but plenty for what most anyone needs one for.

Made by Interarms in Virginia - production stopped a number of years ago. I've no use for a SA .44, but if you do, and the price is right, it's a good gun.

IMPORTED by Interarms of Virginia. I believe they were made in Spain or perhaps Italy. However they are good guns and tough. Actions were slicker right out of the box than Rugers. No transfer bar and a better trigger. I have a friend that abused his severly over many years of hard use and it still is accurate and reliable.

Correct; imported by Interarms.

They did do a lot of importing of various brands, however they did also have a factory in Virginia. I recall it was on 60 minutes at one point, when they were profiling the owner.

Here is a reference, go to page 120

http://books.google.com/books?id=ks...terarms%20factory%20virginia&f=false

The longer barrel one are worth more money

www.singleactions.com/VADragoons.pdf

This is a nice write up by Lee Martin. I saw a Dragoon Bicentennial model on GB last weekend and almost bit, then I read this short report. Hammerli made the Dragoon for Interarms from 1973 until sometime in 1976. They made the Dragoon themselves until 1984. The mid-1976 through 1979 may have quality issues, but before and after are great guns. Martin says the 1980 forward guns are better built than most. He also says the Hammerli-produced early models can command $800+. It's an interesting read. I'll probably add one to the collection once I "thin the herd" a little.

JJ

Yep. My buddy has two of them: A .44 Mag and a .357 Mag. Solid and heavy. Fit and finish are nice.

The only "issue" (if you can even call it that) he's had is the ejector rod housing screw coming loose a few times on the .44 Mag. A little loc-tite fixed that.

The Interarms Virginian Dragoon was first made by Hammerli in Switzerland and imported by Interarms. Then Interarms started making them here in Virginia, IIRC. A source on the net says they were made from 1973 to 1984 with production in America starting in 1976. That sounds about right to me.

The American guns are different from the Swiss ones. Evidently the Swiss guns were a Colt clone. The American guns are described as close to the Blackhawk dimensionally. I would personally say that they are indeed close but still slightly bigger than a Blackhawk. As VA said, they are big. I wasn't aware until reading this article that there was a difference between the earlier Hammerli (Swiss) guns and the later American ones.

They were made in both fixed and adjustable sighted versions.

I didn't have mine long enough or shoot it long enough to give you much of a rundown. I remember it was rumored that some of the 45 Colts may have let go, leading me to believe that they weren't as strong as the Blackhawk against which they competed. I had a 45 Colt and it was a finely made gun that never gave me any problems. I bought it new and it was the first centerfire handgun I owned. I can't comment personally on the .44 Mag. or .357 versions.

They were unique at the time for having the "Swiss Safe" safety, which was workable, like Ruger's.

I won't buy another unless it is practically given to me due to their large size. They are a very finely made gun though.

My first .44 Mag was an Interarms Dragoon 6". Very good revolver, my only complaint was that the rear sight wasn't real well made, but everything else was. Shot very well, good gun all around.

Weren't the ones made in Switzerland just called "Virginians" and the ones made in Virginia by Interarms called "Virginian Dragoons"?

The Virginian Dragoons were said to be about 10% larger on the exterior than a Colt SAA.

I bought one because that big grip felt so comfortable and 'hand-filling' For deliberate shooting it worked fine, but it was not quick handling, as I had a hard time reaching the hammer spur with my thumb for repeat shots. And I do not have particularly small hands.