Virginia Dragoon?

[5-Shot]

My local gun shop has a used Virginia Dragoon. It's stainless steel and appears to be quite well made. I'm tempted, but I'd like to know a little more about them. Any of you have any experiences you'd like to share?

 

[mcb66]

I remember almost buying one. Seemed well built and priced excellent. Gave it a day to research what it was, and it was gone. They were high quality. The first ones were built by Hammereli.

 

[5-Shot]

I've figured out this one is post-Hammereli model. Now trying to work out whether it is early or late.

 

[Lonegle57]

Have had 3 of them over the years. The first a gift from father-in-law.
I spent more time than any gun since trying to find accuracy. Went as far as to have scope mount put on it. Could not get a group on a 8x11 piece
of paper at 20 yards. Read later that some had over sized bores, guess this one did. It was a 44 mag. The next two were accurate. They are well built guns, strong, similar to Colt single actions, must leave a chamber empty, no falling block safety. I moved the others on, prefer to use a Ruger single action.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

The earliest Virginian Dragoons had accuracy problems due to oversized throats.
Here is a link to a good article about them:
https//www.singleactions.com.VADragoons

 

[Mule Packer]

I bought one in 1981 or 1982...a .45 Colt with a 7½-inch barrel. It was built on the .44 magnum frame with a very smooth action and exceptionally accurate. That particular revolver sold me on the .45 Colt cartridge and I've been a fan ever since.

When each of our children was old enough to leave the nest, I gave them their pick of any of my handguns. Our second eldest son picked the Virginia Dragoon. Now remember, this particular revolver is heck for stout and whenever I'd pack it, I'd list a little to the right. This particular son, however, is 6'5" and weighs 240 pounds and he and that gun are a perfect match. He's 48 years old now and when we go on pack trips together, that's the revolver he usually carries.

Being built on that big frame, the gun will handle the stoutest loads if you're a hand loader.

 

[BKLooney]

Years ago a good friend had a Virginia Dragoon chambered in .44 mag. I remember it was a very good quality revolver that shot to point of aim. Sadly the gun was ruined in a house fire.

If I were to find one in good shape at a reasonable price I'd give it a home!

 

[5-Shot]

From my research, the 1976-1979 production was problematic. A new CEO took over in 1980 and the later revolvers were great. The problem is that I can't find a good way to distinguish between the two so I'm going to pass.

Ed

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I had a blue 4" 357, I bought at a yard sale for $135 in the early 90's. It shot just fine with cast 38's and jacketed 357's. Sold it a year or two later for $250. That guy still has it and uses it weekly.

Ivan

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Only caution is replacement parts seem to be non-existent.

 

[Valmet]

The few that I’ve handled over the years seemed to be very well built guns. Kinda kicking myself that I didn’t pick one up when they were cheaper (story of my life).

 

[Papa Lee]

The Virginian Dragoons were big stout heavy single action six-guns. They were well built and featured a "Swiss Safe" main pin. I owned one in .44 magnum back in the 1970's & 1980's and it was a constant companion for several years.

 

[Bajadoc]

Just saw a good Youtube video about the Virginian Dragoon by Mixup98. If I ever see one for sale I will buy it.