Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Dan Wesson, anyone?

Here's what I've found in the local paper:

DAN WESSON 357 magnum, 6" barrel, blued, adjustable sites, Pachmayer grips, exc cond, very accurate, $350

Anyone have any experience with Dan Wesson firearms? Is this a reasonable price?

Hard to say, really. I was checking out gunbroker.com today and I noticed a Dan Wesson 357 magnum going for $245. 8" barrel and stainless steel, I believe.

I own a 44 Mag. Dan Wesson, that I bought back in the 80's it still shoots and shoots good. The barrels are easily interchangable regarding length. I haven't kept up with them in the recent years, you could get a 2'' 4'' 6'' barrels in 357. The price of $350.00 is good, they were of good quality when I bought mine.

Probably more than you want to know! I have messed with the older ones and they were tack drivers, anyidea if it is an older one or on the new side. I have no experiance with the newer ones but have heard bad reports on QC and accuracy.



Dan Wesson also has a variety of revolver packages that are available by special order only. They include the small frame models (blue or stainless) in .22 LR, .22 Mag., .32 H&R Mag., .32-20 WCF, and .357 Mag. - 2�, 4, 6, 8, or a 10 in. barrel is available. Large frame calibers include .357 Mag++, .360 DW, .41 Mag., .44 Mag., .45 LC, .45 ACP. A Super Mag. model is also available in .357 Super, .414 Super, and .445 Super. Compensated models are also available in small frame, large frame, and Super Mag. - prices range from $674-$1,149. Complete pistol packages (including all interchangeable barrels within a model) are priced at $1,369 (.22 LR cal.) to $1,999 (.455 Super Mag.). The hunter package (two 8 in. interchangeable barrel assemblies, one with scope base) is priced at $1,349 (.22 LR cal.) to $1,849 (.455 Super Mag.). Standard and Super Ram Silhouette packages are also available - Standard Silhouette is $899, and the Super Ram is $1,109-$1,399. Interchangeable barrels assemblies vary in price from $87 to $400, depending on caliber and barrel length. As in the past, many barrel assembly configurations are optional. Please contact the company directly for current revolver package pricing and availability.


SMALL FRAME SERIES
- .357 Mag. cal., 6 shot, stainless steel, 2 1/2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 in. heavy barrel with VR and full ejector shroud, rubber wraparound finger groove grips, interchangable barrels. New 2002.
Grading
100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
$450 $375 $335 $295 $260 $230 $200
MSR $499
Add $50 for 4 in., $90 for 6 in., $150 for 8 in., or $200 for 10 in. barrel.

Matthias, Dan Wesson revolvers are pretty nice and very accurate, at least the examples I have owned. The one thing I never really got used to was the cylinder release latch ahead of the cylinder. The price seemes a bit on the top end, the gun would need to be in near new condition. I would however be willig to go close to that foe one of the 22's in top shape. That was a real sweet little piece. You will notice the short throw on the hammer and double action.

Bullwnkl.

I'll have to give the fella a call.

Seems to be the small frame variety, blued. Fella is not sure how old she is, bought it from a buddy in financial trouble bout a year ago. Says everything is tight, shoot purdy accurate...adjustable sights, mhh....
Sounds like something I 'need'... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I'll try and offer him 300 if the wife springs for it. Mine, that is. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I don't like Dan Wesson revolvers, but it's purely a matter of taste - not function. My experience is with the older models also.

The interchangeable barrel feature is of no use to me, but the method of attaching the barrel leads to the outstanding accuracy the revolver is known for - the barrel/cylinder gap is set with a feeler gauge.

Veral Smith of LBT wrote an article in Handloader several years ago about the constriction in revolver barrels where they are screwed into the frame. He noted that one of the reasons Dan Wesson revolvers are noted for their accuracy is because the method of barrel attachment causes a similar constriction at the muzzle. Not that this in and of itself was a good thing, but it overcame or corrected a flaw in many revolvers that his barrel lapping technique was meant to overcome.

Apparently the barrels are a bit rough � I don�t know first hand, only saying that from having read it. But the sillywetters definitely liked them quite a lot based mostly on their very good out of the box accuracy.

Also as noted, the ability to set the barrel/cylinder gap to a minimal level is a very nice feature to have and, while I might have some minor theoretical quibbles with how much this actually helps accuracy, it sure ain�t gonna hurt it.

This may be too late to help, but I think that price is substantially too high. $275 will buy a lot of similar pistols in my area and they are tough sales. They are really very nice guns and usually very accurate, but their differences and the fact that they went bellyup don't help.

For instance, I just bought a similar DW .357, not in quite as good a shape as he describes for $225.

I've been out of the handgun circle for a while, but when did Dan Wesson go bellyup?

later,
jk <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

IIFID....your advice is certainly not too late, as I have not purchased the gun. I decided to go the responsible route and pay off some bills instead... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Don't you hate it when that happens. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Ouch, I hate it when good sense steps in.

They really never went belly up, but production has been interupted by changes within the company and moving of manufacturing facilities.
Previous manufacturer located in Palmer, MA 1992-95. Previously located in Monson, MA until 1992. In late 1990, ownership of Dan Wesson Arms changed (within the family), and the new company was renamed Wesson Firearms Co., Inc. Currently manufactured by New York International Corp. (NYI) located in Norwich, NY beginning 1997. Distributor and dealer sales.

I don't believe the current owner is any family relation to the original owner. I know his first name is Steve, can't remember his last name. Dan Wesson Firearms is about 15 minutes down the road from me. I have a buddy who until very recently worked there and have met the owner. He gave me a tour of the place. They are currently manufacturing almost exclusively beautiful and highly accurate 1911 type pistols. They still do make revolvers to order as well as having quite a few on hand as well as all the parts. Saw some hunter packs that made my mouth water and an awesome Alaskan in either a 44 mag. or a 44 super mag. with a teflon finish.
I hope they are able to make it but have my doubts. When my buddy worked there they did my internet ffl tranfers for free and only charged $10- to the public as a service to the shooting community.
From what I saw they do alot of hand fitting and polishing and every one I have handled functioned like a swiss watch.

I think once New York International Corp. took over that was the end of family involvement myself.

At the last local gun show I got myself a Dan Wesson .375 Super Mag. $500 for the revolver, two extra barrels, dies, loaded ammo and a nice supply of brass. My price is probably a tad high, skewed by the fact that the .375 isn't offered anymore.?.?.? Brass is a "make it yourself" proposition now, too.

Accuracy wise, it is a wonderful revolver. Being able to adjust that barrel / cylinder gap is nice. Gives a sense of being able to fine tune the revolver for best accuracy. Some would argue this point but I'll take the option any day. >> klallen

Matthias, Lets get some real world info and NOT second hand or I hear this or read that crap. I do own a New Version of the Dan Wesson 445 supermag and love it. You are getting too much I heard this or read that around hear and its not correct. Qc on mine is about as good as one could ever hope for. Tight in cylinder lockup and no endshake to speak of. Accuracy is top notch. I mean its scary accurate. I am not a good pistol shot by any means but keeping 1.5 inchers at 50 yards is boringly easy. If I only was better with trigger control I am sure it would be easily under an inch at 50 yards. Its not fussy to load for but some loads are better than others as all firearms are. But the bad loads shoot about 3 inches at 50 yards.

As for the barrel being tightened or screwed at both ends is for less vibration in the barrel so less wip effect so accuracy is better much better. I love the cylinder latch where it is on the Dan Wesson as compared to others.It also helps with better lock up in my opinion.

Changing barrels is a dream to me and you can convert this gun from a personal packing weapon to a primary hunting arm in less than two minutes.

Its a great piece to have and when I get the funds I will have to round out my litter of supermags by getting the 414 supermag and the 357 supermag. I would put my gun Dan wesson 445 supermag against any others revolver out there.

Its a great peace.

I just wanted to let you know from someone who actually has one.

445_supermag said it...... It's scary accurate!



I have a 414 SM, it's a pleasure to shoot! Working on a 445!