Dieseltech56
Well-known member
I ran across an interesting revolver at a gun show in February. It was a stainless 2.5 inch Palmer era Dan Wesson with fixed sights......and a fixed barrel. Neither of which I even knew existed. With a $395 price tag it was the cheapest gun I've bought since I really started paying attention. I knew it was uncommon but just how uncommon I wasn't sure of. Needless to say I get home, start browsing around on the web and come up empty handed. I think I found one picture searching google images, but not one other bit of info anywhere. I am not even sure of what the model number is. I suppose a 714? I've read through all the DW fixed barrel threads and I still know about as much as I did beforehand.
Then just by chance I stumble across another one on GB. Beautiful looking gun going by the sellers pictures. I knew this one wasn't going to be so cheap ($300 more all said and done). These fixed barrel guns aren't super high priced sellers, after all the best part of owning a DW is, you guessed it, changing the barrels. This one really spoke to me though. Where else can you get a really nice 3" blued 6 shot 357 mag with adjustable sights? (forget about a 3" 586-4)
I really can't find any other DW grips I like better than the custom combats that came with it.
Both guns were actually gummed up inside pretty equally. Perhaps it was something they used during assembly that didn't hold up over 20+ years. I will say one thing, getting the ejector rod off for cylinder removal/yoke cleaning is a little more challenging than a S&W. What worked perfect though was a drill chuck just snugged down and spun by hand. The ejector rod is RH threads too.
These Dan Wesson's probably aren't popular enough to gain the attention they deserve but I know this, with the price that Smith's are climbing to I'll be looking out for more!
Then just by chance I stumble across another one on GB. Beautiful looking gun going by the sellers pictures. I knew this one wasn't going to be so cheap ($300 more all said and done). These fixed barrel guns aren't super high priced sellers, after all the best part of owning a DW is, you guessed it, changing the barrels. This one really spoke to me though. Where else can you get a really nice 3" blued 6 shot 357 mag with adjustable sights? (forget about a 3" 586-4)
I really can't find any other DW grips I like better than the custom combats that came with it.
Both guns were actually gummed up inside pretty equally. Perhaps it was something they used during assembly that didn't hold up over 20+ years. I will say one thing, getting the ejector rod off for cylinder removal/yoke cleaning is a little more challenging than a S&W. What worked perfect though was a drill chuck just snugged down and spun by hand. The ejector rod is RH threads too.
These Dan Wesson's probably aren't popular enough to gain the attention they deserve but I know this, with the price that Smith's are climbing to I'll be looking out for more!
