Dan Wesson vs Smith & Wesson
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Maximumbob54
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I find the Dan Wesson vs. S&W to be the same as Ruger vs. S&W or Colt vs. S&W or whatever else. There are ups and downs across the brands. The Dan Wesson guns had some neat features to them. The early guns were in my humble opinion some guns that only a mother could love. They made them more eye friendly at some point. QC ran away at some point and I hear on a routine that the guns from Monson were some of the better ones. So would I say they were/are better? No. Would I say they were different? Yes.
The Dan Wesson revolvers were THE gun for metallic silhouette shooting in the 70's and 80's. They were strong, well made and most were astoundingly accurate. The interchangeable barrels made them unique. The DW locking system is probably stronger than S&W's especially on the .44 Magnums. It is too bad that DW's quality control went out the door in 1989-90 range and pretty much killed the company.
I ordered two DW revolvers in 1990 a 8 inch .357 and a three barrel kit .22 LR (4-6-8 inch). The dealer had to send both back to his distributor. The .357 action wouldn't cock and all three barrels (the actual tube-not the shrouds) on the .22 were plugged with rust!! I ended up with my S&W 617 and a Colt Python (sold long ago).
These days I only see two kinds of used DW's- safe queen multi-barrel kits for $$$$ and total shot out former IHMSA guns that I would not want for free.
I ordered two DW revolvers in 1990 a 8 inch .357 and a three barrel kit .22 LR (4-6-8 inch). The dealer had to send both back to his distributor. The .357 action wouldn't cock and all three barrels (the actual tube-not the shrouds) on the .22 were plugged with rust!! I ended up with my S&W 617 and a Colt Python (sold long ago).
These days I only see two kinds of used DW's- safe queen multi-barrel kits for $$$$ and total shot out former IHMSA guns that I would not want for free.
Pisgah
Member
Although the earlier ones had looks of the type only a mother could love, DW revolvers had some things going for them -- and still have. CZ now owns DW and makes limited numbers of revolvers. Cylinder lockup, IMO, is superior to S&W's. And the switch-barrel system is not just a neat feature but lends superb accuracy.
I recently bought a High Standard Sentinel Mark II .357, 2.5" barrel, which is nothing but a re-branded DW that HS marketed for a couple of years. It ain't pretty, but it has the most eye-popping accuracy I have ever seen in any snub. Although it was a bit dinged, and covered with fine rust from years riding in a truck glove compartment, I was delighted to add it to my collection for $225. It'll make a great hiking and hunting-backup revolver.
"Better" than S&W? That's a subjective call, but the DW is a fine revolver.
I recently bought a High Standard Sentinel Mark II .357, 2.5" barrel, which is nothing but a re-branded DW that HS marketed for a couple of years. It ain't pretty, but it has the most eye-popping accuracy I have ever seen in any snub. Although it was a bit dinged, and covered with fine rust from years riding in a truck glove compartment, I was delighted to add it to my collection for $225. It'll make a great hiking and hunting-backup revolver.
"Better" than S&W? That's a subjective call, but the DW is a fine revolver.
wiley
Member
Actually, Cz just recently released the latest DW a 715 VH in 357, at a really stiff price, that I saw on GA. It did look well finished.
DWs in IHSMA had 3 major things: mass weight and tensioned barrel along with front of cylinder lockup that made them accurate.
S&W in various models now have the same features.
DWs in IHSMA had 3 major things: mass weight and tensioned barrel along with front of cylinder lockup that made them accurate.
S&W in various models now have the same features.
rick6336
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Having both a S&W 66-2 and two DW's (mod. 15 & 15-2), I dont see much difference in accuracy. They are both great shooters, but I do like it when I can go from a 8" barrel for hunting to a 2.5" for CC on the DW in a couple of minutes.
GyMac
US Veteran
I will always regret selling my DW 15-2 with a 6 inch barrel. I wonder what the DA trigger pull was like, I didn't shoot DA back then. Now I don't shoot SA.
PA Reb
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The ONLY DW I ever owned was a .357 purchased back in about late 1975 or early 1976. The very first time I pulled the hammer back in single action, the gun went off BEFORE the chamber was lined up properly with the barrel (no finger was on the trigger). Needless to say ..........! As far as I'm concerned, they were junk then and they still are.
tripledipper
Member
I could ony compare my 6" DW22 to my 17-3 and there ain't none. Trying to sell it local but I believe someone said on this forum "you own a Dan Wesson for life because no one will ever buy it".
Badquaker
Member
My DW 44 is as good as it gets. I have had it for 25 years, abused it relentlessly, and it has never failed me. It will never be willingly sold.
Sportsterguy
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The MOST accurate revolver I ever shot was a buddies 84-85 vintage .44 mag DW pistol pac with the hogleg barrel. Could nail a Budweiser cap with it at 25 yards all day. Wish I would have bought it from him when he sold it.
My only shooting encounter with one so can't help you further than shooting that tackdriver.
My only shooting encounter with one so can't help you further than shooting that tackdriver.
Titegroups
Member
I've owned a DW model 15 since the mid 70's quality gun, very accurate never any problems. I would say on par with the smiths. Very good value at the prices I see. Ive seem my fair share of junk smiths too, just never bought any.
DWFAN
US Veteran
I own a 6 inch 15V .357. Bought it from the original owner in 1974. Used it primarily for silhouette shooting and couldn't ask for a better preforming revolver. Took standing B class first time out with it. Ran some pretty stout loads thru it and it never failed me. It's the first revolver I ever purchased and push come to shove would be the last. Probably the best mid framed revolver out there. I believe I just became a heretic. 
DW
DW
My one and only D.W. experience was in 1974 -75, and was less than stellar.
44wheelman
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I find the DW's more robust, less aesthetic, but scary acurate. The models I've had all had pretty mediocre double action trigger pulls compared to S&W. In my mind, the DW's are great target guns; but the 19 is so much more versatile.
pdcampy
Member
Back in the 1970's I shot the PPC circuit and tried a DW, 6" with the thought that with a very light double action trigger pull and hammer fall, it might be better than the "tuned" S&W Model 14, 6" at 50 yards double action. After a lot of tuning and experimenting I found that the S&W shot better for me so I sold it and went back to S&W. Never owned one since.
I have a DW 744 that I used for handgun silhouette in the 80’s. It was generally pretty accurate, but many of the cast parts were a little crude and there was a higher parts count than I would prefer. A few years ago I decided to see what I could do with it because it had been sitting in my safe. I had CZ-USA replace the cylinder locking bolt and swap out the 8” heavy barrel for a 6” light barrel. I then tried some of the loads I used for silhouette and they didn’t shoot very well. When I used pin gages on the throats, I found they were a little too tight. I reamed them to .431”. Now it is still a bit crude, but it is the most accurate .44 I have.
KoiBoy
Member
"Better" is in the eyes of the beholder. I own several Dan Wesson revolvers and several Smith & Wesson revolvers in multiple calibers and like them all for various reasons. I love being able to swap out barrel lengths and set headspace myself with my Dan's, but Smith blueing is far better on average. The only Dan revolver now being made is a model 715 (stainless .357 mag) by CZ USA and will cost you $1K. There are always plenty of the older Dan's on Gunbroker, but prices have risen as of late.
KoiBoy
Member
I own 2 Smith model 19's and a Smith model 66 no dash. I also own Dan Wessons in .22, .38/.357, .41 & .44 mag. Wouldn't sell any of them. If anyone has any Dan Wessons to give away I'll be more than happy to take them off your hands!
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