A lapse of Brand loyalty: Does this do anything for anyone else?

[MERV5-5505]

Hello All:

I am known to stray from my wheelgun Brand, (S&W) from time to time. I just picked this up today. Its a Dan Wesson D-11 .357 magnum revolver, (6 shooter) with a 2.5" barrel, (fixed sights.)

I got it for a fair price & it has a really nice solid feel to it, (circa mid/late 1970's my best guess.) Very different from a Smith, not quite like a Colt or Ruger either, it is its own thing. I was wondering if anyone else has had experience with these guns. I know that the Dan Wesson story is a rocky & storied one, this D-11 just kind of "spoke" to me. I had to snag it.

All opinions, thoughts & reactions are welcome...

 

[sigp220.45]

Wow, that's nice. I've never owned a DW, but I think I would have been all over that one, too. Congrats.

 

[jrm53]

In 1978 my first CF big revolver was a DW 8" heavy barrel model 15 and I loved it until I shot an early 60's 6.5 model 29, I sold it and have never looked back. They are good revolvers. Jeff

 

[GyMac]

Hello All:

I am known to stray from my wheelgun Brand, (S&W) from time to time. I just picked this up today. Its a Dan Wesson D-11 .357 magnum revolver, (6 shooter) with a 2.5" barrel, (fixed sights.)

I got it for a fair price & it has a really nice solid feel to it, (circa mid/late 1970's my best guess.) Very different from a Smith, not quite like a Colt or Ruger either, it is its own thing. I was wondering if anyone else has had experience with these guns. I know that the Dan Wesson story is a rocky & storied one, this D-11 just kind of "spoke" to me. I had to snag it.

All opinions, thoughts & reactions are welcome...

I wish I still had my DW 15-2 with a 6 inch barrel. At least I sold it to a friend. It was a beautiful gun.
Chris

 

[chief38]

Up until S&W started installing their @#$%^%& internal locks, theirs were the only revolvers I owned. Once they did that I actually purchased a few Colts. Now when I buy Smiths, I will only buy an older LNIB or NIB pre I/L gun. If it were not for the I/L I would have never bought or looked at the Colts. The Colts are very well made, accurate, hold 6 shots, but still - not an older Smith.

I am usually a brand loyal kinda guy, but once a Company degrades their products with locks, barrel inserts, cast MIM parts, it's time to look for alternatives. Thankfully, there are plenty of older S&W's still available!

 

[cp1969]

Brand loyalty is not good. A company needs to continue earning your business, not coasting on its reputation and has no reason to improve if it knows it can sell products to buyers who won't even consider another brand.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I think companies should expect the same loyalty to their brands that they give to their employees. Nice revolver.

 

[cjw3]

You never see one around here that nice. I saw one the other day in a pawn shop that was pretty ragged, finish wise, and they sure thought a lot of it.

 

[scooter123]

Actually I think your DW probably dates to the early 70's, not the late 70's. They dropped the external barrel nut and extended flange on the barrel shroud fairly early in the companies history. This means that your gun dates to the time when Dan Wesson himself was running the company and keeping an eye on things to make sure every gun going out the door was near perfect. This means you not only got a Monson gun, you got one of the best ever made. Unfortunately it also means that finding a different length barrel and shroud for that gun will be a real challenge. Sadly, I saw a 4 inch version of your gun at Gander Mountain a bit more than a year ago for 349.00. Had to pass on it for two reasons, one it was right after Christmas, and the other is that it was in Ohio while visiting my brother and I live in Michigan.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Finding one in that shape with the original outside barrel is a lucky find indeed.

 

[MWark]

THAT is a fine looking gun. I'd trade you one of my many Smiths for that.

 

[MERV5-5505]

Hey Everybody,

Just wanted to jump in to say thanks for the responses to my post. I thought I might get a bit beat-up for some brand cross-over...but I should have known better when it comes to the good stock of this forum.

Thanks for the opinions & information. They are appreciated.

 

[reerc]

I think companies should expect the same loyalty to their brands that they give to their employees. Nice revolver.

Well said Rick.

Oh, and nice gun, congrats.

 

[J.P.60]

I once owned a DW Pistol Pac with Model 15VH frame and barrels. It was well made, but, I could never get used to the cyl latch forward of the cyl.

 

[wbraswell]

Nothing wrong with a little brand loyalty, but let's not get carried away. If you won't try new things, you may miss out on the best life can offer. My first revolver was a DW almost as old as yours. Mine was a Model 14 .357, fixed sight, 4" bbl. It had the early shroud like yours, but it had the recessed barrel nut. I swapped it for a later 15-2 with it's beautiful shiny blue and vent rib barrel, and have regretted losing my old gun ever since. Old S&Ws are my favorite double action revolvers. I still love old Colts, and DWs. (Ruger DAs just look ugly to me) I am ready to embrace change, if change is good. Technology will always advance us. When I buy a product, I'm not buying something just because of the brand on it. I'm buying it because either, it's the best one for the money, or it's a bargain, or I like the way it looks, or it's just what I want. Who made it or where it was made, I really don't care. If I go buy a new TV, am I going to pout because I can't find one made by "Mericans"? Not hardly. I'm going to shop and read and buy the best for my money. That's "American".

 

[Rule3]

I would have jumped on that gun also. Nothing wrong with variety.

Besides, it's half of S&W.

 

[28Shooter]

Hey Everybody,

Just wanted to jump in to say thanks for the responses to my post. I thought I might get a bit beat-up for some brand cross-over...but I should have known better when it comes to the good stock of this forum.

Thanks for the opinions & information. They are appreciated.

No worries, I think we all "cheat" once in a while - I own a few Colts and even a Ruger or two.

 

[Fishslayer]

It happens. I was in the shop when this little guy (15-2 .357) hit the consignment case.... I'd heard of Dan Wessons & knew a little (very little) about them. 40 day wait, tho. I don't pick it up till February...

You can learn about DW at http://www.danwessonforum.com/?page_id=3
They have a database of serial numbers and DOB. I found out mine is from 1979.

 

[MERV5-5505]

It happens. I was in the shop when this little guy (15-2 .357) hit the consignment case.... I'd heard of Dan Wessons & knew a little (very little) about them. 40 day wait, tho. I don't pick it up till February...

You can learn about DW at Forum – The Dan Wesson Forum
They have a database of serial numbers and DOB. I found out mine is from 1979.

Thanks for the tip & information. After doing some sniffing around, I believe some of the members here were correct: My DW D-11 is either a 1970 or 1971 gun. I find it very interesting the subtle differences in your 79' 15-2 has to my D-11. The forward cylinder latch is smooth vs. the serrated one on mine, sights are different...the quality looks equal.
The grips on my DW are a different feel than I have ever known. I suppose because they are not panels but rather a block of walnut, they are very positive in the hand. They remind me of the front grip handles on old 35mm motion picture cameras. The size is strange-bird too, K frame in some aspects...L almost N frame in other respects. I gave it the thru cleaning today...even polished the unengraved brass grip medallions...she shines up nice.
I will try and get some new pics up, but for now...here are the same old ones for reference.

 

[CajunBass]

Brand loyalty? I buy what I like.

I've owned a couple of Dan Wesson 22's over the years. Traded the first one away for some reason or another, but replaced it a couple of years ago. This one is a "Monson" gun with a S/N in the 20xxx range.

The frame size is closer to an "L" than a "K" I believe, but they will generally fit holsters made for "K's" so they're not a lot larger.

I like my Model 17 better, but only because the Dan Wesson is bigger and heavier. It is a fine shooting gun.