Can a K or N frame S&W frame be set up to take Dan Wesson barrels and shrouds? I think it would be cool to see a very heavy barrel on a S&W revolver. Have no clue as to what is involved. Larry
Can S&W revolver be set up like Dan Wesson
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The frame would have to be completely re engineered I haaaaave a couple Dan Wessons and to do so would be a step backwards, they no longer produce revolvers for a reason No other company has picked up the ball to make them.
There was a thread I saw yesterday of a s&w with a DW barrel and shroud . It looked a bit odd but guess it worked ok . Today it might be best to start with a SS revolver as that the last DW revolvers made by CZ since they own them but do they stock Blued shrouds . Doubt it , and EWKarms is not longer advertising any barrels and shrouds But they may have a few hiden in a corner of there shop !! CZ's last DW revolver were the 715 series and were Stainless Steel so inquire if you have a SS s&w revolver
I bought DW revolvers over colt or s&w back in '76 and still have it with 2 barrels and shrouds . .
You have to know some S&W revolver use's the same barrel and shroud design on a few revolvers currently .
I bought DW revolvers over colt or s&w back in '76 and still have it with 2 barrels and shrouds . .
You have to know some S&W revolver use's the same barrel and shroud design on a few revolvers currently .
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Patrick L
Member
I thought the reason they folded back in the day was financial?? I don't recall the revolvers not working. Granted I never owned one but friends did and liked them
OP
It would be a matter of barrel threads of the DW and the frame of the S&W frame correct? It’s a friend of mine that wants to try it wondering if it would work. Larry
Of course this can be done to L-frames or N-frames, the K-frames are just to petite for this conversion
You just need an appropriate pile of money if you are doing a custom conversion job
Decades ago there was a major gunsmithing firm, don't ask I can't recall the name off the top of my head right now, that used to do these two L-frames. The conversion included three or four different barrel lengths and it was considerably expensive
There is actually a company that announced interchangeable barrel L-frames, I think at last year's SHOT show
Finks Custom Gunsmithing developed what they call the Moreno Interchangeable Barrel System or MIBS for short.This is named for Jake Moreno, the staff gunsmith that came up with the conversion
You just need an appropriate pile of money if you are doing a custom conversion job
Decades ago there was a major gunsmithing firm, don't ask I can't recall the name off the top of my head right now, that used to do these two L-frames. The conversion included three or four different barrel lengths and it was considerably expensive
There is actually a company that announced interchangeable barrel L-frames, I think at last year's SHOT show
Finks Custom Gunsmithing developed what they call the Moreno Interchangeable Barrel System or MIBS for short.This is named for Jake Moreno, the staff gunsmith that came up with the conversion
I had one, foolishly traded it, but then found another and it will not get traded or sold. Both were Model 15-2 (blued 357 Magnum), double action pull was heavy, but short; single action was incredibly crisp, and accuracy was excellent. The Dan Wesson revolver's history seems to be one of a good product, but a combination of poor market penetration and financial issues kept it from being truly successful and giving it a long production life.
If you have the $$$, then a really good machinist can fix you up.
I you took an L frame with model 69 and removed the barrel you could make any number of shrouds from 2 1/2" to 14". Then fit it with a 357 cylinder. Then make barrels in .357 and .429 using the same threads .638-36 as on the model 69 frame on the cylinder end and a different thread on the muzzle end. Then install correct cylinder, a sheoud of the length you want, a correct caliber and length barrel for that length of shroud, stick a spacer on cylinder face and thread barrel against it, place sleeve over barrel and then tighten the muzzle nut, Done
You could also make them in 22, 32, 40, and 41 IF you could get blank L frame cylinders.
Get out your wallet and expect to pay what numerous guns would cost you.
The 357 and 44 would be cheapest as the cylinders already exist. But, so far I think the you can get a shroud longer than 4 1/4" But, the shrouds could be made using MIM technology
You could also make them in 22, 32, 40, and 41 IF you could get blank L frame cylinders.
Get out your wallet and expect to pay what numerous guns would cost you.
The 357 and 44 would be cheapest as the cylinders already exist. But, so far I think the you can get a shroud longer than 4 1/4" But, the shrouds could be made using MIM technology
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I was hoping steelslaver would chime in. 
Interestingly, the current multi-piece S & W revolver barrel system seems similar to the Dan Wesson, except that it is not quickly interchangeable. Perhaps there would be some way to make it more end-user friendly.
Interestingly, the current multi-piece S & W revolver barrel system seems similar to the Dan Wesson, except that it is not quickly interchangeable. Perhaps there would be some way to make it more end-user friendly.
Protocall_Design
Member
You could also make a shroud from a factory barrel by drilling it out to just over the rifled tube diameter.
Just like with s&w today some DW had problems . Spend some time reading up on the SW revolver history and find they produced many fine revolvers but after Mr Wesson passes buisness was not run well by family and folded in '90 and again in '96 . Then Bob Serva added 1911's to the line but reduced revolver production untill he too had to sell the company to CZ . CZ took over 1911 production . CZ made revolver remained very limited for only a couple years . I still have one DW 15-2 357mag that has a SA trigger pull of 2lb 6oz and a DA pull of 10lb 2oz and compared to s&w today thats purdy down good .
Great revolver with poor business .
Look here is the barrel off my 500
Here it is on.
I can take it off and put it back on it 5 minutes. If I had more shrouds and barrels of different lengths l I could eadily make it use them
I have a 460 cylinder and barrel and will set those up to go on it, but want to yet a yoke first
Here it is on.
I can take it off and put it back on it 5 minutes. If I had more shrouds and barrels of different lengths l I could eadily make it use them
I have a 460 cylinder and barrel and will set those up to go on it, but want to yet a yoke first
OP
My friend has a lathe and a mill and wants to learn how to do things like this. I give him credit. People for years had python barrels put on Smiths, they look great. He will have time in a project like this and minimal expense. Larry
30 years ago, Jim Cirillo touted what he called a Hybrid with Dan Wesson barrels fitting to N frame .44 and .41 S&W revolvers.
Gunsmith not specified, but he noted that he a close relationship to Dan Wesson, the man and the company. He wrote several articles about the DW revolver.
The specific article I'm looking at is "Hybrid Guns & Special Ammo" from the first quarter 1992 Guns and Weapons for Law Enforcement magazine.
Gunsmith not specified, but he noted that he a close relationship to Dan Wesson, the man and the company. He wrote several articles about the DW revolver.
The specific article I'm looking at is "Hybrid Guns & Special Ammo" from the first quarter 1992 Guns and Weapons for Law Enforcement magazine.
Jim Watson
Member
Dean Grennell showed a M28 with DW tube and shroud.
Installed by a gunsmith named Smith, he called it a Smith & Smith & Wesson & Wesson.
Installed by a gunsmith named Smith, he called it a Smith & Smith & Wesson & Wesson.
