btr4me
Member
Please educate me about the quality, etc. of Dan Wesson 22 cal revolvers. Located a 6 inch barrel 22LR model that is much less money than a S&W. So any insight you can share is much appreciated. Thanks.
Dan Wesson Revolvers
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DW revolvers are typically very well made and extremely accurate. That has been my experiance with them. I own a Model 15-2, 357 Magnum that I've had for about 35 years. If buying one, look for one of the originals made in Monson, Mass. After Mr Wesson passed away in 1978, the company was sold and eventually moved to Palmer, Mass. They went bankrupt a few times after that. Not the same company after Mr Wesson's death and quality suffered. Eventually the company was sold to CZ.
scooter123
Member
Yes it would be and it's in the same area as the Made in USA stamp on the frame of W&W revolvers.
One minor fault of the Dan Wesson design is that the double action trigger is quite heavy and it is not possible to reduce the weight below 12 lbs. without issues with misfires in double action. As for the cause, I believe that the Dan Wesson features a "short action" design for the DA trigger stroke and this revolver also relies on a Coil Mainspring so there is more friction produced by the coil "stacking" in the bore for the spring. BTW, a Short Action means that the trigger stroke is a bit shorter than typical and a result of this is that the leverage produced by the trigger is lower than if a longer trigger stroke was used. With a new "factory" replacement spring the DA trigger pull on my 15-2 is over 14 lbs. and in an experiment where I trimmed the spring 1/2 coil at a time the misfire issue cropped up at 11.7 lbs with a 1 in 6 failure rate. BTW, primers used in this experiment were CCI 550 primers because I've found the 550 Magnum primers to be a bit "harder" than the standard pressure 500 primers.
Good news is the single action trigger is a dead on match for the single action trigger on a P&R Smith and Wesson, as in a very crisp break at just a whisker over 3 lbs.
One minor fault of the Dan Wesson design is that the double action trigger is quite heavy and it is not possible to reduce the weight below 12 lbs. without issues with misfires in double action. As for the cause, I believe that the Dan Wesson features a "short action" design for the DA trigger stroke and this revolver also relies on a Coil Mainspring so there is more friction produced by the coil "stacking" in the bore for the spring. BTW, a Short Action means that the trigger stroke is a bit shorter than typical and a result of this is that the leverage produced by the trigger is lower than if a longer trigger stroke was used. With a new "factory" replacement spring the DA trigger pull on my 15-2 is over 14 lbs. and in an experiment where I trimmed the spring 1/2 coil at a time the misfire issue cropped up at 11.7 lbs with a 1 in 6 failure rate. BTW, primers used in this experiment were CCI 550 primers because I've found the 550 Magnum primers to be a bit "harder" than the standard pressure 500 primers.
Good news is the single action trigger is a dead on match for the single action trigger on a P&R Smith and Wesson, as in a very crisp break at just a whisker over 3 lbs.
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Yes, it's stamped on the right side of the frame under the cylinder.
Westie1
Member
One suggestion-Start looking for extra barrels/shrouds. Might be hard to find, but they came in different lengths and shroud configs.
I bought mine new after they just came out. Hadn't shot it in a long time but have been getting some range time with it lately & had forgotten how accurate it is.
I bought it because I like heavy revolvers & at 48 oz. there's a lot to like. Finally got some rubber Hogue grips that are a ton better feeling. The original grips suffer from the same problem the old S&W grips had, too large at the base.
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Dan Wesson Mdl 22-VH
(-01c)
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Dan Wesson Mdl 22-VH
(-04a)
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I bought it because I like heavy revolvers & at 48 oz. there's a lot to like. Finally got some rubber Hogue grips that are a ton better feeling. The original grips suffer from the same problem the old S&W grips had, too large at the base.
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Dan Wesson Mdl 22-VH
(-01c)
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Dan Wesson Mdl 22-VH
(-04a)
.
silentflyer
Member
Excellent firearms, the ones made in Monson as noted are generally the best quality. Barrels/shrouds and parts available from EWK arms.
Most accurate revolvers I own, as noted the triggers are excellent in SA, not so much DA. Accuracy can be "tuned" by adjusting cylinder gap and tension on the shroud nut.
They pretty much dominated the long range metal silhouette matches in the 70's along with TC Contenders.
The genius of D B Wesson and Karl Lewis in creating the so called 5th generation of revolver.
Most accurate revolvers I own, as noted the triggers are excellent in SA, not so much DA. Accuracy can be "tuned" by adjusting cylinder gap and tension on the shroud nut.
They pretty much dominated the long range metal silhouette matches in the 70's along with TC Contenders.
The genius of D B Wesson and Karl Lewis in creating the so called 5th generation of revolver.
357-RevolverGuy
Member
I don't find them as aesthetically appealing as S&W but they are accurate shooters and well made. The size, grip frame, and main spring remind me of a Ruger double action. Takes a while to get use to the cylinder release being on the crane. And as stated the Monson, Mass. ones are more desirable.
If you have a chance to buy a Dan Wesson 22 cheaper than the Smith and Wesson 22s are selling for, I would jump on it. The Dan Wessons have been climbing in price the last 5-10 years. If you decide to pass on the revolver, let myself or other Forum members know, I will buy it no matter which plant it was made in.
As has already been stated, the Dan Wessons are well made and very, very accurate in any of their caliber offerings.
Strange that the tensioned multi-piece barrel that some Smith and Wesson folks hate so vigorously is what made the Dan Wesson stand out above the rest of the revolver crowd in the old Metallic Silhouette days so many decades ago
My first exposure to Dan Wesson revolvers was my father's 44 Magnum back 35+ years ago. Dan Wessons were manufactured in blue and stainless. The blue finish had a nice polish to it while the stainless was a more brushed look. The stainless Model number was the blue Model number with a 7 in front of it. So a stainless version of the Model 22 is the Model 722
I currently own Dan Wessons chambered in 22 LR, 41 Magnum and 357 SuperMag.
wouldn't you know, I can not find pictures of the 41 Magnums
I do love the big SuperMags. I wish I could locate one chambered in 414 SuperMag at a price that I can afford. I would also like to find a Dan Wesson Model 45 or 745 chambered in 45 Long Colt
While the ability to change barrels is fun, I find that over time I have settled on the barrels for each of my revolver frames and have not changed them in many, many years. After all who wants to re-sight the gun each time you swap a barrel. What would have been really unique is if the rear sight swapped with the barrel assembly like on a Smith and Wesson model 41.
I even got to play "Maxwell Smart" with my Dan Wesson model 22. With the short barrel in place I used a barrel nut that is threaded for a suppressor. What a shame it is not as quiet as on TV
BTW, this is the first time in almost a decade that the 2" barrel has been out of it's box. This frame usually has a 6" Vent rib barrel attached. My other model 22 always has the 8" Vent-Heavy barrel on it.
As has already been stated, the Dan Wessons are well made and very, very accurate in any of their caliber offerings.
Strange that the tensioned multi-piece barrel that some Smith and Wesson folks hate so vigorously is what made the Dan Wesson stand out above the rest of the revolver crowd in the old Metallic Silhouette days so many decades ago
My first exposure to Dan Wesson revolvers was my father's 44 Magnum back 35+ years ago. Dan Wessons were manufactured in blue and stainless. The blue finish had a nice polish to it while the stainless was a more brushed look. The stainless Model number was the blue Model number with a 7 in front of it. So a stainless version of the Model 22 is the Model 722
I currently own Dan Wessons chambered in 22 LR, 41 Magnum and 357 SuperMag.
I do love the big SuperMags. I wish I could locate one chambered in 414 SuperMag at a price that I can afford. I would also like to find a Dan Wesson Model 45 or 745 chambered in 45 Long Colt
While the ability to change barrels is fun, I find that over time I have settled on the barrels for each of my revolver frames and have not changed them in many, many years. After all who wants to re-sight the gun each time you swap a barrel. What would have been really unique is if the rear sight swapped with the barrel assembly like on a Smith and Wesson model 41.
I even got to play "Maxwell Smart" with my Dan Wesson model 22. With the short barrel in place I used a barrel nut that is threaded for a suppressor. What a shame it is not as quiet as on TV
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I you haven't handled the gun just be aware that "small" frame DW's (.22, .32, .357) are fairly large guns. More like an L/N frame SW. So if you are wanting a kit gun this might not be it. But they are very good guns and the interchangeable barrel feature is fun.
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Quality can vary depending upon which time frame you're looking at. Resale used to be terrible in my area, but it seems to have improved somewhat. I had a 357 and 44 Dan Wesson that shot outstanding, but a 22LR had timing issues and wouldn't shoot worth a darn.
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