Question About Dan Wesson Revolvers

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Flattop5

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I saw a Dan Wesson revolver in a pawn shop a few days ago. It was in great condition, it had a long barrel and was chambered in, I believe, .44 magnum. The price was very good, and I almost bought it, but I decided to think about it first and ask questions.

What is your opinion of Dan Wesson revolvers?



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I've found mine to be extremely accurate. Double action is generally mediocre, aesthetics are lacking, and somewhat heavy. As hunting & target guns they have performed well for me.

They've gone up in value in the last 6 or 7 years, but they used to be cheap. If in good condition, I would expect an 8" 44mag to be in the $650 +/- neighborhood.
 
Ah, okay. Thanks for the info!

However, I've decided to pass on it.

The gun was much cheaper than that, $500 or so. Stainless, too. If you might want it, PM me and I'll tell you where it is (or was, if it is gone).



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For anyone else curious...

Between my grandpa and my father I have shot one in .22 and one in .357 (pistol pack with multiple barrels). Both are inherently accurate for me, and both with very smooth triggers. The .357 is in the top 3 smoothest and crisp triggers I have ever fired. (And I've had the pleasure to shoot one tuned by Thell Reid...) I would be very happy with either. But that's just my experience. And that's a very decent price round here.
 
If you go back and like the trigger action, and assuming that you want a 44 Magnum; you should buy it. DW is still in operation and is owned by CZ. They still make the 715 revolver and can service DW revolvers. These are high quality guns.
 
andyo5 said:
If you go back and like the trigger action, and assuming that you want a 44 Magnum; you should buy it. DW is still in operation and is owned by CZ. They still make the 715 revolver and can service DW revolvers. These are high quality guns.
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Hey, you're in Tucson, and so am I. Small world.

Yeah, I might go back and look, but I doubt it, since I've got 3 .44 Mags already (Redhawk, Super Blackhawk, Model 29).



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Have a DW .357 mag with 8" barrel, Bought in early 80's.
One thing I realized real fast is to make sure the barrel to cylinder clearance is right at .006".... They put out a real large flame on either side when it's on the loose side (my 3 yo Daughter loved it). I love the interchangeable barrel/shroud.
 
Flattop5 said:
Ah, okay. Thanks for the info!

However, I've decided to pass on it.

The gun was much cheaper than that, $500 or so. Stainless, too. If you might want it, PM me and I'll tell you where it is (or was, if it is gone).



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If it was stamped "Monson, Mass." you might want to rethink your position... great guns which were big in silhouette and long range matches back in the later part of the last century.....
 
I had a pistol pack in 357 mag..Times got tough, it had to go..I bought another one with the 8" vent Heavy Rib,,,Some S&W wheelie fans had a few compaint's..The cylinder releases in front of the cylinder, thus 2 hands to release..The cylinder rotates in the opposite direction than the S&W..Keep in mind a bbl tool should come with the pistol..
Here's a pic of my Monson Mass one..

357-1_zps17a15f36.jpg
 
Ditto the comment about the Monson Mass. guns, they are the most accurate hand guns I own, bar none. Super trigger, strong as a bank vault, the handy work of D.B Wesson and Karl Lewis. A Google search has lots of info.
My brother has a scoped .41 magnum that will deliver 1.5 " groups at 100 yards from a rest, I have a .44 that will do 3" groups from a rest if I do my part. Take note in older loading manuals of hot loads recommended for DW's, Rugers, and Contenders only. CZ supports them and EWK Arms, has barrels,sights and various small parts. There is a DW forum site with lots of information. Yes different than a S&W 29, but in a good way, the 10" 29 silhouette models were in direct response to the DW's dominating the metal silhouette matches. Think of them as a S&W's cousin, they are referred to as the 5th generation revolvers.
 
Agree with others , Dan Wesson Monson revolvers are super accurate. Prices have been going up faster than Smiths in some models. The "long barrel 44 SS version" (MN 744) , would go for $800 to 900 depending on what came with it.
I own about a dozen now wth 6 being 'pistol pacs' , including 22 or, 357 mag, 357 super mag and 44 mag.
 
Flattop5 said:
The gun was much cheaper than that, $500 or so. Stainless, too.
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Model52guy said:
The "long barrel 44 SS version" (MN 744), would go for $800 to 900 depending on what came with it.
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Last summer, I passed up a Dan Wesson stainless steel .44 Magnum (a Monson gun w/full shroud) tagged at $650.00 (+Tax) and I'm still regretting it today. :o It did lack the box, tools and paperwork, but it was still probably foolish of me to pass it up. $500.00 and I wouldn't have been able to get my wallet out fast enough. :D

I *will* own a stainless steel Dan Wesson revolver someday. :) It's on my bucket list. :D
 
I have 4 DW revolvers all monsoon mass made before 1980 . The 44mag has a 6" and 8" barrels . I hunt with a 3" red dot on it and its more than capable od 3 to 4" 100 yards groups with my old eyes . Great trigger . Enough weight to make shooting 305gr 1300fps loads controllable .

Many old blue DW will have a purple look to the frame and is acceptable . I have seen real nice shooter can sell for 450 to 550 for blued add 100 for SS with one barrel and shroud . I bought a extra 8" shroud from EWKarms so I could mount a base on it for a red dot. makes for a heck of a hunter . Heavy revolver but a great one .
 
My model 15-2 Dan Wesson is my wife's favorite shooter. It's a 4in heavy
barrel. I've bought an 8in to go with the 4in. Later I found this 22mag
with a 6in barrel. They aren't for sale or trade.
 

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I have a SS 3" fixed barrel 357. It is similar in size to the L frame and probably a stronger design. The cylinder release in front of the cylinder is a much stronger design than thee S&W. I find the release as fast and smooth as the rear release, I didn't understand the post about the one hand cylinder opening. The DW was probably S&W's inspiration for the L frame and the sleaved stressed barrels.
 
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ShelbyV8 said:
I have a SS 3" fixed barrel 357. It is similar in size to the L frame and probably a stronger design. The cylinder release in front of the cylinder is a much stronger design than thee S&W. I find the release as fast and smooth as the rear release, I didn't understand the post about the one hand cylinder opening. The DW was probably S&W's inspiration for the L frame and the sleaved stressed barrels.
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As far as opening the cylinder..Assume your off hand has been rendered useless..Now swing the cylinder open on a S&W, then the DW..S&W is much easier..
 
litenlarry said:
As far as opening the cylinder..Assume your off hand has been rendered useless..Now swing the cylinder open on a S&W, then the DW..S&W is much easier..
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Good point. Then you can load the Smith with your useless off hand.
 
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