357 Decision: Dan W. Or SW 686?

What is the endurance package?

Endurance package is exclusive to N-frame .44Mag's. I can't really answer your question but I am a recent Dan Wesson convert.

I don't believe S&W ever needed to add an "endurance package" to the L frame .357 Magnums. ( The 586/686 lines were sort of an endurance package for the model 19/66 models to enable shooters to use .357 magnums all the time instead of shooting .38 Specials most of the time and having the capability to shoot .357's occasionally). I do recall them announcing some changes to the Model 29/629 to improve their durability.
As to the Dan Wesson vs. S&W 686, I would opt for the S&W, if you plan to shoot it a lot. The DW has been out of production for a long time, while the Smith is still being made. I have never owned a DW, but have owned a few L frame Smith's, including a very early production 4" 586, which was a beautiful revolver. (Should have kept it.) The later 686's I owned didn't match the quality control of my first L-frame, so they also went down the road. Since then, I have owned a few Ruger GP-100's. My current primary .357 is a 6" GP-100 in stainless steel. And that is what I would recommend if someone were shopping for a .357 magnum for general use today. My son has one with the somewhat rare 5" barrel and there is nothing wrong with the 4" barrel, if that is what feels better for the individual. This one is particularly nice, for about the same price as the used Smith:
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/mobile/product/719003459/ruger+gp100+357/38spl+6rd+6"+unfluted+ss%2fwood+grips
Check out some of the other models, including 7 shooters, if that is important to you. I would rather have a new revolver with factory warranty, than a used one that you have no idea what has been fired through it.

At that price, the Dan Wesson, hands down. I've owned both... my police trade-in 686 was one of the most solid revolvers I've ever owned, but my 4- and 6" barreled DW was, too. They are two different animals, however, if you happen to have the opportunity to handle both of them, do so.

I'm no expert, but I like the DW @ $400. In fact I would pounce on it.
DW owners love them, and brag up their accuracy.
Having had a 7 shot that developed timing problems, I'm not a fan of 7 shooters. (You asked)

Being a former owner of S&W and a biased user, I of course vote for S&W.

Probably a lot more aftermarket products, plus you can convert to a six shot if you desire with little difficulty.

Because of the good quality and low price of that Dan Wesson revolver I would buy it. I own and really like the M686 S&W revolver but at only $400 it's hard to pass on the DW revolver.

No endurance package necessary in the L frame M686 so it's not a factor.

Another thread where I have owned both guns. I would get the Dan Wesson at that price or the S&W Model 686 because it's one fine .357 revolver!

Take your pick!

I have never owned a Dan Wesson. I love my S&Ws. But I just finished reading "Guns, Bullets, and Gunfights", by Jim Cirillo, and I think he would pick the Dan Wesson, based on his experience with them.

Makes me want to investigate DW a bit more.

What a delightful decision you have!

Huntolive said:

I'm getting a 4" 357.
Either Dan Wesson (made in Monson Massachusetts) used with Barrel tools and orriginal wood and Houge grips
$400

Or SW 686 series 4 pre lock 7 shot stainless used but excellent working order, just w standard black rubber grips
$750

What should I get and why?
Relative value and quality?
Like the 629 series 4 pre lock do the 686 series 4 prelox also have the endurance package and is that a big deal?

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I have a lot of experience with the 686 and I'd get the Dan Wesson. Unless this one was abused it should have a better trigger, better sights better ergonomics.
As a matter of fact if you don't buy the Dan Wesson please let me know where this one is.......

I have a Smith model 60 and a Monson made 6 shot DW with a 6 and 3 inch barrel. Both are fine firearms and I do love the Smith. Sooth trigger in DA and light crisp single action. good shooter for a snubbie.

The DW has the tightest chamber I have seen in a .357 revolver. I could not get some of my old hand loads in the cylinder that would easily slide in my Taurus, Smith and Rossi 92. I like that about the Dan Wesson. The trigger is my best one in DA and breaks clean and crisp In SA. Over all it is the best made of my revolvers. I would check the tightness of the cylinder and jump on a Dan Wesson for $400

One more thing not mentioned here. Thw cylinder release is not the same as damn near every other revolver on the planet on a Dan Wesson. That can take some getting used to.

Without even an eyeblink I would choose the Dan Wesson. Yeah, the cylinder release is a little different but not a problem for me..In fact I prefer it.

Good morning
Another Dan Wesson vote. Easy barrel change. Any length you want. Set your own barrel gap. If you can wear out a DW you are shooting a lot !
Dan Wesson 357 we bought in 1978 is still shooting 3 inch groups at 100 meters with our 10 barrel. That is using that lay on your back position.
I like S&W but they do not compare to what the better Wesson is capable of. S&W had the chance to build them but lost out as Dan Wesson just moved on.
More steel critter matches were won with DW revolvers than all others . That is the real test.

I will make a few comments based on very little experience with Dan Wesson, based on observations from shooting my first over the last couple weeks. First, the action is slick, like butter on glass and the single action trigger is great. Second, the finish is excellent. They didn't employ polishers with the skill of those who polished Colt's and S&W's in the old days but they are very nice. Third, I always thought the idea of swapping barrels back and forth was more novelty than anything and I was wrong. I can really see the utility in having one gun that can go from packing pistol, to hunting sixgun, to silhouette blaster. Mine came with 4" and 6" barrels. I've already procured a 10" from CZ and am on the hunt for an 8". So yes, I'm definitely drinking the Kool Aid.

Just an irrelevant aside but long long ago in a land far far away I used to gather with a few friends at an outdoor range near Jacksonville. We'd do some pistol shooting and then they wanted to move over to the rifle range but since I seldom had long gun with me I'd just use the 6" 15-2. I seldom was the most successful at those distances but I was never embarrassed.

Dan Wessons are amazing.

If the shroud is loose, then just tighten the barrel nut. There is a pin in the frame so ensure that the shroud is properly indexed. The whole setup is really quite easy to deal with.

Barrels can be had from CZ or EWK, or found used on Gunbroker or Ebay.

I don't really think they're overbuilt for the .357. They're the same size and weight as the L-frame. To me the underlug adds unnecessary weight. I think the K-frames are under-built for the cartridge and that has influenced a lot of opinions.

Armored farmer said:

I'm no expert, but I like the DW @ $400. In fact I would pounce on it.
DW owners love them, and brag up their accuracy.
Having had a 7 shot that developed timing problems, I'm not a fan of 7 shooters. (You asked)

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Besides DW trigger are incredible from factory at least in my Monzon.