In a 357 mag...

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the Dan Wesson would be my choice for any of those uses

i think the SP-101 is too big for what it is and the DW just offers so much more for a bit increase in size...which you can address with a good belt and holster.

the changeable barrels, sights and grips allow you to tailor the gun to whatever you're using it for and the DW is just about the most accurate revolver out there.

i felt a couple of old DWs that had had their actions worked over and they were really sweet. i believe the owners had the action parts plated in electroless nickle after the action work to maintain the surface hardness
 
Yes, they're suited for two different uses. The Dan Wessons have never really distinguised themselves except in versitility.

I'd love to have a Pistol Pac, but if the gun had but a single barrel, I'd be more inclined to a Ruger Speed-Six or a S&W 686.
 
sp101.......the phrase "built like a tank" comes to mind......yeah id go with that!
 
As a DW owner for 30+ years ,that would be my first choice if it is a monson or early palmer gun. There is nothing that ruger does better . Now if that ruger is cheaper ,heck buy it too. Both have very strong actions just maybe a DW's in blue are to pretty .
 
Dan Wessons were a great idea which was not necessairily well executed. If you can get one at a good price AND are prepared for the possibility of problems go for it. I currently have a .44 mag. DW with 8" VH barrel that I love but have owned 2 .357 Monson revolvers both of which (interchangable barrel design) were problem children. The first one I bought new and after about 500 rounds developed timing problems which were corrected under warranty. The problem began to show up again after a couple hundred rounds and I traded it off on a S&W 686. A local high ranking sherriff's deputy told me he had seen that problem a lot at their firing range that was in 1981. About 4 years ago I bought a Monson .357 on Gunbroker for $235 which appeared unshot and it had multiple problems. Even .38spl target loaded casings would stick in the cylinder which would some times not want to swing out with out a lot of manipulation. It shot well SA but DA the timing was off to the point I could not get a full cylinder thru it. I still have the gun and one day will have it repaired but at the moment have other projects. Since I got it at a good price I am willing to spend some money on it as I know it will one day be a very desirable collectors item. I believe this gun was assembled to a point where it would function but never correctly fitted and finished. If you are patient I think they can be a good investment but if you just want something good to shoot and carry the SP101 would be a better choice. Another good option would be a S&W model 64 from J&G Sales they have a bunch of NYPD trade-in DAO, bobbed hammer 4" heavy barrel, round or square butt in the $200.00 - $250.00 price range. It's not a .357 but an excellent value.
http://www.jgsales.com/
 
A Ruger SP101 with a 3" barrel is my choice for a truck gun. It is 100 % reliable and strong enough to digest heavy loads. Dan Wesson has been in and out of financial trouble over the years and you have to pay close attention to what year the gun was made and research the financial condition of the company during those years. with the 101 you can devote your time to better things like posting on this forum.
 
I don't own a Dan Wesson , but iv'e heard that they were excellent revolvers .
I own several Rugers including an sp 101 and i can say its one of my favorite
revolvers, i don't own it long but plan on keeping it.;)
 
lubeck tech now i can see you haveing problems with a used 30 + year old gun if not knowing the history but the newone,, Now that is a rare one to give trouble. All the oldies i have seen were well mantained and never had down time. unlike the the middle years but don't think even ruger doesn't have a problem once in a while too. One of my shooting buddies is a certifiable ruger revolver nut and has a trunk full of them and has had a couple new and old that he sent back too. All thangs being equal i would still take the wesson.
 
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