What do I have? Dan Wesson.

[gulogulo1970]

I bought a 95% blued, Dan Wesson (medium size frame?), 357 Mag with a 8" interchangable barrel today. Serial #1489xx. I've never really thought of buying one but the lady selling it only wanted $150. I had to jump on that. It was her uncle's who died 17 years ago.

So what do I have? Model #, value, are they known to be good shooters?

Can't wait to shoot it next weekend, BTW.

 

[Preacherman]

Dan Wesson revolvers tend to be excellent shooters, and are built like tanks - if anything's tougher than a Ruger revolver, it's a Dan Wesson! However, the company has been through two or three iterations of ownership, and some periods of manufacture were better QC-wise than others. I'd suggest contacting Dan Wesson directly (http://www.danwessonfirearms.com/) and asking them for date of manufacture, etc., using the serial number as a reference.

 

[stans]

It is probably a model 15. Can you post a picture?

I had a model 15 years ago, great revolver, sorry I ever let it get away from me.

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

The only Dan Wesson I ever owned was a 744. It came with an 8 inch barrel, vented with full underlug. I had QD scope mounts with Leupold 2 power scope installed.

I also bought a four inch barrel for plinking.

The problem was the hammer. The cocking surface (i.e., the surface which contacts your thumb) did not have sharp lines. Your thumb tended to slide off when cocking the hammer. The problem was made worse by the angle of the hammer. It protruded almost (it seemed) at a straight line from the revolver.

I wanted to have it recut, but you can't do much with Dan Wesson because hammers, triggers, etc., are cast metal. Unlike S&W which are forged.

And they don't work on them other than to start swapping parts.

I liked the gun, basically, but finally sold it. At a loss, of course. I always do my part for the economy, viz., buy high and sell low.

 

[Majic]

The older DW's had sintered parts which didn't take to polishing. The newer models have forged steel parts and they are interchangable with the older guns.
DW's are quite tough and very accurate. Many dislike the DA trigger stroke, and generally the resale sucks, but those who own them tend to hold on to them.

 

[stans]

Yeah, all except me! Young and dumb!

 

[gulogulo1970]

Thanks guys.

Can't post a picture, I'm still in the film age over here.