Dan Wesson 357

[hittman]

There's a subject I don't know anything about; Dan Wesson.

Local guy is supposed to bring me one to look at for sale tomorrow. Says it's a nickel 7-inch (so I assume it's 6-inch). No box, just a mint unfired gun he bought about 20 years ago.

About fainted when I saw Gunbroker completed auction prices on some of these! Like ..... $750 and up!? :shock: I think those were model 715 but figure there must be other models. :?:

What do I need to know or look for?

 

[protoolman]

The wrench to change barrels is worth about $30 extra, retail. They are a short action, even shorter than Smith and Wesson. Coil spring mainspring and grip stud like Ruger. Other than that just another variation on any revolver. Prices are a bit high due to collectability not necessarily any better quality. They are similar in quality to any of the other big 3 names.

 

[GRAMPS 51]

About all I can tell you is they are Neat I have wanted one for years some came in a set with 3 length barrels I wish I had bought one when they were a lot less expensive

Gramps

 

[RoninPA]

It's probably stainless not nickel (if he said 7" he probably doesn't know the difference in SS and nickel). The DW pistol paks are the ones that people really liked because of all the different sized barrels that were included. When put together correctly these were pretty accurate because of the tension on both the front and the rear of the barrel(s). One NIB unfired can bring some serious money and there is a kind of cult following of these particular handguns.

 

[hittman]

Thanks guys ..... do ALL of them have removable barrels? I remember seeing those "Pistol Packs" before.

So if I swing a deal to buy this one, I can look for additional barrels too?

And ..... how do I tell the difference between a nickel finish and a stainless gun somebody polished?

 

[Dan in MI]

DW didn't make nickel. They did make SS.

Could be 6 or 8". The 357 is a model 15, the "7" means stainless. (715) They come in vent (contoured under the bbl) and vent heavy configs (solid heavy underlug)

Yes you can swap out bbls or shrouds. Think of it as a three piece barrel. The tube, (actual bbl) the shroud (barrel cover) and the barrel nut (locking nut on the end)

They are deadly accurate. Monson, MA manufactured are considered the best. (stamped on the frame)

No real issues to look beyond normal revolver stuff except the bbl nut. If it is really buggered up it can be a PIA to remove.

There are two bbl types, but I don't the ink the original type came in SS. There is the "pork chop" that has a long piece on the shroud that comes down on the front the frame. These are early versions. The most common are basically straight and don't come down the frame face any lower than the std underlug.

 

[Dan in MI]

Pork chop - https://www.gunbroker.com/item/799496555

Vent – https://www.gunbroker.com/item/803382498

Vent heavy - https://www.gunbroker.com/item/803305299

Separate bbl pieces - same on all types - this is a pork chop https://www.gunbroker.com/item/803452564

 

[blackhawknj]

The "pork chop" shroud fits on the earlier M-12 model, does not fit on the later M-15, the barrels interchange.
Yes, no nickeled Dan Wessons, blued and stainless only.
There were a few fixed barrel ones made, also a small number with fixed sights.
The Dan Wesson was designed by Karl Lewes, who also designed the Colt Mark III and the Browning Lever Rifle.

 

[hittman]

Wow.....thanks for all the great info.

What does a mint 6 inch stainless 357 bring retail in your neck of the woods?

Any tell-tale signs to look for to determine the age? He thinks he bought it 15-20 years ago.

 

[blackhawknj]

Here are the people to talk to : http://www.danwessonforum.com

 

[rugerguy]

yes, they are a very good gun, had a few of them over the years and I was trained by Mr Wesson himself in Monson ,Mass. back in the mid 1970s for our shop ( Cleveland Bluing Co) to be the warranty repair station for Dan Wesson Arms back then....... Mr Wesson had passed away, and when Seth , his son and family took over they then made the Dan Wesson in a stainless as noted above the number "7" put in front of the model number to designate "stainless", then after a few changes in ownership, the company is now owned by CZ America..........you need a bit more info when you get to see the gun up close so we can tell just which is which...here are two I have owned, the one is what we built in Mass back when we were there, it was a blued gun, and I had Ron Mahovsky do one of his Metalife SS finishes on it ,so it looks like the stainless , the other gun is a "fixed" 5 inch barrel ( actually measure 6 inch because of the built in choke - muzzle break/vent).......

as for value, once you know just what model it may be the prices vary all over as to regions, and configuration ( finish) and barrel vent, vent heavy, heavy and vent heavy, as well as calibers some of the "Supermags" can be big bucks..........

 

[Mike J]

Yep. Dan Wesson Forum has the info. Back in the mid 90's I ran across a blued Dan Wesson model 15 in a pawn shop for $100. The bluing was rough but I just wanted a handgun so I bought it. After I left I realized the hammer wouldn't stay cocked for single action (I was very new to handguns, did not know what to look for & check). I got nervous but soon discovered the wrong grip screw was in it. I took the grip off & everything functioned perfectly. So I bought a Hogue grip for it & put the screw back in & everything worked. I believe it to be my most accurate handgun. Sadly I only have a 4" barrel.


There is one thing unique about the Dan Wesson Revolvers the cylinder latch release is in front of the cylinder instead of behind it.

 

[Mike J]

Here is a pic of mine.

 

[Dan in MI]

The "pork chop" shroud fits on the earlier M-12 model, does not fit on the later M-15, the barrels interchange.

Yeah, I wasn't real clear on that.

The DW forum is good, but often slow.

There is one thing unique about the Dan Wesson Revolvers the cylinder latch release is in front of the cylinder instead of behind it.

Actually it locks in three places. That's part of it's allure and accuracy. Front and read of cyl along with the ejector rod.

 

[powder smoke]

Friend of mine his brother works for Dan Wesson in the plant! He has several beauties
interchangeable barrels the works. Very nice revolvers. I do not think you can go wrong! ps

 

[Wyandot Jim]

I bought the 44 vent heavy pistol pac in 1982 when I was copping.
What a fantastic revolver. The fit and finish was outstanding and it was a very EASY shooting 44 Mag. I would qualify with mag loads when others were shooting 38 wad cutters. Son could shot it when he was 12 and wife could also. At the time the only barrel lengths available for the 44 were 6" and 8". I would have liked having a 4". From what I have heard these were made for silhouette shooting and are very accurate.
I sold it to a Forum member a few years ago and he is happy with it. Being able to change the barrel was great.

 

[muzzleloader]

I bought the 44 vent heavy pistol pac in 1982 when I was copping.
What a fantastic revolver. The fit and finish was outstanding and it was a very EASY shooting 44 Mag. I would qualify with mag loads when others were shooting 38 wad cutters. Son could shot it when he was 12 and wife could also. At the time the only barrel lengths available for the 44 were 6" and 8". I would have liked having a 4". From what I have heard these were made for silhouette shooting and are very accurate.
I sold it to a Forum member a few years ago and he is happy with it. Being able to change the barrel was great.

I seem to remember the silhouette connection also. didn't they come in some of the supermag calibers? 445 supermag? Seem to remember a reputation for accuracy and tough enough to take a steady pounding with heavy loads which the S&W at the time couldn't. And Gramps, I which I had a dollar for everytime I said I shoulda!

 

[hittman]

I've now seen it in person. Probably a 98% gun but the gun only. No tool or box or papers.

Six inch, DW wood grips, stainless, 357, adjustable sites.

As I read things on the DW forum looks like it's probably 1980s production.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Dan in MI]

80's was their hayday. Silhouette was in full swing and DW ruled the roost. If it was built in Monson, MA you can bet it's a good one.

 

[hittman]

Yes, it is a Monson made gun.
The 6 inch barrel shroud is half lug though and most of the pics I see on the innerweb show full lug.

The "action" on the gun is very nice.

 

[rugerguy]

then the 'next' difference is whether the rib is solid or if its 'vented' so you have a standard barrel , half lug, no vent, so would be a 15-26, if stainless add the the "7" in front, and if vented then a 15-2V6 ( or 715-2V6) and on and on, heavy, vent heavy,etc......won't get into the grips, too many to differentiate....ha ha
wish I had a camera back then to picture all the differences, as well as our time up there in Monson,Mass at the old school house.... 8) :roll: :wink:

 

[hittman]

Barrel is vented.
Grips are wood.

Need the gap thingy and barrel nut tool if anyone has those laying around.

Not saying I'll ever buy additional barrels for it but it'd be nice to be able to check the gap and have the right tool.

 

[Cape Cod Terry]

I owned one Dan Wesson, a 357 with about a 4" barrel about 20 years ago. It had an issue with the cylinder locking up with 357 load. About 5 years ago I stopped by a hunting and fishing store here on Cape Cod. I was friendly with the gun manager and he showed me what appeared to be a long barreled 357 DW. He said look closer it's a 357 maximum and it was a blued gun that had been buffed. He wanted about $500 for it. He used to get a lot of unusual guns on consingment from estates. I thought about it but I didn't want a blued gun that had been buffed, and I wasn't looking for a 357 maximum. I don't know how many they made but they are out there.
Cape Cod Terry

 

[Dan in MI]

They made a lot of Maxi's.

Your original probably had the bbl/cyl gap set too tight.

 

[blackhawknj]

On the Dan Wesson sight there is a company called EWK, they sell barrel wrenches, gages, etc.

 

[Mega Twin]

I have a wrench for a 44,don't know if it will work on a 357 or not.It would be cheap if some one needed it to use,and not to sell.

 

[blackhawknj]

Different wrenches for the 357 and 44, there is an arbor (?) that fits in the bore.

 

[Mike J]

Good job for taking the time to get the proper tools. When I had mine apart I used a pair of needle nose pliers to get the barrel nut off & a old feeler gauge to set barrel cylinder gap.

 

[CLAYPOOL]

BUY IT - You will WISH you had down the road. BEST INVESTMENT THERE IS. THOSE aren't going to be around FOREVER.... LISTEN to ME - BUY IT

 

[xtratoy]

I've been looking for an 8" 722 for a long time. They rarely ever show up for sale. The Monson guns are more highly regarded than the Norwich ones.