Dan Wesson revolvers anyone ?

[DirtyDan]

Hey all

 Been thinking of adding to the collection

Anyone have any experience with Dan Wesson revolvers ?

Thank you in advance

Dan

[Jess from VA]

I never owned one.  But I looked at them. The original Model 15 had a very good reputation (but I was never interested in a switch barrel revolver package.  

Since established, they have gone up and down in production, and ownership has changed several times, and has been Conglomerate CZ since 2005 or so.  If you are looking at vintage or mid years used, or current new, I'd do some research about that particular model before buying.  I like CZ stuff too.



But the current catalog only lists the stainless model 715R .357 (MSRP $1,999, and ships with 4, 6 and 8 inch barrel lengths).  https://danwessonfirearms.com/product/715-revolver/

Apparently can be had for around $1400.  (ouch) (I still don't want/need switch barrels)





  

[Serk]

I like mine well enough (357), but it's more of a safe queen than a regular shooter...

Any specific queries on 'em?

(I'm not much of a revolver guy but stumbled onto a deal on one, so.....)

[MarkT]

Never had one.  I like the underbarrel weight on them.  Have always thought they are high quality.  Have several revolvers.  Favorite is a Python.  But it's too valuable to carry so it's a safe queen.  

This is most of them.  Top-bottom and right:  .44mag, .357mag, .44spec, .357mag, .45LC/.410shotty, .22LR, 500S&Wmag

[DirtyDan]

Hearing things like safe queen tells me what I needed to know

Ordered another J frame instead

Thanks all

Dan

[Jess from VA]

Much like Mark T's approach... I have 1 7/8, 2, 2 1/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6 1/2, and 7 1/2 inch barrel revolvers.

I don't switch barrels, I switch revolvers.

I've never been a fan of any convertible firearms.  Many involve a compromise of reliability and/or accuracy (though I don't believe the DW switch barrel does, other than the inherent loss of accuracy from any shorter barrel, though that's not the gun so much as the shooter and his eyes).  

Like I never wanted a .22LR kit in an AR (even for cheap AR training), I just got a good dedicated .22 semiauto rifle.

And I wouldn't want a 26" bbl 870 to hunt with that had to be converted to 18.5" bbl for riot gun duty either.  

The coin that Dan Wesson convertible costs, you can buy 2-3 nice revolvers (maybe not all new).  Even though the Dan Wesson is a very nice revolver, I know I'd end up leaving it a 4" or 6" gun (with 2 expensive bbls in the safe to never be used).  

  

[Serk]

Hearing things like safe queen tells me what I needed to know

Ordered another J frame instead

Thanks all

Dan

You misunderstood..... Almost all my revolvers are safe queens... I'm not a revolver guy, about the only regularly used revolvers in my stable are my .22's, for plinking and for training the kids...

My .357's, .38's, .44 magnums, .50 S&W Magnum, 7.62 Nagant, ..45lc, 44 black powder and any other revolvers I've forgotten are all safe queens... I just have 'em cause I like 'em, I almost never shoot any of my revolvers 'cause that's just not my thing.

If for some reason I had to sell off revolvers, my Dan Wesson would be sold AFTER my Colt, I'll put it that way...

[Pete]

Have had several over the years 357 and 44. Well made, accurate nicely finished,never had a problem with them. The 44 is largeeeeee and heavy and will shoot any thing out put in it. I liked them except the weight of the 44.

[h13man]

And I wouldn't want a 26" bbl 870 to hunt with that had to be converted to 18.5" bbl for riot gun duty either.

  

870's have been convertible since introduction to my knowledge. That's one of their features plus having all steel construction. Another plus is you can change choke tube's on my 26" barrel. Remember its a shot gun not a precision high powered anything else. 870 combo's are still one of the best buys out there for the average folk.

[Jess from VA]

And I wouldn't want a 26" bbl 870 to hunt with that had to be converted to 18.5" bbl for riot gun duty either.

  

870's have been convertible since introduction to my knowledge. That's one of their features plus having all steel construction. Another plus is you can change choke tube's on my 26" barrel. Remember its a shot gun not a precision high powered anything else. 870 combo's are still one of the best buys out there for the average folk.

I do agree, and if I was a wing or clay shooter, I would not mind that particular convertible.  But I'm not.  All my shotguns are 18.5"   

[MarkT]

I put a mag extender on my full size 870.  I think it resulted in capacity of 10 rounds of regular 12ga shells. I don't know how many of those new short ones it would hold.  It's really too cumbersome and heavy to be enjoyable.  It's more a middle finger to the liberals in the state house than anything.  I prefer my tactical shotguns to it anyway.

I like to carry two S&W J-frames, CCW - at once.  Models 60 and 649, both with Crimson Trace green lasers.  Ten rounds of .357mag in carries that support quick deploy no matter the position.  As well as always with a BUG and a loaner to the other person I'm with if we get caught in an active shooter scenario.

[DirtyDan]

I put a mag extender on my full size 870.  I think it resulted in capacity of 10 rounds of regular 12ga shells. I don't know how many of those new short ones it would hold.  It's really too cumbersome and heavy to be enjoyable.  It's more a middle finger to the liberals in the state house than anything.  I prefer my tactical shotguns to it anyway.

I like to carry two S&W J-frames, CCW - at once.  Models 60 and 649, both with Crimson Trace green lasers.  Ten rounds of .357mag in carries that support quick deploy no matter the position.  As well as always with a BUG and a loaner to the other person I'm with if we get caught in an active shooter scenario.

Model 60 under my pillow

Just ordered a 649

I use 38+p, just me

Dan

[MarkT]

Yep.  Here's those 2 models.  Very nice for carry.

[Jess from VA]

Just ordered a 649

I really think the shrouded hammer J frame is the best of all choices in the little snub-nose revolver.

It is a pocket gun, and exposed hammers will snag the draw every time.  A pocket holster helps and is a good idea anyway to avoid inadvertent trigger pull (and stop the gun from showing in your pocket; printing).  The J frame has always had the worst trigger of all Smith revolvers, and it's hard to be accurate shooting them double action.  I dislike the hammerless snubbies for this reason.

The shrouded hammer eliminates the snagging, but if time allows, gives you the opportunity to thumb rooster the revolver, take deliberate aim, and squeeze off a much better single action shot.

Laser grips can certainly help in aiming the little guns, but they do nothing to improve double action triggers.   

[DirtyDan]

Yep.  Here's those 2 models.  Very nice for carry.

Exactly what’s under my pillow

Picked up my 649 Friday

Dan