Dan Wesson relative strength

[rockrat]

Friend of mine had one he used to shoot in IHMSA. Don't know how many round he shot thru it, but let me tell you, they were a bit over book max. He finally sold it to another friend, and he shot loads probably even hotter. Never had a problem with the gun, and it shot lights out. Probably still going the last 25+ years since the other guy got out of IHMSA(too boring, always shooting 40's in about every class he shot).

[MT Gianni]

I believe the Dan Wessons are much stronger than their older Cousin Smith. I have had a couple and like them.

[MostlyOnThePaper]

I've had mine since 1988. Many, many rounds through it. Bought it brand new and sent it back to the factory to get partridge sights installed and a trigger job. Trigger job had to be redone but they re-did for free. The single action pull was pretty light when it was done (like I wanted it). The stock wood grips fit my hand perfectly! I got a non-ported barrel for it so I could shoot lead and never looked back. The only loads that weren't accurate in it are my 310GCFP Lee cast. It has a little flame cut on the frame near the forcing cone but other than that, its still going strong. Mine is a 6" barrel with the light weight shroud. My only complaint with it is that the light single action pull has worn in and gotten lighter over time and is now SCARY LIGHT! I just lightly rest my finger on the trigger and when the sights look right it goes off. No day dreaming allowed with it now so I mostly fire it double action. Also wish I'd gotten an 8" heavy shrouded barrel for it but that's life. I picked up an 1982 vintage Ruger SBH with the 7.5" barrel last year so that meets the long barrel needs. BTW, the SBH is lighter than the DW even though it has 1.5" more barrel.
And to answer the original question by the OP, DW's are very strong and durable. Just wish the company that made them was the same way. Oh well.

taco650,
Something like This:

http://www.ewkarms.com/zen8/index.ph...roducts_id=174

They're listed as out of stock, but there's a link to get an email notification when they're back in stock.


Randy

[taco650]

taco650,
Something like This:

http://www.ewkarms.com/zen8/index.ph...roducts_id=174

They're listed as out of stock, but there's a link to get an email notification when they're back in stock.


Randy

Thanks!

[osteodoc08]

Gotta compare DA to DA and SA to SA.

I feel the DW is an analog of the Ruger Redhawk, which wasn't listed. I have no basis for this other than opinion and having handled them over the years.

[Moonie]

The most amazing DW I've ever seen was a 7-30 Waters, didn't get to shoot it though. Seth Wesson attended the week long NRA National championships held at our range and brought this prototype with him, ya should have seen the cylinder on it. I spent the week trying to get him to sell it but no dice. It never did go into production and as far as I know it was the only one.

Rick

I read a magazine article about this pistol, probably at that event. I was also amazed by it for 2 reasons, at the time I had a 7445 and my first firearm was a 7-30 Waters 'tender.

[69daytona]

I have had my 44vent heavy pistol pack for 30+ years, have shot plenty of loads over 1500fps through it without ever having a problem, it has never been worked on and still is in perfect time with one of the lightest and best trigger pulls of any of my 80+ guns.
My pac has the 4",6" and 8" barrels and shrouds with the extra power ported barrels.
Had a S&W 29 with 8 3/8' barrel when I bought my Dan and it couldnt hold up to the 300gr round at 1000fps, It only took 120 rounds and the timing was shot spitting lead everwhere.
The Dans I have revolvers and pistols are a few of the guns I would never give up.

[jonp]

The most amazing DW I've ever seen was a 7-30 Waters, didn't get to shoot it though. Seth Wesson attended the week long NRA National championships held at our range and brought this prototype with him, ya should have seen the cylinder on it. I spent the week trying to get him to sell it but no dice. It never did go into production and as far as I know it was the only one.

Rick

Did you shoot it Rick?

[cbrick]

The most amazing DW I've ever seen was a 7-30 Waters, didn't get to shoot it though. Seth Wesson attended the week long NRA National championships held at our range and brought this prototype with him, ya should have seen the cylinder on it. I spent the week trying to get him to sell it but no dice. It never did go into production and as far as I know it was the only one. Rick

Did you shoot it Rick?

Hhmmm . . . No, didn't get to shoot it.

Rick

[taco650]

The most amazing DW I've ever seen was a 7-30 Waters, didn't get to shoot it though. Seth Wesson attended the week long NRA National championships held at our range and brought this prototype with him, ya should have seen the cylinder on it. I spent the week trying to get him to sell it but no dice. It never did go into production and as far as I know it was the only one.

Rick

That had to be a LONG cylinder! Makes me think of the BFR revolvers.

[superdan]

http://www.danwessonforum.com/forum/...-day-1/page-2/
Here is alink to a thread that talks a little about the 7-30 waters revolver that is now in a private collection.

[cbrick]

I had spent 2 months talking Seth Wesson into attending the NRA National Long Range Handgun Championships for which I was putting on commercial row and was the Chief Range officer in 96? He finally agreed and brought the 7-30 with him to show off. No one fired it, not even Seth. Many stopped by to see it, I spent the week drooling over it and trying to get him to sell it. He made it pretty clear it was going to stay in his family, now it's in a private collection. The uniqueness of it demanded that it was something a revolver guy like me had to have. Oh well, what could have been huh?

Rick

[cbrick]

Based on that recommendation, I will try to deal for the next one I find.

Seems they are getting pricey. The last one I found at a gun show here about a year ago was a new in box unfired 445 8". $1800.00. I haven't been pricing them but that seemed quite ridiculous to me, I would have loved to have that revolver but not at that price and the guy wouldn't talk price. I have no need of safe queens or wall hangers, if I have it I'm shooting it and I can get a brand new FA for less than that.

Rick

[Tatume]

Collectors are driving the prices, but shooting guns are still out there. The going price for 44 Magnum DWs seems to be running around $800 - $1100 for guns in excellent condition and two or more barrels. This is well above the Blue Book valuation, but Blue Book is behind on this one. They will catch up eventually.

[dubber123]

Collectors are driving the prices, but shooting guns are still out there. The going price for 44 Magnum DWs seems to be running around $800 - $1100 for guns in excellent condition and two or more barrels. This is well above the Blue Book valuation, but Blue Book is behind on this one. They will catch up eventually.

Unless the switch barrel feature or a lot of DA shooting is in order, before I paid $1,100 for a used DW, I'd seriously look at a used F/A. Just my personal opinion.

[cbrick]

I just looked at CZ Dan Wesson page this morning. They say the 357 will be back in production late summer 2014 at $1,100. Didn't mention any other calibers.

Rick

[Moonie]

I just looked at CZ Dan Wesson page this morning. They say the 357 will be back in production late summer 2014 at $1,100. Didn't mention any other calibers.

Rick

They have been saying that for years, the date has changed for at least the last 4 years.

[cbrick]

They have been saying that for years, the date has changed for at least the last 4 years.

Hhmmm . . . Sounds like CZ has attended the Lyman school of new product introduction.

Rick

[MostlyOnThePaper]

Over on the Dan Wesson forum I think they were talking about having shot one of the new ones, they might already be out and just not making a huge splash because of the price.

[Love Life]

There is a DW in the S&S section.