Dan Wesson Advice

[teddy12b]

I've never owned a Dan Wesson or even shot one.  I do have a ruger super blackhawk that I really like and was thinking of adding a double action to my collection of hunting guns. 

I held a stainless 44mag with about an 8" barrel and it fit me like a grove.  It was "used" but you couldn't hardly tell and the guy was asking $450 for it.  Is that a good deal for that gun, or should I keep plugging away with the ruger.  What should a guy look for on a used Dan Wesson?

[Reed1911]

Yes that is a good deal, better than market value.

[teddy12b]

Besides this GB of course, where is there any information on Dan Wesson revolvers?  I've never seen a PDF catalog, or understood why his guns are on the CZ website.  I'm assuming he was bought out.  I also have tried to find the DW guns in 44mag, 357mag etc., but haven't had any luck there either.  Did they quit making those?

[El Hombre]

David Carey has put together a nice history at the top of the forum.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,87282.0.html

The short answer is, The latest Dan Wesson company was bought by CZ-USA. The only revolvers they are currently producing is the 445 Supermag.

[teddy12b]

I saw it today over lunch and I must have had the price wrong on it before because it was listed at $499.  It still looked good, but if something breaks on it how do I know if I can get the parts?

[David Carey]

If for some reason it breaks the factory is still in business and parts have always available on the net from other sources, there are also many very good Dan Wesson gun smiths like Grant Cunningham in Oregon.

Dave

[blhof]

You didn't specify where the gun was made; the original Dan Wessons were made in Monson Mas. these were fairly good quality guns with excellent customer service and quality control.  They closed and reopened in Palmer; less customer service and quality suffered some, still very accurate guns-same dies as the original.  The Norwich were the best both customer service and quality; updated the metals and excellent quality control; unfortunately the prices reflected the new higher standards and sales dropped;  CZ liked the product and bought the company to offer the guns as a specialty gun for competition or hunting.  Even $499 is a good price for stainless; however I'd at least try asking $450 or less as $450 to $550 is the average selling price for the Monson models with 6" or 8" barrel depending on appearance and tightness.

[teddy12b]

I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk that I would likely see what I could get trade it in against the gun.  I have very large hand and the super blackhawk just doesn't fit me well and I didn't like the feel of it when I put the hogue grips on it.  The dan wesson fit me like a glove, I'm still debating on whether or not I should.  For now, I'll wait and see what kind of shape the Christmas season leaves me in.

[J.I.M.]

"The Dan Wesson fit me like a glove"

What type of grips were on the gun?

I also have large hands but large frame Rugers don't fit me very well.

[teddy12b]

The Dan Wesson had rubber grips.  I don't remember if they were Hogues or not, but the grip felt good.  I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk and the cowboy type grip just never felt right, but the gun was what I wanted at the time and could afford. 

I've got a GP100 with hogue tamer grips and it fits my hand the best out of anything I've ever held.  I don't think it's a coincidence that it's probably my best shooting handgun either.  That's a medium sized gun with big grips.  The same gp100 grips would go on a Super Redhawk too, so I know that would feel the same way.

[Laremm]

I paid more for my Blued 44

I own a 357 with the 2, 4, 6 and 8 inch barrels.

I have the 4 inch on the 44 and will add the others to it.

BTW, I have no need for the 44, but I live in the USA and want it.