New vs Old Dan Wessons...

[bosskag]

No flames intended...just what I think...I bought a DW 44 mag back in the mid 70's with a 8" heavy vent ribbed barrel...in the 70's and 80's, it accounted for more Texas deer for me than rifles...I know most members won't believe this but, this one will shoot 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards with factory ammo of 240gr bullets in various brands on a sandbag and a scope...in that same period I also bought the 357 mag and 22lr...excellent accuracy!...I guess my whole point of listing this is that I have heard bad things about DW since they went defunct a few years ago and have been bought and sold several times...I think I'll keep my old ones and if you have one of the older models...keep it...it is a treasure!

[darrell8937]

I have owned thee Dan Wessons. all Monson production and am verry happy. The current offerings from DW are pricey to say the least. Not ready to spend a thousand plus dollars when there are some very nice proven used guns out there. Have not heard too much about the new production. the Monson mass, seem to be the most respected on the used market. P.S. That front sight on the Alaskan, set back from the end of the barrell to allow the porting just does not look right. It might work fine, and the loss of sight radius may not be a big problem for the intent of this gun, but I just don't like it. I think that when(IF) they start producing a plain jane .357 mag & a 44 mag large frame we can start to really look at them. The revolver line does not seem to be their core busniess. Never like the look of the full lug either.

[GRIMJIM]

i have both. I prefer the munson made model a blued 357. Excellent fit and finish, very accurate. My stainless 44 mag has been to the shop twice for timing issues. It is also very accurate, but with a full cylinder it would spin past the lug and stop in between chambers. It has been several years and I have not had a problem since, maybe I just got a lemon, the service was excellent by the way.

[RollTide]

There are probably as few or fewer issues with Dan Wessons, new or old, as with the best production revolvers from other companies.  You can read about repairs needed by any make you care to mention.  I have mostly Monson guns and they are wonderfully accurate.  I believe Bosskag's accuracy claim because I have a 44 that is likewise accurate.  All my DW's are more accurate than I am for the most part.  I have one Palmer, MA made gun in 445 Supermag.   Palmer guns were probably the worst as far as quality is concerned.  The finish on the Palmer gun is not quite as smooth as my Monson guns and there is the slightest bit of cylinder movement, similar to the many new S&W or Ruger revolvers I have handled and/or owned, not the rock solid lockup of my Monson DW guns.  Based on all the guns I own, or have owned, which are far too many to list, I would say the Monson guns are much better than most and the Palmer guns, the worst of DW, are on par with S&W and Ruger as far as lock up, but not quite as good as S&W and Ruger guns for finish.  I have not owned any Norwich, NY made guns, but from all I have heard they are very good quality, similar to Monson guns.

I don't know what the future of Dan Wesson revolvers are as far as new guns that will be offered.  I think they will focus on the big specialty calibers that sell in the $1000 range.  They could easily make a 5 shot revolver in the 500S&W and the 460S&W calibers and greatly increase their revolver sales if they care to compete in that market.  They would be indentical in price with the S&W guns, and with the interchangable barrels, be much more versatile.  I think this playing field has finally been leveled with the bigger companies in this BIG revolver class, and Dan Wesson would be wise to assert their superior features in guns of this class.  S&W has already prepared the market and proven it viable, Dan Wesson should now step in with guns in the same calibers and build on the market S&W has created.  If they don't do this and they don't start production of 357 and 44 handguns, I am afraid the future does not bode well for new DW revolvers. 

The old ones will always be treasures and most of them will outlast everyone reading this article.

Roll Tide

[blhof]

The first DW I ever shot was a new Monson, that shot a 1" group at 20 yds with a 6" barrel with commercial 357mag ammo, right out of the styrofoam box.  It was my brother's gun and I later bought one used for myself with about the same accuracy.  I currently own a Monson 357SM and it's much more accurate than I now am.

[gbp]

I too have an older DW in 44 mag, that iused to shoot in IHMAS with.  it was by far the most accurate 44 mag that i owned.  Mine digested 220 grn  pils the best and i even used to hunt ground squirrls with it.  Every load that i used with it i would have to drop down for my 29's and 629's

[gypsyman]

I got into International class in IHMSA, revolver, with a 10'' .357 DW. The frame and cylinder, were Palmer mfg., and the barrel assembly is a Monson mfg. If you can find them, and their pretty hard to come by, the Monson mfg. 10''-12'' and 15'' had a 1-14 twist. They were specifcally made for silhouette shooting and hunting. As they stablize the heavier bullets. 180gr. and above. If you've got a good shooter, just like a good wife, hang on to it. gypsyman