Author Topic: Who builds the better double action revolver? (Read 4992 times)

teddy12b · « **on:** August 30, 2006, 05:54:24 AM »

As far as revolvers go the two main contenders are S&W and Ruger the best I can tell. I have owned a taurus and they're nice, but not quite the quality of the other two I mentioned. Who do you all feel makes a better double action revolver where accuracy and quality are concerned?

David Carey · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2006, 06:37:41 AM »

#1 Dan Wesson
#2 Ruger
#3 S&W

unspellable · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2006, 07:55:28 AM »

Depends on what for.

Dan Wesson is a bit weak as a pocket revolver.

Ruger is a bit weak on looks and ergonomics.

S&W is literally a bit weak.

On the other hand:

DW has the best accuracy followed by S&W.

S&W has the best SA trigger followed by DW.

Both the DW and the Ruger are built like a tank.

Older S&Ws are the prettiest followed by DW.

Ruger is probably the lowest priced.

DW doesn't have the d**n lock. (At least not yet.)

Only the DW allows you to swap barrels and has an adjustable cylinder gap.

As for quality control, I've seen serious slip ups with both S&W and Ruger, only mninor fit and finish problems with DW.

And finally, if it's a 22, I wouldn't get any of the three, I'd get a Browning Buckmark.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2006, 11:07:25 AM »

Simple, S&W

waynemorgan · « **Reply #4 on:** August 31, 2006, 01:42:33 AM »

SMITH & WESSON #1
ruger #2
all others dont count (that should get something started)

dogwhisperer5 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2006, 08:23:13 AM »

All of the positive virtues of a double action revolver are best summarized by Smith and Wesson products.

Broom Rider · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2006, 08:39:33 AM »

I have or have had most of the major brands of revolvers. I like my Pythons but own more S&W's than anything else. They feel better in my hand, shoot well and have such crisp single action trigger pulls. My first double action revolver, actually, my first handgun was my Ruger Redhawk in 44.

RLB · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2006, 01:39:09 PM »

1. Dan Wesson
2. Dan Wesson....

RLB

dougk · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2006, 04:54:41 PM »

I agree with Wesson

but which one (Smith or Dan) depends on the application

Doug

DWTim · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2006, 05:36:40 PM »

I'd have to say that S&Ws, on average, have the best SA and DA triggers. I'm talking about the ones with the firing pin on the hammer, not the Clinton & Wessons.

I have a bunch of DWs, and they are the most accurate revolvers I've ever owned. Disclaimer: Never owned a Freedom Arms M83. And by accurate, I mean really accurate. I have yet to find a load that won't shoot right in my DW M12. I suspect I could just stuff rocks in the brass and it'd shoot touching holes at 25 yards.

I hate Ruger's DA lockwork. They're all gritty. However, my Old Model Super BH is quite a piece. I'm a bit out of the mainstream, but I like how the Super Redhawk looks, especially the Alaskan. Oddly enough, I can't stand how the SP and GP look.

Aesthetics? The S&W Model 19 4", pinned and recessed, is a masterwork. The next best-looking DA is the S&W 27 with tapered barrel. Then the top three for me is rounded out with the Colt Python with ultimate stainless finish.

dougk · « **Reply #10 on:** September 01, 2006, 11:08:56 AM »

In my opinion S&W are better suited for combat and side arm applications. Where Dan Wessons are better suited to target shooting and hunting (as you can easily change the barrels).

Doug

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #11 on:** September 01, 2006, 03:08:42 PM »

S&W all the way

Drilling Man · « **Reply #12 on:** September 01, 2006, 05:27:42 PM »

Quote

In my opinion S&W are better suited for combat and side arm applications. Where Dan Wessons are better suited to target shooting and hunting (as you can easily change the barrels).

I wish someone would have told me BEFORE i put moose, deer and many other animials in my freezer with my S&W M-29 44 mag... The same gun that i used to win a drawer full of cheapo metals they gave out at the long range pistol matches i shot at....

BTW, i sold my Dan Wessons long ago, and kept the Smiths....

DM

dougk · « **Reply #13 on:** September 02, 2006, 01:34:50 AM »

Quote from: Drilling Man on September 01, 2006, 05:27:42 PM

Quote
In my opinion S&W are better suited for combat and side arm applications. Where Dan Wessons are better suited to target shooting and hunting (as you can easily change the barrels).

I wish someone would have told me

Drilling,
I am glad to let you know...

BTW my Remington (I think they droped Spartan) Combo in 12/223 is in the gun shop...
Doug

teddy12b · « **Reply #14 on:** September 02, 2006, 06:18:01 AM »

Drilling,
With your competitions and hunting experience, what's your prefered barrel length? Do you get any work done to them or are they just straight out of the box?

Drilling Man · « **Reply #15 on:** September 02, 2006, 10:02:52 AM »

When i was at the top of my game, i shot competition with an 8-3/8" and hunted with a 6". I did shoot many matches with the 6" too, but i never cared to carry that long bbl. for hunting so i didn't.

As for the actions, my m-29's are old, and the older ones didn't need anything but some shooting.... I always shot AT LEAST 50 rounds a week, and most weeks at least 100 rounds...

I still have both revolvers, and they still are very accurate. (top and bottom ones in the pict..)

Drilling Man

My 44's,

dougk · « **Reply #16 on:** September 02, 2006, 04:51:56 PM »

Quote from: Drilling Man on September 02, 2006, 10:02:52 AM

When i was at the top of my game, i shot competition with an 8-3/8" and hunted with a 6". I did shoot many matches with the 6" too, but i never cared to carry that long bbl. for hunting so i didn't.

As for the actions, my m-29's are old, and the older ones didn't need anything but some shooting.... I always shot AT LEAST 50 rounds a week, and most weeks at least 100 rounds...

I still have both revolvers, and they still are very accurate. (top and bottom ones in the pict..)

Drilling Man

The real point of this discussion is the shooter and shooters skill not the hardware. I remember my grandfather always saying good equipment does not make you a better fisherman (we where discussing fishing when I was 11) it real comes down to your skill. I would venture (from my knowledge of Drilling Man and what I have seen of his skills) that he could take any decent handgun and accomplish what he wanted.

Doug

P.S. Drilling I am not softening you up for your drilling...

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #17 on:** September 12, 2006, 09:46:01 AM »

definately a 4 inch n frame

K.K · « **Reply #18 on:** September 14, 2006, 02:16:15 PM »

Who makes a more durable revovler than Ruger? Get a trigger job and you are all set . (so are your kids and grand kids).

RollTide · « **Reply #19 on:** September 14, 2006, 05:51:06 PM »

Dan Wesson is as durable as Ruger, if not more so, doesn't need a trigger job, is more accurate than any other double action revolver, and has interchangeable barrels.

What's not to like?

Dan Wesson hands down.

Roll Tide

PS Just ask me about the best football team

crow_feather · « **Reply #20 on:** September 15, 2006, 07:06:34 PM »

I know - Oakland Raiders

Drilling Man · « **Reply #21 on:** September 17, 2006, 03:56:07 AM »

Quote

Dan Wesson is as durable as Ruger, if not more so, doesn't need a trigger job, is more accurate than any other double action revolver, and has interchangeable barrels.

What's not to like?

What's not to like?? Well, i've had several of them over the years.... None in the last 20 years or so though.

I didn't like the cylinder latch placement, it's a pain to get to...

I didn't like the way EVERY one of them needed a trigger job.. All of them had some creep and a heavy single action pull.

I didn't like the way "compared to a Smith" they are a pain to work on. You can't just open a side plate and cycle the action like a Smith.

I didn't like the way you had to torque the bbl. nut "just so" and then shoot it in and retorque it. If you didn't, the accuracy wouldn't be there or would get worse as you shot it, and i've had the bbl nut shoot loose too. Your best bet by far was to put a bbl on, get it right and leave it alone!!! Then go buy another revolver for a diff. bbl...

Well, you asked and that's what my experence with them has been....

DM

dougk · « **Reply #22 on:** September 17, 2006, 04:48:30 PM »

So Drilling,

do you like the Dan Wesson?

Doug

Drilling Man · « **Reply #23 on:** September 18, 2006, 07:15:37 AM »

Quote

So Drilling,

do you like the Dan Wesson?

Doug

Yep, i do...... They just aren't up to the standards of my older S&W's.... Like a DW, I haven't bought a S&W in the last 20 years either..

DM

dougk · « **Reply #24 on:** September 18, 2006, 08:00:06 AM »

Quote from: Drilling Man on September 18, 2006, 07:15:37 AM

Quote
So Drilling,

do you like the Dan Wesson?

Doug

Yep, i do...... They just aren't up to the standards of my older S&W's.... Like a DW, I haven't bought a S&W in the last 20 years either..

DM

RollTide · « **Reply #25 on:** September 18, 2006, 08:46:02 PM »

Well Drilling Man, I respect your experiences, but I certainly haven't shared them. I currently own 6 Dan Wessons and have owned at least 4 others in the last 22 years. I have never had any trouble with the cylinder latch, nor barrels nuts shooting loose, nor trigger pulls, especially single action. They are a little harder to work on, but they also have fewer moving parts and are much more rugged than any Smith. Although I have never had a Dan Wesson trigger I thought was bad, I will admit older S&W probably has a little edge in the trigger department.

To each his own, I sold my Smiths and kept my Dan Wessons.

Roll Tide

dougk · « **Reply #26 on:** September 19, 2006, 03:54:13 PM »

Quote from: RollTide on September 18, 2006, 08:46:02 PM

I have never had any trouble with the cylinder latch, nor barrels nuts shooting loose, nor trigger pulls, especially single action. They are a little harder to work on, but they also have fewer moving parts and are much more rugged than any Smith. Although I have never had a Dan Wesson trigger I thought was bad, I will admit older S&W probably has a little edge in the trigger department.

Rolltide;
Are you refering to Monson only Dan Wessons or are you including Palmer in that discussion? I only own Dan Wesson revolvers made on Monson MA as I heard Palmer and other locations have been know to have poor quality.
Doug

DWTim · « **Reply #27 on:** September 19, 2006, 05:00:11 PM »

Personally, I kept both my Smiths and my Dan Wessons.

RollTide · « **Reply #28 on:** September 19, 2006, 06:45:30 PM »

I have Monson and Palmer guns. I would have to say that the Monson guns are a little better in the fit and finish department, but as for function, the Palmer guns I have are fine. Every manufacturer has a bad run sometimes, but i have not noticed that as frequently with any Dan Wesson as I have some of the bigger makers.

In all seriousness, I would hate to live on the difference between a Dan Wesson, Ruger, or S&W. They are all very good guns.

Roll Tide

jro45 · « **Reply #29 on:** September 20, 2006, 11:22:35 AM »

S&W need I say anything more.