Dan Wesson Revolver Durability?

tactical870

tactical870

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I just picked up a Dan Wesson 357 magnum with the interchangable barrels. This gun is pretty similar to a K frame smith size-wise and the gunshop I bought it from advised against shooting 357 magnum loads out of it and recommended 38spl only. Anyone here have any first hand experience with these things?
 
I used to own a DW 44mag about 15yrs ago. They had some quality control problems. The best ones where made in Monson.

Here is a picture of mine
 

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The Dan Wesson Supermag in .357 was a popular gun in silhouette matches. It was one of the top guns in revolver class and that round was quite robust. I am not saying they weren't without issues but I would think it quite safe to shoot .357 mag cartridges in yours since they were built to handle magnum rounds. That is not an issue I am aware of. Wasn't a problem in mine.
 
I have a 445 Supermag with interchangable barrels...it is a great gun, never an issue. I'd have no problem recommending one to someone.
 
In the early days of handgun silhouette shooting, the S&Ws were getting pounded to pieces, but the Rugers and Dan Wessons were doing just fine.
 
In 44 yes, it's why I bought one of the first DW 44's in the country. 357 is a different frame (357 Max/Supermag are a different frame size again). The 357 DW is roughly the same size as the L frame (the DW came first though, credit where credit is due). The 44 frame is larger then an N frame, even a little bigger then a Redhawk (Super Redhawk is bigger though). SuperMag frame is a stretched 44 frame. DW built good revolvers, strong and usually very accurate (due to the two point tension on the barrel according to some gun writers). - dan
 
dan belisle said:
If you're hammering the s**t out of an N frame, maybe you should rethink your loads or buy a Redhawk. - dan
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I love my 27's so I'm gonna have to back my loads down a bit... 17 gr of 2400 behind a 125 jsp works well but it's a better SHTF/bear defense/zombie load than regular target load.... :eek:

From the sounds of it, the dan wesson should handle some reasonable 357 target loads and 38 +P with no issues.
 
One odd thing that you can see with DW revolvers that you won't see anywhere else: it may appear that the revolver is going out of time, as soon as you notice that, get an allen key and tighten the sideplate. I have no idea why, but if the sideplate allen screw loosens the gun gives the exact same symptoms as an out of time Smith. Tighten it up again and voila, back to perfect lockup.
 
Overall I like the gun.... But the trigger isn't as slick as I'd like so I'll probably give it a trigger job and polish some of the internals this week just to slick it up a bit. ;)
 
tactical870 said:
Overall I like the gun.... But the trigger isn't as slick as I'd like so I'll probably give it a trigger job and polish some of the internals this week just to slick it up a bit. ;)
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Hey hey hey!! Read up a bit first friend! Many serious revolver enthusiasts would choose not to disassemble the internal parts of any Dan Wesson revolver if given the choice again.
I would say lube it without taking it apart first friend.
Unless it's really really broke, don't 'fix' it.

Google this very subject buddy, is my advice.
 
Brutus said:
Hey hey hey!! Read up a bit first friend! Many serious revolver enthusiasts would choose not to disassemble the internal parts of any Dan Wesson revolver if given the choice again.
I would say lube it without taking it apart first friend.
Unless it's really really broke, don't 'fix' it.

Google this very subject buddy, is my advice.
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I'll have a look.... I've gone enough work on my S&W's and Colt's that I'm not too scared. I like to be familiar with any gun that I shoot anyways.
 
My DW 357 has had everything from light wadcutter PPC load up to full power 125gr JHP.
the gun is strong enough to handle full power 357 mag loads. but ounce you have put through a box or so of full power 357 loads (especially in 4" or 2" bbl) you will appreciate the milder loads.Everytime a shooting buddy complains about recoil in a semi auto I let him touch off a cylinder of full power 357 mag loads in the 2 inch bbl. they dont complain after that.
 
I own both a model 15 and 715 Dan Wesson.
These guns are certainly capable of digesting any amount of factory .357 ammo you might expect a quality revolver to handle.
My guns are also extremely accurate.:)

IMHO. They are not particularly difficult to work on.
Assuming that the person doing the fixing.
Knows what fixing guns is all about Eh!:D
 
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