dan wesson 741 any opinions comments?
- Thread starter psssniper
- Start date
I've owned 2 DWs (722 & 744) for the last 10-15yrs. Can't think of any cons to having removeable bbls, but a lot of pros: adjustible b/c gap, awesome accuracy from having the bbl torqued at both ends, quick-change capability(i.e.- going from a 4" hvy, open-sight gun to a 8" scoped hunter in about 1 minute) with no loss of zero when changing. If you handload the .41 won't be a hindrance, but over-the-counter it's harder to find & expensive. DWs are built like tanks, so you can load up the 41 to pretty impressive levels.
A 6" blue model is at the top of my list. This will most likely be my next purchase. I've never handled a DW before, and only seen a couple. From what I've seen here, it sounds like they are good guns. If you do get one, let me know how it is.
As for the .41, half of my handguns are in that caliber. I suspect that I'd be a bit biased.
As for the .41, half of my handguns are in that caliber. I suspect that I'd be a bit biased.
In the past I had 2 DW's. An 8" 357 and a 22 w/4" & 8" barrels. They cost $250 and $280 used, respectively. Both guns were blued. That was back in 1991. Both guns were made in Palmer, Mass. The 22 was a real sweetie.
The 357, on the other hand, had egg shaped chambers that would routinely split the brass, and the barrel shroud fit crooked on the frame. DW refurbished the gun for a nominal fee (the plant was still in Palmer at the time). The squared the frame, fit a new unfluted cylinder, gave me a new barrel, and reblued the gun. I also got a tour of the plant (I lived about an hour away form the factory) The gun was remarkably accurate after the rework, and the unfluted cylinder made it unique.
Sadly, hard times found me selling both of those guns.
psssniper,
I recently picked up a 4" heavy barreled 357 s/n 2041xx, built in Monson, Mass. 95% blueing, for $190. Nice gun, but they don't hold much value. Great shooters, though. My point is that if you buy a used one, be careful. There are a lot of lemons out there.
The 357, on the other hand, had egg shaped chambers that would routinely split the brass, and the barrel shroud fit crooked on the frame. DW refurbished the gun for a nominal fee (the plant was still in Palmer at the time). The squared the frame, fit a new unfluted cylinder, gave me a new barrel, and reblued the gun. I also got a tour of the plant (I lived about an hour away form the factory) The gun was remarkably accurate after the rework, and the unfluted cylinder made it unique.
Sadly, hard times found me selling both of those guns.
psssniper,
I recently picked up a 4" heavy barreled 357 s/n 2041xx, built in Monson, Mass. 95% blueing, for $190. Nice gun, but they don't hold much value. Great shooters, though. My point is that if you buy a used one, be careful. There are a lot of lemons out there.
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Swamp Yankee
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Buggered up barrel nut can be a nightmare.
Suggest you try loosening the barrel nut prior to purchase. If you have to take it to a 'smith to remove that should be allowed for in the price. If it comes loose a new one can be ordered from DW directly. Don't know what they cost but it's probably in the $10 range.
As to your question as to price on a used Model 41, $250 to $275, the extra barrel and shroud $40 to $50. With the damaged barrel nut I'd stay on the low side. Prices vary by region so my estimate may need some adjustment. Add about $20 if the gun is a Model 741 in stainless.
Dan's are great shooters, if you buy it I'm sure you'll be pleased.
Take Care
Suggest you try loosening the barrel nut prior to purchase. If you have to take it to a 'smith to remove that should be allowed for in the price. If it comes loose a new one can be ordered from DW directly. Don't know what they cost but it's probably in the $10 range.
As to your question as to price on a used Model 41, $250 to $275, the extra barrel and shroud $40 to $50. With the damaged barrel nut I'd stay on the low side. Prices vary by region so my estimate may need some adjustment. Add about $20 if the gun is a Model 741 in stainless.
Dan's are great shooters, if you buy it I'm sure you'll be pleased.
Take Care
Dan Wessons in Northern Ohio
I bought my used 8" Vent .357 about 12 years ago for $225. I bought another brand new 4"VH barrel and shroud for $95, and got a whale of a deal on a 6"VH stainless barrel and shroud for $25. Most of the barrels I see at shows are asking $85 and up regardless of caliber. Most guns with one barrel are asking $275-$350 with stainless guns going higher than that.
Of course, I see the same guys trying to sell the same guns and overpriced barrels show after show after show, going on 6 years already but they won't deal. Go figure!
Many of the longer barrelled DWs you see on the used market have been abused by the silhouette shooters trying to plaster those rams. Watch for excessive wear on the star and cylinder end play on these guns!
I bought my used 8" Vent .357 about 12 years ago for $225. I bought another brand new 4"VH barrel and shroud for $95, and got a whale of a deal on a 6"VH stainless barrel and shroud for $25. Most of the barrels I see at shows are asking $85 and up regardless of caliber. Most guns with one barrel are asking $275-$350 with stainless guns going higher than that.
Of course, I see the same guys trying to sell the same guns and overpriced barrels show after show after show, going on 6 years already but they won't deal. Go figure!
Many of the longer barrelled DWs you see on the used market have been abused by the silhouette shooters trying to plaster those rams. Watch for excessive wear on the star and cylinder end play on these guns!
I've owned a 715 VR Pistol Pack for over 15 years now. Sweet shooting gun. I use a scope on the 8" bbl. I carried it a few times with the 2.5" bbl with 38 +P's. It certainly barks with magnums and the shorter bbl. The only problem I ever had was the extractor rod would unscrew itself after a while shooting. A drop of loctite cured the problem. My only other gripe? It's a PITA to get the Pachmayr grips off of the grip stud.