Dan Wesson Revolvers

T

Tex Hill

Inactive
Hello All,

I need to tap into your expertise. My boss has a Manson, Mass., .357 Dan Wesson revolver that he wants to sell. It only has the single 10" barrell, and there is some minor pitting on the barrell itself. When I say minor I mean about a half a dozen to a dozen pencil lead diameter spots.

I would like to know a fair value for this pistol before I buy it.



Thank you,

Tex Hill
 
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Dan Wessons are for shootin, and accumulating.

The resale value has traditionally been much lower than Colt, or S&W. This doesn't make them bad guns, to the contrary they're among the most durable and accurate production guns ever made.
Based on your description $175 give or take would probably be fair. I'd offer $150 cash. If it was a 4 or 6 inch barrel it would probably be worth an extra $25 to $50. Be sure to ask if the barrel wrench comes with it. You'll probably want to eventually pick up a 4 or 6 inch barrel and shroud as the 10 inch is going to be muzzle heavy and not balance well.

Take Care
 
I would hold out for a better bbl length. A 10" bbl isn't desirable, needing refinnish work makes it even worse. You can buy one very nice used Colt Trooper Mk3, Ruger GP100 for around $300. That's what the whole package will end up running you by the time you find and buy another 4 or 6" bbl.
 
If you can get it for under $200 then don't hold out for anything. You can always get another barrel and shroud in various lengths, or if you like that barrel length then just get another shroud and it will look almost new again.
Hunt Flea-bay and sometimes you can find deals on barrels and shrouds. I once got a new 4" barrel and shroud for my M22 for $50.
 
Yeah $175, $200 is fair. If it were perfect condition maybe another $100 but 10" is hard to shoot. You can buy other barrels and shrouds though. I can change my barrel in about a minute if I am loafing.
 
... If it were me, having owned a Dan Wesson .44, I'd pass on this revolver at any price.

Disadvantages include:
1. You'll have to buy a new barrel - add $130 to $150 or so to your investment. You can buy a 586 S&W for about $300, emminently more re-sellable.
2. DW resale values are in the toilet. The "bad" incarnations (Monson is supposedly good, BTW) have given all DW revos a bad name.
3. Warranty support is garbage. The company (last time I called) will only gunsmith Monson guns for a fee. They wanted $150 to fix some sintered (crap) metal parts that went bad on my .44. Forget that, Ruger or Smith will fix your gun for free if it breaks.
4. Some parts used in DW's are sintered metal and if my .44 is any indication these guns are not "among the most durable" out there. They are great guns with the weak link being some of the crappy pot metal parts.

P.S. just my opinion based on my own gun which was a Monson lemon. No one wanted to buy it. I traded for a .25-06 Ruger and never looked back.

The barrel switch option is nice but really a gimmick IMHO.
 
10" Monson made DW

about a year ago I gave 150 for a 4" in what sounds like nicer condition than the one your looking at. The 10" barrel though makes it more interesting to me if it passes the revo check list. JMO. BTW, I sold the same 4" DW for 150 about 6mo ago. Does it have the barrel changing tool? They can be somewhat difficult to find. I also agree that the acquisition of DW by CZ actually reduces the value of used DW's.
 
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