Info. on a Wesson .357

[Bug's]

Just acquired a Wesson Firearms .357 magnum and was wondering if anybody could help with more info. on it (year,value,quality, model. Serial # is B0040XX. It has a 5" barrel. New to handguns so any info. will help.

Thank You

 

[RAHatto]

just a start

with the weapon pointed in a safe direction open the cylinder by pushing the cylinder release (left side of firearm) towards the barrel. This will release the cylinder and allow you to pull it open. Look at the point where the eject rod was under the barrel (general area) and there will be numbers. The bottem numbers will tell you the model-series as second example cut/paste and see a picture I have of my rig. With a model number and a few pictures alot of people here will have you an answer fairly quickly.

http://pak04.pictures.aol.com/NASAp...w==&pageName=AlbumViewFromEmails&locale=en_US

copy, paste and you cant mess it up. Hope this helps

 

[Majic]

RAHatto, the poster is talking about a Dan Wesson not a Smith and Wesson. The cylinder release is different and located in another place. Also nothing is stamped in the crane's recess on the frame.

Bugs it's probably a M15 (if it's blue) or M715 (if it's stainless) if it has adjustable sights and a medium frame revolver. If it's a fixed sighted version then it would be a M14 or M714. The barrel should be 6 inches if it's one of those and the barrel would be interchangeable.
There is also a large frame .357, the M40 or 740 Supermag that chambers the .357 maxium.
Quality generally runs with where they were made. The early models made in Monson are quite good. The Palmer models have been known to have issues. The latest models made in Norwich are said to be as good as the Monson models.
Value has always been underated for these revolvers. They are quite strong and extremely accurate. They generally have a poor resale value, but lately the prices has been on a slow rise for those that know them.