I am looking for a DA revolver in 357 mag. I have been struck by the Dan Wesson revolver design (changing the barrel length), and I am looking at a Model 15 in 357 Mag . My local gun shop/gun smith indicated that the DW looked great on the outside, but he did not have anything good to say about the internal mechanism. He suggested the I purchase a Colt Trooper MK III which he just happen to have 1 in his shop. I have purchased all my hand guns from this dealer and he has always been straight with me. Now my question is does any one on the forum have any additional information on the Dan Wesson line of revolvers that they can share with to help me decide which way to go. I have searched the web but I can not find anyone that has anything bad to say about the Dan Wesson revolvers. Any help would be appreicated.
Looking for a Revolver need opinions
- Thread starter Z-Man
- Start date
Sir William
New member
I am happy with my M15-2V in 357 Magnum, 6", 4" and 2" barrels. The only problem I have ever witnessed was due to poor handloads. The bullet just cleared the case and stuck in the forcing cone and cylinder chamber. The revolver was locked up.
Dw
I've never handled a Dan W. let alone shot one... sounds like it's what you really want, so I suspect it's what you should get. On the other hand, the first pistol I ever bought was a Colt Trooper like the one the dealer wants to sell you... if the price is close to right, I would buy it just to compare with the DW you ultimately end up with. Colt Troopers are well made and fun to shoot.
I've never handled a Dan W. let alone shot one... sounds like it's what you really want, so I suspect it's what you should get. On the other hand, the first pistol I ever bought was a Colt Trooper like the one the dealer wants to sell you... if the price is close to right, I would buy it just to compare with the DW you ultimately end up with. Colt Troopers are well made and fun to shoot.
azredhawk44
Moderator
My friend has a DW .357 with 6" and 8" barrels.
He had his forcing cone blow out on one of them after 25+ years of semi-happy ownership, but he also had a couple other problems with it.
His cylinder went out of timing twice, which is probably what caused the forcing cone to blow recently. Each time he sent it in to DW. Since they seem to go out of business every 5-10 years, they void the warranty each time on work they do as they reincorporate.
It's not a lifetime gun, IMHO.
The good thing is he swapped out the bad barrel/forcing cone and put on the remaining good one, but the bad news is that this weapon is no longer functional as a reliable self defense piece.
We just recently went hunting and instead of carrying it, he had to switch to his LAR Grizzly in .357 instead.
He had his forcing cone blow out on one of them after 25+ years of semi-happy ownership, but he also had a couple other problems with it.
His cylinder went out of timing twice, which is probably what caused the forcing cone to blow recently. Each time he sent it in to DW. Since they seem to go out of business every 5-10 years, they void the warranty each time on work they do as they reincorporate.
It's not a lifetime gun, IMHO.
The good thing is he swapped out the bad barrel/forcing cone and put on the remaining good one, but the bad news is that this weapon is no longer functional as a reliable self defense piece.
We just recently went hunting and instead of carrying it, he had to switch to his LAR Grizzly in .357 instead.
Looking for a Revolver need opinion relpy
Well thank you all for your thoughts. The Trooper MK III is priced at $425 and the DW model 15 is priced at $295. Even though I would like to buy both of them the bank account will not stand it just now. I have a Ruger Vaquero Bisley (45 colt) which is a kick to shoot. I guess I need to do more looking at new revolvers, there is no real rush to buy one, just the itch to buy another toy. My shooting buddy has a S&W 45 auto and he has nothing but issues with it, he has sent it back to S&W for work but it still is not right. The problems he has had is clouding my feeling for S&W. That may not be fair since I have not ever shot a S&W revolver.
Well thank you all for your thoughts. The Trooper MK III is priced at $425 and the DW model 15 is priced at $295. Even though I would like to buy both of them the bank account will not stand it just now. I have a Ruger Vaquero Bisley (45 colt) which is a kick to shoot. I guess I need to do more looking at new revolvers, there is no real rush to buy one, just the itch to buy another toy. My shooting buddy has a S&W 45 auto and he has nothing but issues with it, he has sent it back to S&W for work but it still is not right. The problems he has had is clouding my feeling for S&W. That may not be fair since I have not ever shot a S&W revolver.
Z-Man,
If you are looking for a well built, accurate revolver, take a look at a 4" S&W 686-4. The dash 4 is probably the best 686 made, IMHO. These can be had for $350-375 all day long. Smiths are hard to beat when it comes to DA or SA trigger pull. Drop in a Wolff "power rib" hammer spring to make it even better. Good luck on your search.
Richard
If you are looking for a well built, accurate revolver, take a look at a 4" S&W 686-4. The dash 4 is probably the best 686 made, IMHO. These can be had for $350-375 all day long. Smiths are hard to beat when it comes to DA or SA trigger pull. Drop in a Wolff "power rib" hammer spring to make it even better. Good luck on your search.
Richard
Probably the two most recommended medium frame revolvers for a lot of .357 shooting would be the Ruger GP-100 and the Smith 686. As noted above I would go with the 686-4 if going with a Smith as it is the last pre-MIM gun. If going with the MIM go with the -5 as it is the last pre-lock gun. I have both(GP, 686) and like both. If you can find one there are Ruger Security Sixes out there used (they were made before Ruger came out with the GP-100). They should be a lot less than the Colt.
I had a Dan Wesson. The action takes getting used to in that it is very quick in double action. This also means with tuning it still will have a heavier trigger than a tuned Ruger or Smith. I never really used the various barrels in that I wound up putting the 4" on it. When changing the barrels the gun has to be sighted in for the new barrel. The new Dan Wessons (if they resume production) have forged internal parts, the old ones cast sintered iron. On the old ones because of the sintered parts there is a limited amount of tuning that can be done. On other forums people have mentioned the design tends to go out of time faster than some others (but that is hearsay). Service and parts may be hard to come by if CZ (they own DWA) does not resume production (perhaps they acquired Wesson to get into the 1911 market).
I had a Dan Wesson. The action takes getting used to in that it is very quick in double action. This also means with tuning it still will have a heavier trigger than a tuned Ruger or Smith. I never really used the various barrels in that I wound up putting the 4" on it. When changing the barrels the gun has to be sighted in for the new barrel. The new Dan Wessons (if they resume production) have forged internal parts, the old ones cast sintered iron. On the old ones because of the sintered parts there is a limited amount of tuning that can be done. On other forums people have mentioned the design tends to go out of time faster than some others (but that is hearsay). Service and parts may be hard to come by if CZ (they own DWA) does not resume production (perhaps they acquired Wesson to get into the 1911 market).
CarbineCaleb
New member
I think a regular production revolver like the S&W 686 or Ruger GP100 would be a lot simpler as far as parts, service, mods. Unless you're convinced you're going to get something greatly superior from a small shop, I wouldn't go there. Just my opinion.
Looking for a Revolver
I have decided to wait on the Dan Wesson, I am going to wait to see if the new owners start to build the Revolver line. I think the points are well take on the limited availability of repair parts. But here I go again the second chose was a Colt Trooper MK III nickle plated. This revolver is in very clean shape and priced right at $375 which includes sales tax which in my state is 6%. Any opinions on this item??? Please comment. Can anyone tell me how to work the smile faces?????
I have decided to wait on the Dan Wesson, I am going to wait to see if the new owners start to build the Revolver line. I think the points are well take on the limited availability of repair parts. But here I go again the second chose was a Colt Trooper MK III nickle plated. This revolver is in very clean shape and priced right at $375 which includes sales tax which in my state is 6%. Any opinions on this item??? Please comment. Can anyone tell me how to work the smile faces?????
Z-man,
I have not ever owned a Trooper, but I have enjoyed the other Colt revolvers I have owned. I'd go for the Trooper (my $0.02).
As for the smilies, make certain the box below the thread or reply-to-thread window isn't checked that says "Disable smilies in text." Other than that, some of the more computer-savvy folks here will have to help.
And, seriously, do give that Trooper a look!
I have not ever owned a Trooper, but I have enjoyed the other Colt revolvers I have owned. I'd go for the Trooper (my $0.02).
As for the smilies, make certain the box below the thread or reply-to-thread window isn't checked that says "Disable smilies in text." Other than that, some of the more computer-savvy folks here will have to help.
And, seriously, do give that Trooper a look!
22-rimfire
New member
I'd buy the Trooper quickly if it is in good condition. It won't last long on the shelf especially if I saw it. I assume you are talking about a 357, right? The 22's cost more usually. It it is a 22 at that price and in good shape.... buy it, do not pass GO.
The Troopers are really good shooting guns. The Colt trigger is better than a S&W trigger to most other than hard core Smith fans. My Trooper Mark III is my primary shooting 357 and I enjoy hitting what I aim at with it.
The Troopers are really good shooting guns. The Colt trigger is better than a S&W trigger to most other than hard core Smith fans. My Trooper Mark III is my primary shooting 357 and I enjoy hitting what I aim at with it.
I had 3 model 15s of various barrel length and weight. The first one was nearly new and looked it, and I carried it as my main weapon for over 4 years. I put hundreds of rounds through it with only no problems. The second one was a "pistol pac", I think that's what they called it. It had a 6" and 4" heavy vented "shrouds", and a standard 6". One of the barrels itself was pitted, but it only was $25 bucks to get a new one. The gun itself was in "fair" cosmetic condition, but it shot just as good as the other one did. I got a third one at a gunshow, totally dissasembled in a box for 75 dollars! It was in greatshape, and I put it back together immediately in a couple of minutes after I paid the guy, and all that was missing was the hand, and I had one at home. The trigger on that one was very heavy, but lightened up with some shooting and teflon lube in it. I sold it later on for over 200 bucks.
It seems that some people hated the internal mechanism on the DW's, but I thought it was great!. It never broke, was easily put together without anything but a allen wrench, and if you did need a part, it dropped right in and worked fine, unlike the Colt Python that broke the hand on it, and it wad to be handfitted to get it back to what it was.
I wish I still had my original one, I sold it to a friend, who sold it later on, he forgot that I told him I wanted it back if heever sold it. I'm always on the lookout for another one..
It seems that some people hated the internal mechanism on the DW's, but I thought it was great!. It never broke, was easily put together without anything but a allen wrench, and if you did need a part, it dropped right in and worked fine, unlike the Colt Python that broke the hand on it, and it wad to be handfitted to get it back to what it was.
I wish I still had my original one, I sold it to a friend, who sold it later on, he forgot that I told him I wanted it back if heever sold it. I'm always on the lookout for another one..
I have to go with the prevailing opinion. If you're looking for a shooter go with the 686 or the GP100. They're in production, solidly made handguns and parts are plentiful. Then, if you find that you like the .357 magnum, get yourself one of the discontinued models.
Case in point. I own a M&P made in 1913. It's a great shooter, but it only gets used a couple times a year. Why? Because Smith has made so many changes to that model since it's introduction in 1899 (it's now called the Model 10) that the parts for the older configurations are pretty much gone. IMHO you should get into the older models later, after you have your shooters, and are into collectiong guns just for the sake of collecting them.
Case in point. I own a M&P made in 1913. It's a great shooter, but it only gets used a couple times a year. Why? Because Smith has made so many changes to that model since it's introduction in 1899 (it's now called the Model 10) that the parts for the older configurations are pretty much gone. IMHO you should get into the older models later, after you have your shooters, and are into collectiong guns just for the sake of collecting them.