[cruze7]

Hello,

This is my first post on THR. I've been reading for many moons. I know there is a lot of knowledge here and figured this was the best place to ask about my new addition.

I purchased my first revolver today. It's a Dan Wesson .357 with the 8", 6", 4" and 2" barrels. It came with a case and the tools to change the barrels. It looks brand new. It was made in Monsoon, MA. Serial number is 954XX.

I'm wondering if anyone might know when it was made.

Any opinions about it would also be appreciated.

Hope to get to take it to the range this weekend.

Thanks...

[LoneCoon]

First off, I'm jealous that you've got the entire set of barrels.

Secondly, you gun was made in the mid to early 80's.

Thirdly, you should know, if you don't already, that you can take off the grip entirely and swap it out for whatever you're doing.

Fourthly, have fun! Dan Wesson's are great guns; you'll love it.

[Chindo18Z]

Probably made mid-late 70's? I purchased a new M15 (6", vent-rib, heavy barrel) in 1978. I liked the "Python" looks, the barrel change feature, and price.

Mine was the most accurate out-of-the-box revolver I've ever fired. I have always regretted trading it away.

I am jealous. You will undoubtedly be highly pleased with that revolver.

Enjoy...and hang on to it!

[00blkgt]

Do you mind telling us what you paid for it?
J

[cruze7]

I got the case, the barrels, the gun and the tools for $400. I wasn't ready to buy after Christmas but felt it was a deal I couldn't pass up. It looks great and I like the weight and the trigger.

[LubeckTech]

You didn'y buy it you stole it!!!!! Congradluations (or however it is spelled) on a fantastic buy and a great revolver. They have been in and out of production over the past 30 years. I owned a .357 6" heavy barrel in the early 80s and have owned a .44 8'" vented heavy barrel for the past 20 years. I just scored a .357 4" normal barrel for $235 a couple of weeks ago. It sounds like you have what is known as the pistol pak and there is a belt buckle which goes with it. The gun you have is in my opinion was a better mouse trap that didn't catch on as they are not only versatile but very accurate. The original manufacturers hoped to market it to law enforcement but it didn't catch on which is a pity as the cylinder release on the crane is a much better idea than Colt, S&W or Ruger's behind the cylinder design and makes for a good combat or IDPA gun in any arena. The action is smooth not quite as good as a S&W but still one of the best. In my experience the only real problem with the gun is this; If you shoot it a lot especially with dirty powders like bullseye residue tends to build up in the cylinder where it turns on the crane causing it to bind. This causes light off center strikes on the primers resulting in misfires. Disassembling the cylinder/crane assembly and cleaning it solves the problem but requires removing the side plate which is beyond normal maintence. The DW .44 mag disassembles like the ruger security six and GP series revolvers which are designed to be disassembled by the user premitting more thorough cleaning. Had the .357 frame been designed like this may have caught on with the LEO community. I had this problem with the .357 I owned back in the early 80s and so did several sheriff deputies I knew. None the less it is a classic gun which you will probably enjoy if not you will be able to sell at a profit!!

[BillinNH]

Lubecktech says <Disassembling the cylinder/crane assembly and cleaning it solves the problem but requires removing the side plate which is beyond normal maintence. The DW .44 mag disassembles like the ruger security six and GP series revolvers which are designed to be disassembled by the user premitting more thorough cleaning.>

I have a 44v6 and a 15v6 and I would very much like to know how to disassemble, clean and possibly replace my cylinders. Do you have detailed instructions or can you point me to some? My instruction manuals don't show anything.

Many thanks.

Bill

[cruze7]

You may already know about this page, but just found it last night.

He has some manuals for Dan Wesson's on here.

http://www.stevespages.com/page7b.htm

Hope it helps.

[John C]

Wow, Cruze, you DID steal that revolver. I paid $800 for a stainless Monson pistol pack in .357, but without the case. It was alot, but I knew this was the only chance I'd get, since I was in California at the time. I'm happy, though.

These are great revolvers. You'll enjoy it for that price.

Good luck.

-John

[cruze7]

Got to do some shooting today. Great pistol. Very accurate. My buddy and I both kept great groupings with it.

Couldn't be happier with it.

[terryhorn30]

Does anyone know how to remove the cylinder from the crane on a Dan Wesson 357?

[warnerwh]

Here you go: http://www.danwessonforum.com/?page_id=3/reloading/tuning-up-your-15-2-the-average-joe-method/

That is an excellent forum. If you need anything else just ask.

[oldfool]

color a lot of us envious

"back-in-the day", when Colt was still Colt, Winchester was still Winchester, and Dan Wesson was still Dan Wesson, etc., etc.
conventional wisdom was
for strength, buy Ruger
for trigger, buy S&W
for accuracy, buy Dan Wesson

saw a set like yours couple of years ago, local shop.. think they wanted close to a grand for it... beyond me
but I did drop in every now and then, just to drool a little, you know

be HAPPY !