[Southern Shooter]

I have always wanted a single-action .357 magnum. The other day I walked into a pawn shop and saw a beautiful Ruger New Model Blackhawk .357 Magnum. It is in about 95%+ condition. I can get it for $300 plus tax.

I have a very nice DW Model 15 .357 Magnum that at 25 yards I can stand unsupported and put sub-3" groups on the target all day long. I would have to sell my current piece to get the Blackhawk. Is it worth the trade? The Blackhawk is much larger than my DW. Is it that much more stout than my DW? Can it handle significantly hotter loads? What is the accuracy of the Blackhawk compared to DW Model 15?

Help.......

[kanook]

Just remember, They call them "Ruger Only" loads for a reason. If you like your DW and sell it you will kick your own butt for doing it later in life. Save up and own both.

They are different beasts and serve different roles. Christmas is coming and maybe you can get yourself an early present or see if they will put in on layaway.

[snooperman]

Do not sell your Dan Wesson . I have 3 of them and they are the most accurate of all my revolvers. Save your money and buy your Ruger single action blackhawk. They will always be around , but you will regret getting rid of the Dan Wesson.

[ArmedBear]

You can find .357 Blackhawks a lot more easily than Dan Wessons. They're everywhere.

$300 is an okay price, but this won't be the last one you ever see. For $415 you can order a brand new one. It's not like you won't be able to buy a Blackhawk if you pass on this one.

As someone who likes Ruger's single actions, I would NEVER sell the DW to get one. Never, ever, ever.

I also wouldn't get another blue Ruger. I can throw my stainless SBH in a holster and not worry about it. The blue one, I have to work to keep it protected from rust and finish wear.

[Walkalong]

If you like your DW and sell it you will kick your own butt for doing it later in life. Save up and own both.

Agreed
You can find .357 Blackhawks a lot more easily than Dan Wessons. They're everywhere.
Yep. Keep the Dan Wesson

[Mike J]

Another keep the Dan Wesson vote. As has been stated they aren't making them anymore.

[texas bulldog]

yep, keep the DW. you'll regret it down the road if you sell it. and they're not going to stop making the blackhawk any time soon.

[Southern Shooter]

I do have a DW Model 14 fixed-site 2.5" barrel .357 Magnum. I could sell it. Would that be an idea ya'll would consider? Or, is it a gun that I should keep, also?

Thanks....

[kanook]

I have always hated to sell a firearm to fund another. If it's a DW that you aquired and don't give a squat about, by all means sell it. But if it's a DW that is accurate and you enjoy shooting it, keep it.

I have a friend that buys and sell firearms so fast he does it in the same underware. He doens't give the firearm a chance to prove weather it's a keeper of a POJ.

If you just don't care for it sell it. $300 is a good price and a common price. Have you had a chance to really work a single action yet? They are a lot of fun and I would'nt sell any of mine.

And in closing, most of us have a collection due to not being able to just let go ;)

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Absolutely not; don't part with a Dan Wesson; no longer being made. Blackhawks are a dime a dozen, and in my understanding, those "new models" are not as strong as the old ones.

[DWFan]

Dan Wessons are out of production and CZ will not consider making them as revolvers "aren't really their thing" (that's a quote). They bought the company for the brand name to market a 1911 clone. A "CZ" M1911-A1 simply wouldn't get the attention of a "Dan Wesson" M1911-A1.
The Blackhawk will probably be made as long as Ruger exists. There is no such thing as "Ruger only" .357 Magnum loads, btw.
The bottom line is this. There are very very few Blackhawks that are anywhere close to as accurate as the average Dan Wesson. In fact, the only revolvers that were able to compete with them in silhouette competition are Freedom Arms.

[Southern Shooter]

I really appreciate the input. I may have been on my way to a big mistake.

My DW 15-2, as I said, is dead on at 25 yards with a free-hand stance.

My DW 14, with the fixed-sights and 6" heavy shroud barrel, has been adjusted (by modifying the front sight) and is putting full-power 158 grain rounds on the mark at 25 yards. I have NO IDEA what heavier or lighter grain bullets will do out of it. Figured 158 grain is a good balance or utility round for that gun.

Anyway...think I will hold up on the Ruger BH and just enjoy my DW revolvers.

UNLESS...someone can take the devil's advocate role and talk me into the other direction...

[Hawk]

UNLESS...someone can take the devil's advocate role and talk me into the other direction...

That's going to be a tough one. The best I could come up with is that the Dan Wesson is out of production and getting parts and labor could be a hassle.

In the dim and distant past I was participating in a debate where one didn't know which side one was on until one drew lots from a hat. If I drew the "sell the DW" lot I'd probably just head for the tavern.

[ArmedBear]

I'd sell that Dan Wesson to keep my house from foreclosure or something, not to buy a used blue Blackhawk.

[warnerwh]

Have to say the Dan Wesson is the one you want to keep. You'll be sorry you sold it if you do, I've heard it many times. It's best to wait and save money so you can buy a Blackhawk. It's better to have both. A Dan Wesson can handle full house loads all day and stay tight. CZ USA owns Dan Wesson now and they have parts and labor available.

[ArmedBear]

Too bad CZ is making yet another 1911 instead of some great revolvers that aren't just commodities, easily replaced by myriad competitors.

[hardluk1]

Darn its good to hear from all these DW lovers. There is nothing a 357 ruger will shoot that a 357dw can't also shoot . Mine has had 180 and 200gr federals and BB ammo throught it for years and shoots a 3" 100 yard group with red dot and 8" barrel on it. A ruger, hahahaha. And i like rugers.

[docdizzle]

I vote to keep the DW. I actually regret not buying one that I found used back in May (got an early 19-4 Smith instead, love it). Ruger SA's are cool, but the DW is just too uncommon a gun to get rid of. It'd be like trading a Lotus Elise for a Civic.

[roaddog28]

I have always wanted a single-action .357 magnum. The other day I walked into a pawn shop and saw a beautiful Ruger New Model Blackhawk .357 Magnum. It is in about 95%+ condition. I can get it for $300 plus tax.

I have a very nice DW Model 15 .357 Magnum that at 25 yards I can stand unsupported and put sub-3" groups on the target all day long. I would have to sell my current piece to get the Blackhawk. Is it worth the trade? The Blackhawk is much larger than my DW. Is it that much more stout than my DW? Can it handle significantly hotter loads? What is the accuracy of the Blackhawk compared to DW Model 15?

Help.......
The answer to your question. Yes the new model Blackhawk is stronger than the Dan Wesson. The new model Blackhawk is built on a 44 magnum frame. It will shoot any 357 ammo factory or handloads. You would have to buy a Ruger Redhawk 357 to find a revolver that is stronger than the Blackhawk. They are rare. I am like the other posters, do not sell your Dan Wesson. You can save your money and find a Blackhawk anywhere from $250.00 to $350.00. I sold a nice one for only $235.00 on Gunbroker but I was after a K frame Smith and Wesson and needed some more money. Anyway, it will be hard to replace the Dan Wesson. You can always get a Blackhawk later.
Good Luck,
roaddog28

[doubleh]

I have a Dan Wesson, Monson made, 152-VH8 .357 that is the most accurate revolver I've ever owned or shot. I also own a Ruger Blackhawk in .357. It is also a very nice revolver and I am partial to single actions. There is absolutely NO WAY I would sell my DW to purchase a Ruger. You run into Rugers, new and used, all the time around here. I have never seen a used DW for sale and the Monson made guns are long gone, as are the other DW revolvers. You can buy a Ruger anytime you decide you want one. Not the case with a DW.

[NMGonzo]

Don't part with the Dan Wesson.

Rugers are plentyful.