Buying used Dan Wesson revolvers

[carbuncle]

About 13 years ago I picked up a 6" barrel Dan Wesson .357 with Pachmayr grips for a screaming deal from a pawnshop. I loved that gun: shot straight, great feel, low recoil...I really regretting selling that particular piece.

Cut to the present, and I was just poking around some local shops today and saw a couple of Dan Wesson revolvers that caught my eye, a 6" barrel .22LR and a gargantuan snubby .357 (big frame, good looking gun). The prices weren't fantastic, so I didn't jump on them but seeing them did get me thinking of keeping my eye open for them in the future.

Here's my question: I know the Dan Wesson brand has changed hands (a couple of times?), is there anything specific to watch out for in buying a used Dan Wesson revolver over another revolver? Any periods of brand neglect I may need to keep in mind when evaluating a used Wesson revolver?

 

[madcratebuilder]

http://www.danwessonforum.com/

 

[snooperman]

I have 3 Dan Wesson revolvers

I have put thousands of rounds through them without any problems. I wish I could say that about my Colt and S&W revolvers. They are a very good gun for the money, especially for the Target guns. They are the most accurate of all of my revolvers and I hunt with them as well.

 

[carbuncle]

Thanks for the link to the forum!

 

[DWFan]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the "large frame .357" isn't a .357.
It's called the M360 and chambers a 1.415" case .357 caliber cartridge called the .360 Dan Wesson. Its also quite rare and rather valuable as not many were made; especially with shorter barrels.

 

[carbuncle]

No bad news for me, I wasn't considering picking it up due to the price: $599. I have been thinking about going back in and trying to do a deal for both of the guns, but that will have to wait until after the holidays. At the prices this place had them at ($399 for the .22LR), they'll probably still be there.

Interesting about the caliber though, I may have to swing by and check that out more closely.

 

[hardluk1]

Or the 357 is a supermag not a rem. mag. The 22 is the same basic frame as the 357remington magnum. Buy monson or early palmer guns be be happy. Just look the guns over like most any revolver ,check for good lock up and abuse.

 

[DWFan]

You can read about it here....
http://www.lasc.us/RangingShotDanWesson360Revolver.htm
at that price, I'd grab it; even if I never intended to shoot it. The "bad" part is that it is a handload only cartridge and brass is currently out of production. (Starline is the only source.) You can, of course, shoot Magnums in it.
I doubt it would be a SuperMag, unless it's a previous owner modification. As far as I know, the .357 SuperMag was only offered in 6", 8" and 10" barrels.

 

[hardluk1]

If that 357 is made in norwich it is a 1999 or later made gun so look it over very well and it is a 44 mag sized frame. If a supermag it would say 357 not 360 then it could be a monson or plamer made gun and buy it. Ammo is avalable along with brass. The (360) brass is .12th's longer than a 357mag, use's the same bullets and that is about what the 38 is shorter than the 357mag so you could shoot them in it just fine. or cut down some of the super mag brass. I think i got this right... After a double check the 357 maximum brass as readily avalable from multible sources and can be trimed to 360 specs. .

 

[DWFan]

Shortening the Maximum to the 1.415" length of the .360 Dan Wesson requires reaming the case due to the brass thickness. If you don't, seating the bullets will bulge the case to the point it won't fit in the chamber.