Dan Wesson 22

[3rdpig]

Today some old friends of mine gave me a gun as thanks for a bunch of work I've done for them and I'm trying to collect as much info about it as I can. Needless to say, I was thrilled to get it and they knew I would be.

It's a Dan Wesson 22 revolver and it appears to like new. It's still in the original box with all the original paperwork, the barrel tool and the feeler gauge. It's marked Dan Wesson Arms, Monson Mass USA and it's got a 4 digit serial number, 32XX. From what I can tell from info on the net this was made by the original iteration of the Dan Wesson company as it was founded by Dan Wesson and Karl Lewis. The label on the box is marked Dan Wesson Arms Revolver Mod. 22. 22 LR CTG Interchangeable barrel bright blue finish. There are also numbers representing the diifferent barrel sizes and on my the "6" is circled. The parts price list that was in the box is dated June 1, 1979.

I've found a few pages on the internet devoted to these revolvers but nothing describing current value or date of manufacture based on serial numbers. Does anyone have any other info on these revolvers? What is it worth? Can it be changed to shoot other calibers? Is there any collector value? Should I keep it unfired (assuming it is unfired) or take it out and shoot it? Thanks for any info!

 

[KONY]

Not an expert but have heard that the Monson-marked Dan Wesson revolvers were very good shooting pieces. I was looking for one of those for lil' bit and they were usually selling for ~$300. Hopefully, someone with more knowledge can be of more assistance.

 

[stans]

An NIB DW from Monson would probably be worth $300 to $350. DW's tend to be insanely accurate and extremely durable revolvers. The only downsides to DW's are they don't hold resale value well, but that seems to have changed recently, and the double action trigger although a very short pull, tends to be a little heavy. Few gunsmiths know how to work on DW's and the hammer and trigger were made from sintered steel that is surface hardened, so don't try polishing the engagement surfaces. For several years I had a Monson, Mass. 357. I am sorry I ever traded it.

 

[Swamp Yankee]

Dan's are for shootin' and accumulatin' not for collectin'.

If you were to sell it $300 max. Trade it, lucky to get $175. Any more and you start getting into the price range of some of the Colt and S&W .22 revolvers that are considered more desireable. ( I don't buy into that but that's me)

Don't worry about the sintered metal parts, Dan Wesson knew what he was doing. Usually all that's needed is a light stoning to remove any remains of the pressing burr. If you check the single action pull on that gun it's probably right around 4 to 4.5 pounds with just a tad of creep. The short double action throw will take a little getting used to but the actual pull weight is the same as most Smiths and Colts. Because you're applying the the force over a shorter distance it just feels heavy. It is possible to make the double action pull smoother but the feel is inherent to the design.
By all means go out and shoot that Model 22. You'll be amazed at how well it shoots. You will not be able to modify it to other calibers, but cheer up, used Monson Mass. Dan Wessons are pretty plentiful and inexpensive. If you like this one, $250 will probably get you a very nice condition Model 15 or 715 .357 Mag.

Take Care

 

[Richard]

3rdpig, the only thing I didn't like about my DW 22 was the spent cases used to stick in the cylinder. Other than this, it was a great handgun and I am sure you will be pleased with yours. Regards, Richard

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I was out shooting my DW v22 just like yours. Mine is about the same vintage serial number wise. Very accurate. I am sorry I don't have pictures yet of it, but I was quite pleased. I have a 8" vent heavy barrel and a 6" vent light barrel just like yours. I was impressed at the trigger action. Very very good. Double action was exceptionally smooth.

My gun did not like Federal Lightning, but really liked Federal Classics.

I suggest you shoot it. There is "virtually" no collector market for DW. They are shooters!