Dan Wesson vs Smith & Wesson

[Haycreek]

I purchased a stainless, heavy vent rib [full length under lug and rib, in a 6 inch barrel Dan Wesson. The handgun will place 5 rounds touching or overlapping, at 15 yards, using 125 graing HP, loaded on the warm side. I have recently had a hankering for a Smith & Wesson 66 in a 4 inch barrel , which is a leo trade-in. After comparing the trigger pulls with a digital trigger scale, I fine virtually no difference between the two. I agree that there is no comparison between the two internals when you disassymble the two. The Dan has cast -sintered looking parts-- but the work. I have polished the internals of the Dan some, but not a lot. I may go ahead and purchase the S&W , but I'm having difficulty justifying the purchase on the merit of the Smith being a "better shooter" I am of the opinin that Dan Wessons are "under rated" Have you had a simular experience?

 

[JoeHatley]

I've owned a couple Dan Wesson and a bunch of S&W revolvers. Yes, the Dan Wessons are under appreciated. They are fine guns and I've found their reputation for accuracy is well deserved.

The Dan Wesson trigger can be made very smooth, but it sure takes a LOT more effort than a S&W.

The versatility of the switch barrel/shroud system is unmatched. However... having said that, I've sold my Dan Wessons, but still own every S&W I've ever bought.

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[VictorLouis]

I find a distinct difference between the two actions. The DW has a 'shorter', faster LOP than S&W's. IOW, there's notably shorter travel before hammer fall on the DW. I threw my first few shots(DA) on a buddie's DW due to this.

 

[9mmepiphany]

the dan wesson was designed to take advantage of modern manufacturing techniques and materials. i expect they did not realize how reluctant wheelgunners were to change from the old pre-war (WW1) designs. they thought that producing a more accurate design would overcome old loyalties.

the tensioned/interchangable/shouded barrel, flat crown, adjustable barrel gap, forward mounted cylinder release, interchangable front sights and stud mounted stocks were breakthoughs when they were introduced...they all enhance shooting accuracy. the shorter hammer throw in DA makes for a shorter locktime.

be careful when polishing the inards of your "dan" they are only surface hardened and it is easy to go through the thin layer...the parts deteriorate quickly afterward. i've heard the some pistolsmiths would preform a action tune and then have the pieces coated in electroless nickle to "reharden"

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

I’d agree with all the previous posters; I bought a Model 15VH (blued .357 vent/heavy) Pistol Pack back in the early ‘90s just ‘cause it was cool. I mean, come on! Four different barrels! Three different grips! A patch AND a belt buckle! All in a custom case! Ultra-Cool!

Seriously though that was one heck of an accurate revolver.

In a moment of clouded judgment I sold it.

:banghead:

 

[Haycreek]

I notice that the "new " Dan Wesson has CNC innards, and they are interchangable with the old ones, that might be interesting---if the original lockworks gets tired, so far, the original parts feel just like new. I haven't mentioned the 44 mag Dan Wesson is my silhouette and hunting handgun when I leave the TC Contender home. The 44 mag has a completely different trigger/hammer parts. Very good.

 

[stans]

Dan Wesson revolvers are under rated. I had a 15-2 that I traded a long time ago, what a mistake.