Dan Wesson Model 44 vs S&W Model 29?

[awp101]

I know I've handled (but never fired) a handful of .357 and .44 Dan Wessons over the years but I've never really paid attention to them, if that makes sense. In terms of fit, finish and feel are they more like a S&W or more utilitarian like a Ruger?

[bradshaw]

Nov 9, 2017 22:19:52 GMT -5 awp101 said:

I know I've handled (but never fired) a handful of .357 and .44 Dan Wessons over the years but I've never really paid attention to them, if that makes sense. In terms of fit, finish and feel are they more like a S&W or more utilitarian like a Ruger?

*****

Neither. The Dan Wesson is its own piece of cake.

DWA M-15 .357 Mag, .22 LR
* Sideplate double action revolver, as are S&W & Colt.
* Hand-removable barrel & shroud.
* Sintered (powdered metal) hammer & trigger.
* Crane latch.
* Grip spike.

DWA M-44 (.44 Mag) and M-40 (.357 Maximum, etc.)
* Solid frame construction, no side plate.
* Modular trigger & hammer.
* Hand-removable barrel & shroud.
* Sintered hammer & trigger.
* Crane latch.
* Grip spike.

In terms of fit, more like a Ruger. In terms of finish, more like an S&W. In terms of chamber and alignment tolerances, more like a Freedom Arms. In terms of chamber finish, more like a Ruger single action (S&W chambers are roller burnished; FA polished; Ruger DA chambers may be roller burnished.) Tight chamber-to-bore alignment, like vintage S&W and all Freedom Arms.

Double action pull of DWA inferior to a proper Ruger and not on same planet as S&W. Through-hardened Ruger hammer & trigger and case hardened S&W hammer & trigger last infinitely longer than DWA in double action fire.
David Bradshaw

[jfs]

Here are a 7 1/2" Redhawk 44 mag, a 8" Dan Wesson in 44 mag and a 8 3/8" S&W in 44 mag. The DW was made by NYI in Norwich, NY and was the last company to make them before CZ took over.... I had read an article by JT where he considered the NYI  DW`s to be some of the best made which is why I bought my 744... To me....the fit and finish are like S&W while the feel and strength are like Ruger.... A fine handgun for sure....I`am only sorry I did not buy more (414-357max-32mag-45Colt-445)....  PS ..DB sure knows his DW`s

[tinkerpearce]

I had a Dan Wesson back during the Dark Ages. It was an exceptionally nicely finished gun, no complaints about fit and finish. Great shooter, very nice DA pull. Not Pythom-nice but comparable to S&Ws of the time. One of the guns I wish that I had kept.

[seak89]

To me the DW shined most with the purchase of their pistol pack much like the TC with extra barrels. If you just used the front sight for POI you could leave the rear as is for the four barrel lengths.

[oddshooter]

Dan Wesson made beautiful, sturdy sixguns. He was also the last of the Wessons in firearms so the history alone is worthwhile. They are very accurate, but heavy. That weight soaks up a lot of recoil.

The interchangeable barrels are a nice feature, but I have never switched out any of mine and I have several.  I can't really imagine carrying a DW, of any barrel length, all day; but I love sitting at a bench shooting Super Mags.

The Dan Wesson Forum is small, but an outstanding web site. Great folks with a huge inventory of DW knowledge.

I think every shooter should have at least one; to get to unscrew the barrel.


Prescut
and I will steal DB's line : "Neither. The Dan Wesson is its own piece of cake."  

[bradshaw]

Intrinsic accuracy aside, the big frame Dan Wesson may be tuned for the lightest single action LETOFF of any double action revolver. Possible exception----a Colt Python. This shooter inclines to include the Python in his first declaration. Under the old rules governing Production guns in the International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association, a trigger job is allowed----using factory parts only. Aftermarket stocks fitted to a standard pattern----Pachmayr, Uncle Mike’s, one or two others----are permitted. A clean trigger is more than a luxury on a podium gun.

LOCKTIME of the Big Dan doesn’t hang around for second place. It is fast. Fast & clean. The DWA cannot be adjusted lighter than a New Model Ruger single action, yet surprisingly close, especially for a lock which must rebound a DA trigger.

The DWA single action breaks clean as a Smith & Wesson, not cleaner, just lighter. In order of lightness: DWA, Colt Python, S&W. (Whether the Manurhin .357 Mag from France compares I cannot say.)

Smooth take-up works but it must be SMOOTH its entire engagement. Peacemaker lockwork performs with is arrangement, as does a New Model Ruger single action. Requires more discipline. Several generations of gun writers call a long take-up “creep.” The term does no justice to a very rugged and effective way of setting up a single action revolver. The DA revolver should have no single action creep.

Done right, these details count when the chips are down.
David Bradshaw

[awp101]

Thanks everyone, this has been educational. I think I'm going to stay on the path to a 29 for my next revolver acquisition but down the road I may just have to think about a .375 and .414.

[awp101]

I'm partial to 4"-6" barrels from a balance standpoint but that sure is a good looking trio!

Nov 9, 2017 23:42:49 GMT -5 jfs said: