OK I'm obviously going to be biased towards the Dan Wesson being here, but...

I have had all 3 guns at one time or another. Now I only have the Dan Wesson, maybe that tells you something.

I think the Older Ruger's like the security six, and the speed six were nice guns. A new GP 100 is still pretty solid for a non Dan Wesson, but I don't think the fit and finish are as good as the older Ruger's were.

You can fine tune a Smith and Wesson revolver for a really nice trigger with some parts, time, and money, but a Dan Wesson will already have a better trigger than the other two. If you happen to be an Average Joe, you can make the Dan even better all by yourself! 

https://www.danwessonforum.com/forum/reloading/tuning-up-your-15-2-the-average-joe-method/

Dan Wesson's are often more accurate than the other two guns as well. The torqued rigid barrel system tends to lends itself to better accuracy.

There are a more hands on parts with the Dan Wesson. Of course if you are not handy or very mechanical, that can be a mixed blessing. If you can be trusted to use a feeler gauge, a barrel nut wrench, and keep a nut tight, then the Dan is a much more forgiving design. Especially for things like end shake, and excessive cylinder gap, not to mention it's built like a tank compared to the Smith or the Ruger.

If you decide that want a compact later down the road? Pick up a 2.5 inch barrel, and some smaller grips. Want a bit more barrel length for hunting? Or maybe you like a full under lug, or just want a vented rib, get a new barrel. Bulge a barrel? Don't send the whole gun back to the manufacturer, just buy another barrel and install it yourself. It's hard to beat that kind of versatility.The removable barrel system is pretty amazing the more that you think about it.  It's no wonder that we like them as much as we do.

You can also likely find a better deal on a Dan too, as long as you don't happen to be shopping on E-bay, or looking at someones else's idea of a vintage or collectable gun.

Were I on a really tight budget, I might just pick up an inexpensive barrel-less Dan Wesson 15-2 Frame of of Gun broker, and wait and cherry pick out my bargain, or desired barrel assembly, One could even get lucky trading an unwanted barrel assembly here, that someone else happens to be intently looking for.

I have seen some used blued 15-2 pistol packs sell for less than as they want for a brand new Ruger GP100, or eve a pre-lock Smith and Wesson. Heck even the New Smith and Wesson revolvers with the crappy internal frame locks often cost more than a good used Dan, and don't even get me started on the stupidity of the new Smith internal locks.

I have found that Dan Wesson's are either really under priced, or massively over priced. Many shops just don't know where to place them. I have seen some crazy good prices (and gotten some great deals consequently) on Dan Wesson's, especially when a shop goes by the blue book of gun values. It cuts both ways though, if you are trying to sell a nice Dan to a gun store, but if you are here, you probably know better already, right ?

One possible exception to the above rule is if you manage to find an inexpensive police buy back revolver. For a time police buy backs on very used Smith 686's were quite cheap. Sadly, you really don't see quite as many of those around as there used to be. Mainly because most police departments tend to go with autos now.

I would ordinarily say rent all 3 guns, and pick which the one you like the best, but you are not likely to find a Dan Wesson in a rental case anywhere. You could get a feel for the Smith and the Ruger that way though. If you have a friend who owns a Dan, or there happens to be a forum member close by maybe you can arrange a meeting. Shooting a Dan Wesson will outright spoil you, and can ruin other guns for you. Next thing you know, Dan Wesson Acquisition Syndrome has taken over, and you find yourself wanting more!

- Bullwolf

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