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February 4, 2009
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My newly (re)developed love for Dan Wesson revolvers is apparently starting to become a problem.
I figured that I would stop by the local cop shop to see if they have a grip for the 744 I purchased over the weekend..... sounds harmless enough, doesn't it?
Well, I'm walking towards the front door and my buddy Michael stopped me and says, did you see the Dan Wesson 357? Huh?
Wandered to the back and he has a Monson model 15 w/ 6" vented barrel for sale.
Took a look at it and it was plum colored with a deep blued barrel. Checked the cylinder lock up- it had ZERO movement. Appearance wise, it was nothing special and didn't really do a whole lot for me.
I figured I might as well ask how much- $199, ugh. I suppose at that price, I can forgive the appearance (or even have it refinished) since this has tighter lock up than either of my other Dans.
I guess I should just have my paychecks made out to Dan Wesson from now on.
December 17, 2008
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LOL!! Great story...yep, that's how it is...
There's a guy (Mark) who advertises on GB - "Dan Wesson Factory Blue". He used to do contract bluing for DW Norwich and is Bob Serva's brother in law! Not a bad reference anyway.
I think some of the guys have used him and you might get some input here.
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
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First off, congrats on contracting DWessonitis...err...I mean on your good score! LOL!
Second, that's interesting that your gun is plum colored, because I have been watching this auction on a model 40, that has the same problem; http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=122348412
Why is that? Was the gun cleaned with harsh cleaners, or is it something else?
February 4, 2009
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Charger Fan said:
First off, congrats on contracting DWessonitis…err…I mean on your good score! LOL!
Second, that's interesting that your gun is plum colored, because I have been watching this auction on a model 40, that has the same problem; http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti.....=122348412
Why is that? Was the gun cleaned with harsh cleaners, or is it something else?
Thanks Charger Fan.
The plum color issue is not from harsh cleaners but from the bluing process being slightly skewed and reacting with the metal. There were some cases, on some firearms, where the plum color actually became reddish.
There is quite a bit of info about this problem out there. I don't believe it deteriorates the integrity of the metal, just discolors it.
I suppose there may be a possibility of harsh cleaners doing this- I really don't know.
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January 24, 2009
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Actually, that makes sense. I imagine that if it wasn't left in the bluing solution long enough, it could come out thin & tend to discolor more easily. Sort of like not getting enough coats on a car's paint job, it tends to look "thin".
So, are you gonna call this one Barney? (kidding) LOL!
April 25, 2008
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I've seen that plum color on Dan Wessons and other revolvers. It's kinda neat, I think. Gives the gun some character. I believe it also has to do with the composition of the metal. I have a blue Seville that has the plum color on the grip frame and ejector rod housing. It also has that very deep blue like the older Dan Wessons have.
The Savantist
February 2, 2009
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Dan Wesson was one of the first companies to use the powdered metal fusion process, rather than forging from solid steel blocks. Bluing reacts differently and ages differently with the powdered metal castings than with forged metal. The process was copied by many oter companies after Dan Wessons survived and excelled in long range shooting competition, with very high pressure ammo.
February 4, 2009
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Well, new update on the "Barney" gun- I think I will have to pass on this one.
I went back today to sign the paperwork and decided to take another look at it before proceeding. I was on my way home from work yesterday when I saw it, and they were about to close so I just made a real quick, and obviously very unthorough inspection.
There were several things I failed to notice or simply missed altogether.
It appears to have been dropped (or possibly thrown) at one point- the rear sight was bent a bit.... This was no big deal. However, I noticed that the barrel shroud at the muzzle had a deep gouge in it- I have no clue how I completely missed that. It is questionable on whether it has crimped the barrel nut or not. The side plate had also been replaced as it was a deep blue and not the plum color on the rest of the frame. It is entirely possible that this gun was smithed and had damage of some sort to the original side plate, which might explain the nice and tight cylinder lock up.
And then there was the bore. I don't know what took place between yesterday and today but something had definitely changed. The bore had a very strange looking corrosion today that I know for a fact wasn't there yesterday- or was at least nowhere near as obvious.
This was the early model 15 and not a 15-2. It came from the San Angelo PD and was obviously a duty gun with questionable care. I wouldn't even attempt shooting this gun until the rear sight, barrel, and barrel nut, at a minimum, were replaced. All of a sudden, it didn't seem like such a deal anymore.
No Dan for me today.
***While I continue making a spectacle of myself, any opinions on an early Norwich 7445 V8S with an unfluted cylinder? (likes, dislikes, pricing)
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January 24, 2009
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That's a bummer about the Barney gun. At least the asking price was more inline with the gun's overall condition. I probably would have offered $140 & waited to see the reaction. LOL!
On the 7445, I like unfluted cylinders, myself. I think they look tough, but then I am a little biased I suppose, because of my Super Blackhawk. Otherwise, what's not to like about a stainless DW big bore gun?
Prices? I'll let someone else guess, I usually seem to shoot high.
February 4, 2009
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I guess everything happens for a reason.
Had to abandon the Barney gun and decided that I couldn't afford that spiffy 7445 V8S.
Interestingly enough, I found another prize to fill the void at a price I was comfortable with. If I had purchased Barney, this deal couldn't have happened.
As it turns out, I am soon to be the owner of a 7445 VH8 compensated model instead. I don't know about that front sight being set back a few inches though. Well…. for the price, and the extras, I can adapt.
I'm excited.
Is it next week yet?
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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Do you have a contact on the 7445 you passed up? I also appreciate the unfluted cylinders.
Supermagfan
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
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