Dan Wesson 357 Super Mag/Maximum

[zacm1979]

My uncle recently passed away and I received a Dan Wesson pistol from him. Unfortunately when it comes to older wheel guns I am not very educated. This one seems especially vexing to find information about. Any Dan Wesson experts on here that could give me a little information about what exactly I have?

[Razorback01]

I'm not much help but I do also have one I inherited. Did you also get the extra barrels?

I have read not to shoot 38spl/standard 357mag ammo, if I recall "flame cutting", i.e. short cartridges, hot powder and light bullets. The original intent of the Max round was heavy bullets (200gn) and silhouette shooting.

[zacm1979]

Yep. Extra barrel. Original grips. Some sort of tool. ,

[Texas Grown]

The tool is for removing the barrel bushing. And taking the barrel out of the shroud. Or changing barrels. It does make barrel cleaning easier. There should be a feeler guage for setting proper barrel to cylinder gap. If you don't have one, you can get one on the CZ web sight, along with other barrels when they are available, tools, and other peripherals. CZ now owns Dan Wesson. And they did produce one revolver, Model 715 Stainless. But stopped in 2018. Most of the DW current production is in auto pistols. Looks for parts in the CZ store. There is also a Dan Wesson forum devoted to those who have revolvers.



https://shop.cz-usa.com/ Click on the DW link for parts once you get there.



CZ has some very dependable and accurate arms. And have some great tech in products. Especially the long guns.


CZ also bought a lot of the Colt inventory when Colt folded up. Hopefully, they will continue the Colt tradition with better quality parts than what Colt has had the last several years.




Other links:

https://www.danwessonforum.com/

http://ewkarms.com/zen8/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=67

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[geezer56]

I used to have a Dan Wesson 357. It was the most accurate handgun I have ever owned. The flame cutting issue came from people using lightweight bullets in a 357 maximum loading. It would cut the top strap on the revolver. Using 38 special in a 357 cylinder gives you a crud ring which is hard to clean. It also etches the cylinder walls and makes it hard to load 357 after you shoot 38.

[zacm1979]

I used to have a Dan Wesson 357. It was the most accurate handgun I have ever owned. The flame cutting issue came from people using lightweight bullets in a 357 maximum loading. It would cut the top strap on the revolver. Using 38 special in a 357 cylinder gives you a crud ring which is hard to clean. It also etches the cylinder walls and makes it hard to load 357 after you shoot 38.

Thats good info. Thanks!

[Texas Grown]

I used to have a Dan Wesson 357. It was the most accurate handgun I have ever owned. The flame cutting issue came from people using lightweight bullets in a 357 maximum loading. It would cut the top strap on the revolver. Using 38 special in a 357 cylinder gives you a crud ring which is hard to clean. It also etches the cylinder walls and makes it hard to load 357 after you shoot 38.

My second DW Model 15 was like that. The previous owner had shot a lot of 38Sp through her. Disassembly and run through a sonic cleaner helps in removing the crud rings from the cylinder. Also cleans the barrels.