What does the term “SuperMag” mean?

[Mike] Elgin Gates wanted a more powerful cartridge in common calibers for Metallic Silhouette competition.  He accomplished this by lengthening the common magnum cartridges from 1.29 inches to 1.60

[Dean] The old .38 Special case was lengthened to 1.29″ by Smith & Wesson back in 1935, to become the more powerful .357 Magnum. The same process was used by Elgin Gates in the mid 1970′s to invent an even more powerful round for handgun silhouette competition. He lengthened the .357 Magnum case to 1.60″, and for lack of a better term, called it a Super Magnum, which was later shortened to SuperMag by Dan Wesson.

How were the SuperMag cartridges developed?

[Grant] They were developed by Elgin Gates for the International Handgun Metallic Shooting Association (IHMSA). They needed to be able to retain enough bullet velocity at 200 meters, to knock down steel rams used in the sport. The first one Mr. Gates brought to the table was named the .357 Maximum…based on a .357 Magnum case, it was lengthened by 1.60 to allow more powder.  Dan Wesson’s gun specifically designed for this cartridge was named the “SuperMag”.

[Dean] Elgin Gates, one of the early competitors and founder of the IHMSA, had many ideas for new cartridges for the new handgun game. One of them centered on the .357 Magnum. He reasoned that by lengthening the case even further, he could increase the velocity of those 170-180 grain bullets to make the round more reliable on the rams. By heli-arc welding sections of .357 Magnum cases together, he was able to come up with a lengthened case to use for testing.

What role did Dan Wesson revolvers play in the development of Supermag cartridges?

[Dean] Dan Wesson played a huge role in the development of the SuperMag. When Elgin Gates designed the .357 SuperMag cartridge, Dan Wesson was the first revolver manufacturer to agree to build a new revolver with a frame window large enough, and cylinder long enough, to accommodate the full 1.610” case length.

[Jody] Dan Wesson was the first (and only) firearms company to produce double-action revolvers in SuperMag calibers.

[Larry] At the time of SuperMag development Dan Wesson was the dominant revolver for IHMSA. With its proven strong design, superior accuracy and adjustable barrel it was a natural choice.

[Phil] They were the only regular production factory that was willing to work with Elgin Gates on putting these chamberings into regular production

What are the common Dan Wesson Supermag models, and in what calibers?

[Grant] Model 40/740(.357SM), 375(.375SM), 414/7414(.41SM) & 445/7445(.44SM.) The”7” denotes stainless. The 375 model was the only one not available in stainless.

[Dean] The .414 SuperMag is the rarest of all. Only 25 were built before the Palmer factory shut down in 1995. Again, they were 8” barrels with slotted shrouds, and all are stainless.

How is a Dan Wesson SuperMag different from a Large Frame Dan Wesson revolver?

[Larry] The SuperMag frame and cylinder are lengthened to accept the longer cartridge. Also the ejector rod slot on the shroud is longer on a SuperMag. Most other parts interchange.

[Dean] The SuperMag frames are also heat-treated to safely withstand the rifle-like pressures developed with this cartridge.

For what types of shooting are SuperMags most commonly used?

[Mike] Metallic Silhouette Competition and Hunting.

[Phil] They were developed primarily for the handgun silhouette sport, but most have also enjoyed success with handgun hunters all over the world as well.

[Larry] Hunting and metallic silhouette and of course campfire bragging and storytelling

What level of accuracy would an experienced shooter hope to achieve with a SuperMag at longer (100+ yard) ranges?

[Larry] I believe near MOA type accuracy is possible, however mere mortals such as myself can strive for 2 inch groups at 100M and 4 to 6 inch groups at 200M.

[Dean] The .357 SuperMag is capable of attaining groups of 2-3” or less at 100 meters with the 180-200 grain bullets in good revolvers. In single-shot handguns, half that is easily accomplished. I’ve seen single-shots turn in groups of an inch or less at 100 yards. My own Dan Wesson .357 SuperMag will stay right at 2” with boring regularity. Most Dan Wesson and United Sporting Arms revolvers in any of the SuperMag cartridges are capable of 4-6” groups or less at 200 meters when shot from the Creedmoor position

What is your favorite Dan Wesson Supermag Model/caliber, and why?

[Mike] I guess I like the 445 best.  My wife, however, would choose the .357 for its lighter than model 715, recoil.

[Larry] I like them all but would have to pick the 357 SuperMag as my favorite. It was the first one and started the SuperMag following. Its exceptional accuracy, downrange energy, along with relatively mild recoil makes it an excellent choice for long range target work as well as hunting.

[Jody] While my experience with the SuperMag revolvers is limited I enjoy shooting my .357 SuperMag over the 445 SuperMag.  The recoil of the .357 SuperMag is very manageable in the Dan Wesson and a pleasure to shoot.

[Phil] I enjoy the .414 Supermag because I like the .41 caliber in general.  I also enjoy the uncommonness of the caliber.  There is a certain mystique about the caliber and it is the most collectible of the four regular production Supermag calibers.

[Grant] As of today, my favorite is the .375 SuperMag. To me, it has that perfect combination of weight vs. recoil, and it hits the target HARD!

[Dean] My favorite Dan Wesson SuperMag is my 740-V8S. It was my first Dan Wesson, and I purchased it new in 1986. My first ever perfect 40×40 score with a revolver was shot with this gun in 1988, and it was also the first shot by a Kentucky resident.

What caliber would you like to see a modern Dan Wesson SuperMag type revolver chambered in?

[Jody] From a commercial standpoint I think it would be wise for Dan Wesson to introduce new SuperMag revolvers chambered for both the .500 S&W and .460 S&W

[Grant] Something larger than anything else currently available…just because they can!

[Mike] I’d like to see the other 2 calibers that Gates designed; .505 and .610

[Dean] I would like to see one made in a .32 SuperMag version

[Larry] Mostly I would like to see the production of the existing calibers/models to resume. However I also would be interested something along the 32 caliber line. And of course while it has been beaten to death lately, who wouldn’t want the biggest and most powerful, a 50+ caliber

[Phil] The Gates family had spent some time developing a .32 caliber Supermag that never attained a production status.  I think that would be a great new offering.  There was also a .505 in the development stages that never hit the lines either, that would be one large caliber to compete with the 500 S&W and the Freedom arms 500 WE.

Is there anything else that is important for us to know about Dan Wesson SuperMag revolvers?

[Dean] Dan Wesson worked with IHMSA to constantly improve their products. Many other revolver makers chose not to listen to the steel shooters who wanted to use their products. As a result, Dan Wesson revolvers dominated silhouette competition for many years. Dan Wesson revolvers and IHMSA will forever be tied together

[Phil] With the interchangeability of the barrels I believe they are an overlooked solution to the market of handgun hunters who look for the longer barreled “big guns” that are accepting of great optics and at the same time able to accept the 4″ barrel for those wishing to pack a lot of punch for the backpack or small holster gun in bear country

[Larry] Dan Wesson revolvers were way ahead of their time in both accuracy and innovation. Dan Wesson simply produced the finest double action revolver ever.  The firearms world is lacking for the dedication of Daniel Wesson, to simply building the best and not the most

[Grant] Yes…once you own one, you will want all four!

[Jody] I think it should be mentioned that Dan Wesson was the first firearms company to manufacture production revolvers for the SuperMag cartridges. There’s currently a lot of hype about Smith & Wesson’s X-Frame revolvers but Dan Wesson was producing Big Bore handguns 2 decades before its introduction.

[Mike] They are great fun to shoot

We hope you have enjoyed and been enlightened by our discussion of the Dan Wesson SuperMag Revolvers. You are invited to visit the Dan Wesson Forum www.danwessonforum.com for a more interactive discussion of the Dan Wesson Firearms Story.

IHMSA, the International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association,  is the main governing body for this sport, and it’s sole purpose is to promote knocking down metallic targets with handguns. The game originated in Mexico, where guests at local ranches got together to shoot rifles at live animals tethered at varying distances  to provide food for the afternoon’s feast. The sport eventually evolved into the current crop of steel targets shaped like game animals, specifically chickens, pigs, turkeys and rams, from 200 meters out to 500 meters, shot offhand. Some owners of large caliber handguns, particularly Lee Jurras and the Club de AutoMag, got together in the mid 70’s and decided to try shooting these targets at shorter distances out to 200 meters, something a little more fun than shooting at paper with these big magnums. Since this is a revolver forum, we‘ll leave the rifles out.

Silhouette was originally a center fire handgun sport only, but over the years  has evolved to include just about anything you might own in a pistol. The targets are approximately life-size and are placed at various distances. The chicken is at 50 meters, the pig (more like a wild boar) is at 100 meters, the turkey is at 150 meters and the ram (desert bighorn sheep) at an eye-straining 200 meters. The targets are made of hardened steel to prevent cratering and are very heavy…the chicken weighs about 25 pounds, while the ram weighs 50-55 pounds. As such, it takes a fairly powerful caliber to reliably knock over the rams.

How Do We Play The Game?

Handgun silhouette is a very simple game…seemingly too simple. All you have to do is fire a shot at the target and knock it over. That’s it…no scoring rings, no measuring group sizes and no extra points for hitting it dead-center.  Knock it off the stand and it counts, miss it and you go on to the next one. A normal match consists of 40 targets, 10 of each animal at it’s respective distance, and you start at the closest one, the chicken. You’ll have either a bank of 5 or 10 chickens, depending on the range setup, and you shoot the left one first, working your way to the right, one target at a time. Oh, yeah…you only get one shot per target. If you hit the target, and it falls, you score an “X” on the score card. Miss it, and you score a “O”, then go on to the next target…you don’t get additional shots until you connect. At the end of the 40-round match, add up all your “X’s” for your score. Hit 23 targets and you get a 23×40. The shooter with the highest score wins…but there are caveats we’ll get into later. Larger championship matches shoot 60 or 80 targets.

Simple right? We’ll add a bit of pressure to you in the form of a time limit. You get 2 minutes for a bank of 5 targets, that equates to 24 seconds per shot. Seems short, but in reality is plenty of time to fire and reload any single-shot handgun. You just can’t go to sleep on the firing line…after all, other shooters are waiting their turn to shoot! Once you’re on the line, you’ll be given a “Load” command, during which you’ll have 30 seconds to load, adjust your sights and position, or dry-fire if you want, before the “Fire” command. After your 2-minute firing period is over, a “Cease Fire” command is given, a short break is allowed if necessary to reset the targets, then, after another  30-second loading period is called, your second bank of targets is fired upon. Upon completing your 10 shots, you will move to the next position, the pigs, and repeat the process until 40 rounds is fired. Takes about 30-40 minutes per entry.

What if you don’t know where your shots are going? Before you fire for score, you can shoot the sight-in targets, 5 shots at any or all animals in one 2-minute period, to check if you’re zeroed in. Usually, each shooter will have a partner with a spotting scope, or binoculars, and timer to tell you where your hits and misses are going and help you keep track of the remaining time. After your match is over, you’ll swap duties.

How accurate do you have to be? Although the targets look really small out there, especially at 200 meters, you really don’t need a tack-driving load. The chicken at 50M has about a 5” diameter body, not counting the head, tail, or leg. If you can keep your shots within 2.5” from center, you’ll hit it every time. The hardest target is the turkey at 150M, due to the distance and irregular shape, but even that has about an 8” diameter body zone. However, throw in a little misalignment in your sights, unsteadiness in your position, a bit of wind and you can see where a more accurate load would be beneficial to help cover up your errors…and you will make some of those. Remember when we said all you have to do is knock down the target? Just connect anywhere, if it goes down, it counts. You don’t have to center-punch each target, hits in the head, beak, leg, or tail all count if it falls…even ricochet hits count. Bounce the bullet off the dirt in front of the target, hit the target and knock it down, and it’s ok…just don’t count on that happening often!

The key is knocking the target over…if you hit it, and it doesn’t fall, it won’t count, even if it’s hit dead center. That’s where the more powerful loads come into play, especially on the rams. Remember, they weigh 50+ pounds. It takes a pretty good wallop with a heavy bullet, especially after losing velocity over 200 meters, to reliably take down a ram. What’s the minimum? Depends on the range and targets. Some ranges have auto-reset targets. These are a bit easier to knock over with lighter loads. Other ranges with free-standing targets may require a bit more due to warped stands, bent targets, or targets not set properly. A .357 Magnum with 180 grain bullets should be ok. Sometimes, 158 grain loads on auto-reset targets will work, but you might ring a few rams (leave them standing when hit, and they produce a nice, metallic ring that alerts the rest of the shooters to your dilemma). For center fire rifle-type cartridges, 6mm or larger, using 100 grain bullets or heavier will work fine. The .22 center fire’s just don’t have the bullet weight and many of them can do target damage also, due to their much higher velocity.

Who Do I Compete Against?

Earlier, we said that the shooter with the highest “X” count wins. Well, there are some exceptions, and that is one of the things that makes silhouette so enjoyable. There is a ranking system in effect to even out the playing field. Unlike many other shooting sports, where only the best shooter takes all the money and prizes and the rest of them go home with empty wallets, silhouette was made for the average guy. Not everyone can practice daily, or has unlimited funds to spend on the most expensive guns, so you are ranked according to your skill level. The first time you shoot, your initial score establishes your class. Let’s say you are a pretty good handgunner already, practice often and know your gun and load well. You try silhouette and shoot a score of 18×40 with your .357 Magnum revolver. That puts you in AA class, which means you’ll be shooting against only those shooters who get scores between 18-23. (The classes are C, B, A, AA, AAA, INT from the lowest to the highest.) You’re not competing against the top shooter at the local match…he’s in a different, higher class. You might be shooting NEXT to him on the firing line, but you’re not shooting AGAINST him. You’re also not going to beat up on the guys in the lower classes who only average 11-17 targets. That wouldn’t be fair either.

This is the beauty of silhouette…every shooter has an equal chance to win his class. As your skills progress, and you start shooting higher scores, there’s a system that enables you to advance to higher classes, where you’re still competing against your peers.  Two scores above your current class within a year, and you move up to that level.

Shooting Positions

There are basically two positions used in silhouette…standing and freestyle. Your preference. Standing is exactly what you would expect. Stand up and shoot like a man! (no offense to women) You can shoot with one or both hands, but no leaning on anything. Hold the gun out in front of you, but don’t rest your arms or elbows on your body for support. This is absolutely the toughest position, and the standing class scores are lower than the rest to compensate for the difficulty…and no one has shot a 40×40 with iron sights, standing, ever. There is also a Taco-style hold, where the gun is placed close to your eyes with the off-hand wrapped over the top, just like holding on to a taco, that is a bit more specialized.

The other position is called freestyle, and it means exactly that. Do whatever you want, as long as no part of the gun comes into contact with a solid object, like the firing line or shooting table. Sit, kneel, or shoot prone, all are ok. The most common, and the weirdest looking, is called creedmore, but it is extremely stable, near benchrest in solidity, and very effective. To get into this position, sit facing the target, lie back down, bring your knees up and together with your feet spread apart, forming a triangle with your legs. Grab the gun, rest it on the side of your calf and hip, with your elbow on the ground. This also forms a triangle for solidity. Now take your non-shooting hand, reach around behind your head and place it on the shooting mat. Rest your head on the forearm. Adjust your body’s position until the sights align with the target.  Feels a bit uncomfortable, and it certainly looks strange, but you’ll soon get used to it and abandon any other shooting positions. You must be absolutely certain about where the muzzle is, so adjust your legs as necessary to clear the barrel.

Even this position is not cast in stone. There are many variables, so use whatever is comfortable for you. Best to get an experienced silhouette shooter to assist you when you start. That’s the other thing that makes silhouette competition so great…go to a match, and within minutes, shooters will introduce themselves, answer your questions, even offer you guns and ammo to try! Steel shooters are the most friendly bunch I’ve ever encountered, no matter what range you visit. They’ll give you the shirt off their back, share all their secrets, and help you do your best, even if doing so allows you to beat them.

What Guns Do I Need?

There is so much diversity in silhouette, that virtually any handgun you own has a place to shoot.

The center fire version was the original, known as Big Bore, shot out to 200 meters. Any bottleneck or straight-wall cartridges are allowed, factory or hand-loaded. Target damage is the only concern here, so a muzzle velocity of 2500 fps or less is usually required.

Got a .22? Of course, everyone does! The .22, or Smallbore category is shot on reduced  3/8^th-scale targets  at 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards. Only .22LR ammo is allowed, but the targets go down easily, as they are much lighter and thinner. Standard  velocity ammo works fine, and is preferred due to less wind drift over the high-velocity stuff.

How about a 4” .357 Magnum revolver, maybe a 9mm or .45 Colt? Field Pistol is the best place for you, using half-size targets that are slightly larger and thicker than the smallbore ones, shot at the same distances out to 100 yards. This is the place for your standard straight-wall pistol and revolver cartridges with a maximum length of 1.29”…the case length of the .357 Magnum. A few exceptions include the .32-20, .25-20, .22 Hornet, .270 REN and .22 Magnum Rimfire as additional cartridges. Many shooters also use .22LR, but sometimes the rams and even pigs can remain standing after a decent hit, due to the heavier-gage steel.

Think the Big Bore targets are too easy? Try your hand at Half-Scale. The same half-size targets as the Field Pistol ones, only placed at the Big Bore distances of 50, 100, 150 and 200M. Same cartridge restrictions as Big Bore, only here, the .22 center fires can be effective, as the target weight is no longer a factor. The faster .22’s can be downloaded with heavier bullets to prevent target damage.

The Ultimate challenge is the One-Fifth Scale Rimfire targets. These are basically half-size Rimfire targets placed at the normal Rimfire distances out to 100 yards. This one requires a very accurate gun/ammo combination to compete with the best shooters, but it is still a lot of fun.

What if I have a scope on my gun? Fear not, we have many places for those too. IHMSA started as an iron-sight only competition, but as the shooters aged, and their eyesight deteriorated, many dropped out because they could no longer focus on iron sights and long-distance targets. Scopes were allowed in the hopes of getting these shooters back, and providing a place for the handgun hunters to shoot. Gradually, scopes have been incorporated into all disciplines. It worked…they are the most popular competitions today, and not just for the older guys either! Any scope or red-dot sight can be used…no limit on magnification.

What Category Do I Shoot In?

IHMSA has broken down the gun classification into two basic types…Production and Unlimited. Production is just what it sounds like…any handgun as it comes from the factory with a few limits: barrel length maximum of 10.75 inches, weight 4 pounds with iron sights, 5 pounds with scopes, and no bolt-actions. Sights can be replaced with manufacturer’s catalog items, as well as grips. Trigger jobs may be performed.

Unlimited has some…limits, not exactly as it’s name suggests. Maximum barrel length and sight radius is 15”, weight 6 pounds with iron sights, 7 pounds with scopes. Bolt-actions and single-shots are the norm, although you can also shoot that 4” Smith & Wesson if you want to. This is the place where those who like to tinker with guns can play.

These are the basic two, although there are some additions. There are also Standing and Revolver categories. Standing is shot with guns meeting the Production rules, as is Revolver. Revolver was broken away from Production years ago, when it became apparent they couldn’t compete on an equal basis with the single-shot pistols.  Given the quality and accuracy of the Freedom Arms revolvers, I’m not so sure about that statement anymore!

Scopes can be added to the Standing, Unlimited and Field Pistol categories, and these become known as Any Sight, as in Unlimited Any Sight, for instance. You MAY use a scope in these competitions, although you aren’t REQUIRED to use one…iron sights are also allowed. The deviates like myself just love to use iron-sighted guns to beat up on the scope guys.

Conclusion

Wow…seems like a lot of info, but it’s really quite simple. Show up at a match and you’ll get all the help you need. Check out the IHMSA website…there’s a ton of stuff there. There are a lot of pics from the Internationals that show shooting positions and equipment. It really is a great way to spend an afternoon outdoors, shooting those favorite handguns on some challenging, reactive targets. There’s the smoke and noise, the recoil, the clang of steel, or the puff of dirt from the misses…makes a great spectator sport! Just let any shooter clean the first 4 targets on his last bank of rams, and all eyes will be on him, usually with the clock ticking down to the final seconds, to see if he gets them all. Don’t be intimidated…you won’t get them all the first time out, but you will have fun! I only shot 3×40 on my first attempt, but it was the most fun I ever had. And let me tell you…the first time you tag a ram at 200M with that 4” Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum…you’ll be hooked for life! Come on out and slam some steel!

http://www.ihmsa.org                                         International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association

Although Dan Wesson Arms is known for revolvers (and later 1911 semi-auto pistols) the first firearms to bear the Dan Wesson name were a series of shotguns and air rifles imported by Dan Wesson in 1969, manufactured by firearms giant Brno Works of Czechoslovakia. The first Dan Wesson revolver premiered in 1969 at the NSGA show in Houston.  The first production revolvers shipped in August 1970, and were known as the Model (or W) 11 (fixed sight) and Model/W 12 (adjustable sight), retailing for $110. The Model 11/12 series featured an external barrel nut, “porkchop” style shrouds, and large, crudely manufactured sights, but included the revolutionary interchangeable barrel/shroud design. Production quickly moved to the Dan Wesson owned facility in a converted schoolhouse in Monson, MA. Dan Wesson Firearms capitalized on the unique interchangeable barrel design by offering Pistol Packs, packaged in a fitted case with a variety of barrel/shrouds and grips.

In September 1971 the recessed barrel nut debuted with the 14/15 Series. While the most visible difference was the lack of external barrel nut, the 14/15 began several years of continuous refinement, reflecting many running design and production changes. Models 14-1/15-1 incorporated new sights, extractor rod, cylinder latch, and numerous production refinements. The -1 series was essentially a “research and development” phase of the classic -2 series of Dan Wesson revolvers.

The most noticeable change in the 14-2/15-2 series of revolvers, introduced in early 1975, was the elimination of the footed “porkchop” shroud. The straight shroud allowed much simpler production, from cold drawn bar stock, of barrel/shroud lengths up to 15”, in a variety of styles (V, H, VH, etc.). Other changes included a transition of some internal parts originally manufactured from sintered (molded, powdered steel) metal to cold drawn steel, allowing for a more durable and “fittable” action. Many components (trigger, hammer, hand, etc) were redesigned to be more durable and functional. Marketing of Dan Wesson revolvers of this era focused heavily on the Pistol Packs, which included embroidered patches and belt buckles. With minimal changes, the -2 series continued in production for 30 years, through several company ownership and management changes.

In November 1978 Dan Wesson Arms in particular and the firearms industry in general were dealt a blow with the death of Dan Wesson. Production of Dan Wesson revolvers continued, and in late 1980 the Large Frame revolvers were introduced, initially in .44 Magnum. The Large Frame Dan Wesson helped popularize the revolutionary SuperMag cartridges developed by Elgin Gates, and established an era of long range revolver shooting. Dan Wesson revolvers soon defined and dominated metallic silhouette shooting, and were produced in a wide range of cartridges.

The 1980’s were turbulent times for Dan Wesson Arms, with significant financial and management re-organizations. In August 1982, the Stainless Steel Model 715 was introduced in .357 Magnum, a development that reportedly would have been opposed by Dan Wesson. Stainless models quickly proliferated, from .22 Long Rifle through the Large Frame/SuperMag models. In 1983 Dan Wesson Arms re-organized as Wesson Firearms, under the continuing management of Seth and Carol Wesson. In 1992 manufacturing and management operations relocated to Palmer, MA. Although the great era of innovation was over, production of classic Dan Wesson revolvers continued. In 1992, fixed barrel revolvers were introduced to compete with Smith & Wesson and Ruger in an increasingly price conscious marketplace. The company continued to struggle financially, and quality is reputed to have suffered through the entire era after Dan Wesson’s death, a perception that is largely unfounded.

In 1996, the Wesson Firearms brand was purchased by Bob Serva, who renamed the company Dan Wesson Firearms and relocated to Norwich, NY. The factory was retooled with modern CNC machining equipment, and in December 1997 the first of the “new” Dan Wesson revolvers shipped from the NYI/Dan Wesson factory. In 1999, the Dan Wesson Pointman (Government) 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol in .45 ACP was introduced, followed closely by the Guardian (Commander) 1911. The Dan Wesson 1911’s were originally produced in Stainless Steel, and were assembled from frames and slides produced in the Norwich facility, fitted with top quality components from a variety of premiere quality 1911 manufacturers. Dan Wesson 1911’s have developed a reputation as excellently manufactured production pistols, and are prized in the 1911 community for factory fit and finish.

In early 2005, CZ-USA purchased the rights and manufacturing facilities of Dan Wesson Firearms. Revolver manufacture was continued for several years, with a focus on large caliber revolvers, notably the Alaskan Guide Series. Revolvers are no longer manufactured by CZ-USA, however excellent factory support for parts and service continues, as does an active catalogue of 1911 models of very high production quality.

BARREL INTERCHANGEABILITY: Dan Wesson revolvers were designed and manufactured to allow for easy interchange of barrel length and shroud type. Barrels and shrouds were manufactured in lengths from 2” to 15”, in various shroud configurations including Vent Rib and Heavy underlug. Barrels and shrouds are easily changed via a special “barrel nut” that is unscrewed, allowing the shroud to slide off, after which the barrel is unscrewed from the frame. A new barrel is then screwed into the frame, a new shroud slides over the barrel, and the barrel nut is tightened into place. The entire barrel/shroud interchange process takes 1-2 minutes, and is accomplished with the use of a special Barrel Wrench, supplied with each revolver.

ACCURACY: The Dan Wesson barrel/shroud design is inherently very accurate. In effect, the barrel is tensioned equally at the muzzle and frame, and free floats in the shroud. The barrel is less affected by heat expansion, and is essentially secured between two points (similar to a fine stringed musical instrument) rather than just one point, at the frame. This tensioned design keeps the muzzle more rigidly aligned with the frame/cylinder, resulting in more consistent accuracy. The cylinder latch on a Dan Wesson revolver is located on the cylinder crane, at the front of the cylinder. This allows the cylinder to be more precisely aligned with the barrel than is possible with the more common practice of locking the cylinder into the frame at the rear of the cylinder. Dan Wesson revolvers consistently have a very smooth action, with a light, crisp trigger break in both single and double action.

MODULAR DESIGN: The design of the Dan Wesson revolver allows for a greater flexibility than any other revolver. In addition to the easy interchange of barrel/shroud combinations, the front sights are available in multi color inserts and configurations, again easily and quickly changed with the tool provided. It is possible with a Dan Wesson revolver to change the grip configuration rapidly, and the selection of grip styles ranges from Target, Combat, and Presentation in both wood and rubber in many sizes. Inletted wood “blanks” are available to allow the shooter to craft a custom grip.

CALIBER: The modular design of Dan Wesson revolvers allows for the availability of a wide range of calibers. Two basic frame styles are available and the “Small Frame” and “Large Frame” revolvers accommodate cartridges from .22 Long Rifle through .460 Rowland. The flexibility and strength of the Dan Wesson platform was instrumental in the development of the legendary SuperMag cartridges by Elgin Gates, and Dan Wesson revolvers are considered to be the perfect revolver for accurate long range and Silhouette shooting.

PISTOL PACKS: Dan Wesson revolvers were sold as individual handguns, and in Pistol Packs. The Pistol Pack consisted of a Dan Wesson revolver sold in a specially fitted “brief case” along with several barrel/shroud assemblies, additional grips, colored front sight options, and special premiums (embroidered patches, belt buckles, etc.). Additional barrel/shrouds, grips, and sights were readily available from the factory, and aftermarket manufacturers (Millet, Pachmayr, and Hogue to name a few) had/have readily available accessories.

Dan Wesson revolvers are legendary for quality craftsmanship, and blue versions are particularly noted for a deep “mirror-like” finish. The Dan Wesson story embodies the Golden Age of American Firearms development and manufacture, and is the epitome of American manufacturing innovation and excellence.

• To celebrate the history and legacy of Dan Wesson firearms
• To collect and preserve factual information about Dan Wesson firearms
• To serve as a resource for fellow collectors and shooters of Dan Wesson firearms
• To promote the shooting sports in general, and to preserve our Right To Keep and Bear Arms

The classic Dan Wesson firearms are no longer manufactured, and we embrace our mission to preserve the heritage of this innovative and adaptable firearm. We are pleased to have you join us in preserving an irreplaceable chapter in American Firearms History.