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February 1, 2010
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A little background. I’ve been competing since high school, and am now 52 with a decent list of competitive rifle and pistol accomplishments. My most recent foray started three years ago with Bullseye, where I’ve been shooting a 1979 Hammerli 215 (absolutely amazing gun, especially for the money). I have 26 of 30 points needed to become Rimfire Distinguished, but wanted to give the beloved Hammerli a break. So decided to shoot Dan Wesson revolvers this fall/winter in Bullseye, while also shooting Bianchi Cup with two S&W revolvers (tricked out PPC Model 10 with red dot, and tuned iron sighted 617). I’ve always loved revolvers, but haven’t competed with them much, and never at 50 yards, so this should be interesting.
Earlier this year I picked up a very nice Dan Wesson 22 off of Gunbroker, it has an 8” V barrel and was built ironically right around the same time as the Hammerli. I installed an EWK front sight, a target rear sight, and a new CZ mainspring (was getting light strikes, the new mainspring fixed that). I shoot single action for timed and rapid fire. With new mainspring my SA trigger pull sits at a clean 3 pounds, I can deal with that. Planning to use the OEM wood grips. This 22 seems to be very accurate and instantly I was shooting 99’s in Timed Fire practice. My only concern so far is with the long barrel…it feels heavy, but I hope that helps build shoulder strength through the fall and winter.
For revolver Distinguished matches I picked up a new CZ 6” 357 VH barrel and shroud. I had initially planned for an original Dan Wesson 6” 357 barrel AND a new CZ barrel, with plans to shoot them side by side to compare accuracy, but I have many irons in the fire, and money is therefore always tight, so I ended up buying a Model 15 frame only from a very kind & helpful forum member. Let’s hope the CZ barrel shoots well. Purely by chance the Dan Wesson 15 frame was also built around 1980, maybe 81 or 82. Installed EWK front sight, target rear on this one too, and a Zebrawood grip because you have to stay classy. SA trigger pull is 2 lb 6 oz, which is below the 2.5 lb minimum; hoping a new mainspring lifts that into legal territory (the 22’s trigger pull increased by approz 4 oz with the new mainspring). I haven’t shot this one yet because I’m low on bullets, and just ditched the Lee Factory Crimp die in favor of a Redding micrometer crimp die. Planning for 38 Specials only, and will push Zero 148 wadcutters for 25 yards, and Zero 158 SWC for 50 yards, ignited by Federal primers, and for powder either Bullseye, VV N310 or 320, or Ramshot Competition (this powder shoots more accurately out of my Bianchi Cup revolver than any other powder).
As for accessories I’m using Speed Beez ammo cases, and HKS speedloaders.
I thought it might be educational and/or entertaining to periodically check in here and tell you how my Bullseye shooting with Dan Wessons is going. I hope to learn, and share whatever I glean from this journey. Obviously I’m a shooter and not a collector.
Here’s proud father pictures of my Dan Wesson beauties.
February 16, 2016
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I used to compete in ICORE and ironically performed better with the 6" than the 8".
October 18, 2017
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For me, it becomes a trade off; longer sight radius vs unwieldy balance. I’ll take the better balance every time. A four inch barreled revolver balances nearly as well as a six depending on configuration and heft. Also, as I’ve aged I find it more difficult to see the sights clearly. The shorter sight radius helps a little.
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