Dan Wesson revolvers have a cult-like following in the DA revolver community. Dan Wesson never had the wide acceptance that S&W, Colt or even Ruger enjoyed, but their followers are a devoted bunch. There are good reasons for those devoted followers of the DW brand.
The engineering that went into the Dan Wesson DA revolvers was a big part of this respect. The guns are strong and have reliable actions. The use of the “Peg” style grip frame and the coil spring type hammer spring pre-date Ruger’s use of those features. The crane mounted cylinder latch provides for a very strong lock-up. Of course, the barrel system is perhaps the most notable departure from the conventional revolver barrel mounting style of the day. Interestingly, the current crop of S&W DA revolvers has embraced this barrel shroud and tensioned barrel system. (albeit not readily removeable like most DW’s).
Early in the history of the Dan Wesson company, they scored a minor victory over S&W and Colt. In the early 1970’s, Dan Wesson was added to the short list of approved revolvers that NYPD recruits could purchase as duty weapons. To secure this contract, Dan Wesson had to create a special model. The NYPD model was chambered in 38 Special, NYPD never authorized .357 magnum. The barrel was “fixed” and essentially non-removable (although it could be removed by an armorer if a replacement barrel nut was available). This Dan Wesson model was the Model 11. The two other approved revolvers during that time frame were the S&W Model 10 and the Colt Metropolitan MKIII.
From all accounts I’ve read and from personal conversations with retired NYPD officers, it is clear the Dan Wesson model 11 was not popular in NYPD service and the Dan Wesson revolvers were exceedingly rare amongst the duty guns of the era. However, this did give Dan Wesson some much needed exposure in the early days of the company’s existence. Some reports indicate the model 11 was very accurate and completely reliable, just not as popular as the S&W Model 10.
There are numerous legends as to why Dan Wesson was put on the NYPD approved gun list in the first place and most of the accounts are dubious, at best. I’ve heard several different theories and while some seem plausible, none can be confirmed. In any event, Dan Wesson’s days on that list were short. When the Ruger Service-Six chambered in 38 Special was added to the list, the fate of Dan Wesson’s relationship with the NYPD was sealed.
It's an interesting side note in the history of DW.
JonB - COOL GUNS!