Dan Wesson Revolver (.357 magnum)
 

The most unusual and noticeable feature of the ASG Dan Wesson revolver is its use of BB holders (styled like centerfire cartridges). This makes the operation of the revolver very similar to the firearm on which it is modeled, right down to the use of speedloaders for loading the gun. To load a BB, press the BB into the front of the holder until it seats firmly. Once you have six holders loaded, place them into the speedloader. Press in on the handle of the speedloader and twist it clockwise. This locks the holders into the loader. To load the cylinder, press forward on the cylinder release and open the cylinder. Push the speedloader into the cylinder and the holders (cartridges) will release from the loader. Holders can also be loaded into the cylinder one at a time by hand. To eject holders from the cylinder, push in on the ejection rod. This will lift all six holders clear of the frame so they can be removed. To load a CO2 cartridge, slide the grip panel back, insert a cartridge and tighten the piercing screw. Do not over tighten. As usual, it is good practice to put a drop of Pellgun Oil on the tip of the cartridge prior to installing. A gas saving feature in the design of this revolver is the use of a spring loaded barrel that contains a tapered end that fits snugly into each chamber of the cylinder. As the cylinder rotates, the barrel moves forward until the tapered end (this would be called the forcing cone on a firearm) snaps into the next chamber. This design not only conserves gas, but it also assists in locking the cylinder in place for each shot. The potential downside of this design is that since the barrel is able to move, gas pressure could force the barrel to move forward during firing resulting in a loss of accuracy.

The ASG Dan Wesson Revolver is a large imposing BB gun that is a lot of fun to shoot. Due to its use of cartridge-style BB holders, its operation comes closer to simulating the action of a centerfire revolver than any CO2-powered airgun ever made. Although the Dan Wesson 8" revolver exhibits good accuracy for a BB gun, it is not as good as I had hoped for given its 7-3/4" barrel. I am not a big fan of sliding grip panels, like those used on this gun, because they are easily damaged when opened and usually result in a "loose grip" feel when closed. A big gun like this needs solid feeling grips. All-in-all though, this is a fine airgun and makes an excellent target pistol, plinker, or firearm trainer. Purchase extra cartridges and speedloaders - you'll shoot this gun a lot.

Pyramyd Air Report on Dan Wesson Revolver (Part 1)
Pyramyd Air Report on Dan Wesson Revolver (Part 2)
Pyramyd Air Report on Dan Wesson Revolver (Part 3)
ASG 2010 Catalog (.pdf)
Owner's Manual for Dan Wesson Revolver (.jpg)
Exploded Parts Diagram for Dan Wesson Revolver (.jpg)

Performance: Measurements were made on 3/10/2011 at a temperature of 72 ºF and 5000' elevation. A ten shot string was fired from a bench rest at 15' using RWS Match BBs (5.4 gr). The highest velocity measured was 431 fps, the lowest was 382 fps (average of the 10-shot string was 406 fps, s = 13). The average velocity was right on the advertised value of 407 fps. A five-shot string fired with open sights using Diasy Precision Max BBs grouped at 0.59". Click the thumbnail below to see a larger image. Click here for a description of the measurement methods.

Four different brands of BBs were tested with the Dan Wesson revolver. The targets below show the results for firing five-shot groups from 15' using a bench and open sights with Crosman Copperhead BBs (0.69"), Daisy Avanti BBs (1.08"), Daisy Precision Max BBs (0.59"), and RWS Match Grade BBs (0.62"). Daisy Precision Max BBs produced the best results. All measurements are center-to-center.

The cylinder release button also serves as the safety. When pushed forward, the lever releases the cylinder and when pushed backward the lever engages the safety mechanism.