The gunshop i bought my new 686 from about a month ago had something that intrigued me a little bit. A Dan Wesson .357, 6". I have read a little bit of general info about it on the net, and the gunshop owner said they were a very descent handgun. This one appeared to be in excellent shape from what i could see in the glass case without handling it. And if i recall correctly, I think it was priced around 300 bucks. I was just wondering what opinions are held of this piece, or Dan Wesson handguns in general. Should i go see if its still there? Or forget i ever noticed it? Thanks!

Dan Wessons especially the older ones are very underrated! The model 15 was there bread n butter target sighted .357 revolver, and are very accurate due to the way the barrel is attached at both ends. See part of DWs appeal was that you could change barrels, i.e. you could go from a snub to a six inch hunting gun by just swapping barrels and re-sighting them in.
The trigger actions are "different" due to a short lock time.
I had a 744, a stainless .44 Magnum with a 4 inch barrel and it was very accurate!
All I can tell you is if your interested go back and play with it! Check the timing (a little secret here, there's an Allen head screw on the right side of the frame jus behind the recoil shield, I read that if you tighten it it will fix timing issues) and overall fit and finish. I think CZ is still handling them but I don't know about spare parts. They made good guns back in the 70s and 80s! The new I don't know. Dale

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

CZ/DW has spare parts as well as barrels, shrouds and tools.

The 715 is back in the catalog.

I had a 15VH and three barrel assemblies, which I never should have sold to a friend.

I would forget I ever noticed it. Not trying to offend any DW lovers but once you bought it it's yours, you cant give those things away!

I own a 15-2 VH 6". It's from the Monson, Mass. era, which is supposedly when some of the best ones were made.
I started having light strikes occasionally, so I parked it. I need to order the spring kit from CZ and get it back on the road.

I owned an early 15VH Pistol Pac. The gun shot well and I had no complaints - except for the cyl release being forward of the cyl. Cuts down reload speed and, eventually, I sold it. As stated above: I had a hard time selling mine.

The guns made in "Monson" are the ones to look for. I had a M22 (.22) with 4 and 6" barrels and I collected a few grips for it. Well made guns that have developed a following, so prices are up.

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SOS USA

Not sure about the "can't get rid of it" quotes. Around East Tennessee, I haven't even seen one at a gun show in years. Everybody that had one is keeping it. They basically owned IHMSA for many years, and had an excellent reputation for accuracy.

I'd happily buy one for $300 if it is in good shape, particularly in .357 magnum. They had a Pistol Pac I believe they called it, with several different lengths of barrel and shroud. Wish I had bought one when they were available.

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I hope I copied that right

If you've got one to give away, I'll take it.

S&W doesn't currently make a revolver that I'd accept as a gift, nevermind spend upwards of $1,000 for.

The Dan Wesson does what I want in the way that I want it done.

I do not have one of their revolvers but have seen and shot one. I do have a older DW Pointman 7 Major 1911 and it is one of the best guns I own. The folks at DW are also very nice and helpful and always call you back.

If I had a chance to buy the revolver I would jump on it.

As CMORT, stated they are making it again and is the 2011 catalog.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I just sold a DW 15-2 in the box, papers, and 2 extra grips. 6 inch vent heavy barrel, Monson made, 97% on Gunbroker $355 plus shipping. Real nice gun, just like older Smiths better. Barrel assemblies are real pricey if you want to switch lengths. Accurate guns, parts are available from CZ/Dan Wesson.
On the Dan Wesson that is having light strikes make sure that the mainspring seat is tight enough, the grip screw screws into the mainspring seat and can come loose when changing grips.
I put the money in the gun fund, and bought a 649-3 that hasn't arrived yet from Bud's.

I own 3 DW revolvers...1 .357 & 2 .44s. I've owned 1 of the .44s since about 1988. I love them all, they're great shooters.

I understand the notion of the value/resale of the Dan Wessons, to an extent. Certainly the DW aren't as sought after as most S&W. There aren't as many people who are as aware of the quality of the DW revolvers, so of course there's less interest.

I remember when I bought my first DW back in '88, I found it at a gunshow for $350 with a 8" Heavy Vent Rib bbl and a 6" Standard Vent Rib bbl with factory porting and a ported shroud...and I'd asked a dealer friend of mine for his opinion. He advised against it, because they didn't bring much money. I bought it anyway (maybe I did pay too much for that time) and I've never regretted it. It's exceptionally accurate, and a lot of fun to shoot.

If that DW is in decent shape and mechanically sound, $300 sounds like a great deal. At that price, even if you don't like it, you should be able to turn it around without too much trouble...likely even make a few bucks.

Tim

I love dan wesson's, almost as much as smith and wessons. I just purchased a pistol pack, just have to wait to get it out of jail. It is unfired at this time.

Shooting, that is the Pistol Pac I want! Dang it!

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I hope I copied that right

I had one of the early ones in .22lr. It was a very well built gun. I did have to replace the cylinder hand spring. The tip of it wore in half. I didn't keep it long. I already had a couple of K22s so I sold it.

I recently bought a '79 vintage 4" blue 15-2. Too beautiful to pass up. My knowledge of DW is basically "good quality, undervalued."

Being in the People's Republik I still have about 30 days till I take posession...

I am not very happy about them. They look great I admit. But the material is at least not that good, and I dont even mention the construction of it.

I'd like to hear upon what this is based. In my experience, they are constructed from high quality materials, and have excellent fit and finish.

Do you have personal experience with the DW revolvers? What occurred to cause you to say this?

Tim

A friend once had a Dan Wesson .445 Supermag and I did some reloading for it. It was the most inferior revolver I have ever seen. The chambers were bored so poorly that you could read the reamer marks on all the fired brass, and I was loading nowhere near maximum loads. The hammer and trigger were made of some kind of questionable material; MIM parts would've been a significant upgrade.

I have never seen any Dan Wesson revolver for which I'd be willing to pay $300.

Dave Sinko

IIRC the Palmer guns had some quality control problems.