Amazing Dan Wesson!

[captainwayne]

I had no idea what a Dan Wesson revolver was until I walked into a local gunsmith's shop, and saw this "Pistol Pack" in his display window. After speaking with the gunsmith I learned that it was a high quality revolver, made around 1979, and was possibly the most accurate of them all. On top of that, it had an incredible nickel mirror finish, as good as my Python's at least.
I also learned that you could change barrels in a few minutes, going from a 2 1/2 to 4 to 6 to an 8 inch barrel!
I ended up buying it, as it seemed to be the ultimate revolver. After shooting it, I may sell my new S&W's. I no longer "need" several guns with different barrel lengths.
My next thought was, why doesn't S&W or someone else do something similar? The concept of the same gun, with interchangeable barrels, and all of them with superior accuracy!
I, like most on this forum, have been enamored with the legend and status of owning S&W weapons, so much so that even with all the failures of their new weapons they are still being bought.
After my experiences as well as buying this DW, I'm falling off the S&W wagon, at least the new offerings anyway. The only Smith's I'll buy will be used, and old.

 

[glenwolde]

First, I don't recall ever seeing a nickel one. Hmmm. Could it be polished stainless?

Second, the interchangeability is cool but not quite as handy as it seems. POI will change with every swap and a barrel swap requires a bit of "shooting in" and re-torquing of the barrel nut, and a little sight adjustment.

You don't go to the range with the 6", then go out to dinner that night with the 2 1/2", then back to the range the next day with the 6".

Well, you could probably go to the 2 1/2" for dinner because it would be combat accurate I suppose.

But pretty well-made, nice short DA stroke, and very accurate.

 

[dr. mordo]

I hate to ask but need to know - how much did you pay for that set? I had a buddy with one 20 years ago and coveted it very much.

 

[rwsmith]

The quality is more......

The quality is more important to me than all that interchangeability and the DWs have that in spades.

 

[andyo5]

Dan Wesson revolvers are now in production again. The name was bought by CZ. Not sure where they are made, though.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Dan Wesson is a good quality and accurate gun. The main drawback of them for me is the double action trigger pull. I find the DW da to be heavy and klunky. Most people only shoot DW single action (Metallic Silhouette for example), so it doesn't matter to them. The SA is fine.

I shoot in competitions where it's a big advantage to have a really good DA. The S&W can have the best DA of all the current revos that I have ever shot.

 

[colt_saa]

Congratulations on a fine addition

It looks like one of the previous owners must have spent a nice chunk of change to have that set nickel plated.

I have always been a fan of Dan Wesson revolvers and their legendary accuracy. I own several in 22LR, 357 SuperMag and 41 Magnum

Through the years they were available in blue or stainless. The model numbers were pretty easy. Your revolver would be a Model 15, it's stainless brother would be the 715

Not only could you change barrel length, you could also change barrel profile. There was the standard, vent rib, heavy and vent rib heavy styles. You would use the same barrel and just change the shroud. Your set is of the Vent Rib Heavy profile. Usually abbreviated VH

On the SuperMags, there was even a slotted style to get the weight down below the limit for competition.

I have even put a threaded nut onto my DW22 so I could use a suppressed revolver just like Maxwell Smart

Yes I love my oldies TV Reruns

As already mentioned above, the Dan Wesson short stroke DA is not liked by many S&W folks, so do not be giving up on those Smith and Wessons yet.

I am not too sure when the Dan Wesson patent ran out, but Smith and Wesson has been making very similar revolvers with user removable, tensioned, multi-piece barrels for 10+ years now.

They just have not offered the interchangeable concept to the public. Plus the old Smith and Wesson crowd is slow to accept change

 

[CajunBass]

I've got a Dan Wesson Model 15 on layaway now. Gun looks to have never been fired.

I've owned a couple of DW 22's in the past and ended up selling them due to the weight. A DW is closer to the size of a Smith & Wesson L frame than a K, which is OK for a 357 but makes for a heavy 22. Guns shot great, but back then I was still bumming around in the woods, and the lighter a gun was, the better I liked it.

I was never too impressed with the idea of changing barrels. While great in theory, I've always felt in practice I'd rather have a different gun. I suppose the fact that I like any barrel length as long as it's 4" had something to do with it also. Still, it just seemed like a hassle compared to simply picking up another gun.

Those Pistol Packs are COOL though. I came close to buying one years ago, but it was out of my price range.

 

[silentflyer]

As a long time DW owner, I agree except for the DA trigger pull they are fine handguns. Spotty quality control on some of the guns not made in Monson Ma., but the new CZ offerings are well made.
Thank you D.B. Wesson and Karl Lewis.

 

[hemiram]

I have two .357 DWs, a 715 and a 15-2, and a 44. I like both S&W and DW guns, but if I had to make a choice, if it was one revolver only, my 715 would be it.

 

[stansdds]

Welcome to the Dan Wesson revolver owners club! I currently have only one, a blued 15-2 that wears a 4 inch heavy vent rib barrel. This is second Dan Wesson 15-2 that I have had the pleasure of owning. My experience has been that they double action pull is a little heavy, but much shorter than a S&W pull and the single action trigger is scary crisp. Accuracy in the ones I've owned has been great, capable of much more than the shooter.

Factory nickel plated DW's are rare, but many DW's were sent to refinishers for aftermarket plating. More common are the stainless steel model 715 Dan Wessons.

 

[captainwayne]

Thank you all for the amazing responses. Many of you are the real experts with the DW revolvers no doubt.
I'll attempt to answer some of your replies.
This gun was made according to SN between 1979 and 1982 at Monson factory.
The only barrel that was ever used according to the previous owner is the 4 inch.
I have the warranty card showing February 82 as possible purchase date.
The case says its a bright blue finish.
Previous owner bought the gun nickel plated, stating he thought it may have been a returned to factory nickel job. One of the DW forum men stated that the factory did nickel re finishes, but not usually with the trigger and hammer, unless special request.
It came with all paper work including a brochure stating that this pack is their most expensive, going for over $600 even back then!
They asked $1300 and I didn't argue.
just took it apart to change springs, both trigger and hammer are nickel plated as well.
I'm happy to say that the insides seem like they were never touched, and it's easy to see where the action rubs in places. I'm taking before and after photos for the hell of it before polishing up a bit lightly with Flitz. The DW forum guys were super helpful as well with advice, and strongly saying not to touch sears, or stone anything. I'm with them.
To address the action, I'd say it's different than my Smiths for sure in d/a. In s/a it's short, light and crisp.
One of you mentioned your Smiths having the best d/a, and I'll agree. My best new Smith is a 686 plus "super tuned" which out of the box was equal to my 1980 Python.
In the short time I've had it I'v come to realize that this is a special gun, as I can't find a photo of a nickel 715VH pack other than mine. Finding this one reminds me of what I tell my customers about fishing. I'd rather be lucky than skillful anyday!
Thank you for your input it is greatly appreciated. I think I'm looking for the Super mag next!

 

[captainwayne]

Colt saa;
you have amazing revolvers!
I may be getting hooked!

 

[glenwolde]

...and not to mention that the stud-mounted grip, rather than a conventional frame, allows virtually unlimited grip sizes and shapes.

Yes a S&W will have a better DA. But that's comparing leaf springs to coil. Compared to a contemporary coil spring gun (like maybe a Colt Trooper MKIII) I think their DA off the shelf was just as good. It was much shorter.

But of course a tuned Colt or S&W will be much better. You can tune Dan Wesson too, though that art may be lost to time.

 

[dr. mordo]

I have no idea what the current market value is, but I think you did well at $1300. That's a set that will only grow in value.

 

[Kurusu]

I have one just like the one in the picture below, only difference is it's in .22 Magnum.

 

[RILEY31]

I had a pistol pack and never really liked it.I gave it to my son in law who said he hated it and gave it back to me after a few months,So I traded it off. I just never could get used to the double action pull and the barrel changes are a pain and change the point of aim with every change.Some people love them but they are just not for me.

 

[captainwayne]

Ok, so now I'm in a conundrum. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE MY 686 PLUS, or my 617, or even my 610 with interchangeable barrels. I had no idea Smith did that.
So where is this offered with S&W?
BTW you have amazing revolvers, I did reply that your pics are really increasing my interest in DW revolvers!

 

[Qc Pistolero]

I have one in .357 and one in .44Mag.The blue on both(but more so on the .44)are superb.I don't own a model 27S&W to compare them with but they both surpass my Gold Cup's blue.
As far as the barrel changing option,I like the fact that it is responsible of superior accuracy(i.e.:it will shoot many more loads accurately than a conventionally secured barrel since it is under tension at both ends)but just like a Ferrari,it needs more attention to details(correct gap and some retightening pretty often if you shoot top end loads).
SA is equal to my worked over S&Ws but a little less than my 1956 Python.In any case,in my book,that's a very high note.
Da,well,I've been raised on S&Ws,so I'm not used to the short pull of the DW.But I like it;I kind of refer to it more like my Python's stacking up than to my S&W progressive action.
Long story short,in .357 suit,I will choose my S&W.But in 44Mag,I'll take my DW.If made in Monson,their quality is A1.
Qc

 

[Mike0251]

What a fantastic score! You did very well sir. I have owned a couple and had one that I bought with a frozen barrel bushing. It was quite an effort to get it apart but I did. I mention this because they can and do freeze without lubing and proper care. Buy a real good bushing wrench. The DW wrench is junk and will strip the bushing. Here is a link to get a very good wrench and 4 pronged bushings in several materials as well. Again, that is one of the finest sets I have seen and you stole it!!
EWK Arms