Dan Wesson 15-2 VH

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CLASSIC12

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Many years ago a friend had a complete DW set, with 4 barrels, suitcase and accessories and sold it without even mentioning it (some friend he..).

A year ago I saw this DW set at the LGS. No case or accessories, not even the wrench. However a very good customer had reserved it (still hasn’t paid it as of today, so I might still get it in the end).

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Now a guy I was discussing with about other weapons (Makarov and AKs) offered this gun for $ 545. I bought it, thinking I could flip it if / when I find a complete set.

I believe it was made in 1992. It came with the combat grip and a second 8” barrel, which has some corrosion flecks.

Same LGS did the transfer for free, offered to fix the 8” barrel and gifted a standard grip he had laying around. Pretty nice guy I’d say, I bought a lot from him, but still, not many LGS will be that gracious.

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It shoots a bit high for me even with the rear sight bottomed out, but produced this very good group at 25 m offhand

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You got a late Monson production 15-2. I have one too and love it. Mine also wears the 4 inch HV barrel/shroud, but I also have 6 and 8 inch V barrel/shrouds. Most Dan Wesson revolvers are incredibly accurate.
 
First 357 I purchased back in 70’s, 6” barrel and was as accurate as most match 1911’s I shot. Really Regret selling it, could shoot out the scoring target guide on B-27 at 50’. Buddy and I used to do that at the indoor range I managed. Regular shooters would look at the center of the target and say,” you didn’t even hit the target”. The look on their faces was priceless when we pointed to the hole where the scoring guide target was, LOL. BTW, started buying S&W’s after that along with Colt 1911’s.
 
Congratulations! Had a none vented 4” some years ago. Real nice shooter that I regret selling. The ability to adjust the barrel/cylinder gap on the DW makes for some interesting experimentation.

Was shooting mine next to a 4” standard barrel S&W model 10 on falling plates at 25 yards using some of my reloads. As I recall they were pretty mild loads of Bullseye with a 158 gr. RNL. The plates were adjusted with a slight forward tilt. With the Model 10 the plates didn’t flip backwards. With the DW every plate went down.

Didn’t have a chronograph but I’m guessing the tighter gap with the DW gave it just a little more velocity.
 
Gotta handful myself, LOL. One thing that can throw you off is how different the action is than a typical Smith K/L. It's a shorter pull, faster if you will. The hammer doesn't arc back as far. The DW cogniscenti assert that even the small-frame 15 series is quite strong. I use the 'standard' feeler gauge to set gap on all of mine. I think that is a .004" gauge.

With a K or, even heavier L, and the same grip/s on both; the Dan handles recoil and muzzle flip better(to me, IMO, YMMV, LOL).
 
I've got a 6" VH I picked up in 2981 or so. It is a fine shooter and comfortable to shoot as well. Fitted it with the Pachmyer "Goodyears" to get a better grip on things.
 
My first revolver was a High Standard (DW) that I bought in 73 or so. It was accurate and fun to shoot. I traded it for a Security Six. Wish I would have kept the HS and got the Ruger later on.
 
max said:
My first revolver was a High Standard (DW) that I bought in 73 or so. It was accurate and fun to shoot. I traded it for a Security Six. Wish I would have kept the HS and got the Ruger later on.
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My first handgun purchase was a Dan Wesson 15-2. It was very accurate, but I ended up trading it to a friend. He still has it and won't part with it. My current DW 15-2 came from my local gun and pawn shop a couple of decades ago. I'm not parting with this one, lesson learned!
 
The weekend after I turned 21, I drove from Stillwater where I was going to OSU, down to OKC and to Southwest Shooter's Supply. I bought a Dan Wesson 15 with an 8" vent barrel for $160 and still have it. I used it to start shooting IHMSA metallic silhouettes in the early '80s. Over the years I've added barrels in 2" 4", and 15". Here it is with the 15" next to a S&W Model 14 with 8-3/8" barrel.

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Most guys bought liquor when they turned 21. No thanks!
 

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OP- check danwessonforum.com for more info on the DW guns. You can find barrels and shrouds, grips and other accessories around the 'net. Just search the usual suspects.
 
Great set, nice shooting!

I enjoyed the ability to take the barrel off for cleaning with mine. Adjusting the b/c gap for lead or plated bullets was a nice bonus.
 
I never felt the need to adjust the barrel-cylinder gap based on bullet type. I did experiment with reliability and gap. 0.005" was just about the minimum for reliability across a variety of loads. A gap of 0.003" can cause issues with lead, bullet lubricant, and powder fouling build up.
 
My first revolver was a DW 15-2 bought from Wal Mart about 1979-80 with 8" heavy barrel, I loved that revolver until I shot a friends model 29 S&W with a 6.5" barrel built about 1965, I sold the DW and started in on S&W's and I still wish I had kept the DW. Jeff
 
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