New Dan Wesson 715 Pistol Pack

[robert1804]

Just bought one. Comes with 4", 6" and 8" barrels. If you want something different in a revolver, this is it. The cylinder is only about .040" larger in diameter than a K frame and the grip is higher. The hammer travels in a shorter arc than a Smith, also allowing the higher grip. This all results in the bore axis being about 3/8" lower than an L frame. Recoil is more straight back and muzzle flip is less. The 715 is as heavy, or heavier than an N frame depending on which barrel is installed.

Accuracy is similar to my Smiths with various 38 loads. The 715 shows it's best accuracy with 357 loads, beating all of my Smiths even using the 4" barrel. It gets even better with the longer barrels. The factory sights are better for target use than Smith's with a much deeper notch in the blade

The trigger on the 715 with factory springs is 4# SA. the DA pull is very smooth and the stroke is shorter than a Smith. Unlike a Smith, the effort stacks some but I'm getting used to it in stock form. I've ordered Wolf springs anyway.

The negatives are few and minor. The ejection stroke isn't quite enough to fully eject 357. The windage screw is small.

I think my Smiths may hold a slight advantage shooting 38's but the 715 makes 357 Magnum loads fun again. That low bore axis, short trigger stroke and hefty weight makes double actioning off a bunch of 357's a breeze!

 

[silentflyer]

Yes some of us "old timers" have had an appreciation for DW's since the 70's.
Is yours one of the new CZ guns or an older one?

EKW arms has parts and goodies for them.

 

[colt_saa]

Congratulation

Dan Wessons are nice firearms

I have been shooting Dan Wessons probably since the late 70s.

The multi-piece tensioned barrel really contributes to the firearms accuracy

I wish CZ would bring back some of the other caliber offerings to keep the 715 company in their lineup

 

[robert1804]

Yes some of us "old timers" have had an appreciation for DW's since the 70's.
Is yours one of the new CZ guns or an older one?

EKW arms has parts and goodies for them.

It's one of the new CZ guns. Very well made. The rifling and forcing cones are flawless.

 

[stansdds]

The new CZ produced and most of the old Monson, MA production DW revolvers are truly great handguns. The double action is stiffer than a S&W, but the hammer through is shorter, which means a faster lock time. The barrel retention system evenly stresses the barrel, minimizing harmonic vibrations and improving accuracy. The grip on the 15/715 is such that it does handle recoil very well. My 15-2 with a 4 inch HV shroud has been great and it is one that I do not intend to part with.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

You see so few Dan Wessons in the used gun sections because those of us who have them, keep them. Most internal parts interchange, and all the barrels interchange.

 

[Flyingfool]

I inherited a blue DW 357. Has three barrels. Currently has the 4” on it.

Question: what gap with feeler gauge should there be between the cylinder and barrel?

Also I would like to get a hogue grip for it. Currently it sports a rubber packmyer grip. But I have smaller hands and would like a grip a bit skinnier. Houge grip asks whether it is small frame or large. Is the 357 mag rhe large frame?

Also, does anyone know where or who makes holsters for rhe dan wesson? Or will a S&W N frame holster work?

 

[colt_saa]

I inherited a blue DW 357. Has three barrels. Currently has the 4” on it.

Question: what gap with feeler gauge should there be between the cylinder and barrel?

Also I would like to get a hogue grip for it. Currently it sports a rubber packmyer grip. But I have smaller hands and would like a grip a bit skinnier. Houge grip asks whether it is small frame or large. Is the 357 mag rhe large frame?

Also, does anyone know where or who makes holsters for rhe dan wesson? Or will a S&W N frame holster work?

The supplied feeler gauge was a.006"

Telling grips apart is easy....Just look at the shape of the gun's tang or the hole in the grip
Square =Small Frame
Round =Large Frame

357s are the small frame

 

[Model52guy]

Robert1804,
You didn’t quote the price you paid but I haven’t seen any complete DW Pistol Pacs for less than $2000 over the last year of so of Gun Shows. I started collecting Dan Wessons back in the 80’s. I think I’m up to 8 pistol pacs plus a couple of singles. Have the 22’s, 357’s and 44 mag in pistol pacs. They are probably the best SA trigger pull revolvers I’ve ever shot. Mostly just collect smiths now.
Congrats.
George

 

[robert1804]

Robert1804,
You didn’t quote the price you paid but I haven’t seen any complete DW Pistol Pacs for less than $2000 over the last year of so of Gun Shows. I started collecting Dan Wessons back in the 80’s. I think I’m up to 8 pistol pacs plus a couple of singles. Have the 22’s, 357’s and 44 mag in pistol pacs. They are probably the best SA trigger pull revolvers I’ve ever shot. Mostly just collect smiths now.
Congrats.
George

I paid $1,849 with a credit card at Bud's last week. I saw one at a gun show in Conroe, TX last weekend for $1,699. It may have been used, not sure. If they introduced a 44 mag, I'd want one.

 

[joe44va]

One of the dumbest things I've ever done is sell a 715 Pistol Pack with 2.5, 4, 6, and 8" barrels. I shot it loose, sent it back to the factory and they tightened everything up. The barrels were difficult to clean but it was wonderfully accurate. Lost faith in it because of the repair. Traded it even for one of the then new KGP100s. Traded that a year later for a Smith.

 

[stansdds]

I paid $1,849 with a credit card at Bud's last week. I saw one at a gun show in Conroe, TX last weekend for $1,699. It may have been used, not sure. If they introduced a 44 mag, I'd want one.

The original DW company did sell 44 Magnum Pistol Packs, CZ never did. It's a shame and the old 44 Magnum Pistol Packs seem to be very few and very far between. Last I checked, CZ halted all revolver production. I guess they did not sell enough of them to warrant continuing the line.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

I own 2 in .357 and 1 in .44.They are all well built(Monson,Mass)and the .44 shoots full loads(265gr at a little over 1300fps)with a lot less recoil than any other .44 I have or tried.
The gripframe being a stud gives you more possibilities as to have a custom grip made that'll fit your hand.
I've had one made by Lawrence Bruce and the quality is A1 and the price he sells them for makes you feel like you robbed the bank!

 

[Flyingfool]

The supplied feeler gauge was a.006"

Telling grips apart is easy....Just look at the shape of the gun's tang or the hole in the grip
Square =Small Frame
Round =Large Frame

357s are the small frame

Thanks. Answerd both of my questions. I dont think I have the feeler gauge. But I should have one in my toolbox.

I would not have guessed that 357 magnum was small frame. That helps.


Now two more questions:
Are all DW cylinders cut for moon clips? The one I have seems to be.

What moon clips and speed loaders work with the DW 357?

 

[stansdds]

A DW cylinder cut for moon clips? That's a new one on me! Are you certain that it was cut for moon clips? If it was, I suspect your cylinder was modified. The old DW's had recessed cylinders, just like S&W, but newer DW's eliminated the recessed cylinders and left a ring around the outer edge of the cylinder. Perhaps that is what you are seeing.

As for the cylinder size and moon clips or speed loaders, S&W K-frame size.

I have found that the barrel shroud prohibits a good fit in some holsters for the S&W K-frame. Holsters for the Colt Python/ Ruger GP-100/ S&W L-frame work better, but are just a tiny bit large for the DW, but overall the fit is acceptable.

Oh, I found a picture comparing the new and the old style cylinders.

 

[JayFramer]

Anyone use these for defense or on duty, or are these purely sporting revolvers?

 

[jordan57]

DW for defense

Only hesitance I would have using for defense purpose is that mine, once you change barrel, I usually have to retighten barrel after 50 to 100 rounds, if you dont it will shoot loose and POI will change with front sight moving. After the initial tightening, they never seem to loosen. Sure would hate to shoot someone with it and police wind up with it. Always remember if police have your firearm and won't return, they have to file a charge against you! No charges they have to return, but a large metro area will not want to.
What a fine firearm!

 

[Flyingfool]

A DW cylinder cut for moon clips? That's a new one on me! Are you certain that it was cut for moon clips? If it was, I suspect your cylinder was modified. The old DW's had recessed cylinders, just like S&W, but newer DW's eliminated the recessed cylinders and left a ring around the outer edge of the cylinder. Perhaps that is what you are seeing.

As for the cylinder size and moon clips or speed loaders, S&W K-frame size.

I have found that the barrel shroud prohibits a good fit in some holsters for the S&W K-frame. Holsters for the Colt Python/ Ruger GP-100/ S&W L-frame work better, but are just a tiny bit large for the DW, but overall the fit is acceptable.

Oh, I found a picture comparing the new and the old style cylinders.

Just looked and the gun I have has the Monson style recess. I didn’t look at it that close and nuat assumed it was for moon clips. I guess that is what happens when I assume.

 

[M E Morrison]

Anyone use these for defense or on duty, or are these purely sporting revolvers?

I have carried mine for both personal defense - and as a private security guard.

 

[nicky4968]

Not my cup of tea. But it is still listed on their website.

Sure is purdy, though.