Pawn shop find--Dan Wesson 15-2V (?) with a question

[olivehead1]

Picked up this gun this morning in exchange for a S&W 910 w/one 10-round mag and a SIG P229 in .40 w/2 mags plus $150 cash. I still feel I could have done better, but I think I boxed myself in on the cash OTD because I didn't think I'd get what they gave me for my 2 guns. At the stated prices, I don't expect them to do better than break even. But as a practical matter, taking into account what I thought was the best trade-in value of the 2 guns, it's more like I got the Dan Wesson for what amounts to $800 OTD. Anyway, it's water under the bridge.

This is a Monson gun, and based on the serial number (124xxx) my guess based on some research is it's circa 1977.

Interestingly, it seems that the previous owner(s) were partial to the 4" barrel, as that one seems to have the most wear on it. The 6" barrel is of the same grade as the rest of the gun (around 95% I'd say), which is tough to figure. Seems the gun should have the wear level of the most worn barrel in the set. Makes me wonder if the gun didn't come with the 6" barrel and the 2" and 4" were obtained later, maybe on the secondary market.

Question: Will any Dan Wesson revolver barrel, regardless of configuration (vent rib or not, full lug or not) fit this gun, so long as it's .357 magnum? I'm already thinking of a 4" VH barrel...

Pics of the DW package plus of the 2 guns I traded off:

 

[colt_saa]

Yes,
Any of the 4 barrel shroud profiles will work with any barrel tube on any frame of the same Model

At one point (MANY Years ago) you could buy a extra shroud and Just use your barrel and nut.

If you GOOGLE EWKarms, he was making a Very Heavy barrel assembly for the Model 15-2 a while back. He also makes other interesting Dan Wesson parts including spare barrels.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Yes, Dan Wesson barrels interchange between the Model 12 and Model 15, the older "pork chop" shrouds of the Model 12 will not fit on the Model 15.

 

[gman51]

I saw one of these at a pawn shop that was in excellent condition but it only had a 4" barrel and non of the original kit it possibly came with. It had a $350 price tag and I thought why so cheap when the old Colt beaters had $500 to $700 price tags on them.

I went home and googled it and quite a few articles stated that it wasn't a very reliable gun and it wasn't made anymore so parts for it could be a problem. I guessed that was why the low price on it. Figures afterward I read many articles that they were good guns.

I wish now that I had gone back and bought it. If I could find a complete kit in good condition I would probably scarf it up if it wasn't to expensive. Seems the kits in good condition are not found for cheap though.
I would say you got it for a decent price.

 

[stansdds]

As long as the shroud is not the older "pork chop" type, yes, shrouds are fully interchangeable. My DW 15-2 came to me with a 4 inch vent rib barrel, I bought a 4 inch HV (heavy vent rib) barrel + shroud on eBay. I find that it balances really well with the 4 inch heavy shroud and the vented rib look cool.

The early DW wood target stocks are just massive. I'm guessing they were made to fit Bill Jordan's hands, but they don't fit medium hands all that well. The later wood target stocks are quite a bit slimmer, then there is the service/concealment type that are more like S&W Magna stocks. Pachmayer also made their Presentation grips for the DW, I've used them quite a bit and they make it a very comfortable revolver for shooting full power loads.

Well, enjoy that DW. Treat it well and I expect it will reward you with years of enjoyment. Oh, and we need a range report. Let us know how it shoots. I expect it will be quite accurate.

 

[chiefdave]

I think the OP did well. DW's were very well built during the Monson era, so much so that I have a 14 with pork chop grip on loan to my daughter for protection. Once he has fired his new acquisition he'll never miss the semi's.