[Legionnaire]

Can anybody tell me the model number of this 6" stainless Dan Wesson .357? Made in Monson, MA.

[BillinNH]

It looks to me to be a model 715V6, which means a model 15 in stainless steel, six inch barrel, partial underlug, chambered in .357 magnum. I have one exactly like it in blue.

Bill

[Legionnaire]

I thought the "V" indicates a ventilated rib. Am I mistaken? This one isn't ventilated.

[Majic]

Unless I'm mistaken, no DW had a ventilated rib.

[smokemaker]

That is definitely a 715, and DW did make vent rib barrel shrouds. I've got one. (709 VH6).

[BillinNH]

Yes, the V indicates vent rib. The one shown doesn't have a vent rib so I guess it is a plain old 715, not a 715V. My 15V6 has a vent rib as does my 44V6.

Again, 15 refers to the mid size frame .357s, a 7 in front means stainless, V means vent rib and an H means full underlug. If this is followed by a number such as 4,6, etc., it refers to the barrel length. The large frame 44s use 44 instead of 15 in the model designation.

Bill

[Legionnaire]

Thanks! Just what I needed.

[45crittergitter]

There's also a designation for the silhouette shroud, which is has large horizontal slotted holes parallel to the barrel for weight reduction to make IHMSA weight. I believe that designation is an "S" somewhere in the model number string.

[BillinNH]

Quote:

<There's also a designation for the silhouette shroud, which is has large horizontal slotted holes parallel to the barrel for weight reduction to make IHMSA weight. I believe that designation is an "S" somewhere in the model number string>


Hmmm. Would you have a pic of that shroud?

Bill

[GrantCunningham]

Yes, "S" is for 'slotted.' (Slotting was a factory option for any shroud, but most commonly seen on SuperMags. I'm not absolutely sure about this, but supposedly they originated because of a weight limitation in IHMSA competition. If anyone out there can confirm or deny this, I'd appreciate it.)

In addition, there is "C" for 'compensated' (ported) barrel assemblies (the compensated shrouds require special barrels and wrenches.)

My memory seems to be going, as I can't remember if there were special codes for the slab-sided PPC shroud or the hooded-sight shrouds for silhouette shooting.

[smokemaker]

Grant,
I remember when the supermags came out, the weight issue was the reason given for the slots. I've also seen hooded sight guns that were not given special designators for the shrouds, not that it makes them correctly marked. DW's seem to be the most mislabeled guns out there. Heck, my pistol permit says that my 709 is a 738, which is the snubby gun they made for a while. Efforts to get it corrected have all failed. I guess the people's republik of NY knows more about DW revolvers than I do.