[bang_bang]

I've got my hands on a Dan Wesson 357, but basically, that's all I know about it. I was wondering if anyone could help me find some info on the gun and around how much it's worth. If you could assist me, I could e-mail pictures and any further needed info.

[hso]

Welcome to THR!

I've got an early DW VH15 .357 and I love it. If you can post a picture by adding it in the manage attachements part of your post it would be a big help.

What's the barrel length? Is it interchangable? Do you have the box or barrel tool or any additional barrels? These will help determine if you've got a $200 gun or a $1,000 one.

If you go to gunsamerica.com, gunbroker.com and auctionarms.com and search Dan Wesson .357 you may see your gun there and be able to get an idea.

[bang_bang]

The gun does have interchangable barrels. I have 2 and you can see in the picture, a 4 inch and 15 inch with a scope. I couldn't tell you what the model number is for the gun.

[Jim March]

:eek:

OK, THAT is a combination you don't see every day.

Near as I can tell it's the mid-sized frame, the "15" series, which means it's about as stout as a Ruger Security/Service Six series, maybe more. It was DW's answer to the S&W "K" frame except stronger.

What you've got here is a good carry gun with the 4" tube and an awesome deerslayer or similar with the 15". Now that is a SWEET combination.

What we usually see are "Pistol Packs" with a 2", 4", 6" and 8" barrel set, all iron sights. Which...well, it's borderline silly. Would have been better off with a 3" and 8" and nothing else.

What you've got on the other hand really gives a much broader range of uses in just two barrels. And no need to re-set the rear adjustable sight between tubes - leave the iron sights dialed in to the 4" tube, use the glass with the "big stick".

Huh.

Honestly, I have no idea what that's worth but...wow, would I ever like to have THAT. Yikes. For a value estimate you'd have to know how many of those 15" tubes were produced and I have no clue whatsoever.

[LoneCoon]

The 15" barrels are rather uncommon and fairly expensive. You could probably get about 200-250 for that alone.

The rest of the gun is a Model 15, I believe. The barrels run anywhere from 75 to 200 depending on size, and the gun itself is probably worth from $200 to $300. I paid $250 for my model 14 (no adjustable sights) three years ago and I absolutly love it.

The grips are really different as well. The entire grip comes off and you can repalce it with an entirely different type of grip from a compact carry type grip to a target style grip. The gun is very customizable, and that is one of the things I love about Dan Weson revolvers.

The Dan Wesson name has undergone some tough times and has gone out of business a few times. However, they make some very good guns. I've had zero problems with mine and it is more accurate than any of the other handguns I own.

Take it out shooting. I think you'll like it.

[nelson133]

Mine has a trigger that has to be felt to be believed. Because of the barrel being anchored at both ends, it's accuracy is legendary. The biggest problem I have ever had with mine is that with the supplied gauge, the cylinder/barrrel gap is tight and the gun needs to be cleaned often to ensure reliability. The barrels are still available through CZ, who now owns Dan Wesson, I just bought another barrel from them..

[bang_bang]

I've had the gun since Christmas and shot about half a box through it. With the big barrel I can put it within a 5 inch circle at 50 yards, no fine adjustments made yet. I have several punches, a barrel tool, plus a wooden box that came with purchase. This gun has circulated around my area to different people who trade guns, so who knows where it was originally purchased. Thanks for the repsonses.

[joab]

Replace the rubber grips with the wood and lose the 15' barrel and you have the gun I paid $175 for and sold for $225 and regret it even though I needed the money for a house payment.

I figured I would just pick up another one cheap again.
No such luck they all go for $300 plus in the condition that mine was in.

Check the gun to see if you find the word Monson on the reciever

[bang_bang]

Monson, Mass. is on the reciever.

[Nail Shooter]

If it's a "Monson" gun, it's supposedly worth more than the later "Palmer" made guns. Didn't even know they made a 15" bbl for those! I've got three Dans of various calibers (all Monson--early 1980's) and they are great firearms. Mine are all very accurate. Congrats on the purchase.

NS

[runninmike]

It does look like a series 15. I had a similar 6" with fixed sights and high polished blue like a Python. I think that with the special 15" tube that your setup is worth around $500-600 in very good condition. The full pistol packs go for a little more.
I got another in .22 lr that is also a great tight shooter & super shiney blue with a full under lug 4" bbl. Super revolvers.
Best-MC

[joab]

Monsons are premium and I believe that runninmike is not far off on the price, from what I'm seeing at GunBroker

[Jim March]

Would it be legal to bolt a cheesy 1.5" barrel extension on (sorta like a rifle's "flash hider") and a stock at the same time and turn the long-barreled version into a carbine?

[joab]

I think the add on would have to be welded on

Maybe some sort of flash suppressor

[Jim March]

Arright, but...adding it to the 15" barrel wouldn't be too problematic.

Then again...when you ran that barrel you'd HAVE to run a stock as well.

Eh. Naaah. Keep it as a way funky handgun and get a rifle :).

[BluesBear]

Since it was made originally as a handgun you could fabricate an extended flashhider/muzzle brake/barrel nut and then use it with a stock without breaking the law.
And it would still retain it's funkiness.

Using the shorter barrel without the stock would be unlawful but then so would using the 4" barrel with the stock.
Or the extended barrel without the stock.