My first "decent" gun was a 6" Model 15, VH barrel. I loved it, and bought 2 more, a nearly NIB 4" VH at a pawn shop, a 6" V barrelled one that had a badly pitted barrel, and then I bought a big box of parts from a shop that was closing up, and put together a complete Model 15, along with several barrels and shrouds, enough so all four had a 6" and 4" barrel set. The pitted barrel in the one gun was replaced by one in the box of parts. There were several of every single internal part of a DW small frame in that box. All for $50!!
Over the years, I sold them off, mostly to buy PC stuff, with the last one, the best one, sold in the early 90's for a really good price. I regretted doing it as soon as I did it, but always figured I would get another one, someday.
Finally, about a year ago, i started buying DW parts on auction sites, so I would have them when I finally got one. Early this year, I grabbed up a near mint 715 6" VH, with 3 grips, the original box, etc, for less than $300. It had barely been fired.
I bought another one, a Model 15 in decent shape, a few months later. both shoot great, and like my other ones, are much more accurate than I could ever possibly be. Now, I'm looking for a .44.
If I had to choose between them, I would take a DW over the similar S&W, anytime. I can fix about any problem a DW has in a couple of minutes, I can't do that with an S&W.
