NIGHTLORD40K made me do it...

Riomouse911 · Apr 10, 2020

Ok, maybe I wasn't made to purchase a Dan Wesson .22. But, after seeing his post showing off the two Monson made beauties he took home for $800.00, the DW itch began anew.

I was outbid numerous times on S&W rimfires, some of the Model 63's with no box, papers, etc. were selling in excess of $750.00, and with a box and stuff a few went went for over $850.00..and that's before shipping, tax and transfer fees kick in.

I saw one nice Monson DW .22, and I was able to get it for $650.00. This is a bit high, but not outrageous. Since it's too big to be considered a kit gun it won't fill the void I was trying to fill with the Model 63's, but it's a beauty none the less.

There is one "wedding ring" scratch on the left sideplate that I could probably buff out quickly, other than that it was spotless. It came with the barrel nut wrench with all three covers, an extra sight blade with a white insert, the DW .006 feeler gauge and an extra set of Pachmayr Presentations.

Sadly, the Ca State DOJ delayed my purchase by 24 hours so I wasn't able to take it to the range on my qualification date this past Wednesday, so I'll have to wait until my local range re-opens from the Corona-closedown so I can go shoot. (The DOJ claims the COVID-19 rush caused the delays, I personally think our Imperial Governor is asking DOJ to slow gun and ammo purchase approvals on purpose.)

My Next purchases for this gun will be (hopefully) a 4" V barrel/shroud and maybe an 8" that I can scope. These ain't cheap, nor are they common, but hopefully I can find what I want when I have cash to pay for it. (I passed on a fair to good 8" barrel/shroud on eBay for $350.00, it had some bluing flaws and old scope mount holes drilled/tapped in the vent.)

Again, it's nowhere near the deal NL40K got for his two revolvers, but I'm happy with what I found.

Stay safe.

NIGHTLORD40K · Apr 10, 2020

NIGHTLORD40K · Apr 10, 2020

$650 wasnt bad considering that you got the tool set with it. I just paid $100 for the .22 tools and consider myself lucky I found them at all!

I got a chance to shoot both of mine last week and they were worth every penny-

The rimfire does need the gap adjusted, though, which is why I had to buy a tool- the .22, .357, and .44 all use different tools.

My buddy was shooting his treasured M65 and commented on how smooth the Dan Wesson was in DA, indeed we were getting better DA groups than SA!

Riomouse911 · Apr 10, 2020

Nice shooting, that looks like a fun afternoon. I love shooting my 15-2's, with the changing of each barrel length it's like shooting a different gun. :thumbup:

You are right about the DW barrel-nut tools, those are pricy...and there is nothing else that you could use to remove the barrel nut without buggering up the rifling inside the barrel or the exterior of the nut or shroud. Seeing the tool added to the sale of the gun made it easier to pull the trigger.

I'm still in gun range purgatory here in Imperial California, once Czar Newsom opens up the State again I'll be there shooting the DW's a lot!

Stay safe.

Waveski · Apr 10, 2020

Showing my ignorance -

Please explain the barrel nut and that muzzle design ; I have not seen that before.

stonebuster · Apr 10, 2020

Riomouse911 said:
Nice shooting, that looks like a fun afternoon. I love shooting my 15-2's, with the changing of each barrel length it's like shooting a different gun.

You are right about the DW barrel-nut tools, those are pricy...and there is nothing else that you could use to remove the barrel nut without buggering up the rifling inside the barrel or the exterior of the nut or shroud. Seeing the tool added to the sale of the gun made it easier to pull the trigger.

I'm still in gun range purgatory here in Imperial California, once Czar Newsom opens up the State again I'll be there shooting the DW's a lot!

Stay safe.

EWK sells barrel nut wrenches for @$26 that are better built(stronger) than original DW wrench.

stonebuster · Apr 10, 2020

Waveski said:
Showing my ignorance -

Please explain the barrel nut and that muzzle design ; I have not seen that before.[/QUO]
The DW barrels can be changed by using a barrel nut wrench(like a spanner). Unscrew the nut and the shroud slides off and the barrel can be unscrewed by hand. A .006 shim came with them for setting b/c gap. When putting a barrel on screw on with shim in place, slide the shroud on, screw barrel on and snug barrel nut w/wrench. Remove shim. Takes a couple minutes. Carl Lewis design I beleive.

Riomouse911 · Apr 10, 2020

Waveski said:
Showing my ignorance -

Please explain the barrel nut and that muzzle design ; I have not seen that before.

Waveski ,
The Dan Wesson has a barrel that threads into the frame. It is covered by a shroud, and then a second threaded portion at the end of the barrel allows for the nut to attach.
This allows the barrel to remain fixed in place and holds the shroud to the gun.
This system allegedly creates a tensioned barrel supported at each end creating a stable barrel during firing, This gave the DW a well deserved reputation of great accuracy in the silhouette game and the hunting fields.
I’ll take some pics and post them in a bit.
Stay safe.

Riomouse911 · Apr 10, 2020

stonebuster said:
EWK sells barrel nut wrenches for @$26 that are better built(stronger) than original DW wrench.

I have a 3” VH EWK barrel/shroud for one of my 15-2 frames. Sometimes EWK is hit and miss with their stuff, most of the time I look there nothing is available.
I did see the wrenches, and the different aluminum pilot set up is a good idea. The only things their wrenches don’t have that the originals do are the hex wrenches on the ends for the front sight, rear sight and side plates

.

Stay safe.

chicharrones · Apr 10, 2020

That's a mighty fine revolver you got there, Riomouse! :thumbup:

Obturation · Apr 10, 2020

Beautiful gun.
I had an old model 15-(?) With a few barrels . excellent gun, what had happened to it was a previous owner was a bonehead. One side of the gun had pitting from spending many years in a soft case (which was included- had perfect rust stain in the shape of the gun on it), which did clean up reasonably well, and the 8?" Barrel had been way overnighted at some point, which pulled the barrel off center, as you changed cylinder gap the POI would walk around significantly. This wouldn't have been an issue except it was a fixed sight duty model and the shift couldn't be corrected for. So I used it with the snubby barrel mainly . that's a beefy stubby. But I made a little money and bought something different. I do keep my eye out for them still, I like the design a lot.

Congrats on a sweet 22!

Riomouse911 · Apr 10, 2020

Here are the pictures of one of the .357 model 15-2’s I have, this one came as a pistol pack. This will show the barrel shrouds, threaded ends, barrel nut, etc. for anyone who may not be familiar with the later style Dan Wesson system. (Original Dan Wesson Model 14 guns had a less refined system: There was a visible hex-nut that stuck out of the front of the shroud and the barrels had a tail of metal underneath that caused them to be nicknamed “pork chop” barrels.)

P
The kit came with 2”-4”-6” and an 8” vent-heavy barrel/shrouds, two grips,,12 interchangeable front sights, a barrel nut tool and a hex-head barrel nut remover and the .006” feeler gauge.

Frame-end threads.^

Barrel nut and muzzle end threads.^

The nut is on the barrel and it fits into a recess at the end of the shroud. (The nut is on a bit further than it would be if installed on the frame.) ^

^ Muzzle showing the nut as it sits flush with the end of the shroud. The shrouds came in three styles; full- lug with a vent rib (Vent Heavy or VH), no lug with a Vent rib (V) or a no-rib “service” style.

^ This is the threaded end that would fit inside the frame. The barrel/cylinder gap is adjustable, with .006 the factory preferred gap.

^ This is the barrel wrench NIGHLORD40K was talking about having to buy. The ends are all small hex wrenches that fit sideplate screws, the front sight removal screw and adjusts the rear sight.

I’m no historian, but I do recall Dan Wesson’s later revolvers came in two frame sizes and calibers like .22 LR, .22 Mag (rare), .32 Mag (also rare), .357 Mag, .41 Mag,. 44 Mag and .45 Colt (very rare), and a .45 Win Mag (very rare). The stainless ones had a 7 in front of the model, like S&W usuall uses a 6 for their stainless guns.

They also had a series of stretched frame Super Mags like .357 Maximum, and the 414, .375, .445 Super Mags, etc.

CZ is now making new Dan Wesson .357 magnums in stainless, the model 715. These new ones aren’t inexpensive, but they are fantastic guns. :thumbup:

I hope this helps!!

Stay safe.

WestKentucky · Apr 11, 2020

If it was on Gunbroker then that looks like the one I was ready to pounce on if my bids on the old S&Ws fell through. It was a tossup on what I was going to chase if these guns went for stupid money like some of the model 1903 and 1905 guns did, but anything DW was high on the list. Well bought.

Speedo66 · Apr 11, 2020

I guess you'll never have to worry about a kaboom with that cylinder wall thickness. Good luck with it!

I had the first model DW in .357 when they first came out, carried it as a duty gun for a while. Nicely made and very accurate, but also quite heavy.

Armored farmer · Apr 11, 2020

A very nice revolver. Congrats @Riomouse911 .

I am a little disappointed in @NIGHTLORD40K . I thought we were friends! How come he didnt make me buy one?

NIGHTLORD40K · Apr 11, 2020

Armored farmer said:
A very nice revolver. Congrats @Riomouse911 .

I am a little disappointed in @NIGHTLORD40K . I thought we were friends! How come he didnt make me buy one?

Its not too late......

DWFan · Apr 11, 2020

I don't believe the large-frame Dan Wesson came in .45 Win Mag. They did come in .460 Rowland and .360 Dan Wesson.

Gary W. Strange · Apr 11, 2020

I have a Dan Wesson model 15 and a 744. They are very nice revolvers. I think DWs are some of the best made revolvers out there. Both of mine will shoot more accurate than I can. The 744 is a big, heavy revolver and can handle some very heavy loads. I consider it just a hunting revolver. A shoulder holster is about the only way to carry it. The model 15 is much lighter and easier to carry. If I am not mistaken, the DW .22 is the same size. I have been on the hunt for a DW .22 for a while. I just haven't pulled the trigger on one. I think if a person has a 4" & 6" barrel, they would have a very nice set up. It could be a good hunting and target revolver with a 6" barrel, with the 4" , just a good carrying size, for woods bumming. Dan Wesson made some fine revolvers back in the day. I never understood why they didn't have more of a following. They were well made and finished revolvers. They are some of the most , and the ability to swap barrels make them very veristal. I also love the looks of the zebera wood grips. They just set them off and make them look so neat. In time, I am going to find a nice DW .22, like yours. The prices some of these older firearms are bringing now, you didn't get a bad deal and if it well maintained, you can get your money back, plus. I had surgery on my back and neck back in August, and I can't shoot a hard kicking rifle or handgun for a good while. I have rediscovered my love of .22s, both rifle and handgun. I guess I had forgotten how much fun and enjoyment they are. I was supposed to walk as much as I could stand, after my surgery. I got bored just walking do the street or in the park, so I started walking logging roads on my hunting lease. I started carrying a .22 of some sort when I went. I could spend hours walking and plinking. It made a big difference in my recovery from surgery. It also got me into .22s again. I had quite a few to begin with, now I have added quite a few more. Right now it is about all I can shoot, but I can see myself spending more time with them. I figured out it would be hard to keep house without a few good .22s. A Dan Wesson .22 is definitely on my short list. You did well.

ApacheCoTodd · Apr 11, 2020

Quite surprised by the cylinder face on that .22.

I don't recall ever seeing a Dan Wesson that rough or *un-finished* looking.

Fortunately, if it were an issue, a bit of milling and running the DW barrel in would sweeten that right up.... Again, if it were an issue.

Todd.

Dustbowl · Apr 11, 2020

My Dan Wesson 15 pistol pac that I have didn’t have the forcing cones cut in any of the barrels when I got it. Had to cut them myself.

Most of the Dan’s I’ve seen have had rough cut marks or other minor cosmetic things. Never stopped me from buying them though.

Riomouse911 · Apr 11, 2020

DWFan said:
I don't believe the large-frame Dan Wesson came in .45 Win Mag. They did come in .460 Rowland and .360 Dan Wesson.

I thought it was a .460 Rowland /.45 Win mag set up, but I certainly may be mistaken. I’ve never seen one, just heard about them. (Was the .460 a bowling pin gun? I don’t see the need for one with the .45 Colt in the stable.)

And Todd, I also was surprised at the look of cylinder face. My15-2’s are smooth as glass, and so is the rest of this gun, but this cylinder looks more like a 45 RPM record.
Once I get a chance to shoot it I’ll see how it does.
Stay safe.

Riomouse911 · Apr 11, 2020

WestKentucky said:
If it was on Gunbroker then that looks like the one I was ready to pounce on if my bids on the old S&Ws fell through. It was a tossup on what I was going to chase if these guns went for stupid money like some of the model 1903 and 1905 guns did, but anything DW was high on the list. Well bought.

That was it. They had it for $700 on Guns America at the same time. My bad luck with S&W rimfires sent me there.

Heck, you may have been one of the ones that outbid me for those smiths

.

Stay safe.

WestKentucky · Apr 11, 2020

Riomouse911 said:
That was it. They had it for $700 on Guns America at the same time. My bad luck with S&W rimfires sent me there.

Heck, you may have been one of the ones that outbid me for those smiths .

Stay safe.

There’s a good chance of it... I ran the bids up on several. If I had seen the DW before I saw the smiths I would have went all in on the DW though. I like old guns though so either way I’m happy.

bannockburn · Apr 11, 2020

Riomouse911

A very nice addition to your Dan Wesson .357 Pistol Pac! Never saw all that many .22 versions for sale. I had one many years ago, buying it from a friend of a friend. At the time though I wasn't as much into .357s as much as I was interested into semi-autos. Ended up trading it even up for a Colt Gold Cup.

WestKentucky · Apr 11, 2020

bannockburn said:
Riomouse

A very nice addition to your Dan Wesson .357 Pistol Pac! Never saw all that many .22 versions for sale. I had one many years ago, buying it from a friend of a friend. At the time though I wasn't as much into .357s as much as I was interested into semi-autos. Ended up trading it even up for a Colt Gold Cup.

Looking back now, how do you think you did? That’s a tough call. Both are near top of the line for their respective genre of firearm.

NIGHTLORD40K made me do it...

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

needs more ammo

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads