Better of two worlds: Something in between a S&W M60 and Dan Wesson 15-2?

[stonecoldy]

I throw this question out after my 20 year-old daughter shot both her S&W Model 60 (loaded with .38 Special 158 gr. SWC's at 800 fps) and the same load, plus some factory .357 158 gr. loads out of my Dan Wesson 4" 15-2 vent heavy barrel for trial experience. She said she liked both, but would prefer a revolver with more weight than the S&W M60 and something a little less than the Dan Wesson, in regards to a .357 Magnum loading. Right now she likes the Dan Wesson over the S&W.
Any good opinions with similar experiences for thoughts of a .357 Mag revolver, or other caliber that might be a good direction to look at, are appreciated. I have a S&W 625 that she has not shot yet, we'll try that soon enough.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[Old 112]

Smith & Wesson Model 15 or 67.

My wife and daughter like my 15s, and
shoot them very proficeintly.
My daughter also likes the Ruger Service Six.

They like the balance and weight and feel.
Also, they shoot accurately with them.
Mine are 4 inch versions.

They have also shot my 45 Blackhawks and
Mountain Gun in 45LC.
But, they prefer the 15s.

Regards,
Old 112

 

[Oro]

Yes, I agree - a S&W k-frame or a Ruger. The Dan Wesson 15 isn't much larger than the K frame, but the K feels more compact and the trigger reach is more natural to me. I don't have one to compare this moment; I sold my DW a year or two back but it never settled in the hand like the K. I've given K-frames to two women and no one has ever complained about the feel (a 67 and a 66).

There are a few Rugers that will be like the K or smaller, consider also an SP101.

 

[CajunBass]

I've got a Dan Wesson 22 (same frame as your 15), and a Smith & Wesson Model 17 (K-Frame). The DW is, or feels to me, like it's a lot bigger and heavier than the S&W. I've never shot a "L" frame Smith, but I've always figured the DW to be about that size.

Try a K frame. The Ruger Single Six/Speed Six might work too if you can find one. They're probably between the K and the DW.

Edited to add picture.

This is the only picture I've got of the two guns side by side. As you can see, the Model 17 is noticably smaller than the Dan Wesson.

 

[Bearhands]

You might try locating a DW 15-2V barrel to replace the HV barrel you have?

 

[madcratebuilder]

What Bearhands said! The DW well be lighter with out that full lug.

 

[stonecoldy]

Sorry to get back here late, was out of town.
I tried through CZ-USA to see if I could get a similar barrel to my original 6" vented barrel. They had something called a "Vent-lite", $189 for the factory to make up.
I really wanted a 3" vented barrel, not the full underlug version, but that was not an option. I have looked around some via the internet but have not had any luck finding a 4" vented barrel so far (over a year looking).
I had not shot the Dan Wesson much until recently, and have enjoyed using it again. I did purchase a blued 4" VH barrel and am OK with it so far.
Neither I or my daughter have had the opportunity to shoot the Ruger GP's or SP's and will look into those further.
If I see a Smith K frame for sale, I'll pursue it. I Had thought that might be a good choice also, but have no experience with it.
Thanks for the input!

 

[higene]

Ported

Tarus sells several ported 357s with short barrels. I had a M29 ported at Mag Na Port for under a hundred bucks (it may have gone up). They will also port semi autos through the slide (this involves porting both the barrel and the slide).

Higene

 

[mpmax]

If you want to sell or buy Dan Wesson barrels and shrouds check the gun auction sites or danwessonforum.com's classified page. I've found barrels, shrouds, and grips there.

 

[stonecoldy]

If I can track down a blued 4" vented barrel without the full underlug, I'll probably buy it. Thanks for the info, mpmax, I'll look at the danwesson forum again.
Tough part is, I like this revolver again and may just purchase another revolver. Sadly enough, too many guns made today vs. when I bought that revolver in 1984 don't seem to have the finish quality that they used to. A buddy's S&W 586 is a beautiful revolver (he nearly sold it to me last year but I lamented and convinced him he really should keep it, but put me in line first if he changed his mind) you don't see anymore.