Coal Dragger
member
I have yet to see any Dan Wesson that wasn't a hunk of crap.
Dan Wesson 357 for $350 -- Yay or Nay?
- Thread starter PorkChopsMmm
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hardluk1
member
That would make a nice combo. Hey , take your time to learn about the DW. I tend to run my cylinder gap tight fro hunting. On my centerfires 1 to 2 th's works well for me for hunting. Check each cylinder for the tightest one but running a hundred rounds may leave enought crud on the end of the cylinder it will stop the cylinder from rotateing. So 4 to 6ths tends to work for fun time. Put just a drop of breakfree on the barrel treads and just give a sold snug to tighten tends to be all the tighter the barel nut needs. I found with older eyes ewkarms fiber optic front sites really helps old farts, old eyes. Don't ask how I know that. Instead of a 2" barrel and shroud EWKarms has made some 3" barrels and shrouds. Might find a photo at the DWforum. Looks just right.
hAkron
Member
Just out of curiosity, how are you determining that this is a 1977 model? I think the 6 digit serial numbers came about in the 80's and beyond.
hAkron
Member
The bluing looks really good on it too. You got a great deal. Also, you will love the EWK barrels. Get a fiber optic front sight and a small parts kit while you are at it.
For those in the thread that had issues, I'm surprised. You do t hear many stories of people having issues with DW's. sure, people talk almost in a folk tale tone about issues with Palmer and Nowich guns, but not usually in specifics. Obviously every company lets a couple of bad guns out the door, but in general, most folks that post on the Internet about DWs have positive things to say.
For those in the thread that had issues, I'm surprised. You do t hear many stories of people having issues with DW's. sure, people talk almost in a folk tale tone about issues with Palmer and Nowich guns, but not usually in specifics. Obviously every company lets a couple of bad guns out the door, but in general, most folks that post on the Internet about DWs have positive things to say.
Steve CT
Member
hAkron
Member
Look at that, I guess you are right. 1977-79 seems to be the salad years for the model 15-2. They were in full swing.
PorkChopsMmm
Member
hAkron -- the bluing does look pretty good but notice in one of the pictures there are speckles/slight pitting on one side back by the hammer. It also looks like the barrel has some rubbing at the end. I don't mind -- I will be carrying this out and about, banging it around on the tractor, etc.
hardluk1 -- thanks for the info!
hardluk1 -- thanks for the info!
Stormin.40
Member
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You did well, I almost picked up the same gun here in WI for $450. It was in about the same condition but locked up tight. For your purpose the "character" will be just fine. I didn't want to wait around for a good deal on a 4" barrel and I wanted a 4" so I ended up getting a S&W 586 instead. If you decide later that you really would rather have a 4" you will probably be able to find one used. Or call CZ and they can get you a new one for about $300.
hardluk1
member
I picked up a DW .22lr about couple years back that looked like it had never been cleaned and also was tight. I pulled the grip and soaked the whole revolve in kroil oil. Came all lose the next day and runs like new now. The pan looked like swamp mud in the morning. it had sat around for many years and he father that had bought it for his son many years ago new nothing about it. Great revolver but price going in has to be right.
PorkChopsMmm
Member
Got her home today and hope to wall outside in a little bit and shoot it.
The blueing is great on 90% of the gun. Looks like it was carried a bit by the muzzle wear and p
Slight pitting on the side. She needs a good cleaning, too.
Oh yeah, check the barrel gap.
The blueing is great on 90% of the gun. Looks like it was carried a bit by the muzzle wear and p
Slight pitting on the side. She needs a good cleaning, too.
Oh yeah, check the barrel gap.
Got one like it
$300 to $350 is a decent price for the Dan Wesson 15-2. The timing seems to hold up well even after a lot of punishment! The grips will look really good if you lights sand and steel wool them and then apply a couple coats Birchwood Casey stock finish, and will stand up to the rigors of daily carry.
Dan made some great .357s and I hope that one shoots as well as mine does.
I think you will be really happy
You can pick up the other barrels for around 150 each online, I havent bothered as mine was fitted with the six incher and thats what I wanted.
$300 to $350 is a decent price for the Dan Wesson 15-2. The timing seems to hold up well even after a lot of punishment! The grips will look really good if you lights sand and steel wool them and then apply a couple coats Birchwood Casey stock finish, and will stand up to the rigors of daily carry.
Dan made some great .357s and I hope that one shoots as well as mine does.
I think you will be really happy
You can pick up the other barrels for around 150 each online, I havent bothered as mine was fitted with the six incher and thats what I wanted.
C5rider
Member
Me thinks you did well.
Enjoy it! And, prepare for others in your safe!
Enjoy it! And, prepare for others in your safe!
hemiram
Member
Coal Dragger- The only ones I've seen that are a "hunk of crap" are ones where the clueless owner abused/neglected them. I've had about 10 Model 15-2's over the last 35 years or so and none of them had any significant problems. The worst thing I can remember is that the cylinder stop (Pressed in) on my second one fell out. A little punch dimpling on the flat and some loctite stud lock fixed it permanently. Other than that, a broken hand spring was about as bad as it got. I would rather own a DW than a Colt or S&W, if I was limited to one make. I can fix just about any DW problem in minutes without any gunsmithing. I can't say that about Colt, or S&W. If you don't like them, great, more for us who do.
hAkron
Member
Agree on that. One of the design goals was an accurate revolver that required almost no hand fitting. Ironically, I think the only part that requires any fitting is the hand...that's usually the only part inside if a DW action that has any fitting marks on it.
PorkChopsMmm
Member
Good info. I need to look into some of this maintenance in case I ever run into any issues. Besides the dissassembly diagram are there any other good resources for taking the gun apart, fixes, etc?
http://www.danwessonforum.com/forum and more specifically, http://www.danwessonforum.com/forum/reloading/tuning-up-your-15-2-the-average-joe-method/ should go to the top of your bookmarks list. Welcome!
PorkChopsMmm
Member
Thanks guys. The day I brought it home I ran a few 38 special and 357 magnum rounds through it. Shot great and was very controllable. It was easy shooting with the 38 specials.
I gave it a good cleaning and will get the Hogue grip, Safariland speed loader, and a cheap Uncle Mike's holster in the mail today.
I gave it a good cleaning and will get the Hogue grip, Safariland speed loader, and a cheap Uncle Mike's holster in the mail today.
PorkChopsMmm
Member
Dratz, I ordered a holster I thought would fit but look at the exposed trigger. This is an Uncle Mike's Sidekick #3 -- supposed to fit 6" barrels but I guess not with the DW frame. I will send it back and order the #4 for 7 to 8 1/2" barrels to see if it will allow the trigger to be covered.
rswartsell
Member
Go here for barrel wrench and guage kit;
http://www.ewkarms.com/zen8/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5&zenid=8e679631a91d23fe6a210315277f6899
I have no idea what Coal Dragger is talking about. These revolvers are known for strength, durability and accuracy, I should have put accuracy in capital letters. If yours isn't impressively accurate there is a reason why and likely simple to cure.
My Monson 15-2 lives up to the billing, and I have never seen nor heard a reliable opinion that a DW revolver was anything but top notch. I have Smith's that have a much better action, but when I cleaned the crap and calcified lubricant out of mine, I certainly haven't seen a Ruger whose action I preferred.
Shoot some rip-snorters through it to appreciate how well it handles the thunder. Mine is my go to in 6" bbl. for Buffalo Bore 180gr. hog thumpers.
http://www.ewkarms.com/zen8/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5&zenid=8e679631a91d23fe6a210315277f6899
I have no idea what Coal Dragger is talking about. These revolvers are known for strength, durability and accuracy, I should have put accuracy in capital letters. If yours isn't impressively accurate there is a reason why and likely simple to cure.
My Monson 15-2 lives up to the billing, and I have never seen nor heard a reliable opinion that a DW revolver was anything but top notch. I have Smith's that have a much better action, but when I cleaned the crap and calcified lubricant out of mine, I certainly haven't seen a Ruger whose action I preferred.
Shoot some rip-snorters through it to appreciate how well it handles the thunder. Mine is my go to in 6" bbl. for Buffalo Bore 180gr. hog thumpers.
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I don't blame you for getting it. I'd have been on that like stink on poop.
I was amazed at how smooth my DA pull got with just a tiny bit of light stoning.
Mine is the DW sold under the HS Sentinel 3 name, with the short barrel.
It needs to be refinished, but I got it for 75 dollars.
I was amazed at how smooth my DA pull got with just a tiny bit of light stoning.
Mine is the DW sold under the HS Sentinel 3 name, with the short barrel.
It needs to be refinished, but I got it for 75 dollars.
hAkron
Member
Dratz, I ordered a holster I thought would fit but look at the exposed trigger. This is an Uncle Mike's Sidekick #3 -- supposed to fit 6" barrels but I guess not with the DW frame. I will send it back and order the #4 for 7 to 8 1/2" barrels to see if it will allow the trigger to be covered.
Poke a hole in the bottom
Most Holsters made for S&W L frame revolvers will work well with a DW 15-2
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