Dan Wesson 357 snub identification

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TennJed

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Picked up my first Dan Wesson today and was looking for help id'ing the model. The serial number is 325xxx. Says it was made in Monson, MA. It has a 2.5" barrel. No model number on it. There is a "3" in a circle under the grips. Does that make the a 15-3? (I don't see a 15 anywhere on it, it is just the only DW model I have heard of)

Few questions

1) Anyone know the approximate year it was made?

2) I know there were different factories. How is the quality of the Monson ones?

3) can this model take the interchangeable barrels

4) what do I need to look for if I want to swap grips? medium frame? Small frame? Round butt?
 

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I can't help with identifying it but congratulations on a fine revolver. Speaking strictly from personal opinion I'll take a Dan Wesson over a S&W any day of the week. Mine is a model 14 (fixed sights) and I only have the 6" barrel for it, but I absolutely love it.
 
Appears to me to be a 15-2. Pic of the muzzle would confirm barrel swap process. Small frame, you'd by looking for grips with square tang. Check EWK and Dan Wesson forum for parts, info, leads to aftermarket grips. And congrats on grabbing a truly great revolver. Also check Average Joe post on Dan Wesson forum.

Ya done good!!
 
Also, Monson is generally the desirable point of manufacture... Lots of info online regard DW history, but again, ya done good. (And if you want a 6" barrel, I'd swap you one for that shorty you got...)
 
It is a 15-2. The Monson 15-2's are the absolute most common Dan Wesson guns you are likely to encounter. Small frame grips are what you want. I don't think any Monson 15-2's were ever fixed barrel, so head over to http://www.ewkarms.com and get yourself a barrel tool, and a barrel assembly or two (he makes better then factory, cheaper than gunbroker Dan Wesson barrels, parts, and accessories). There are no model numbers anywhere on most DW revolvers. The model numbers were on the box, which almost nobody kept.

You have an excellent gun there in a very desirable configuration. By purchasing that Dan Wesson, you have shown yourself to be a person of class and sophistication. Congratulations!!
 
hAkron said:
It is a 15-2. The Monson 15-2's are the absolute most common Dan Wesson guns you are likely to encounter. Small frame grips are what you want. I don't think any Monson 15-2's were ever fixed barrel, so head over to http://www.ewkarms.com and get yourself a barrel tool, and a barrel assembly or two (he makes better then factory, cheaper than gunbroker Dan Wesson barrels, parts, and accessories). There are no model numbers anywhere on most DW revolvers. The model numbers were on the box, which almost nobody kept.

You have an excellent gun there in a very desirable configuration. By purchasing that Dan Wesson, you have shown yourself to be a person of class and sophistication. Congratulations!!
Click to expand...
Thanks everyone.

And hAkron since you mentioned class and sophistication. I thought I would post a pic of the El Paso Holster that came with it.

10988683946_04ac3c466f.png
 
Wow...very nice. That's a 15-2 I believe and Dan Wesson, Hogue, etc. refer to these as "small" frames as opposed to "large" frames which are .44 mag.

I have a 15-2 VH with 4" and 6" barrels and would love to find a 2 1/12" barrel/shroud and those small grips for mine. But they seem to be rare as hens teeth.

Nice find - awesome revolver!

VooDoo
 
That ewkarms looks very interesting. I would like a 6" barrel or it. Ebay and Gunbroker have the factory ones going for $250-$350 :eek:

If I am reading his pricing right do I get everything I need (except or tool) for about $120-$170 depending on the sights and other options?

That seems reasonable. I would drop $150 for a 6'. Only down side it looks like he is backed up till April
 
Tennjed you will also get a different barrel twist that offers better accuracy, as if it not the best product pistol out there all ready.
 
Wow! Dudes...best thread *EvEr!* as I just ordered a VH 2 1/2" barrel and shroud for my Dan Wesson 15-2VH from EWK Arms! :what::)

All I have to do now is find a grip like the one pictured to turn my favorite revolver into a concealed carry piece for my Wife and I. Too cool!

VooDoo
 
Yeah...now I have a 2", a 4", and a 6" and 3 sets of grips...the original target style hand graters, a Pau Ferro finger grip from Hogue, and a nubby rubber finger grip from Hogue for my DW 15-2VH.

I'm hot to find a grip that is like the pix the OP posted - I want that "S&W Chiefs Special" style small rounded "detective" style grip.

VooDoo
 
Thanks for the heads up on L.B. Grips.....I sent an inquiry but appacrently he's not taking orders at this time. So, we'll see. I really like his "Lil' Dan" grip.

VooDoo
 
He and ewk are running these as hobby business's so at times we can be buried for extended periods of time. Buuuut hang in there . You could also pick a used beat up ugly DW combat grip and make what you want out of it . Even if not Purdy it may serve your needs till you can get what you want.
 
For really cool DW stuff like this? I can wait for months if that's what it takes. My Dan Wesson is an heirloom and my favorite revolver....dressing it up and changing it/shooting it in various configurations is a lot of fun and it gets almost as much attention at the range as shooting a 95 year old .32 ACP gangster pocket auto.

I like the wow factor, I'm afraid.

VooDoo
 
It's hare to beat a Dan Wesson revolver.
I hated them when I was a kid.
Such wasted years.
 
Does anyone know the specs on these Dan Wesson 15? What is the weight with the 2.5" barrel?
 
TennJed-Congrats, you got a very nice revolver. I don't know what the spec.'s are but the best source for information on these is www.danwessonforum.com My old model 15-2 came with just the 4" barrel & was in kinda rough cosmetic condition when I got it but I like it a lot.
 
I have the round and the square (bottom) combat grips. One of them I snagged on ebay last year, the other came attached to a 715. If I run across any extras out in the world, I'll be sure to let you know.
 
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