Dan Wesson Model 15

[sandy4570]

Majic thank you for the information , I will take my DW apart and see if the double action sear have been remove or not but I think may be I just need the new spring ,I will have to check the diagram of the thing and compare the parts .

 

[Majic]

After you remove ther trigger from the frame you can slide the double action sear off the hammer from either the left or right. Then you will see the plunger sticking out of the hammer that holds the sear forward. This plunger is spring loaded (pull the plunger and the coil spring is behind it). Clean the plunger and the hole in the hammer as it may be just sticking form years of oil and gunk collecting in the action.

Here's an exploded view. The sear is #47, the plunger is #45, the plunger spring is #46.
http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=1320z15

 

[sandy4570]

Thank you kindly for the diagram ,I will take a look at my DW this weekend and see what part that I need to be replace.

 

[Devonai]

I finally picked up my Model 15 from layaway. Since the store is primarily a range (Manchester Firing Line) I was able to fire it immediately, albeit with the 8" barrel that was already installed.

I fired some .38 158gr LRN (pop), some .357 125gr JHP (bang), and some Cor-Bon .357 180gr JSP (BOOM). All of the rounds except for two of the latter went just where I wanted them.

After cleaning the weapon at home during my first viewing of Tremors: The Series (appropriate, I thought, and better than I expected), I installed the 6" barrel. I wanted to use 125gr JHPs and I figured I'd better take Taylor and Ayoob's advice about the longer tube, at least while the weather is still cold enough for concealment. However, after a day out and about with the 6" barrel installed I realized what a pain in the rear it was. I could keep in concealed under my winter coat, but it was just too heavy and it made it hard to sit down. So, I installed the 4" barrel instead and switched to 158gr LSWCHP.

I figure when I'm out boondocking with a hip holster where open carry isn't a problem, I'll put the 6" barrel on it. A pistol belt oughta deal with the weight distribution better than my trouser belt.

 

[jar]

Mine likes the 158s with either the 6" or 4" barrel. The 125s shoot way low except in the 8" or longer barrels.

 

[Majic]

Devonai, the 125 grainers work well in a 4" revolver. Very few 6" revolvers are carried for SD and the 125 gr. load was designed for SD applications. The 158 gr LSWCHP are great in a snub .38sp as they don't generate the necessary velocity for expansion that the .357mag can achieve.

 

[Devonai]

Taylor and Ayoob believe that 4" barrels do not generate sufficient velocities for the JHP to reliably expand.

From The Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery 4th ed., by Chuck Taylor, page 66:

"Currently, many feel that the 125-grain JHP is the most effective .357 load now available. However, it too needs a longer barrel to achieve velocities sufficent to allow reliable bullet expansion. A speed-loader full of them looks good, but they may not work like you want them to unless you pack a long-barreled gun."

And from page 76:

"The .357 Magnum is at it's best from at least a 6-inch barrel... Once the barrel lengths fall below 6 inches, the .357 loses it's magic."

And from page 202:

"The classic 1500 fps (158-grain bullet) claim of the .357 was obtained with an 8 3/8-inch barrel. This same load rarely produces 1100 fps from the 4-inch tubes typical of today. Velocities in this range are insufficient to produce reliable JHP/JSP bullet expansion..."

On page 105 of the 5th edition of the same, by Massad Ayoob, the author talks about the merits of the .38 +P 158gr LSWCHP:

"Because there is no copper jacket that has to peel back, a design feature that seems to require considerable velocities to work, the soft lead seems to open up even when fired at lowered velocity from short barrels and even when fired through heavy clothing."

Based on this information, IMHO a good choice for the 4" .357 would be the 158gr LSWCHP. You get 25-30% increased velocity over the .38 +P, and you don't have to worry about the jacket expanding. YMMV.

 

[Majic]

Research should include several sources, not just one. That way you would have the testing and knowledge from other perspectives.
How the Ayboob became an expert has always been anyones guess, but if you are a follower and believer of him then so be it.
Chuck Taylor is a big promoter of the .45acp which is well known to never generate any kind of velocity like that of a magnum, but those bullets still expand.
Bullet expansion is controlled by jacket construction coupled with a desired velocity range. If the bullet maker can make the .357" diameter bullet expand at .38sp velocities, then the same bullet will have no difficulty expanding at .357mag velocities.
Try some experimenting for yourself with the 4" barrel and see if it works as the makers advertise.

 

[Devonai]

Well, I suppose Ayoob is as much a firearms expert as Stephen King is an expert author. Perhaps volume and persistance can be mistaken for expertise. All I can say is that I generally approve of Ayoob's writing, for what it's worth.

Since I don't have handy access to ballistic gelatin, I'm not sure I'll be able to test any 125gr JHPs for expansion out of my 4" barrel. I have seen a decent-sized snowbank produce similar results, though. Perhaps it's the right time of year for some experiments!!! Like I need an excuse.

 

[stans]

I put zero stock into the writing of Chuck Taylor. He has repeatedly said that the 357 was overrated and that the 45 ACP was the ultimate combat handgun cartridge. That was until he did an article on Colt Pythons in which he extolled the virtures of the 357 as a combat cartridge. I also no longer live and die by the scribblings of Marshal and Sanow. They all write lots of articles, sometimes self-contradicting and they continue to write because they get paid to write.

 

[Ron L]

Devonai

Then we can have a Dan Wesson online party.

Let the party begin!!

 

[jaysmith]

Iam thinking of buying this Dan Wesson .357 He is asking $350.00 fot it . Does anyone know what model it is , I havnt seen it yet .

 

[stans]

I can't see an image.