Dan Wesson Questions

[Whit]

I can't find a shop anywhere near me that stocks Dan Wesson revolvers. I am interested in a 715 with a 2.5" and 6" barrels. My question is, how close in size is the 715 to a 686 or a 66? Is the barrel system more of a pain than it is worth? How is Quality Control at Dan Wesson? Thanks in advance for any help. ....Whit

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I have a recent DW 722 that was made last summer. The action in DA mode is excellent. The SA mode is a bit rough early on, but has worn in nearly perfect. I found the machining to be first rate and the overall workmanship to be very good for modern guns. It is not the quality of my 5 screw K-22, but then again how many things are like that.

My big complaint about the gun is I had to get grips off e-bay. Even DW does not sell grips for the 722, they suggested e-bay for the grips.

The barrel system makes cleaning easy. Just unscrew and really srub it.

My final comment is I am now in the market for a 357 super from DW. My only requirement is it must be a new gun, not one of the previous companies. I want the quality of the new company.

 

[The Mighty Beagle]

Whit, I can only speak to your question about barrel swapping, since I am a new owner of an old .44 DW. I find the barrel change process to be very easy and convenient, and wondered why I had ever hesitated to get a Dan Wesson before now. I can't really attest to whether there's a point-of-impact change every time you remove and install your barrel, since it's been to cold to shoot here. But I doubt it. I'd say it's more of a problem of re-sighting in when you switch to another barrel. My 8" and 4" just both happen to be really close to point of aim with the sight right where it is but I'm sure some adjustment will be necessary.

It is my favorite revolver of all.

 

[dude]

Dan Wessons are my favorite revolvers also. Vastly (and happily) undervalued. The barrel swap is a no-brainer even with the slightest mechanical appitude........... so don't worry. If you can change&gap a set of plugs you're more than able.

For <$300 you can pick up a nice one that can shoot with the best Python or whatever else. Just swap out those goofy wood grips for a $20 Hogue mono!

the .357 max is avaible and DW stands behind the older versions.

FWIW- Dan Wesson does not recomend shooting .357 mag loads through the .357 max. I would think this would be only for liability issues stemming from failures caused by chamber fouling by the shorter .357 mag. However you know what 'assuming' can do for you.

 

[Swamp Yankee]

Model 715 is about the same size as a S&W "L" frame 686. As a matter of fact if you can't find a holster specifically for a small frame DW most holsters for S&W "L" frames work just fine.
Echoing the others, barrel changes are pretty staight forward, just take your time until your used to it.
As to quality of the older guns, look for those made in Monson, Mass. The Palmer, Mass gun quality was decent but towards the end it became hit or miss. Not saying they were all bad, but they did let a few clinkers out.
The Monson, Mass. guns were primarily made and shipped under the watchful eye of Dan Wesson when he owned the business. He was an absolute stickler for quality, particularly if his name was on it. Once it left his factory, (an old school house on Main Street), he didn't want to see it back. He was the same way with the injection molded parts I used to get from his molding company. "No money in making it twice" he used to say. I know this for a fact as Dan Wesson was a business associate and later a very good personal friend of mine. Each revolver that left the Monson facility was checked 100% for fit, function and most important trigger pull weight in both SA & DA mode. The older Monson guns will most often have much lighter triggers than the new DW's. They didn't have to keep lawyers at bay.
The DW Supermag Series developed around IHMSA matches and consistantly took top places. If you can find one of the older Monson one's in .357 Maximum, as I was fortunate enough to do last year, grab it. These revolvers were virtually hand made, custom fit and have beautiful actions. Mine is as smooth as silk.
You can indeed shoot .357 Mag and .38 special out of the .357 Max. Keep a piece of .357 Max brass available when you clean the cylinder. Insert it into each chamber and it will scrape out most of the fouling. This works best if you bell the case mouth ever so slightly so it's a push fit. Follow up with a good scrubbing and your good to go.
Sorry for being long winded.
Take Care

 

[stans]

I used to have a DW model 15-2 and it was a great gun, sorry I let it go! The cylinder is the same size as the Smith K frame model 19 and uses the same speed loaders. The frame and barrel shroud are much closer to Smith L frame or Colt King Cobra in size. The interchangable barrel system is actually quite nice. You can go from a 2 1/2 inch concealment gun to an 8 inch hunting gun with just a barrel and shroud swap. How many other revolvers let you do that? Accuracy is generally excellent with the DW. I think the lock nut and shroud system put tension on the barrel and dampens vibrations that can cause accuracy problems in conventional revolvers.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Sorry about the mistake on the 357 super. Been doing to much 38 super lately, I meant the 357 Max. I have yet to see one of the original 357 max's so I will consider them again. My goal was some real hunting power and since I have a diamondback & python, the 357Max DW seemed a logical choice.


Thanks for the advice on the 357max.

 

[dude]

A shop near me has a real nice used .357 Max for sale if you are intrested.............Arms Service in Redmond Oregon

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I am already commited to a new razorback right now. Besides, I find the "hunt" almost as much fun as "kill" or in this case the "find".

Do you have a phone number just in case? It is certainly worth the call.

Thanks

 

[dude]

no problem

(541)504-1801
http://[email protected]

a good guy who has done me well.....tell him Scott(&the dog) sent you