Fun vs. Defense

[jar]

So the Dan Wesson 15-2 just gets poor accuracy if you're not diligent with gap and barrel extension? Interesting, you'd kind of think that such an expensive (I think it would be expensive anyway?) revolver would be low maintenance, or is it kind of like the race gun high maintenance thing?

It was designed to use a user field replaceable barrel with an adjustable gap that fit into a barrel shroud. The barrel is held in tension from both ends; where it threads into the frame and at the end of the shroud.

Since it likes heavy 357s and nice long distance shooting you need to make sure the bushing remains tight and the barrel gap constant at .006 (take it down a couple if you want real accuracy and will be shooting slow fire and only about a box of ammo during the session). You don't want to lose the tightening tool that came with it or be without a feeler gauge set and if the gap is set too tightly after a few rounds it becomes zero and the cylinder locks up.

Do your part, use the right tools, set it up right, pick the right ammo and it will make even me look good. And out there near the berm not up close and personal.

BUT, if you buy a used Dan Wesson (Monson guns not the CZ ones, I don't know anything about the CZ ones) you really want to check far more things than you do with the average revolver like the threads at both ends of the barrel and the cylinder lock and that the tools are present and that the shaft for grips has not gotten bent and the threading for the grip is in good shape.

​

There are a few other things; the cylinder lock in front of the cylinder takes getting used to and also adds another thing to clean under since you do get powder build up under it. The grips are simply on a rod, there is no conventional frame under the grip.

My DW Patriot Experimental is a different beast, the only issue I've had with it was one magazine that would just not feed. Changed springs but it still was not reliable so it got recycled.

​

 

[bannockburn]

I would say I shoot all of my .22s for fun though I use to hunt with my Ruger 10/22. Most everything else in .380, .38 Special, .357, 9mm., and .45 ACP are for home defense or personal protection. The single action revolvers I have in .22, .357, .44 Special, and .45 Colt are all for fun.

My two ARs are for both fun and for home defense. A Rossi Model 92 in .45 Colt is most definitely for fun (see the previous part about single action revolvers). Have two shotguns, a Maverick 88 and a Winchester Model 1300, for home defense while the others are for hunting.

 

[chicharrones]

Hey guys; do y'all have some firearms that you use for defense and others that you shoot for fun, even if the two classes are in the same caliber?

Most all of my firearms are fun to shoot, and many of them were bought with defense in mind.

Then there is my CX4 that covers both categories equally well by being an excellent self defense plinker.

 

[JR24]

My guns were all bought for defense or hunting.

That they are all also fun is a bonus.

Even though I only tend to carry one handgun, all of my autos and revolvers have seen holster time either in the field or for CCW, and I have the large tote box full of holsters to prove it!

My two most fun rifles are also my favorite defense and hunting rifles, A M&P AR15 rebarreled in .300 BLK and my M1A in .308.

My most fun pistols are any of my 1911s and my new Sig P226 SAO (which is also my current EDC and therefore bedside HD gun)

 

[bullseye308]

All of mine are fun guns that get shot a lot. God willing none will ever have to be used for defence, but all are capable if the need arises.

 

[Tommygunn]

The only guns I have limited for "fun" catagory would be my black powder cap 'n' ball revolvers. All others could fill dual roles.


You can use black powder guns for defense, but if you believe in being prepared beforehand you should realize modern guns are far better suited for defense in today's world.

 

[JONWILL]

Nice, good choices! I should add that I carry a Glock 43.

I have a CZ P07 and mine didn't come with a .22 conversion kit.... Is that a special deal or something recent??

The 22 conversions are available. Reasonable also. Around $225

 

[wally]

I don't make the distinction. Anything I can shoot well is fun and will be adequate for defense.

 

[DannyLandrum]

All of my guns and bows are literally in a spreadsheet with each having a Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary purpose (well some don't have Tertiaries and a couple don't even have secondaries). But ALL primaries are something other than "Fun Range Gun" - this description is found on secondary for a couple and tertiary for a couple. But very few have this purpose at all - and as I say, none in primary. So bottom line, no - nothing is solely or primarily a fun gun; everything is purpose-driven. However, a few guns do have a primary purpose of "Newbie Introduction" or similar, meaning their main point is to take newbies to the range and let them have fun (two .22s and a .17 hmr), as a recruitment tool to the sport. The Heritage Rough Rider is the closest thing to a fun gun, but it's it's really not, and I'm about to sell it anyway.

 

[kozak6]

Yeah, it's why I bought a Kahr MK9. I wanted to get an all steel carry gun in hopes that the extra weight would tame recoil enough to keep it fun to shoot.

And I succeeded. It's awfully heavy, but it's no problem to run a few hundred rounds through it at the range. And then it turns out the trigger is oiled glass smooth and it's so accurate it doesn't even make sense.

Now I almost don't want to carry it.

 

[Spats McGee]

Hey guys; do y'all have some firearms that you use for defense and others that you shoot for fun, even if the two classes are in the same caliber?

I don't really keep guns that I don't shoot, and I don't tend to shoot guns that I don't enjoy. I guess that means that all of my guns fall into the "fun" category. I have some that fall into "defense," and some that do not. Some fall into "hunting," and some do not.

 

[Armored farmer]

I bought a 9mm from my son for a fun gun.....i shoot it so well thst i bought a weapon light for it, a couple of different holsters, and it became my nightstand/carry gun. Ruger SR9C

 

[coloradokevin]

All of my defensive guns are fun, but not all of my fun guns are defensive. I'd use any of them in a pinch, obviously, but a bolt action .22LR isn't what I'd call a "defensive" gun, even if I do have it around for fun/hunting. The Glock 26 I carry CCW or the Glock 17 I carry at work are both fun to shoot, but their main reason for existing in my collection is for defense.

 

[Chuck R.]

All of my defensive guns are fun, but not all of my fun guns are defensive. I'd use any of them in a pinch, obviously, but a bolt action .22LR isn't what I'd call a "defensive" gun, even if I do have it around for fun/hunting. The Glock 26 I carry CCW or the Glock 17 I carry at work are both fun to shoot, but their main reason for existing in my collection is for defense.

Same way I look at it.

I don't have any "un-fun" guns, even though I do have some set up for self defense, either CCW or HD and a bunch of hunting stuff. The SD/HD stuff is set up for that specific task/purpose IE: WML/Laser, sights, triggers etc.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Pretty much all my guns have a practical defense capability, so I shoot them with serious purpose in mind.

Although, I consider not getting murdered fun, so perhaps my serious practice with all my guns also equates to just shooting them for fun.

 

[kb308]

It was designed to use a user field replaceable barrel with an adjustable gap that fit into a barrel shroud. The barrel is held in tension from both ends; where it threads into the frame and at the end of the shroud.

Since it likes heavy 357s and nice long distance shooting you need to make sure the bushing remains tight and the barrel gap constant at .006 (take it down a couple if you want real accuracy and will be shooting slow fire and only about a box of ammo during the session). You don't want to lose the tightening tool that came with it or be without a feeler gauge set and if the gap is set too tightly after a few rounds it becomes zero and the cylinder locks up.

Do your part, use the right tools, set it up right, pick the right ammo and it will make even me look good. And out there near the berm not up close and personal.

BUT, if you buy a used Dan Wesson (Monson guns not the CZ ones, I don't know anything about the CZ ones) you really want to check far more things than you do with the average revolver like the threads at both ends of the barrel and the cylinder lock and that the tools are present and that the shaft for grips has not gotten bent and the threading for the grip is in good shape.

View attachment 806227
​

There are a few other things; the cylinder lock in front of the cylinder takes getting used to and also adds another thing to clean under since you do get powder build up under it. The grips are simply on a rod, there is no conventional frame under the grip.

My DW Patriot Experimental is a different beast, the only issue I've had with it was one magazine that would just not feed. Changed springs but it still was not reliable so it got recycled.

View attachment 806228​

Hey, good information, thanks for the explanation.

 

[MikeInOr]

Diamondback DB9 has no fun to it at all! ...but it is the only 9mm I found that I can pocket carry. I do shoot it pretty much every time I go out. It has a bad rep for jams but mine has never had a single failure. My Kahr CM9 is a much nicer shooter but a bit bigger an not pocket-able for me.

I picked up a Desert Eagle L5 in 50ae a little while ago... it won't be the first gun I pick up for defense in the middle of the night... big FLASH... bigger BANG and big recoil... but it is a whole heck of a lot of fun on the range. Hitting a bad guy with one round of 50 ae would make for a really bad day! I would just ask him to kindly wait a moment while I put in my hearing protection though.

 

[exbrit49]

The Dan Wesson model 15-2 is pretty much a fun only item. I'd certainly use it for defense if there were no other choices but it is pretty high maintenance if I want it to make me look competent. To get its best you do have to monitor stuff like the gap and barrel tension pretty much constantly. When its set up right for a given session and with the right ammo for the particular distance at that time it can be more fun than most any other gun I own though.

The Smith & Wesson DA Model 4 would also be a mostly fun gun but more often gets into the primary carry category; it too is a real joy to shoot and really surprisingly forgiving but it's 115 years old now so I use it more as a backup or BBQ gun or low threat period choice.

I don't know what condition your Model 15-2 is in but a little amazed at the comments. I have had one for many years and it has required virtually no maintenance. I shoot primarily target and each range trip will see a minimum of 250 rounds fed through it. Accuracy is phenomenal! I am just an average shooter but I can hold sub 3 inch groups offhand at 10 yards. Most shots are within 2 inches with a couple of flyers out to the three inch. A quick clean of the barrel and cylinders and its ready to go again. The 15-2 with 6 inch barrel and my Model 19 along with my Ruger Blackhawk 45/45 Colt are my go to range guns and the Dan Wesson is the most accurate of all. Oh and yes I did work up my own handloads to get this accuracy. The only thing I do periodically is to check the gap with a feeler gage, I havent had to adjust anything in over 15 years!

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I have plenty of guns that fall into the defense roll, but I have even more that fall into the fun category.

 

[Rock185]

All of mine are fun, but all could be pressed into service for defense. Although if reduced to my J. Stevens "Tip Up" for defense, I'm probably in trouble

 

[FL-NC]

Since I frequently hunt with my AR's, as well as train with them, and they are obviously capable of defense, I guess they are true all-purpose guns. My vintage and mil-surp firearms are mostly safe queens, but they occasionally get shot for "fun". My long range rifles spend a lot of time at the range, but really don't get used for any type of hunting, so I guess they are "all fun".

 

[exbrit49]

The Dan Wesson model 15-2 is pretty much a fun only item. I'd certainly use it for defense if there were no other choices but it is pretty high maintenance if I want it to make me look competent. To get its best you do have to monitor stuff like the gap and barrel tension pretty much constantly. When its set up right for a given session and with the right ammo for the particular distance at that time it can be more fun than most any other gun I own though.

The Smith & Wesson DA Model 4 would also be a mostly fun gun but more often gets into the primary carry category; it too is a real joy to shoot and really surprisingly forgiving but it's 115 years old now so I use it more as a backup or BBQ gun or low threat period choice.

Not sure what the history of your Dan Wesson is, or how well it has been maintained and cleaned etc. Mine is a model 15-2 I purchased used many years ago. I use the 6 inch barrel for target work and it was adjusted once, over 14 years ago. I set it up for .005 Cylinder gap and It has had thousands of rounds through it and is still at .005! It gets a full cleaning and a quick visual on all moving parts after every trip to the range, usually about every 10 days. Even the adjustable sights haven't changed since I first set them up.
I am not the best shooter in the world, but sub 3 inch groups offhand at 10 yards are standard with my model 15-2. On a good day I will hold closer to 2 inch groups~ I do reload for it and found the loading it loves for accuracy. Each trip to the range it gets between 100 and 200 rounds, I wouldn't want to guess how many rounds, but just looking at the usage its an incredible number of rounds I have sent downrange with it. They sure don't build them like this anymore~~~~~
Its a little big for CC but I do carry it in the winter in a shoulder holster with no hesitation. Its a reliable and accurate defense and a heck of a lot of fun on the range! Yes the Dan Wesson 15-2 is a FUN gun as well as being more than adequate for self defense.

 

[jar]

Not sure what the history of your Dan Wesson is, or how well it has been maintained and cleaned etc. Mine is a model 15-2 I purchased used many years ago. I use the 6 inch barrel for target work and it was adjusted once, over 14 years ago. I set it up for .005 Cylinder gap and It has had thousands of rounds through it and is still at .005! It gets a full cleaning and a quick visual on all moving parts after every trip to the range, usually about every 10 days. Even the adjustable sights haven't changed since I first set them up.
I am not the best shooter in the world, but sub 3 inch groups offhand at 10 yards are standard with my model 15-2. On a good day I will hold closer to 2 inch groups~ I do reload for it and found the loading it loves for accuracy. Each trip to the range it gets between 100 and 200 rounds, I wouldn't want to guess how many rounds, but just looking at the usage its an incredible number of rounds I have sent downrange with it. They sure don't build them like this anymore~~~~~
Its a little big for CC but i do carry it in the winter in a shoulder holster with no hesitation. Its a reliable and accurate defense and a heck of a lot of fun on the range! Yes the Dan Wesson 15-2 is a FUN gun as well as being more than adequate for self defense.

The issue is that with most revolvers you never check the barrel clearance and don't change barrels as the Dan Wesson was designed to do. Yup, it's accurate. Yup, it's been reliable. BUT it still is not the common setup found on most revolvers.

 

[John Joseph]

Shooting skills are honed by---shooting!
When shooting is fun, most will shoot more often.
I like it when training exercises are fun and challenging.

 

[Dibbs]

Have a couple SD guns which are great in the performance of their job, but not fun.
.357 Snubnose- not fun, but there is an economy to not using a lot of ammo thru it.
If you're not a serious collector, there's not much point, if the gun ain't fun to shoot.
(YMMV, but that's the way I see it)