Need advice on Dan Wesson

[mountaindrew]

I went into my local gun stor the other day to compare some .357s and the had slim pickins in the new department but over in the used cas was a beautiful Dan Wesson 6" model 15. the finish was great with some wear on the cylender face (probbaly from someone over tightening the barrel) the gap was correctly set by the shop now though. I like the sights, the trigger feels good to me (I have heard complaints about DW triggers).
The price on it was $285 but since they just ended a 20% off sale I think I could get them to give me the discount because this revolver has been sitting in the case four a couple of months.

So do you think it would bee a good deal for $250?

Also, I have heard about diffeent manufactures or something for Dan Wessons, Specifically I have hear the name "Monson". Whaty does this mean And what do I need to look for i.e. are there any ones to avoid.

Thanks, Drew

 

[Black Snowman]

I don't know either but I've always been curious about the Dan Wesson's and would like to get one someday. New MSRP on their cheapest current model is $705 according to the website. This obviously isn't street price but definately makes me want to look for a used one. Unfortunately I've never seen one new or used! Seems like if anyone around Kansas City has one they aren't letting them go.

 

[mainmech48]

I've had my Dan Wesson 15-2 for 25 years now. God only knows just how many rounds have been through it; I lost count years ago. while the vast majority of those have been mid-powered reloads with LSWCs, at least 3K were full-powered Magnums of various flavors.

I had exactly one problem with it in all of that time. During the course of firing a couple of boxes of very warm PMC factory 125 gr. loads, the cylinder stop stud came out of the frame. Even though the revolver was long out of warranty, the company sent me a new one and the special Loc-tite along with detailed installation instructions, gratis. Also got a personal note from the late D.B. Wesson when I sent a letter complimenting their service fellow and thanking them for the part.

IME, Dan Wesson revolvers shoot as accurately as any and average better than most. The single weak point is the somewhat fragile rear sight, and that's a cheap DIY fix. Millett makes a fine replacement, which has better adjustments and is sturdier.

I've read where some folks have claimed that lockwork parts on their revolvers had failed due to their sintered metal/MIM construction. Some attributed this to the imagined inherent weakness of the process(es), and some to spotty QC. All I can say from my own experience is that all of my original parts are still in fine working order after many years of hard use.

For $250-275 you'd be hard-pressed to get a 'better', more versatile revolver, IMO.

 

[45crittergitter]

I have owned several DWs, including a Model 15. It's a great gun, very accurate, a pleasure to shoot, user friendly, and very high quality. I echo all the positive things already said here. I had no bad experiences with the 15. Keep in mind that it's not a large-framed .357, so really hot handloads like you might use in a Smith Model 27 should not be used in it.

I'd say a nice used one is worth in the neighborhood of $300 or a bit more.

Monson refers to the name of an owner of Wesson; it has changed hands a number of times, so a "Monson" gun is one made during the Monson ownership period. I have no idea which era is supposed to be better.

(Edit): Ah, so Monson must be the town, not the owner!

I do know the company name changed from Dan Wesson to Wesson Firearms. I have had both and the only problem I had was bad tolerances/QC on a Model 445 (.445 SuperMag), which is a different frame than the 15.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Buy it!

Here are my 2 "Dans". Good guns accurate, easy to maintain, built like tanks and very very accurate.

Here is 50 shots each at either 15 or 25 yards (I forget) with my DW 722. They are good solid guns that for whatever reason no one values. If you want a good gun that is solid and is a lot of bang for the buck (could not resist the pun), get the Dan.

I have a 3rd on the way right now and will pick it up tomorrow.

By the way, tradition has it that the older Monson made (look at the town it is made in) are better then the Palmer's and the lower serial number Monson's are quite good. Finally MY opinion is the newest or current made Norwich guns are by far the best quality of fit and finish.

So if you have one and you like the trigger and it feels good, you are getting probably the best revolver for the money. Finally parts are still readily available from the current manufacturer (although I have never needed any).

Good luck and "enjoy it".

 

[Swamp Yankee]

$250 should be about right. Obviously prices vary by region.

If it's in good shape buy it and shoot it. It takes a lot more than most of us ever shoot to wear out a Model 15.

As to Monson guns, I got carried away and started another thread. Se if it answers any of your questions.

Take Care

 

[stans]

Monson refers to the location of the manufacturing plant. Originally it was in Monson, Massachusetts. When DW went under the first time, the company was purchased and the equipment moved to Palmer, Massachusetts. By the time these guns went into production, the tooling was well worn and needed to be replaced, so quality was a bit lower than on the ones produced in Monson, Mass. The current DW's are produced in Norwich, NY, and are produced on CNC mills.

A used model 15 in good condition for $250 would certainly be a good deal. I used to have a model 15 from Monson, Mass. Sorry I ever traded it away.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

By the way,

You guys might be interested in that I have monson serial number 50x (if I remember right) coming my way on monday. That would make it a very early monson since the one shown above (blued) is a 3364xx serial number so I would guess that is a later one.

 

[Swamp Yankee]

mainmech48

You've got one of the very early Model 15's.
The reason for the wobbly rear sight, they were using up the old stuff from the previous design to meet orders until the Millets like my 715 is fitted with came in. The older sights worked, as you stated they just weren't the greatest.

Take Care

 

[GaryP]

The quality of the Palmer, MA guns, made from 1990 to 1994, was somewhat marginal. The infamous Wesson Arms, Inc 738 & 738P 2" Snubbies in .38 Spl were made during this time and suffered from a poorly designed Hand Spring. The guns were rock solid and +P rated but were not reliable in rapid fire DA mode due to the Hand Spring flexing and eventually bending puting the gun out of service! SA mode was excellent, however! The company went out of business in 1994 before this problem was addressed. I purchased a NIB 738P in late 1993, not too long before they closed the doors and was not able to get the factory to respond to this problem. I did find a local Gunsmith that fashioned a replacement Hand Spring for my gun. Bob Serva opened the company under a new name in Norwich, NY (1996) but the 738 was a dead issue. I sent several e-mails to the new Dan Wesson Firearms Company's Customer Service asking about the 738P but never received a reply. :banghead: I assumed, at the time, the lack of response was due to the new company's decision to drop the 738 series from their product line and concentrate on their offerings.

 

[armoredman]

See what CZ-USA does with them - e-mail Alice at CZ, or DW, as she is the new DW President. Very good person, and very forthright.

 

[syr74]

I only recently bought a very early Dan Wesson Model 14 for a very low amount of money. (under $200) The finish has "browned" on the frame (I have noticed this on other DW's?) and shows some wear, but I bought the gun as a "toy" and intend to have several mods done to it so this is a nonj-issue for me. That said, I like the gun very much and my only issue thus far is that the trigger is a bit on the heavy side.

 

[Akaboson]

I have a model 14; Bought new in 1971. Super shooter; Trigger is adjustable.
Only problem I ever had was with bad ammo in double action. Cartridges had sharp edges that would catch on barrel rotation.
This one has handled more than a thousand reloads without any hickups.

 

[22lr]

2 words

Buy it

I would love to find a used DW in that price range here in Indiana.

 

[Hawk]

First, it's my understanding there is no such thing as a "current" Dan Wesson revolver - CZ needs to update the site. If it should come to pass that they start up again, I'll likely be in line.

So far as the "Monsoon" vs "Tsunami" or whatever, I hear that quality varied and one is well advised to watch the origin. I remain on the lookout for a good used DW and bookmarked (somewhere) a posting where I was advised which location was the safer bet.

Under the heading of "does not fill me with confidence buying used" is the observation that Grant Cunningham has stopped accepting the things as of the last time his waiting list momentarily blinked open.
http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/0b28854d1d96606764f71ed68ca7ebf5-455.html

Now for the bad news: I am no longer be accepting reservations for work on Dan Wesson revolvers. This is not an easy decision; I'm a huge fan of DWs, and believe them to be a superior design in many respects. I own them, carry them, and shoot them regularly, so I'm particularly saddened to take them out of the lineup. It's necessary, though, if I'm to properly service the majority of my clients who don't own them.

Why? Simple: the quality of the DW guns is so variable that the amount of time I spend making them "right" results in big bottlenecks in my workflow. The harsh reality is that they often display worse fitting and quality than many Taurus guns (and you probably already know how I feel about those.) If the rest of my work is to get out on a timely basis, something has to give - and DW is that something.

If you have a DW on the list now, I'll of course honor my agreement to work on it. Once those examples currently on the list are finished, that's it for Dan Wessons.

For those of us that doubted our ability to tell pearls from used oats and have dismal luck buying sight-unseen, that was pretty much the last nail in the coffin.

I'll wait for new (with warrantee) or hope to get lucky with a local example that can be checked out extensively prior to purchase and includes a "shooting OK" return policy.

 

[hemiram]

That's too bad, I had one I was eventually planning to send him for refinishing and a general tune up, it shoots ok, just looks really bad.

I myself haven't seen a Monson gun that wasn't able to be put back in action quite simply, since parts aren't hard to get. I've had six 15-2's (All Monsons) and never had a hand spring issue on any of them

 

[wad]

Drop by the Dan Wesson Forum. Lots of good information for any current or future owner.

http://www.danwessonforum.com

Keep in mind that it's not a large-framed .357, so really hot handloads like you might use in a Smith Model 27 should not be used in it.

My understanding is that the model 15/15-2 are exceptionally durable revolvers and should have no problem with "hot" hand loads. Though as with any gun, hot loads will eventually over stress parts and cause premature wear. If you want hotter loads, move up to a 44 magnum...

 

[Bearhands]

I too, am looking @ a DW Mod 15-2V

"Unfired", and yes I know at least 1 round has gone thru it, but this gun is all but pristine. No marks, 6" barrel only, has the "tool" and a Dan Wesson leather carry. Can someone estimate a value please? The asking price is $425, and trust me, this thing looks brand new.

 

[levrluvr]

I recently found a NIB DW Model 14 .357 mag 4". Beautiful gun, and I got all the original paperwork, tools, in the original box. The Model 14 has fixed sights.

 

[loneviking]

I too, am looking @ a DW Mod 15-2V

"Unfired", and yes I know at least 1 round has gone thru it, but this gun is all but pristine. No marks, 6" barrel only, has the "tool" and a Dan Wesson leather carry. Can someone estimate a value please? The asking price is $425, and trust me, this thing looks brand new.
__________________

Buy that thing and don't look back. If I could find one like that, I would likely buy it as well.

 

[dogspit]

Did Dan Wesson or High Standard make the Mitchell Titian MK II in 1995

Looking at a Mitchell Titian MKII in either 2" blue or 4" stainless

Who made Mitchell during 1995 when these guns were manufactured. Could it be Dan Wesson or High Standard

Thanks in advance

 

[Guillermo]

that is a lot of gun for the money.

Dan Wessons are more sensitive to lack of lube so take her apart and clean and oil her. Then shoot it until the trigger is worn down to a nub.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I too, am looking @ a DW Mod 15-2V

"Unfired", and yes I know at least 1 round has gone thru it, but this gun is all but pristine. No marks, 6" barrel only, has the "tool" and a Dan Wesson leather carry. Can someone estimate a value please? The asking price is $425, and trust me, this thing looks brand new.

I track DW's on gunbroker, that price seems good compared to what I have seen sell. DW prices have gone up considerably in the past year. I picked up a 15-2 pistol pac, 4 barrels and scope for under $500. It would bring close to 1k on GB now. A pistol pac case in good condition brings a c note.

 

[Sniper X]

I am picking up this one tonight

I am getting this one tonight for $250.00 and it is a 15- something, serial is 300XX, anyone know the vintage? It is a great shooter, but needs a refinish which i will be glad to have done!

 

[DWFan]

That's an M14-6V. The M15 has adjustable sights. It will say Monson (which I believe it is) or Palmer or Norwich on the frame. Like any fixed sight revolver, you should experiment to find what ammo shoots to the point of aim. I suggest the Remington Express 125gr SJHP to start.