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October 17, 2017
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Well; sometimes you get more than you bargained for. I won the auction on this DW model W12, and from the photos provided I could tell that it was very little used. After brining it home this afternoon from my FFL dealer I immediately dove into checking it out! Gradually, I began to realize that this revolver has never been shot. After wiping off the original factory lube from the gun's surface I couldn't wait to remove the side plate so I could inspect the action. After removing the "perfect" screws it was apparent that this side plate had never been off before. I resisted the temptation, and simply re-installed the screws then continued on to that amazing barrel nut! Upon removal, there was the factory original lube again. I gently screwed the barrel in just a tad, and re-attached the shroud. On to the adjustable sights! It was set all the way to the left, and all the way down, which I suspect is how they were shipped from the factory. I did an "eyeball" adjustment (the click stops worked perfectly) which I can start from on my first trip to the range. Next was the over travel screw adjustment. Nice and tight, and is now perfect! I have to say that this revolver is truly amazing. Lock-up is perfect. Everything works with ease, and the fit and finish is a joy to see and handle. So, do I shoot this thing or not. I've always believed that a gun is meant to be SHOT! Still, it's a little like driving a car off the showroom floor; you almost don't want to put the first miles on it.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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DO NOT SHOOT THAT GUN! A 53 year old Dan that never has been shot is very rare. Buy another to shoot. I have had that happen to me. I bought a 15-2 in the box. I realized the grease in the barrel was the factory grease. I stopped cleaning it, left the grease in and put it away. I did clean and wax the outside because it was decades old and had that light oxidation that cannot be noticed until it is on the cloth.
There are many Pythons for sale in that condition because folks bought them as investments. Dans were for shooting and a gun that still has factory grease in the barrel is very rare. Heck, buy 2 or 3 more.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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SHOOT IT! there's already a drag line...
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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January 24, 2009
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I am in the same boat, I have some DW's that once I got looking closely, it was obvious they hadn't been fired outside the factory. My 2-digit Model 12's are a good example...one has not been fired since it left DW, and the other has had maybe 20~ish rounds down the pipe. As of yet I haven't shot either one, I have others just like 'em that I shoot regularly & enjoy immensely.
In the end, it's your gun to do with it what you would like. If you decide to not shoot it, If I were you, I would immediately get another one just like it, so you don't miss out on shooting one of the models that started it all for DW.
October 17, 2017
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I’ve already decided to go ahead and shoot this revolver. As rwsem has pointed out it already has a slight drag line. I doubt that the original owner purchased this as an investment; otherwise they would have saved the box and tools etc. I have spent most of the afternoon tinkering, and did remove the side plate for the first time. I actually had to use the Colt/S&W method of tapping with the plastic handle of a screwdriver to vibrate it loose. My other Dans come off very easily. This is a late enough porker to have the improved hand spring arrangement which is great! One other curiosity of porkers is that the chambers are quite tight. Fired cases shot in my 15-2 will not go in either of my pork chop DWs.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Very interesting. I don't reload so I never would have learned that. I did just learn something new also today. I bought a model 15 at a gun show today. I had thought that the High Standard rear sight and the longer hammer fall of the 15-1 happened around serial number 25,000. The gun I bought today is not a dash one and the Serial number is 32,000+. You can never be certain, for certain, about Dan Wesson.
October 17, 2017
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I don’t reload either, but I discovered the discrepancy while checking for headspace (never a good idea to use live rounds for this). I grabbed a box of spent ammo from my trip to the range that day and wondered why I could only insert barely half of the case into a chamber on my 15-1. Turned out that box was shot in my Colt Trooper MK lll. Ditto for rounds fired in my DW 15-2. For curiosity I checked my new to me W12; same as the 15-1.
DWF Supporters
March 28, 2023
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I agree with Ole Dog. You can always buy another gun to shoot. Unfired guns (except for factory proof) are rare and will fetch a 30% to 40% premium if resold. I would be careful not to turn the cylinder so no turn ring is present. I have several NIB unfired guns It's best to keep them safely tucked away and shoot the other ones! It's like taking a SDCC Star Wars figure and opening the package and playing with it, you just lost half its value. Maybe your rich and value does not matter but I love looking at a 100 year old collector gun that is brand new. When I die and my nephews get my guns they come with instruction! "Fire or do not fire" You can sell it but don't fire it. And if you sell it, sell it to someone that understands not to fire the gun. Most collectors understand this anyway!
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January 24, 2009
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Yeah, I have found that each gun "sizes" the cases once they are fired to their own cylinder bores. That's why my seizing dies run tight-n-loose when I'm working through a big batch of cases, after I have run 3 or 4 guns at a range day.
Okay 3ric, make sure to post a range report! BTW, if you wax the cylinder before you hit the range, it will help keep deeper drag lines from forming.
October 17, 2017
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The main reason I removed the side plate was to remove the bolt so I could give it a gentle polish with a jeweler’s rouge block. I think it will keep the drag lines to a minimum. No, I am not “rich”, but I have no interest in collector values. I want to experience the DW revolver that started it all. My nephews will most likely have no idea of what they are inheriting. Part of me is hesitant, but you get just one go-around in this life. Collectors will always find what they are searching for, and even if I put many miles on this revolver it will always have its intrinsic value whatever that is at the time. I happen to appreciate the revolvers in my modest collection that actually show their history!
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January 24, 2009
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3ric said
The main reason I removed the side plate was to remove the bolt so I could give it a gentle polish with a jeweler’s rouge block. I think it will keep the drag lines to a minimum. No, I am not “rich”, but I have no interest in collector values. I want to experience the DW revolver that started it all. My nephews will most likely have no idea of what they are inheriting. Part of me is hesitant, but you get just one go-around in this life. Collectors will always find what they are searching for, and even if I put many miles on this revolver it will always have its intrinsic value whatever that is at the time. I happen to appreciate the revolvers in my modest collection that actually show their history!
That post is a little "heavy", it sounds like you have no offspring of your own? If that is the case, and especially because of that, then yes, definitely live life in the day! Take that W12 out and blaze the hell out of it!
October 17, 2017
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I will do an extensive range report probably next week, but I was able to tag along with some friends for a last minute trip to the range today. I needed to sight this thing in, and I accomplished this in a very short time. This gun is incredible! The quality of the build is amazing, and can be felt in every possible aspect when using it. Three things distinguish the DW revolver: tensioned barrel, short hammer throw and trigger over travel adjustment. This last one is overlooked by many users, but in my experience (when properly adjusted) it is very useful in being able to shoot more accurately. Someone once said “life is too short to own an ugly gun”, and while some folks feel the porkers are ugly, I disagree, but still swapped out the original grip for this one. I wasn’t fond of the feel of the original, and this one feels much better and looks nice as well.
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January 24, 2009
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A unique grip for a unique gun! Out of curiosity, where did you happen to find that?
October 17, 2017
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Happened to see this one on eBay along with another which was similar. Never saw anything like them again. Appears to have been done with a laser to achieve the stippling surrounding the engraved pattern. Interestingly, these fit better than any DW or other grip I’ve ever encountered.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Some outfit is taking old DW grips, maybe old new stock, and laser carving them in various patterns. They do other make grips too. They may be the ones putting aftermarket DW medallions on Pachmyer grips and selling them for $99 on eBay.
October 17, 2017
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Arizonacustomgrips is a possibility. I remember the package came from Arizona. They seem to specialize in single action revolver grips, but they occasionally make others. Might be worth checking out their website.
DWF Supporters
March 28, 2023
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They are out of Oklahoma. It's called Sk Kustoms. They have several more grips for sale on ebay you have to go down to the bottom of the Dan Wesson Grip section and you still see all there grips and they all have a red background. They specialise in Colt grips but also have many of the custom Dan Wesson grips most for $99
October 17, 2017
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Well, as pretty as those engraved grips are, they tend to bite a bit when shooting magnums. Ok for a few rounds, but after a box or two a rash will surely develop. After browsing through my grip collection I found this Hogue finger groove grip. Feels great, and I think it somehow compliments the ole porker profile.
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
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Agreed, those grips look great!
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