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July 25, 2009
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Shorty after DW moved over to New York, I called Service to get some different front sight blades for my Monson 715 VH 6. Nice chap there, and as we talked about the 715s, and he gave me some advice on a nagging irritation with mine (his advice worked!) he asked me out of the blue if I had any need for or interest in a 3″ barrel and VH 3 stainless shroud! Well, I made sure with him that it was indeed a THREE inch, not 2 1/2″, not 2″, not 4″. He explained it was one of very few ever made for “the boss” for his own gun, and they had three left. Like an idiot, I only bought ONE! (Didn't sense a need for more than that!)
So I ask you: Does ANYONE of you know the real story behind these? Do any of you have one or have you seen one? I assure you this is a true THREE INCH set, because I own other 715s and one has the original short barrel and many have 4″ barrels. I know how they are measured.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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It sure would be great to see a picture of this unique barrel. It will spark conversation about another new and unusual item many of us have never known to exist.
And sorry for the late 
to our Forum. I got all out of order talking about three inch barrels. Glad you joined our little spot on the WWW
SMF
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Great to have you on board at DWF. A true 3" is a very special item, not formerly seen in captivity. We would love to see pictures, especially if you can line it up with a 2 1/2" and 4" for comparison.
Please stop by our https://www.danwessonforum.com/?page_id=3/new-members-introduction and tell us more about yourself
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
July 25, 2009
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I'd love to post pics I just took, but I don't have a website or blog for the links. any other way to post them here?
July 25, 2009
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Lemme see if I got this part right. I am on “outpost” doing some “away time” and these are with a lousy lighting setup – overhead hanging lamp! One-handed with a cheap camera and “macro” setting that focuses on the desk, not the metal thingies. Ah well…
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Looks like a true 3 inch to me, and a pretty rare bird. Thanks for the quick pix, I can tell you're a true DFW'er 
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
July 25, 2009
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Still waiting to hear from all the other 3" owners out there!!!
From the time I posted the pics until a few minutes ago I took the 3" setup and an old, trusted S&W 60 out to poke some paper. Haven't fired revolvers in a long time and I've recently done some internal work on the Model 60 which is my "second gun". Had to chjeck them out, mind you, for "safety reasons". 150 out of the Model 60 and 100 out of the VH 3. Never a hitch or glitch.
This VH 3 STILL shoots like a dream! I just have to holster and carry this more often and rely less on the .45. I haven't fired many rounds out of wheelguns in WAY too long a time and it feels so good I remember exactly why I relied on them for so long for concealed carry and serious social intercourse.
I may never feel entirely protected without that Lightweight Commander on my side, but I would feel pretty darned good with this VH 3 in almost any situation. .357 will handle any real-life battle with ease and I still remain mystified as to just why it was we traded them in on "wonder nines" and then tried to compromise with .40s. Carry a .357 six-shooter or a .45 ACP and LEAD the fight instead of being a victim of it.
I really believe 3" is the ideal length for a concealed-carry magnum and 5" is the ideal length for a holstered magnum for anything but hunting or long-range target. Those lengths cover whatever is needed in velocity, sight radius and quick handling. I do not see any advantage in a medium to large framed revolver in a 2" barrel, Too much velocity lost and too much recoil for quick follow-ups, and it won't hide any easier with an inch less barrel. Empties just don't eject cleanly with the short ejector rod on most 2" guns. Some 2 1/2" guns do okay for ejection. DWs do okay in 2 1/2 ".
For holstered guns I think the 5" comes out every bit as quickly as a 4", has that silght edge in sight radius if the fight takes up some distance, and there is some appreciable velocity (energy!) gain with the extra inch of barrel.
Obviously, revolver manufacturers have never quite seen it my way!
I have taken three eastern whitetail deer with .357s. One with a S&W 6" Model 19 and two with this very DW with the VH 6 barrel. 158 grain JHPs of some kind and all three dropped right where I hit them.
Needless to say the reason I love the DWs so much is changing barrels with the same frame and grip gives me all the comfort I need with a six-shooter. Now, if there was just a 5" barrel set up for them...
June 8, 2009
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Great story and some interesting insight on length. I'm a bit partial to 6" myself, but have never owned a 5". I shoot a 6" much better than a 4"; would be fun to see where the 5" fit in.
Noticed on your photos the front of the shroud is beveled. There was a thread not too long ago about a shroud for sale that was like wise beveled and there was some question if it was factory or done post factory. Looks like some came that way.
July 25, 2009
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Came to me that way from the factory and it is the only beveled one I have or have seen. I sort of like it but I like that squared front, too. The beveled front definitely holsters easier and slips in the waistband nicely if I'm carrying light, or "cheap" as we used to say. A square front would wreck havoc on a holster and would be an extreme irritant inside the waistband!!! I'd bet it's why they beveled it.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Not so long ago on GB there was a 4" blue shroud beveled like that. We figured it was customized from a 4VH, but maybe not.
I think a 4" .357 is dead even with a 1911 as the perfect fighting handgun. The balance of power, accuracy, and controllability can't be matched in any other handgun I've ever shot (but I would like to give a 4" .44 spl a run sometime).
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
January 22, 2008
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fortyfiver, thanks for sharing the pictures of the VH3! I actually have a Norwich manufacture 741-V5. I believe in the 18+ months this site has been up this is the first time a 3" has showed up and as far as I know the V5 I have is the only 5" removable barrel and shroud I've seen.
I believe DW (Palmer Era) offered the fixed barrel version in a 5".
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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fortyfiver,
Thanks for the great education on the three incher. In 357 I have liked the 6" but I do not carry the revolver either, that would make a difference in my choice if I did. Great to hear you DW took and Eastern Whitetai. I have two from handguns, first was my Uh Hum S&W 629 .44 and the second was from my DW 7445 VH8. My goal is a Whitetail with all four Supermag calibers. Looking forward to hearing more about you and your DW's.
SMF
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
January 22, 2008
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Guys on closer inspection I don't believe the 3" shroud would be classified as a VH but instead just an H (Heavy).
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
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I agree, it's vent-less on the top. Still, there's no doubting that it's a unique barrel assembly, thanks for sharing the story & pics.
We've got a couple members here with some 3″ (woops, I mean 5") fixed barrel DW's (pics in the “post pics of your guns” thread), and your shroud looks very similar…just with a removable barrel!
This gun was for sale locally recently. I came along too late, but I assumed that it was a fixed barrel gun…now I wonder if it was like yours? Man, if only I had spotted that ad sooner.
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[Image Can Not Be Found]
DWF Supporters
Dans Club
Moderators
November 17, 2008
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Here is an earlier discussion on a similar barrel. It was listed as a 4 inch but really was a 5 when I inquired deeper. You probably just answered the original question I had. I bid on it but I was soon left in the dust. This is the first I have heard of a 3 inch. Seems like the more we find out the more questions pop up.
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Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
July 25, 2009
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I'll readily agree to the “H” designation as opposed to”VH”. I seem to remember now that it may have been described as a “V 3″. Hardly room or need for vents anyway. I'm not at home in my office so I can't search for the receipt for the 3″ but I'll find it when I get back there.
Now, an interchangeable 5″ for a 715 would be of extreme interest for me!
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