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Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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I made the LGS rounds today, and when I walked thru the door of my favorite DW Happy Place, one of the guys flagged me down and said "I was just getting ready to call you" (yeah,they know me). The new Dan Wesson revolver was in, and I got some hands on time with it. I know there have been a couple of other Topics on this, here's my take: (BTW this was #...87)
1) Beautiful gun, the stainless is the best non-polished I've seen. It is not really a satin or matte, and it is not shiny. For lack of a better term, I'd call it something like "bright matte". Very straight, true, clean edges on everything. There is a real sense of refinement to this gun, everything you would expect that modern manufacturing processes can do versus the 30 year old technology we know.
2) Function seemed excellent, single and double action dry fire is as good as any of mine (and "any of mine" includes one master gunsmith tuned, several Average Joe tuned, and everything else cleaned and re-sprung). Again, this is what I would expect from a classic DW made with modern technology. My guess is that the fitting needed to turn out a really top notch DA/SA revolver action was pretty minimal. Maybe it's not the equal of a Performance Center Smith or a classic Python or Diamondback (I don't have a good frame of reference for that) but it is the best I would EVER hope for in an off the shelf revolver.
3) There seems to be confusion on the correct Model designation on this. I did not ask to see the box, but stamped on the frame under the crane (sound familiar?) is 715.
4) My impression as I first picked it up was that it was less "substantial" than the original 715. There are some distinctly different styling cues on this gun.The vent rib is machined with a bevel down both sides that blends the rib smoothly into the shroud, and this bevel is continued into the top strap of the frame further back than the original. I do think the underlug might be a little less beefy, only a micrometer could tell for sure. I'm also used to the big Target Grip, this has the much trimmer Hogue fingergroove grip, which I have never cared for. I think the terrific finish and refined styling makes it much smoother and less blocky/clunky than I'm used to
5) Fit and finish, once again, is top notch. One small example, at first I thought the hammer was narrower, on closer inspection the slot that the hammer drops into on the frame seems to be machined tighter with less gap on each side, and the top of that hammer slot is radiused very slightly up into the cut out for the rear sight, a small example of attention to detail. Not a single wavy edge, tool mark, burr, etc. to be seen anywhere on this gun, short of pulling the sideplate.
6) Last, and not least, Price: $1068 on the tag. My reaction all along has been that it's TOO MUCH, and it is for a DW guy. If you put it in the perspective of the guy looking at a GP100 6" at $650-700, or (God help us) a Taurus Tracker at $600, it's not quite so bad, but time will tell.
Sorry to consume so much of your time on this long post. I confess that once this gun hit my hand, I started the "well, I could trade in my ..., the IRS refund will be $xxx.00, I know I'm getting a bonus for last quarter", we all know that particular dance number.
Didn't last longer than a few seconds. I'm totally happy with every classic DW I have, and Hooray for the people that buy the new ones and keep the brand alive.
Dan Wesson Revolvers are re-born, and that is only good for all of us.
Steve
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
December 26, 2010
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Glad you had a good experience with it Steve. You did a much better job of explaining the finish. I think it is absolutely gorgeous, almost like they polished it and then did a very light brushing. Whatever they did, it's gorgeous.
I still haven't gotten the 
out of me from holding #67. I suspect it is just a matter of time before I get one but I need reloading equipment and a rifle first, at least that is what I keep telling myself. 
August 28, 2009
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All these good reports have me right on the fence on this one. The only thing holding me back right now is the unavailability of additonal matching shrouds ( I confirmed this week that they are not in production and no guarantee of future production).
Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
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Steve, thanks for the great analysis, of the new 715. The more you guys describe it, the more I think it is a gun you need to see and examine to appreciate. Perhaps not just a reissue of an old model, but a superb offering that displays the highest fit and finish ever, with a subtle style update too?
We can debate the price tag forever, but it is what it is, I am sure they will sell.
Steve, I bet your favorite LGS was thinking WTF? when you walked out the door without that new Dan!
-Lonwolf
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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Lonwolf93, have you heard of anybody in our immediate area getting the new DW in the store? I don't think Trop handles them. I'm going to call a few places to see if there is one I can go see in the 'flesh'.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
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Scorpio, I don't know of any local yet, although I haven't 'made the rounds' lately. The one on GB is in Bedford Pa. I was only 30 miles from there Saturday but didn't see the auction til I was home!
I would like to see the real thing.
-Lonwolf
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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lonwolf93 said:
Steve, I bet your favorite LGS was thinking WTF? when you walked out the door without that new Dan!
-Lonwolf
He even said "that is a lot of money"
You guys who are looking to see one, it's the big CZ local dealers that have them. This shop does mostly used business, but a much of their new gun business is CZ products
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
August 28, 2009
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I did it. One of the distributors had 1 and discounted it for me – that was enough to push me over the edge.
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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WELLLL.....lets see it!
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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Lonwolf93, I called around to a few places today and Trops said they are expecting two or three but they don't know when they'll get them. He said keep checking back.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
June 25, 2011
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I know where to find this. I may go and try for pics. Maybe not, but this review and my personal look at a 1911 model shows excellence. I really don't know the models, but this new .45 felt smoother and of higher quality than any other I have examined, including all the big names.
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Range Officers
Dans Club
March 27, 2009
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What we need is the harly to lay the old school 715 beside his new 715 and shoot some pics!!!
The jury is still out here haven't looked for one (not sure I will), If I see one may have to just say yes pack it up!
Thanks for the Glowing reviews!!! 
August 28, 2009
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Dave_Ks said:
What we need is the harly to lay the old school 715 beside his new 715 and shoot some pics!!!
Thanks for the Glowing reviews!!!
Will do - as soon as it comes in next week. I'll lay them all out side by side - Monson, Palmer, Norwich 1st Issue, CZ for comparison
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Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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Scorpio,
Trop has long been my local shop as well, only 4-miles or so from home. Try the Sportsmans Shop in New Holland, they sold me my only new while in current production 445SM back in the early 2000's. They were always a little more interested in what the buyer wants than Trop was.
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
May 17, 2010
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Thanks for the review... sure gives me the ich....
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
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January 24, 2009
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I must admit, I'm beginning to salivate a little over here.
Thanks for the great writeup Steve, and Harly, I'm looking forward to some comparison pics.
February 11, 2010
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Man that would be tough, you got one sitting right down there at
the local shop just waiting to be barked 
.
Seriously though, as the US dollar plummets daily what dose a thousand
get you today ?
I don't want to drop that kinda coin on a run of the mill caliber any
more than most but I would be crawling with ants if I had one in my
back yard.
-Blacktop
April 25, 2008
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Great report Steve, and thanks!
I doubt I will ever get one at that price, it's just too much for a plain .357 Magnum. No way anything local around here will ever get one in that I could actually handle.
The Savantist
June 25, 2011
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Well I guess that I am one of the few
I mean I checked it out also a big +1 on its review.
#000075 I think
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