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June 24, 2024
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Long time Dan Wesson admirer but 1st time owner. Just picked up on GB a 1970 Model D11 Pork Chop .357 Magnum Revolver. Never put 2 + 2 together that Dan Wesson was part of the S&W family until I researched the revolver. Love the S&W N frames. Own a few. All great shooters.
I see that the cylinder release latch is mounted on the cylinder crane. Any known issues with this? Does it interfere when drawing from the holster (any recommendations for a CCW one). TIA.
Don't see a For Sale forum so I'll post this here: https://www.gunauction.com/buy/17344944
DAN WESSON ARMS MODEL 15-2 TARGET REVOLVER .357 MAGNUM 4 BARREL CASED SET C&R OK SN# 228783
I have no skin in the game and would love to own it but I'm passing it up.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Congratulations, models 11 and 12 were the very first Dan Wesson revolvers. Basically, the 14 and 15 are identical except for the interior barrel nut. The unofficial 14-1 and 15-1 are a little different. The latter have different front and rear sights and an easier to work latch.
There are some things you should know. They are not S&Ws. The lockwork is MIM and not case hardened like a Smith. The hardened surface of hammer, trigger, strut and sear should never be filed. The most you should do is polish lightly where you see the rubbing on the sideplate, frame and lockwork. Do not polish smooth. Also before or at serial number 10,000 the piano wire hand spring was changed to fit in a slot on the back of the hand. Before that, the handspring was wrapped around the hand and rubbed against the sideplate leading to failure. You should look on eBay for a newer hand and the right hand spring. Most used hands will time just right
When ejecting spent cases do not allow the cylinder to close while the ejector rod is extended or you will put terrible scratches on the sideplate and/or gouges on the back of the recoil shield. Smiths have the cylinder latch there to protect against the sharp star. Hold the gun in your left hand, tilted to the left with your index and middle finger pushing against the cylinder through the frame window.
11,12,14,and 15 have the short hammer fall. One of the fastest hammer of any revolver. Later Dans are fast but not as fast. I recommend the Wolfe trigger return spring to smooth out the DA.
Lastly be aware of Dan Wesson Acquisition Syndrome. The uncontrollable urge to acquire more DW Revolvers. The only cure is low funds.
Any Holster that fits a Python will work just fine. I also love N frame Smiths.
February 21, 2011
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Holsters for a similar config Ruger GP100 should fit well too.
Matthew Quigley on handguns:
“I said I never had much use for one. Never said
I didn't know how to use it.”
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
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Congrats! Nice Dan. And 
to the
from central IL!! 
Here is the Auction area:
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
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Welcome to the forum from PA!!!
DWF Supporters
March 28, 2023
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Great deal! Original nickel I think? I was going to bid on it but I have some much tied into the 45 Colt i'm bidding on I have been laying off everything. Also I bought an original nickel 15 a month ago and not so much a pork chop fan so i'm good. I also know nickel guns always look much worse in pics so I bet yours will look a lot better once it's delivered. Nickel guns show all the scratches in pics mine did also but once I got it I was very happy! I noticed some very good deals this week and some not. You got a great deal for that gun! I paid $750 for my nickel but it had a box and extra barrel! I was so tempted to bid on your model 11 I should have got in at that low price! Welcome to the Forum! This will not be your last Dan Wesson revolver purchase I would bet! I also added a period grip to my gun! 
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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to the
Congrats on landing your nickel D11 snubby, that's pretty cool!
IMO, the Porkchops look their very best wearing snubby BA's...makes 'em look kinda like a bulldog, in a way. 
To me, the snubby BA accentuates the exaggerated features of the early 'chops. Big sights, the fat exposed barrel nut & the Porkchop shroud all work together to make these guns "a face only a mother could love". 
Here is one of my Model W12's (the target model to your D11...adjustable rear sight & taller front sight) wearing a snubby BA.
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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VN1604 said
I see that the cylinder release latch is mounted on the cylinder crane. Any known issues with this? Does it interfere when drawing from the holster (any recommendations for a CCW one). TIA.
The cylinder release mounted on the crane is/was one of the main selling points of the initial DW gun design. It is supposed to firmly lock the front of the cylinder better than the "other manufacturer's" idea of placing the release at the rear. Back in the day, that little latch location was discussed & debated a LOT among the various monthly gun rags. Today, you can still easily spot a DW revolver from across the room, due to it having that front mounted cylinder release, so it wasn't an ineffective design.
No known issues drawing from a holster.
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