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March 19, 2016
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hey all!
I just picked up my first Dan Wesson revolver yesterday at a lgs. I've mostly been an automatic shooter owning a couple of sig p series and a couple of 1911s. Here in the last year or so I've gotten back into wheel guns. I've carried a Ruger SP101 in .357 most of my life. I acquired a Ruger Super RedHawk Alaskan in.454 Casull a few months ago. But even though it's big and bad, it's not an all day shooter. To be honest I bought this 15-2 (at least that's what I think it is) for real cheap, thinking it would be a nice little flip for profit. But after reading up on this forum my curiosity has been piqued. So I just thought I'd introduce myself and if anything learn a thing or two about these fascinating firearms.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Welcome to DWF, thanks for introducing yourself. ID'ing the model is pretty easy:
Assuming it's a .357
Blued or Stainless?
Straight shroud or Porkchop (shroud extends down the front of the frame)?
Adjustable or fixed rear sight?
More info HERE
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
March 19, 2016
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Suppose I should've mentioned that... I believe it's a 15-2V target 4 inch barrel blued. Or at least that's what I've gathered here. Serial number is 1993xx and its stamped Dan Wesson Arms Monson. Any idea of what year it was manufactured? That seems to be the only real question that seems difficult to find the answer to,
March 19, 2016
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I should also probably mention that I really believe that if I shoot this gun I'll end up keeping it!
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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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
March 19, 2016
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Awesome! Thank you so much. How do you know the dating? It seems to me that it's rather difficult to find. Unlike a Colt 1911 or something of similar popularity.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Skipperdoodle said
Awesome! Thank you so much. How do you know the dating? It seems to me that it's rather difficult to find. Unlike a Colt 1911 or something of similar popularity.
We have been collecting S/N data from Members for over six years, based on their recollection of when the gun was bought new. For example, I bought my first 15-2 new in 1977. Sometimes a second/third... purchaser can find an original receipt or notation on the box of the year it was first sold. There is also a listing of about 100 guns that were custom serial numbered for DW "insiders" 1978-82. Most of those are three initials-#, and they surface occasionally on auctions.
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
February 16, 2016
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to 
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Glad to have you on the DWF!
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
March 19, 2016
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Well... I finally got to shoot my 15-2 yesterday. I have to say I really do like the gun! The barrel wrench and gauge kit I ordered from EWK finally came through so I re gapped the cylinder and centered the barrel shroud better. I went through about 75 rounds of .357 (which was all I brought) and it functioned well. There were a couple of hiccups though but I think it was due to the ammo I was using. Cheap herters I got at cabellas. All in all not bad for a 36-37 year old gun. I tried to post pics, but it won't let me on my I pad. The one thing I really disliked was the grip. The wide bell at the bottom really screwed with me getting a good handle on the gun. So I think I'll refinish the factory ones and get some houges for now. I'm going to go through it and do the average joe tune up I found here on the forum and see how it does. Any advice on what parts ought to be replaced while I'm in there?
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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I would absolutely replace the springs. I use the Dan Wesson springs, mostly because I bought 6 sets a number of years ago. Many of our Members have had great success with EWK springs, and I would trust any parts I got from either supplier.
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
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Steve is correct about the springs kits from EWK and DW. However, I love the Wolff reduced power mainspring and trigger return spring kit. I use the 8 lb mainspring and I believe the single best thing you can do is use the Wolff trigger return spring. It lightens and smooths out the action. The scratchy feeling will be gone. I think EWK sells them as does Triggershims. I would not customize the target grips. Depending on which one and the condition of the one you have it could lose enough value to buy 2 or 3 combat grips on eBay. Or a Pachy Presentation grip 5 times over. You may find one at your LGS for about $20. Also be careful not to let the cylinder start to close as you are ejecting cases. The Star will badly scratch the sideplate.
DWF Supporters
February 1, 2016
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Belated hello from Ohio. Shooting a DW is as addicting as 
and only the beginning 
SIZE DOES MATTER
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Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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Welcome to the DWF, from PA!
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
February 16, 2016
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Skipperdoodle said
I tried to post pics, but it won't let me on my I pad.
Yes you can, but not with the forum's preferred method of downloading the file. There is a known problem with some mobile devices, iPad included. Use the "Photo" tool (top row of tool icons, 4th from the right) to enter URL address, which inserts the image into your post.
Looking forward to some 
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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Welcome from another PA member, glad to have you aboard.
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
March 19, 2016
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The star scratches have already happened. I imagine it's seen one or two panic reloads in it's day.
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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If it functions correctly, I'd say that was a good deal.
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
March 19, 2016
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Yeah it works great. It needs some tlc of course which is no problem. I've never worked on a revolver real seriously. Not like my 1911s, I'm looking forward to the experience.
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