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January 31, 2010
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Bought my DW when I was 16 (1979)....my father made the actual purchase, took me two summers working my paper route to save the money. Used it quite a bit when I was younger, hunting, camping & on the range . For the past 15 years it's been sitting in a case unused. Of late I've had the itch to pull it out.........It's like an old friend. I am enjoying DWF and have some helpfull corrispondance to an issue I had. I'll be back.
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January 24, 2009
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to the
Which model & caliber is your DW? That's great that you've been able to hang onto it all these years, I'm sure that makes it a pretty special thing to you.
Being an original owner, maybe you could help us add another pin in the manufatcure date chart, by adding yours to the registry (seen at the right of this screen).
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Welcome to new Dan Wesson "Old Timer". I bought my first a couple years earlier than you, and it was my first gun/handgun. It had a few years off during the family raising years, but it's still runnin' strong and shootin' straight now.
Please give us that S/N for our registry if you have the chance, and I can't believe Charger forgot this, but:
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
February 28, 2009
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If you hang out here DWAS isn't far away.
-Mike
January 31, 2010
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I'm embarrassed to say I don't know what model it is. Is it determined by the year it was made, style or caliber? I'll pop over to the registry and enter the S#. The registry mentions "dated barrel wrappers", is there a date on the shroud?
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January 24, 2009
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Unfortunately, DW didn't put model numbers on their guns. The model number would have been on the box label, yours is a model 15-2 (standard shroud) target revolver. There's no dates on the gun, the "dated barrel wrappers" are paper wrappers often shipped with gun when new & also with spare barrels. Those are the easiest way to determine an approximate manufacture date.
However, as we are able to collect more info in the registry, we will be able to see approximate dates by serial number range.
Here's an example of barrel wrappers...
January 22, 2008
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January 31, 2010
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I'm guessing the 15-2 refers to the barrel lengths; 15" down to 2". I remember the day I chucked the foam box it came in, now that I see the barrel wrappers I remember those to. My old man said "you should keep that". I'm kicking myself now. Thanks, I'll register the S#.
Really enjoying every one's photos, real pride of ownership.
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January 24, 2009
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DW4DWC said:
I'm guessing the 15-2 refers to the barrel lengths; 15" down to 2".
That actually means the 3rd generation of the Model 15 series...or, that's the general theory thus far, until further facts show themselves.
The first Model 15 was a 'Porkchop' style gun with an exposed barrel nut & big, fat sights. This evolved from the W12 model.
Ok, to do a correction to my #6 post above (because my brain is in neutral today
), DW did start out putting model numbers on their guns...but for some reason somewhere near the '75 +/- era, they stopped roll marking the model numbers on them. No idea why. So my M15 is marked as such...
The Model 15-1 was also a Porkchop style, but had a few refinements. Smaller sights, mushroomed ejector rod end, smooth cylinder release lever & a flush barrel nut.
The Model 15-2 changed the barrel shroud to the current style & also a current style rear sight. The rest remained pretty much the same as the 15-1. That's as much as I know so far.
April 25, 2008
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to Soon you will be adding more Dan Wessons to your collection, since they are so enjoyable to shoot.
The Savantist
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Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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Hey IHMSA, Your sig picture took flight.
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
January 31, 2010
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Thanks for the info. You guys really know you stuff. Unfortunately my contribution to this site wont be an even exchange of information, just a boat load of questions. Like this one. Are the removable / interchangeable barrels & shrouds typical of all DW revolvers. The barrel showing through the machined slots of the shroud is a real eye catcher. Was wondering if it would be worth it (and safe) to CNC your own design.
Yea. been think-en about getting another. Am partial to large calibers, that super mag's been calling my name.
January 17, 2010
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Welcome aboard, i'm a newbie myself here.
Yea Yea .....Supermag!!!! do it. do it. I love the thunder and echo. they handle real nice too. 
"experience is the hardest teacher, the test comes before the lesson"
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Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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DW4DWC, I hijacked your welcome thread two posts ago and only realized I missed welcoming you to the . Excuse me for that please. Glad to have you here and being helped by members already. We'll look forward to some of those 
that I just know will come along
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
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Dans Club
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November 17, 2008
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DW4DWC, Yes a few models of DW have fixed barrels but most are changeable. The shroud you speak of, the barrel stops behind the slots and there is a gas chamber for expansion. Some earlier DW's had a power control feature with small holes in the barrel and slots in the top of the shroud. Any thing is a do it yourself project if you have the tools and skill to accomplish it but comping a barrel /shroud is pretty much a smith/machinist gig due to the equipment and skill needed. Perhaps you are one. I believe the comp-ted barrels are available from DW if you can stomach the cost. Although most Dan owners will tell you the comp is not needed as Dan's are heavy enough to soak up most of the recoil anyway. It's all a matter of taste though, so have at it and keep us informed.
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
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