Register
Log In
Home
February 19, 2012
Offline
Dear members, New to this forum and to Dan Wesson revolvers. I am considering buying a Dan Wesson 357 15VH-6. The serial #is 9637x. As I said in my introduction I have little to no experience with DW revolvers. The only thing I have read (from this forum) is tolook for the newer models as they have forged hammers and sears as opposed to sintered steel parts. I have included a partial serial # to find out if this is a newer model. All help would be greatly appreciated. Also ehat do the members think of this particular model?
Regards John Gentile
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
Offline
Dear John (oh, that came out so wrong
):
Welcome to DWF. Your 15-2 is a looks to be a 1977 gun, it almost certainly will have recessed chambers to fully enclose the cartridge rim, and an overtravel adjustment screw in the trigger as opposed to the frame behind the trigger.
By the time the 15-2 series was introduced Dan Wesson was pretty much beyond the sintered parts, if you are planning any gunsmithing I would still be careful about not working past any surface hardening on parts
You may find this helpful:
https://www.danwessonforum.com/forum/reloading/tuning-up-your-15-2-the-average-joe-method/
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 19, 2012
Offline
Hi Steve. Thanks for the quick reply. I was born and raised in Fairfield CT but worked in Westchester NY and Long Island in the golf industry. Iwould like to know if there is a difference between a model 15 or 15-2. Also do you think this is a good gun to buy and what would be a good price in 90 to 95% condition. Thanks again.
Regards John
Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
Offline
The main difference between model 15 and 15-2, is the shape of the barrel shroud. Model 15 has a 'porkchop' shaped shroud, later 15-2 has a more aesthetically pleasing straight shroud. If you poke around the forums here you can find lots of pics of each.
As Steve said the one you are looking at should be a 15-2, which I would say was the most widely produced DW model. My opinion, yes it is a good gun to own, I have 2! We all will tell you price varies by region and condition, also whether it comes with anything, such as the tool for removing the barrel, original box, etc. I usually say for me $350-$400 in excellent condition but that is just my own ballpark estimate. If you get it, you will like it!
-Lonwolf
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
Offline
John, the 15-2 is the flagship of the DW revolver line, mine was new to me in 1977 and still going strong, now in my son's hands. Unless the one you are looking at has been seriously abused, it's going to be good to go.
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 19, 2012
Offline
Thanks guys for all the good information. The gun looks great and I believe I will get it. I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks again.
Regards John
November 23, 2011
Offline
John don't forget to show us the Pictures! R S
February 20, 2012
Offline
Well I'll be ........looks like you won it @ GunBroker.com !
Seems we were bidding against each other . I had made up my mind I was going to get it as well .
February 19, 2012
Offline
Hi Chinadoll, Didn't win that auction. Price got a little too high. Looked really nice. Good luck to both of us on our search.
Regards John
Supporter
Range Officer
Range Officers
May 2, 2009
Offline
Welcome to the DWF !!! BUY IT -- everybody needs at least one 15-2...
SHOOT
February 20, 2012
Offline
Dang albatross - I thought there wasn't too much interest in those ,
looks like we may have to pony up to get a nice one .
The one "neither" of us won was in high grade , but had some rust/corrosion
issues .
February 19, 2012
Offline
Hey Chinadoll, Just got interested in DW revolvers. Always owned Smiths or Colts. From all the talk I've seen on this forum it looks like they are really great guns. Want to get one for just target shooting. Started shooting and reloading way back in 1973 and was really into revolvers. Have gravitated to Autos since then but would still like an accurate 357 revolver.
What do you think is a fair price for what we are looking for?
Regards John
February 20, 2012
Offline
John ,
I too just got interested in the D.Wesson's - and seems were not alone .....a whole lot of folks brand new to Gunbroker.com (with zero rating/feedback)
are bidding on revolvers !
My research here and on line made me think what we seem to be looking for
should be between 350$ -450$ ; that one we both wanted was too nice I think to be a shooter ......
Should be able to pick up one like you want for 400$ .
I am deep into S&W Pre Model 27's and have been looking for just the "right" Python for quite some time .
I believe these folks when they say the D. Wesson was one of- if not THE best revolvers ever made ; thats why I wanted one 
February 19, 2012
Offline
Hi Chinadoll, I,ve owned 4 Pythons in my life sold or traded them all. Prices for Pythons are through the roof. Bought my first one in 1974 for (you're not going to believe this) $231 OTD. I gave up on them because they are just too pretty to shoot or carry. I have an S&W 586 6" that shoots every bit as good as any Python I've owned. I am not a collector just a shooter. I like nice guns but I also like to shoot them.
I figure you're right, I think that $400 is just about the right price for a 90-95% DW 15 357.
Good Luck John
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
Offline
Guys, up until about a year ago, Connecticut seemed to be a place to get good prices on DW's, the only time I paid over $300 was if it had an extra barrel. Now the prevailing rate here seems to be stuck at $399 for admittedly pretty clean solid guns, but still...
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
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
March 27, 2009
Offline
Now you need to share what your user names are on GB as many of us have figured out (to late) that we had driven up the price! I for one won't bid aginst a forum member (wellmost of the time).
Welcome to both of you and look around, grab a 15-2 then work on one of the older porky's> (they will get folks looking!) Check LB and EWK for extras for the 15-2's and more!
, beware 
wil lstrike and one will not be enough!
February 19, 2012
Offline
Hi Dave, Really want to get a 15-2 VS or VH 6". My GB user name is Gentile. My user name on AA is jgpro.
Thanks for the consideration about bidding
Regards John
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
March 27, 2009
Offline
John,
They come along on gb some of the time with out a huge price tag! The 15-2's show up more than any other some in like new condition, if you want a shooter look for the one that is well used seems they are somewhat cheaper and work just as well! After you have the 6" you will want the other BA's to go with it!
you could just snag this one and end your search and have it all!
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=273913431
Good luck on the search and keep us posted!
February 19, 2012
Offline
Thanks Dave for the heads up. Alittle too rich for my finances. Want to get one gun and add bbls later. I'll keep looking Thanks again. I will keep all members posted.
Regards John
Supporter
Range Officer
Range Officers
May 2, 2009
Offline
I've been selling of a few 15-2's on GB for a reason... the average ones are sitting there with little or no bidding--BUT, nice ones seem to bring a premium lately...
SHOOT
2 Guest(s)
