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February 18, 2010
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I've seen Dan Wesson frames referred to as "small", "medium" and "large". How do these compare to the S&W frame sizes? Is the M15 a medium frame? I assume the "small" frame is .38spl only.
"Life does not have to be perfect, just lived".
"Deserves got nothin' to do with it".
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February 18, 2010
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This is a great place!
"Life does not have to be perfect, just lived".
"Deserves got nothin' to do with it".
January 22, 2008
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Hey SIGWolf,
With Dan Wessons you basically have three frame sizes Small (.22, .32, and .357 Mag), Large (.41, .44 Mag, .45 Colt), and SuperMags (357 SuperMag, 414 SuperMag, etc). Here is generate comparison (folks let me know if I'm a little off):
DW Small Frame = L Frame S&W
DW Large Frame = N Frame S&W
DW SuperMags = X Frame S&W - We have pictures somewhere on the forum that comes the two side by side. The X Frame is somewhat larger if I remember correctly.
Hope this helps!
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February 18, 2010
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That does help. I kept reading about "small" and "large" frames, then someone threw in a "medium" frame. So It's just nomenclature.
Thanks!!
"Life does not have to be perfect, just lived".
"Deserves got nothin' to do with it".
January 22, 2008
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I will throw one more fact at you that will muddy the waters. Between 1993 and 1995 Dan Wesson produced the model 738P (aka Lil' Dan) which had a slightly smaller frame than the Small Frames. This gun only held 5 rounds of 38+P and was offered with a 2" barrel.
October 26, 2008
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I would agree with Jody on the DW small frame being in the same class as a L frame, the only thing is that the DW cylinder is the same as a K-frame. The frame however is much more beefy (yes that's a technical term) on a Dan than even the L-frame S&W.
June 5, 2008
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The 22 through 357 are Small frames and cylinders are same outside dimensions sizes. IIRC the 41 up and including supermag are same Large frame.
My 722/715/15 are larger in size then my 686 and in some areas almost as big as my N frame Smith's. I have never measured the guns for comparison, but someone did once on another forum and DW's 744 had bigger cylinder the S&W and Ruger with more metel between charge holes to charge hole and charge hole to cylinder edge.
My 744 frame makes my two N frame 610's frame look smal, and my Small frame 722 and 715 appear to me to be easily larger then my K frame and even the L frame S&W's. Most S&W owners who pick up and look my 357's make the comment that the are N frame size, They are blown away with my 722 and say it's like an N frame in 22 caliber and didn't like because it was so big compared to their 617 Smith.
Thes guns are so over built that I doubt that even a double charge 357 or 44 would blow the cylinder. I load all my 357 & 44 jacketed close to max for rifle loads to use both in Marlin 1894's & my DW's and have excellent results.
If needed I can measure them tomorrow if you all like.
Revolvers
New Model M-715 Pistol Pack
1911's
Bob Tail RZ 10mm - Bob Tail RZ 38 Super by Keith @ DW - DW 38 Super Guardian
June 5, 2008
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Jody said:
I will throw one more fact at you that will muddy the waters. Between 1993 and 1995 Dan Wesson produced the model 738P (aka Lil' Dan) which had a slightly smaller frame than the Small Frames. This gun only held 5 rounds of 38+P and was offered with a 2″ barrel.
Man I sure would love to run across a good buy on one of those guns. 
Revolvers
New Model M-715 Pistol Pack
1911's
Bob Tail RZ 10mm - Bob Tail RZ 38 Super by Keith @ DW - DW 38 Super Guardian
February 7, 2009
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Waldo Pepper said:
Man I sure would love to run across a good buy on one of those guns.
It takes a LOT of patience. Took me 12 years to find mine.
June 5, 2008
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NVGdude said:
It takes a LOT of patience. Took me 12 years to find mine.
Revolvers
New Model M-715 Pistol Pack
1911's
Bob Tail RZ 10mm - Bob Tail RZ 38 Super by Keith @ DW - DW 38 Super Guardian
February 16, 2010
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As overbuilt as the "Lil Dan" is, its a shame they didn't just chamber it in .357mag.
June 5, 2008
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I was kind of wondering the same thing, from just the picture. I always thought that DW's looked "over built" and specially the 22/722 models, but the "Lil' Dan" just looks like a tank.
Revolvers
New Model M-715 Pistol Pack
1911's
Bob Tail RZ 10mm - Bob Tail RZ 38 Super by Keith @ DW - DW 38 Super Guardian
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