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May 27, 2009
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Alright, my dad used to have a Dan Wesson .357 that my mom made him get rid of when my sister and I were young. I'm trying to get one for him as a Christmas gift, without asking him about it to tip him off, because he's usually very keen to anything I try to surprise him with. I tried to glean as much information as possible through one email, and was caught quite off guard. I've heard plenty about the pistol coming up, because he was very attached to it. Problem is, I thought it was a Smith & Wesson 686, he replied with this:
The pistol I got rid of when you kids were toddlers was actually a Dan Wesson 357 Special. It had a 6" vent rib barrel, was stainless and looked almost
identical to the S & W 686. The Dan Wesson had interchangable barrels from 2" to 12", but I only had the 6" bull barrel. Which is why it looked like a 686.
Going off of that information, I've come up with the model 15, but with that has come quite a bit of confusion. Is the 715 simply the stainless version of the blued model 15? With that, what differences are there between the 15-2/715-2 and the 15/715? What is the -VH suffix on some of the barrels for?
Thanks for any help, I'm sure I'll have more questions after this.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
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OK, Here ya go.
The 715 is the Stainless version of the Blue 15-2 (both are .357 Magnums). The 7 at the beginning of a model number means that the gun is Stainless. There is no such thing as a 715-2 because staimless guns weren't made until after the 15-2 was in production. The 15/715 is not an existing model, maybe just a way to address both guns together.
Now, a few words about the barrel descriptions:
the standard barrel has no vents and no heavy underlug. V=Vented rib, H=Heavy underlug, BA=Barrel Assembly. The number is the length of the barrel.
So, A Dan Wesson 715 with no letters has a standard barrel of whatever length specified. Perhaps a better way to do this is give you part numbers. From there you will be able to determine what someone is trying to sell, although be sure to see pics because many list them incorrectly.
BA715 2.5 - standard 2.5 inch barrel.
BA715V2.5 - Vented 2.5 inch.
BA715VH2.5 - Vented/Heavy underlug 2.5
BA715VH4 - Vented/Heavy underlug 4 inch.
BA715VH6 - Vented/Heavy underlug 6 inch.
I'm sure you get the picture by now — there are many variations.
So, Your father's would have been described as a 715VH6, and that's what you look for on GunBroker or other auction sites. Additional barrel assemblies (VH only) are available from DW. In fact, just today I ordered a BA722MVH8. A 722M is a Stainless .22 Magnum.
I hope that this helps you with your search. 
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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Cheetah,
First 
To our forum. You have already solved some of your questions and are very observant. The 715 is the stainless version of the model 15. The -2 suffix has to deal with a few "upgrade changes" as I remember reading here in a thread. I am far from the most educated to explain the -2 suffix. Many more educated members here than I on that subject. The VH suffix would identify a V=ventbarrel, H=Heavy lug, meaning the barrel would be a vent heavy and when viewed the solid part of the barrel on the bottom would extend all the way to the muzzle. If it looked like a 686 S&W it was likely a VH barrel. Total part number for your desired Dan Wesson if that is the case would be a 715-2VH6.
SMF
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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Zoommb,
You beat me to it, but I am glad. You had much more to offer and even corrected me on the -2 
Thanks for the help to our new member.
SMF
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
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SMF
Thanks for the compliment and thanks for the reminder to say Cheetah.
Boy, I really am socially challenged!
May 27, 2009
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Thank you both very much for the quick replies, definitively answered all of my questions. Now I've got to hunt down a 715 with a 4" barrel. I had looked at CZ-USA's site and didn't see any DW revolvers or accessories, how does one go about ordering parts, or even full pistols from them, assuming CZ controls all of that, having bought out DW from what I understand.
I'm hoping to find a 4" barrel, and buy a 6VH, or vice versa. I see the 4" being better for a pack gun for bears.
Thanks again for the help!
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
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Cheetah:
First, CZ no longer makes the revolvers so you're going have to buy a used one.
Second, they still do make the parts. As I said, I just ordered a barrel assembly from them. They custom make each one so it will be about 3 weeks before I get mine.
Third, personally I wouldn't shoot at a bear with anything less than a .44 Magnum. That would be 744VH6 (or 4, if you prefer). But that's just me. I guess some may shoot bears with a .357. However, I've read that even a .44 can just bounce off of a bear's head. You gotta shoot it in the eye or the ear or maybe in the open mouth. 
That's pretty scary, IMHO. But I may just be a big chicken. Maybe we need a clucking chicken icon. I'll suggest it to Jody. 
May 18, 2009
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Here is a Stainless .357 on Gunbroker, it has the vented barrel but not the full underlug which it sounds like your Dad had. This gun doesn't looks to be in great shape but it gives you and idea of what you are looking for.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=129679363
Jim
DW 15, DW 22, SW 48, SW 1917, Ruger Lcp, Bernardelli Mod 80
January 22, 2008
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Here you go Zoommb...
May 27, 2009
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It's true, bear's skulls are extremely thick in the front. I've definitely heard more than a handful of debates about what calibers are 'acceptable' for bear defense, but I've never felt less than comfortable carrying a .357 into the woods.
glenncal, I've been looking at that, and all the stainless DW 357's I can find on gunbroker for a couple weeks, but I haven't caught one in very good shape. There's one with a full range of barrels, but it's starting at $850, which seems a little high to me, and the seller said he wasn't able to guarantee it's function or offer a refund if there was anything wrong with it when I got it, so I was kind of turned off by that one. I'll keep by eyes open, as well as comb this site, and hope I come across one.
I've got a few months before I get back to the states, but I'm kind of hoping to snag one early..
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
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December 17, 2008
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It looks like the shroud is banged up, but if the price doesn't jump up too much at the end, it might be a good opportunity to get the revolver relatively cheaply (not lkely, by the way...) so a little scotchbrite clean up and then buy a 4" barrel / Shroud and a new Zebra grip from our good friends up in Norwich (DW).
Now there's a gift that would put a smile on any Dad's face...
DWF Supporters
Dans Club
Moderators
November 17, 2008
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Welcome aboard Cheetah, Sounds like a great gift for a dad. The guys have all the info covered so I will leave you with .
And good luck on your 715 hunt.
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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You've still got some time, I'd keep looking until the right one comes along. Who knows, you may even find an unfired one out there. Otherwise, Steve or Dusty may just find one for you at their local gun shops...those guys find some good ones!
...and...
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
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If I was going to buy that gun I would do as Dusty says except that I'd replace that scruffy looking sgroud with a VH6 shroud. And, like he said, the zebra wood grip is an absolute must.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Cheetah said:
I've got a few months before I get back to the states, but I'm kind of hoping to snag one early..
I see from your profile that you are Active Duty, and we all have a special place in our hearts for our Servicemen/women. Please tell us more about you when you have a chance.
Depending on your access to the Internet, count on us to help you search for your 715, if you don't mind we can PM possibilities to you.
Thanks
Steve
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 20, 2008
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+1 What Steve posts - you guys come first...eyes wide open for your, sir!
If you're going to drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
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January 24, 2009
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Absolutely, I'm in on that!
February 2, 2009
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Add me to the help list. I'm retired USAF and have a son in that's already done a short tour to Iraq. You'll have all the eyes you want to search for you.
May 27, 2009
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Wow, I'm used to getting help from people on forums, but you guys are over the top, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
I'm active duty Marine Corps, currently on my second tour to Iraq as an infantry rifleman. Initially joined expecting to retire from the military, but it's not quite what I expected, now I plan to get out after my first term, go to school and see where things lead from there...I could very well see myself back in the military in four years, but it's not what I'm after in life right now.
You're all more than welcome to PM me anything you find, I can't tell you how much I appreciate the help searching. I'm pretty open to any length barrel, as long as the pistol's in good condition, I got a little jumpy and bid on a 6VH on gunbroker than I'm pretty confident I'll win, so I'm definitely not limiting myself to a pistol that's already got a 6" on it. Knowing now that CZ sells barrels for them, if the pistol's in good shape, I'm willing to take anything it's got, I can get the 6 and 4" barrels later.
Thank you all again!
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