November 29, 2008
i bought it as a dw 715, but after my personal research ive concluded it is not a 715. i can not find a gun on any gun site that matches it. its inscriptions are “dan wesson arms, monsom, ma, u.s.a. serial 3613*”
and the other inspription on the barrell is “dan wesson arms 357 magnum ctg. it came with a 2 1/2″ barrell and no tools.
can anyone shed some light on this for me?
If it is stainless it's either a 714 or 715; the difference is if the sight is adjustable; if not it's the 714 if it is it's the 715. A few pictures would help or you could go through the pictures on the photo section of the website. You will an .006 feeler gauge and a barrel tool. The tool is available from CZ, but the older T style can be found on Ebay for less and work fine. Monson had several models leading up to the 15, but most were in the blue metal.
November 29, 2008
thanks for the help. i found something similar on gun broker and it claims to be a "15" looks a little like mine.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=116954740
The rear sight on my gun is adjustable and the front looks like it could come off, if i pushed out a small pin. if i wanted a larger barrell would i have to find a "pork chop" barrel shroud? Is this gun considered small frame? also i payed $380, is that a good deal for this model?
again thanks for the help
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
That item on GunBroker comes and goes, and never sells because it does not appear to be a Model 15, and it's overpriced IMHO. Yours appears to be a Model 12, finding barrels/shrouds will be a little harder but they do come up on GunBroker on infrequently.
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 23, 2008
It's not a model 12. The rear sight is not correct for a model 12 and it doesn't have the external barrel nut as would be seen on a model 12.
It looks like your basic model 15 (not a model 15-2) to me. If you want a longer barrel then you will need to find a porkchop barrel as a straight barrel/shroud from a model 15-2 won't fit. One unique thing about most of the model 15 barrels is that they are odd lengths. Instead of a 4" or 6" barrel, most you find are actually 3-3/4" or 5-3/4".
As an aside, it is possible to install a model 12 barrel, shroud, and external nut on a model 15, but it doesn't look correct and may not regulate to point of aim, but it will work though.
-Lee
November 29, 2008
thanks for all your help. The dealer sold it as a 715, probably a mistake due to the confusion of lack of model numbers and similar looks in earlier models. I payed $380 for this gun. I tried looking up prices but you need a subscription to the bluebook of guns. does anyone have any idea where i can see avg. prices of the different models?
November 30, 2008
I can tell you right now, the Blue Book value is crap. Dan Wessons are becoming a collectors item, their accuracy and craftsmanship are one of a kind and sadly, hard to come by now.
I think mine booked at around $430 according to my local gunshop owner and friend. He hasn't had much experience with DWs, so that might tell you something too.
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