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May 1, 2011
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Hey guys,
I was in my local gun store and came across a used model 715 fixed bbl .357
I put money down on it, but now Im second guessing my first impression. Is there a way to tell how much life is still left in the barrel? After reading about the different ownership of DW over the years, Im a little concerned. Im not sure if its a Palmer made pistol, and I read the tooling wasnt the best at that time. Not sure how old it is either.
Ser #S0039xx
I have never bought a used pistol, what do you guys look for? And is there something specifically I should be checking with this model. I think Im paying a little on the high side being there is no orginal box ect...
Thanks
btw I bought a new PM7 last year, so this will be my second DW.
🙂
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Moderators
Dans Club
February 22, 2009
Online
Firsst of all; 
second- the link below explains things real well:
You'll find it as a sticky in the revolver forum.
Best Regards!
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
February 11, 2010
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The gun would have had to have lots and lots of hot loads to wear
out the barrel. Many have put thousands and thousands of 357 mag
ammo down the pipe of their DW's and they shoot just as good if
not better than the day they were bought.
If the gun had been though so much the barrel was wore out I would
think the rest of the gun would have shown obvious signs.
Just my 
-Blacktop
May 17, 2010
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Barrel wear is not a signicant issue to DW's as compared to S&W's. While your fixed barrel configuation prevents a cheap and easy replacement, I suppose a smith could still do it. the gun would need to be just actually brokem or rusted to present an investment problem. DW still has parts and service, so its just a matter of money.
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
May 3, 2011
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I always look at the throat of the barrel to see if the grooves are the same thickness as at the end of the barrel. I'm not sure how much effect hot loads have on pistols.
I know with rifles like the super fast cartridges 22-250 and so forth that they will burn out the throat (where the bullet first enters the barrel) of the barrel first when they show signs of wear.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
Offline
Welcome to the DWF.
I have put several thousand rounds of .357 through my 715 over the years, and either it shoots better than when it was new, or I do. The latter is unlikely.
-Mike
May 17, 2010
Offline
PS: I have at least 20K through my 15-2 6". I put about 2.5K just last year.. I know beacuse I have about that much ammo in total and I just had 1K reloaded last month and have 1.5K to go... PLus I just bought another 750 .357 cases from a member here. So now I have 1k .357 and 2.5k .38spl.
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
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