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January 7, 2018
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Thanks. I had finally got up on S&W and Winchester, but DW threw me.
Where do you find the dating info? Is there a post I missed
What differentiates a 14 and 14-2?
Last question (for this post lol). What would original grips look like?
February 16, 2016
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Ronald_55 said
Where do you find the dating info? What differentiates a 14 and 14-2? What would original grips look like?
The forum maintains a Serial Number Registry; https://www.danwessonforum.com/wp-content/files/DanWessonSerialNumbers.pdf
There are several differences, but the most significant is that the model 14 uses a pork chop shroud.
Original DW grips are wooden.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Those are Pachmayr Grippers without the medallion. 50 to 65 dollars on eBay occasionally.
January 7, 2018
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So are the Pachmayr without medallion worth more? I have a set with medallions for a GP-100 I am gonna sell.
April 29, 2018
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I have been inquiring about a .357 I saw online. The owner had stated it was a 715 and it sort of looked stainless from the original picture provided in the sales ad. He sent me 2 follow on pictures late last night... which make it appear to be a blued gun, 6" barrel. The barrel looks a lot like the ones that are on 715s... but, as I have gleaned from reading, all 715s are stainless (which is what I wanted for a gun carried in the woods in not-great weather and not subject to wear on the finish) and their serial numbers would all start with a "7". This one starts with a "3". His initial asking price was $400, which seemed reasonable for a 715... but I'm getting luke warm if it's not...
Thanks.
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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Charles,
The gun pictured is definitely not a 715, as you have already determined. However, assuming it functions properly, $400 for that gun is a good deal in my opinion. You will likely have to pay $600 or better for an equivalent 715. Certainly worth considering for a shooter/woods gun.
Incidentally, 715's do not all have serial numbers starting with "7". None of mine do. Later models do begin with "SD".
Also, I think the gun pictured may be a pretty early production model 15-2. I cannot tell from the photo, but I would bet that the front sight is pinned and not screwed in place. You would have to see the front of the barrel shroud to know for sure. This is not a criticism, just an observation.
In my opinion, definitely worth $400 
April 29, 2018
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Thanks for the reply. I've got a S&W 19 in nickel that was my old mans. I'd wanted to get something a little studier to handle some full house .357s with more regularity to keep the Smith for my son when I'm gone. They're no good with a cracked forcing cone. As it is, it's pretty much a retired safe queen and is fed light WC/SWC only. I have a bang around model 10 police trade in that gets most of my walking in the woods holster time, but with it's 4" barrel and fixed sights... it's somewhat limited and, obviously, a .38.
I appreciate it. I did have my heart set of a stainless gun... but I'll ponder it. $400 sounded like a raging deal for a 715... as it is... it still seems like a decent deal, just not what I was looking for initially.
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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I do understand you reasoning. I also prefer the stainless versions for everyday shooting. If your finances accommodate it, you might consider purchasing the blue gun and using it while you remain in the hunt for the 715. Then you can sell the blue one when you get what you really want.
Of course you might then fall victim to the 
Dan Wesson Acquisition Syndrome. Beware of this because there is no cure!
Good luck on your search!
February 16, 2016
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$400 for that gun is a real bargain .. going price in today's market is around $600-650.
April 29, 2018
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Stinger said
$400 for that gun is a real bargain .. going price in today's market is around $600-650.
It is a good deal... but over an hour drive away for a non-stainless. I guess the big problem I have with a blued gun is that if it's in pretty good shape, I feel resistant to doing anything with it other than taking it to the range. If it's a well loved gun with a lot of holster wear then I'll tromp.all.over the woods with it... though I have bad rust-anxiety (even if I did my part and it's oiled ahead of time) if I'm out in the rain. I've been in downpours with my barely blue anymore S&W model 10 and it's never had a spec of rust... because I do my part and give it a good wipe down when I get back in.
I'll probably have to come up with a family day-trip excuse and pick it up this coming weekend. I think I'll kick myself if I let it go. It's almost be better if the finish is a bit worn (it looks like it's ok but no show piece) as I might get over myself enough to carry it and make it look more... 'loved'.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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$400 is worth the road trip. In the top pic, the bluing looks thin but the bottom pic had me thinking it was maybe re-blued at one point? Hard to tell from pictures- gotta do that road trip....
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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It looks like it could be a Matte finish to me. That would make it somewhat rare.
April 29, 2018
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It did look oddly flat for bluing. I kind of concerned me in a way that it was a botched refinish job. There's no good way to tell without seeing it in person. Any picture he's sent has been kind of poor. You'd figure for a guy that has nice countertops he'd have a better camera!
I have other plans this weekend for kids, so I can't make a trip right away. Someone else might luck out on it... but... suchg is life and another one will come my way eventually if it doesn't work out. I thanked the guy and told him when I was able to make a trip up, I'd contact him. In the meantime, I'll keep looking for a stainless gun. I've actually bought/traded 2 guns in the past few weeks... which is about as much as I normally do annually. I've gotten back into reloading .38s, my oldest has shown some interest in hunting and, while I haven't actively hunted in a couple years since my uncle and old hunting buddy passed... I figured I'd carry on his legacy and take my kids as they show interest... *and*... they're putting in a big outdoor shooting range in my little town this year. So... with all that going on... I've gotten pretty gun-cited and am shuffling some things around. I decided I really wanted a longer barrel .357 that could take some hot stuff for woods carry and range work and DWs always kind of intrigued me. I like my Smiths but there's a strange allure a DW has all it's own.
I appreciate the input.
March 25, 2008
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FYI if you should look at the gun check under the crane there will be a casting mark on the frame which may indicate that it is blued or stainless "O" with s or B in the middle. I have never seen a factory matte finish on a blued gun only stainless.
April 29, 2018
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pops2 said
FYI if you should look at the gun check under the crane there will be a casting mark on the frame which may indicate that it is blued or stainless "O" with s or B in the middle. I have never seen a factory matte finish on a blued gun only stainless.
That's a great bit of information, thanks!
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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pops2 said
FYI if you should look at the gun check under the crane there will be a casting mark on the frame which may indicate that it is blued or stainless "O" with s or B in the middle. I have never seen a factory matte finish on a blued gun only stainless.
I've definitely seen factory matte finishes on model 14's and 15's. And we all know the factory would build to order.
November 12, 2018
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Bought her back in 1992 in Hawaii. Help me identify the model .
February 16, 2016
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to the 
Model 715, with 5" Heavy Underlug Fixed Barrel.
January 2, 2019
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Hi there guys and Happy New Year. Well for Christmas I got my first revolver that is a Dan Wesson 357 magnum but that's all I know and I'd like to know a little more from you guys. The serial # is 3301xx. Is this a model 14, 15 or 15-2?
September 21, 2013
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Hi Folks,
I'm sorry if you are tired of hearing this, but I have not been able to find the information. I just picked up a DW without a model number, and would like to know what I have, and where I can get a higher front sight.
It is marked with two lines on the barrel shroud, right side, "DAN WESSON ARMS" and "357 MAGNUM CTG." It is marked with three lines on the right side of the frame, forward of the trigger "DAN WESSON ARMS," MONSON MASS USA" and "303xxx" There is no model number, and there are no other markings, including no markings inside the yoke. The pork chop barrel is four inches long and has a recessed barrel nut. The gun is blued, has fixed sights and wooden service type grip panels with "DW" emblems embedded.
The front sight is pinned and the gun shoots 8" high with 158 grain target 38 Special ammunition. I would like to replace the front sight with a taller blade. Are blades available?
Thanks, Tom
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