Dan Wesson model 15

S

Stlmoparhemi

Inactive
I have owned my dan wesson model 15 for about 4 months now. I am not sure about many things. I would like to get an original owner's manual, or a copy of one at least, so that I might put my worries to rest. I'm afraid that i'm not cleaning it properly, that I'm not re-asembling it properly, miscellaneous other things. This is currently the only pistol that I own, But it has sentimental value (also collector's value from what I read on here) so I don't want to ruin my investment. I am also curious as to what year it was made. I ahve a serial number of six digits starting with 152.i went to the CZ website and it gives no information about older models of dan wesson. Just wondering if anyone could help me out. Thanx :D
 
DW dating is very hard. The company went under several times and the records went to the feds. Thus there is no timeline for the DW's.
 
A friend of mine just bought a DW. He was looking on the web about how to change the barrels...found a good site. But he did have to make a spanner for the barrel, and you definitely need a feeler gauge for making sure the barrel is installed to the right depth, or the gun will do funky things...

I'll try to find that webpage, it was pretty good.
 
Don't worry about destroying any collectors value because the DWs have virtually no collectors value. I'm not bashing them as I have 2 of them myself. They just have poor resale value.
Reassembly is straightforward and if you re-install something wrong then it won't function. A schematic should suffice for assembly. The only little tricks to know is that the combo tool is needed or allen wrenches. The crane is held in place by a small curved piece of rod. The sideplate screw is needed to relieve the mainspring pressure to remove the hammer.
Cleaning is actually easier on a DW than any other revolver. The barrel can be removed to soak if needed without dunking the whole revolver like other models.
Here is a schematic:
http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=1320z15
 
I have 2 DWs, as far as resale value goes I don't know, I do know how rarely they show up in the used handguns sections of the gunshops I go to.
I have had one for 30 years, the other for 26, I will not part with either of
them.
 
I never understood the really bad resale on DW's. I got a better percentage of my money back on several other, pretty junky guns I have sold. All three of the model 15s I had were totally reliable, and very accurate.
 
Welcome to TFL

As you've just learned Dan Wessons are for shooting and accumulating, not collecting. As the design of the Model 15 hasn't changed you should be able to get a manual through CZ-USA that is still accurate, at least from a parts breakdown aspect.
Barrel wrenches are available from CZ as well, can usually find them at gun shows too.
Take Care
 
I e-mailed CZ-DW about my friend's M15, but they didn't reply. I just was curious what date it was made, etc.
 
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