Dan Wesson Model Differences

S

shawnbucy

Inactive
Folks, I've recently acquired two second-hand Dan Wesson 357's: One stainless Model 715 with three barrels (8,4 and 2 inches). The other is a blue Model 15 with a single 5-inch barrel.

My question: The barrel shrouds of the two guns are not interchangeable. The 715 has a ventilated rib. The Model 15 does not. That's no big deal.

But the barrel shrouds are built differently; the locator pins are in different places. The base of the Model 15 shroud extends down and covers the crane pivot pin, but the 715 does not.

I thought all Dan Wesson barrels and shrouds were interchangeable. Are my two guns way different ages (old and new), or were the stainless models built differently from the blued models? Or does it have to do with the shrouds having ribs or not?

If I buy other barrels for the two guns, I needs to make certain they'll fit!

Anbody got any background on this? I don't know the age of either gun.

Thanks ahead of time.....
 
Maybe different incarnations

That company has changed ownership and started and stopped a few times. They might have changed machinery or specs during the changes. I had a 15 many years ago. Was impressed with the fine accuracy. Made me look good, if I concentrated, it shot better than I thought I could do. Nice guns. Someone else will have to tell you about barrel interchangeability, but a stainless barrel shroud would look weird on a blue gun and vice versa. I have seen blued guns with the barrel and cylinder stainless or nickel, looks "custom" I guess. Don't know if I would try swapping cylinders though!
 
The reason for the difference is....you don't have a Model 15!

The DW revolver was originally made with the "pork chop" shroud - the one that has an external barrel nut, and the extension which comes down and covers the crane pivot. IIRC, the last "pork chop" model was the Model 12 (sometimes called a "W12".) The more common "straight shroud" models started with the Model 14 (fixed sight) and Model 15 (adj. sight.)

Model 15 and 715 shrouds and barrels ARE interchangeable, if you don't mind the two tone look.

"Pork chop" models are relatively rare, but since they're not terribly collectible, the barrels and shrouds tend to go cheaper than the latter style.

Hope this clears up the confusion.
 
If I recall correctly in the late 1990's -2000 or so Dan Wesson made some medium frame guns with fixed barrels, the 5" being one of these. Before the last owners in New York took over Dan Wesson I think the fixed barrel models were an attempt to come out with a lower cost gun to compete with other mfrs. As mentioned above there were some early models in the 1970's with the "pork chop" shroud. I bought in 1980-1 a model 15 with the newer interchangeable barrel system so they were out by then.
 
I loved my model 15 blue with the 8"hv barrel. I won many plaques in IHMSA. Started shooting bullseye, high power and sold it years ago. Probably the most accurate pistol I've ever owned. I sold it to a friend who probably never shot it. Hopefully one day I'll run into him and buy it back.
 
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