Dan Wesson 357 questions

[n10sivern]

A buddy of mine has a Dan Wesson 357 revolver with the extra barrels that he is possibly wanting to sell. It has little blue left and it is having a problem with light primer strikes. If I pull the hammer back manually and let it fall while holding the trigger it fires, but when just pulling the trigger it doesn't seem like the hammer is going all the way back and it has light primer strikes. Also, it will not lock the hammer back for SA and I thought these were SA/DA revolvers. I'm not a revolver afficiando and know very little about these pistols. I would guess that a spring kit would likely solve the firing problem. What would the value even be? He doesn't have the original box or anything. Would it even be worth reblueing?

[rancher1913]

lots of people think the dan wesson pistols are gold. I have one (the first gun I ever bought) and love it but have no idea of the actual value.

[Walkingwolf]

I don't remember DW making any DAO revolvers, I would imagine the internals have been tinkered with. If you can get the parts to return it to stock, and the gun has a reasonable price, I would go for it. Personally I like the looks of a well worn gun, so the blue would not be an issue for me.

[M-Tecs]

look at the ones that have bids for actual value http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx?Keywords=dan+wesson+15

[n10sivern]

yeah, there is not much to compare it to. they are either just the pistol or complete pistol packs with 4 barrels, case, etc. I don't think that this one is worth much in the shape that it is in.

[M-Tecs]

Barrels on shrouds are pricy on ebay http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=dan+wesson+barrels&_osacat=159043&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1311.R3.TR3.TRC1.A0.H0.Xdan +wesson+barrel.TRS0&_nkw=dan+wesson+barrel+357&_sacat=159043

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=dan+wesson+barrels&_osacat=159043&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1311.R3.TR3.TRC1.A0.H0.Xdan +wesson+barrel.TRS0&_nkw=dan+wesson+barrel+357&_sacat=159043

[MT Gianni]

http://www.danwessonforum.com/
These guys know stuff. is it a pork chop model [15 no dash] or a newer 15-2?

[Bohica793]

I had a Smith with the same SA/DA issue. Turned out to be a worn sear. Local gunsmith fixed it for under $50. I have a Dan Wesson as well and will not part with it. Most accurate handgun I own.

[MUSTANG]

⬆️ +1 :Fire: ⬆️

[psweigle]

The model 14 is the porkchop, the model 15 and 15-2 have the non-porkchop shroud if I recall correctly. They are a very well made single/double action revolver. Typically the barrels and schroud can be worth more than the frame depending on the length. If the action isnt working properly, the parts are around to fix the issue no matter what it may be. If you can grab it up I would. I've been pricing them for a while and I can promise you they are not getting cheaper.

[44man]

I only had one DW but seem to remember a screw at the bottom of the hammer spring.
Someone might have turned it loose for a trigger job.

[saleen322]

The Dan Wesson is one of the most accurate revolvers you can get. The DW also has one of the most simple and strong actions. I love Smiths but the Dan Wesson mechanism is stronger--not as smooth as a Smith, but stronger. As far as weak strikes, it is possible that the spring is weak or broken but equally likely someone tinkered with it.

[MT Gianni]

The model 14 is the porkchop, the model 15 and 15-2 have the non-porkchop shroud if I recall correctly. They are a very well made single/double action revolver. Typically the barrels and schroud can be worth more than the frame depending on the length. If the action isnt working properly, the parts are around to fix the issue no matter what it may be. If you can grab it up I would. I've been pricing them for a while and I can promise you they are not getting cheaper.
I have a model 15 pork chop.

[Beerd]

Can somebody explain "Pork Chop"? Pitchers maybe?
..

[Walkingwolf]

Can somebody explain "Pork Chop"? Pitchers maybe?
..

The barrel shroud on the pork chop extended down on the frame.

https://www.gunsamerica.com/UserImages/184036/974828516/wm_8286835.jpg

[sniper]

I had a Dan Wesson....not the "pork chop"; sights didn't have the "click" stops, but boy, it could shoot! It was accurate with its 4" and 6" barrels! I sold it , and bought a no-dash 586...a good gun, but not really an equivalent. [smilie=b: Now, I can't afford one! Oh, Well!

[MUSTANG]

I guess this would be "NOT A PORK CHOP"

190476

[psweigle]

I stand corrected.

[fatelk]

I sure wish I had kept mine. It was my first revolver, bought it used at a gun show nearly three decades ago for $275. It had a 15" barrel that I grew to hate over time because it was just too long to be practical. Now I wish I'd never sold it.

At one time I put a "trigger spring kit" on it for a better trigger, but it did the exact same thing the OP describes: misfires in double action. I put the old springs back on and it worked fine.

[wv109323]

There was a 15" barrel only that sold on Ebay for 1200 to 1500 IIRC. I know it was over 1K.

[Texas by God]

Myself and about seven of my friends owned the same M15 6". It would shoot bottle caps easy with .38s or hot .357s. I miss it; I don't know where it went. They are great revolvers for sure.

[brassrat]

Make sure the grip screw is not too tight. They are easy to work on and maybe someone "lightened" and "improved" the sear. Two guesses.

[sniper]

There was a 15" barrel only that sold on Ebay for 1200 to 1500 IIRC. I know it was over 1K.


When I had mine, there was this I neighbor...a little guy...who had a Dan Wesson with a 12" barrel. Several of us had our own thoughts about that! ;)

At that price, I would like to have about a dozen to sell!:D

[fatelk]

There was a 15" barrel only that sold on Ebay for 1200 to 1500 IIRC. I know it was over 1K.

No, no, no; don't tell me that. I don't want to hear that. I'll just pretend that I didn't see that. That would just make me regret selling that old gun even more.

[Greg S]

I purchased a 715 Pistol Pac in 86 which popped my cherry so to speak. I had a simular problem about twenty years in on a reduced power spring pack. It would not bust a magnum primer double action but would single action. Ended up reinstalling the factory mainspring and all was good.

As for not staying cocked single action the problem might be two fold. Dirt or other foreign matter and dried oils or not allowing the trigger to fully return foward or someone may have polished some sear and hammer hook surfaces. The ignition components of the DW revolvers were mim, early mim at that and could have damaged the surface hardening or someone took too much.

First off I would remove and co pletely clean the lock work and inspect for wear and function which will reveal the cause.

[44man]

The hammer is a bear to get back in when the hand gets out of place. Tie the hand with thread and after installed, cut the thread.
If the barrel nut can't be removed, put a hose in the forcing cone and put a funnel on it, pour boiling water through the bore. If REAL tight pack an ice bag on the shroud first.
There is a spring and pawl in the frame that pushes against the cylinder lock if I remember. Been a long time. Mine was frozen in the hole with burrs.
Another thing to look for is after the company changed hands, barrels were not straight to the frames. Seen new guns where the barrel pointed so far left you needed a 6" extension on the rear sight. Early guns were a jewel.

[Artful]

The model 14 is the porkchop, the model 15 and 15-2 have the non-porkchop shroud if I recall correctly. They are a very well made single/double action revolver. Typically the barrels and schroud can be worth more than the frame depending on the length. If the action isnt working properly, the parts are around to fix the issue no matter what it may be. If you can grab it up I would. I've been pricing them for a while and I can promise you they are not getting cheaper.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/rowdyfisk/FAL/DanWesson15-Bwith6and4inchbarrels.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rowdyfisk/media/FAL/DanWesson15-Bwith6and4inchbarrels.jpg.html)
Model 14 is fixed sight model 15 is adjustable (both pork chop)
Model 15-2 is non-pork chop

[psweigle]

Yep, I realized that after a bit of research, and a few others correcting me as well. One is never too old to learn. I am very thankful for the people who post here.

[TCLouis]

Anyone know a good source for Manufacture dates.

My 715 is Monson Mass Mfg SD O or 0 14XXX

It loves warmish loaded 358156's

My 14 has yet to find a load it likes. I keep hoping to stumble across a reasonably priced 6" barrel and shroud for it and/or the 715, but it apparently it "ain't gonna happen".

[brassrat]

I think the gun is from 1984 and as for the other, mine likes RN at 130 gr, a 9mm boolet and 180 gr XTP at high speeds with 2400.

[n10sivern]

Update:
i picked up the DW for a good price. It's a Model 14-2.
192449
192450
192451
192452

The grip screw was the reason for it not locking back in single action. Now it locks back.
192453

Problem is now the grip is loose. Guess I'll have to modify the screw or get a washer that will fit. The grips fit really poorly to the frame. I don't know what would cause that.
192454

[Artful]

Update:
i picked up the DW for a good price. It's a Model 14-2.
192449
192450
192451
192452

The grip screw was the reason for it not locking back in single action. Now it locks back.
192453

Problem is now the grip is loose. Guess I'll have to modify the screw or get a washer that will fit. The grips fit really poorly to the frame. I don't know what would cause that.
192454

Nice find - the grip is all wood, so warpage over time especially when exposed to moisture and drying out repeatedly - pick up some pachmayr grips and don't even worry about getting it wet.

Are you going to refinish it?
Cerakote makes for lots of possiblities

http://i.imgur.com/HGWHu4a.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb217/gunpicts/357002Small.jpg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/gunpicts/media/357002Small.jpg.html)

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67/JMB1911/Guns/SWPCStealthDoziersmsideways.jpg (http://s253.photobucket.com/user/JMB1911/media/Guns/SWPCStealthDoziersmsideways.jpg.html)

http://www.precisioncerakote.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Smith-Wesson-44-Magnum-revolver-bear-gun-painted-with-safety-orange-Cerakote-ceramic-coating-by-Percision-Cerakote-in-Alaska.jpg

[n10sivern]

Other than grips, it's gonna stay how it is for now. It may get cerakote down the road.

[7br]

I have Houge monogrips for my Dan Wessons and really like them.

[n10sivern]

I have some pachmayr's on the way for it.

[Artful]

Good choice

[TCLouis]

Hogues are good also.

Factory grips feel "funny" to me.