Dan Wesson 715

[Zombie13]

I went in to my local gun shop on black Friday with the intent of purchasing gifts for family members.

After looking around, I noticed a beast of a revolver sitting on the bottom of the consignment shelf. It was a Dan Wesson 715 for $450.00. Due to the black Friday craziness, I didn't take any pictures or really inspect the 715 at all. I should have started my DROS on Friday, but I had to finish the gift shopping with the remaining cash left on hand after I put down the deposit.

Come Tuesday, I will start my DROS and take some pictures to share. I have found mixed reviews online and only a handful of videos on youtube.

Any calgunners that own a Dan Wesson revolver want to share your thoughts?

[Citadelgrad87]

I have a 15-2, eight inch heavy barrel, bought it new in the early 1980s. Zero complaints, very accurate, although I haven't shot it for several years.

That price is a steal.

Old style

[BEE]

Definitely a good deal for a DW.

[tmh1]

I agree that what you paid is a good price for a vintage DW revolver. I was able to pick up my older (~1982) Model 15 earlier this year for a steal of a price at my LGS as it had some pitting and missing finish (from being stored incorrectly), and since revolvers in my area just don't sell very well.

I have since added a 6" barrel to it and have found it to be a fantastic shooter in either the 4" or 6" configuration. And due to its condition I had bought the gun as a shooter, not a collector. It is really fun to be able to switch barrels so easily to get different configurations out of a single gun.

It does take a little time to get used to DW's cylinder release latch but I think that you will enjoy your new purchase. The DA trigger pull is very enjoyable. I haven't put a gauge to the trigger pull weight but it might feel so good just because the action is so smooth.

[k1dude]

It must be the older discontinued 715. Dan Wesson (CZ) reintroduced them last year. The new model is much more angular than the old, and has a full length heavy lug, heavy vent shroud, and a rubber grip.

715's were always considered top of the line and had a reputation for their accuracy.

If it's a newer model, $450 is a ridiculously good price unless it has been badly abused.

Newer:



Older:



I have no idea what a good price on a used older one is, but $450 seems reasonable to me if it wasn't abused. It's a true pre-CZ top of the line Dan Wesson. Heck, I think you can still buy swappable extra barrels for it from CZ's web store.

[Zombie13]

The new model is much more angular than the old, and has a full length heavy lug, heavy vent shroud, and a rubber grip.

715's were always considered top of the line and had a reputation for their accuracy.

If it's a newer model, $450 is a ridiculously good price unless it has been badly abused.

Newer:

It's this one here. After I left the shop, I started my research. I found that there was a large batch of blem models that have been stamped with an upside down "Y".

I'm hoping this 715 won't have the blem stamp. The revolver was used, but far from abused. At most, the cylinder could use some cleaning as it still had the burn residue at the front of the cylinder.

[k1dude]

It's this one here. After I left the shop, I started my research. I found that there was a large batch of blem models that have been stamped with an upside down "Y".

I'm hoping this 715 won't have the blem stamp. The revolver was used, but far from abused. At most, the cylinder could use some cleaning as it still had the burn residue at the front of the cylinder.

If it has the blem stamp, that would just give me permission to shoot the living crap out of it. New 715's are as rare as hens teeth, so they're typically safe queens. With a blem, you have a shooter.

[Dano3467]

Can't go wrong with DW.

[morrcarr67]

New, old doesn't matter. $450 for a nice Dan is a great deal.

Sent from my ASUS_Z00TD using Tapatalk

[camacho2727]

Wow great price the Blems go for $950ish per Kentucky Gun Co and Rifle gear.....then add SAE and transfer plus shipping in some cases.

[Rgarbarino]

I have a 15-2, eight inch heavy barrel, bought it new in the early 1980s. Zero complaints, very accurate, although I haven't shot it for several years.

That price is a steal.

Old style

I had that same gun from the 80's and recently sold it here for $600....

[Citadelgrad87]

It must be the older discontinued 715. Dan Wesson (CZ) reintroduced them last year. The new model is much more angular than the old, and has a full length heavy lug, heavy vent shroud, and a rubber grip.

715's were always considered top of the line and had a reputation for their accuracy.

If it's a newer model, $450 is a ridiculously good price unless it has been badly abused.

Newer:



Older:



I have no idea what a good price on a used older one is, but $450 seems reasonable to me if it wasn't abused. It's a true pre-CZ top of the line Dan Wesson. Heck, I think you can still buy swappable extra barrels for it from CZ's web store.

This is not entirely accurate.

Mine is a 1980 example, DW used to make heavy barrels, which mine has, and light barrels, reflected in the second photo.

I ordered mine, Model 15-2 8", "VH" barrel, meaning vent(rib) and heavy.

They may now only make heavy barrels, but they have been an option since at least 1980 or so.

[Zombie13]

I found a chart that had compiled S/N's to help narrow down the date of manufacture. I do not think this is the newer CZ run.

[Zombie13]

The S/N is SD013***. Can anyone verify it?

[k1dude]

This is not entirely accurate.

Mine is a 1980 example, DW used to make heavy barrels, which mine has, and light barrels, reflected in the second photo.

I ordered mine, Model 15-2 8", "VH" barrel, meaning vent(rib) and heavy.

They may now only make heavy barrels, but they have been an option since at least 1980 or so.

That's why I sent him a link to the replacement barrels, most all of which are heavy and vented like the older ones.

The reason for the light barrel photo with wood, is I wanted to know which one it looked more like in the store to help him figure out which it was.