*SOLD* Dan Wesson 15-2 .357 MAG Blue *AWESOME INTERCHANGEABLE BARREL REVOLVER

Bryant Ridge's Analysis

When it comes to revolvers in the US, the “Big Three” of Colt, Smith and Wesson, and Ruger remain strong. But in the 1970’s a new company emerged and attempted to challenge these three (Smith in particular) with an innovative new design. This company was Dan Wesson and the Model 15 was that design. Founded in 1968 by Daniel B. Wesson II after the acquisition of his family company by conglomerate Bangor Punta, Wesson sought to create a company to continue the tradition of innovative and high quality revolvers while also maintaining his independence and family legacy. For this he knew he would need a designer and ended up finding just the man in an unlikely place.

Karl Lewis was an engineer at Colt who designed the MKIII series and also the M16A1s first under-barrel grenade launcher, preceding the M203. Previously he had worked for Browning where he was integral to the design of the BLR rifle and after his success with that, offered them a design for an interchangeable barrel revolver, which they declined. When word got around that the enterprising black sheep of the Wesson family had left S&W, Lewis saw the opportunity for his brainchild to become a reality and he and Wesson joined forces. Influence from Lewis’ previous MKIII design can be seen in the transfer bar safety, coil mainspring, and most obviously the clockwise cylinder rotation. Colt supremacists have touted this as an advantage since the cylinder turns into the frame as opposed to away from it into the yoke. Lewis expanded on this concept by moving the cylinder lock/release to the crane as opposed to behind the cylinder like pretty much every other DA revolver.

Unique aspects of the DW design were the grip “peg” that allows for one piece grips of any shape or size to be attached with a large hex head screw that secures from the bottom. The side plate screws are this more user friendly hex head as opposed to the standard flathead seen on most revolvers. Dan’s also have recessed cylinders such as those found on pre-81 S&W revolvers. No real practical advantage, but very satisfying. From the beginning, the interchangeable barrel design of the Dan was always its most trademark feature. Early models of the 14 (fixed sights) and 15 (adjustable) had an external barrel nut that soon became a flush one, and also had a “pork chop” type barrel shroud where the front part of the frame was also incorporated.

The improved and more common 14-2 and 15-2 changed to a simple indexing pin in the frame that would align with a hole in the shroud. With the additional support of the cylinder release/lock on the crane and in conjunction with the users ability to fine tune their own cylinder gap (the barrel removal tool kit comes with a gauge to set this) and lock it in place at the muzzle with the barrel nut, it was hard for competitors to deny the Dan’s outstanding accuracy potential. The Model 15-2 could be ordered as "Pistol Pacs" with 3 (initially) and later 4 (or more) barrel/shroud sets shipped inside a fiberglass briefcase with barrel changing tool and clearance gauges; however, most pistols were sold with only one barrel, with the buyers able to purchase other barrels later. All barrels and shrouds within a model series are compatible, thus a Model 15-2 frame from the 1970s may be equipped with a barrel from the 1990s and shroud made in 2016. The 15-2 increased sales markedly over the earlier models, and were often seen in use with both target shooters and hunters.

Specifications

Manufacturer: Dan Wesson

Model: 15-2 

Serial: 191621 

Caliber: .357 Magnum

Finish: Blue

Barrel Length: 6" 

Optics/Sights: Interchangeable Front with White Outline Adjustable Rear

Stock/Grips: Checkered Walnut Target Style with Inlaid DWA Medallions

Action: Double-Action

Markings: Standard

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