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March 12, 2009
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Have been reading the forum for a little while since I purchased two DW .45s last year (a CBOB and Valor). I've been shooting for 40+years and have had all types of guns at one time or another. I think the DW .45s are some of the best and most accurate that I have ever shot.
I digress. Anyway I was in one of my favorite gun stores the other day and one of the sales guys who teaches classes came out with a revolver and was talking to the manager. He was saying that the revolver was "loose". Anyway the manager took the revolver and said that the barrel shroud was loose; then I noticed that it was a Dan Wesson .357. It didn't have any tools, but the manger took a punch and carefully tightened the barrel nut. They had just taken it in on trade and he was going to use it in the class. I asked them how much they wanted for it and he said $249.00. It was a 6" model with full under barrel lug. I asked him if I could shoot it prior to buying it and he said fine. They found me 6 .357 rounds from a box with three different headstamps on the cartridges. I got a target and fired it from about 10 yards just to see if it functioned ok. Well the rounds went right to the POA and 3 of them touched with the other 3 less than an inch away (sure it was my fault). I was really not firing for accuracy, but to see if it functioned ok and to check primer strikes. That was the most accurate pistol I have ever fired.
I remember buying one new back in the 70s I think, but somewhere along the line sold it. I have always been partial to S&W and Colt, but really got away from shooting the past 20 or so years; and just got back into it about 2 years ago. I forgot how well the Dan Wesson revolvers were made. I took it home, cleaned it up, and it looks like new with just a couple of small areas where the blue was gone. Overall I would rate it 90-95%.
I ordered a tool from Dan Wesson and it arrived today. Great service.
Sorry for the long post but wanted to say thanks for the forum and for all the advise found here. I'll try and post a picture when I can. By the way my 15 was made in Monson with a serial number of 1863xx. Not sure when it was made, but would be interested if you know. Thanks again.
February 2, 2009
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Congrats on your acquisition. That's a good price for a Monson gun in good to excellent condition. The Monson plant closed in the early 80's so it's at least that old. The Monson models are becoming quite collectable, but are such fine shooters that safe queens are few to find. My brother bought the first DW that I was familiar with in 1970, new in the box. We took it to the dump and proceeded to hit everything we aimed at with 357's from the local hardware store. The only other revolver we had fired was a Colt 22 and DW put that to shame. I bought one for myself a year later, been hooked ever since.
December 17, 2008
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What a great story! Welcome to the forum.
Many of us had 'em and sold 'em - rekindled the flame...it sounds like you have a really nice 15-2.
That serial number (from our rough tabulations) puts your gun ~late '78, maybe early '79ish.
We have a forum under "Reference Files" that has a bunch of serial number correlating info.
DW Norwich - yep, great service, nice folks. Tons of parts still available - we have a current price list under the parts / service forum.
You got a good price!
When you put up your pictures we'll want to see your 1911's as well!
Nice to have you aboard.
DWF Supporters
Dans Club
Moderators
November 17, 2008
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Welcome aboard JimO, congrats on a good find with the 15. How do you like the Valor, I was itching for one but got a CBOB instead as Valors were more pricey and hard to find at the time?
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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Welcome aboard!
That's a great story, and the price you paid sounds like you did really good for yourself. Congrats on your score!
Show us some pics when you can, and yes, let's see some of your 1911's.
April 25, 2008
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Welcome to the forum JimO! You got a great deal on that 15. Soon you'll be wanting more Wessons, they are just very addicting.
The Savantist
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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I agree, you did real well. Funny how some higher power seems to throw these in front of us at just the right moment. My last two DW finds appeared in the funshop very shortly before I walked in, and I recently missed out on a CBOB because I screwed around on it for one day too long.
Welcome aboard.
Steve
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
March 12, 2009
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Thanks for all your comments. I'll post pictures this weekend as soon as I figure out how to post. I'm not that challanged, but each forum is different. As far as the Valor, it is a great pistol. Got it about 6 months ago from Bud's. Have only seen one other since then as they are somewhat limited in production. Of course since the election, all guns have been flying off the shelfs! In all my experience, I have never seen anything like this; in both gun and ammunition sales! Again thanks to all of you and for your comments and experience.
February 27, 2009
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My 15-2, also a Monson which I bought new when I got assigned to the 3rd US air carnival in May of 1980 is #2514xx. Still has the deepest blue and shoots great.
December 17, 2008
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KPM - Nice! An original purchase and you still have it!
That's a great serial number reference point, so I will copy it over to the “Serial Number” topic in the Reference Forum.
--->I know this is a stretch, but do you have barrel wrapper or any dated paperwork that may have come with the new revolver package?
February 27, 2009
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Sorry Dusty, just the gun and the small case (carpet).
In 1980 I was a 21 yr old army aviator making more money than I had ever seen before, with no expenses, living in a mexican border town...............
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