Register
Log In
DWF Supporters
June 12, 2026
Offline
What's the difference
October 18, 2017
Offline
The Model 15 is essentially the same as a W12 except the barrel shroud no longer has the external barrel nut. It uses the recessed barrel nut of the later guns thus making the barrel 1/4 inch shorter for any given length. The Model 15-1 uses the same shroud except the front sight is significantly shorter to match up with the more streamlined frame and rear sight of the 15-1. Although still a pork chop, the internals of the 15-1 are the same as what would become the 15-2.
DWF Supporters
June 12, 2026
Offline
Supporter
Dans Club
March 25, 2013
Offline
Yes, the front and rear sights of a dash one are lower than the 14 and 15. Hence the shrouds are not interchangable unless the front sight blade is changed . The other, more important change is the longer travel of the hammer in the dash ones. This is because the little ledge on the trigger that the trigger return spring rests on makes the fulcrum( the hammer) travel further. It may only be a fraction of an inch but the longer hammer fall is noticable. I suspect the change was made because of the earlier guns having light strikes on the primer. Also, it is very difficult to replace the sideplate and keep the end of the return spring resting on the trigger and not getting caught between the sideplate and the trigger.
One of the reasons for the splendid accuracy of models 11 through 15 Dans was the short and fast hammer fall. Less time for the muzzle to move between pulling the trigger and the hammer hitting the firing pin. The Manurhin MR 73 also has a very short and fast hammer fall and it is as famous for its accuracy as a DW.
DWF Supporters
June 12, 2026
Offline
An amazing amount of knowledge. I've been collecting Dan's for 20 years, and I still don't know anything. Can I assume the same is true for 14 and 14-1?
Supporter
Dans Club
March 25, 2013
Offline
Yes, the 14 has the short hammer fall and the 14-1 has the same,longer, hammer fall as a dash 2. The dash 1s are the same gun as the High Standard Sentinel Mk II and III.
Supporter
Dans Club
March 25, 2013
Offline
Thank you Andrew for the high compliment. I was buying bare frames and building guns out of my parts collection . I stopped doing that because it is so difficult to fit a sideplate that wasn't original to the frame. Still have a bunch of parts. And a bunch of guns. From an investment standpoint I figured a $500 15-2 would double in value faster than a $2500 Python . Now a Dan is almost double(ANIB) and Pythons have dropped at least 25% in value. Thanks to CZ making faux snake guns. I hope CZ doesn't start making Supermags again. I have a pile of them too .
1 Guest(s)
