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January 21, 2026
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Hi forum.
I recently won a gunbroker auction for a 715 with a 6" vented heavy barrel. It's my first Dan Wesson. I see that the CZ webstore has quite a few options for barrels. I'd like to get something shorter for woods carry. Some of the barrels on the website are marked "uses new shroud" but there's no explanation for what that means. The product photos for the barrels without that title don't show the porkchop extension, so I'm not sure if it's referring to that, or some other variation in the shrouds?
I emailed the contact info on the website and asked about two weeks ago but haven't heard anything. I'm wondering if anyone here can help me interpret which barrel would go on my gun - the "uses new shroud" options, or those without that in the title?
Dans Club
December 7, 2020
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Welcome!
The shortest explanation is that if your 715 is a Norwich, and Ser# starts with DW, then you want the new shroud. However, both the Old and New Shroud will fit your 715 just fine whatever the year made.
Dans Club
October 26, 2008
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If your shroud looks like the top one that is the new one (2012 and newer) if it’s the bottom that’s the “old” one. Serial numbers for the new 715’s start with RV or DW. They don’t make the porkchop in any variation at all anymore (external or internal nut). 
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
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Welcome to the forum from PA!
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DWF Supporters
June 11, 2016
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Welcome to the Forum from Wisconsin.
January 21, 2026
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Thanks for the welcomes and the replies. Sounds like mine is an old shroud since it's a Monson gun. Based on Superdan's photo I like the look of the old shroud more anyways.
What would you guys pick for a barrel length for woods carry? I don't own any 357's right now so I have no point of reference for performance with shorter barrels. I'd like something easy to carry but the 2.5" barrel seems awful short to me.
Dans Club
March 28, 2023
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the "Uses new shroud" is made to fit the new CZ 715 that was made from I believe 2014 thru 2018 they a re a bit different but will still fit older models but the lines don't match up quite right. I suggest if you can get the size you want in the selection of ones not marked "uses new shroud" is a better choice for older 715 Monson and Palmer guns. Here is a pic of the newer CZ pacs Also the newer shrouds have the roll marks are out lined 
February 16, 2016
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dwizum said What would you guys pick for a barrel length for woods carry? I
I presume you are not hunting with it, so would recommend the 4" or even the 6" you have. If it's holstered the extra 2" won't be noticeable and you get better sight radius.
to the 
January 21, 2026
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No plans to use it as a primary hunting weapon. It'll be a backup (I do most of my gun hunting with a single shot rifle so I appreciate having a multi-round sidearm), a general woods gun for personal defense when camping or other adventures, and a range toy.
I picked it up from the FFL today. It's a beautiful piece of machinery. The finish on the stainless steel is really gorgeous. I can't believe how nice the trigger is. I'm saying things you all know already but man this thing is nice.
I am a little confused about the barrel shroud though. It doesn't seem to quite exactly match any of the photos in this thread so far. There is no colored element on the blade sight, it's a solid piece of black steel without the separate red element dovetailed in as in the photos here. The vent rib looks like the bottom barrel in superman's photo above, but instead of the rollmark on the right side it has an engraved "357 Magnum" - which is fully engraved, not just an outline like the "new" barrels shown here. I'm presuming there were running changes throughout production but I'm wondering if anyone can confirm or deny what I have.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Youse guys need to start using proper terminology . I see a topic about new 715 barrels from CZ and all I think about is barrel tubes. Evidently they don't make them any more so I was interested. But it is not barrels. It is BARREL ASSEMBLIES. Let's get with the program.
Monson, Palmer , Norwich Serva era, and Norwich CZ era. And they are shrouds. The barrels are all the same (basically). Although there was some problems with some of the CZ stuff .
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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About taking a gun in the woods but not hunting. You want the lightest ,fastest to draw , biggest caliber you can handle . If it is protection you want, a 357 magnum is just going to make a bear angry. It might stop a boar with enough hits. I think 44 mag,4" barrel or even bigger cartridge is the way to go .
Dans Club
December 7, 2020
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Ole Dog said
Youse guys need to start using proper terminology . I see a topic about new 715 barrels from CZ and all I think about is barrel tubes. Evidently they don't make them any more so I was interested. But it is not barrels. It is BARREL ASSEMBLIES. Let's get with the program.
Well, Ole Dog is correct.
In regards to the marking on your "Barrel Shroud", that is how DW-CZ is marking the current "BARREL ASSEMBLIES". The above-pictured outlined-stamped marking and confined to the DW-CZ run of 715s from 2014-2020(?)
dwizum, Yours is the old style frame.
February 16, 2016
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I believe this is correct;
Monson pre-15-2 is porkchop 2-line rollmark
Monson 15-2 is 2-line rollmark
Palmer is 1-line rollmark
Norwich Serva Era is 1-line etched
Norwich CZ is 1-line engraved outline
Corrections encouraged. 
Dans Club
October 26, 2008
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Top V10 (on the gun) is Palmer
VH8 is Norwich (Serva years)
VH6 is Monson
VH4 is EWK
As Scout stated you have a current CZ made Barrel assembly. The outlined markings are for the “new 715” shroud made from 2012 to 2020.
As for your sight it is a standard black one on the CZ barrels many times if you want to change it purchase one on Ebay would be my recommendation user Wesson Firearms is relation to DW and is where I buy sights they have all sorts of colors available.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Stinger, EWK shroud has one line roll mark but bigger type than Monson and Palmer.
January 21, 2026
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Thanks everyone for the additional info. I wish I knew more of the history of this gun, including what it originally came with in terms of a barrel, assuming this one is a "new CZ" production barrel assembly. I bought it as a shooter so I'm not super concerned about originality, I just like to know things I guess.
Speaking of buying it as a shooter, this thing shoots so accurately it's almost spooky. It's not just the inherent accuracy, it's more that it is really easy to shoot well. I've only got maybe 150 rounds through it but I'm already more consistent and more accurate with this thing than any other pistol I own, including guns I have many thousands of rounds through. I don't participate in any sort of pistol competition but this thing is making me feel like I should.
June 8, 2009
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Not sure what you are going to be carrying your revolver in while in the woods.
I picked up a hip holster today for my DW 44 with VH4. Diamond D Leather. I have a blue gun and got the flap for it to protect that nice blue job. I have the original 8" V BA on the gun now but slid it into the holster. Fits like a glove with a bit of barrel sticking out the bottom. When I'm carrying the 8", I put it in a Guide's Choice Chest Holster. Very comfortable setup.
While I was there, I ordered another hip holster for my DW .357 & .22 wearing 6" VH shrouds. No flap for this as I don't see packing either gun in bad weather.
Only you can pick what length works. I spent a lot of time years ago playing with 4, 6, and 8" BA in .357 and .22. I shot the 6" a LOT better than the 4". I only shot the 8" 10% better than the 6. Better by group size on target.
4" is handier to carry. 6" is OK to belt carry. At 8" I move to chest carry.
As a general rule: Diamond D Leather (in leather holsters) makes one holster to fit one gun. None of this one size fits many, but sometimes not very well. And they make leather holsters specifically for Dan Wessons. I like them a lot! I haven't paid any attention with my other holsters from them, but the .44VH I picked up today doesn't seem to have any marking on it as to what gun it was made for.
EDIT: They quoted roughly 10 weeks wait time from order to pickup on things that are not on the shelf or have custom features.
January 21, 2026
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Haven't made a choice about a carry location or holster at this point, but I will check them out. I've never carried a revolver so I don't really know where to start, but that's the kind of feedback I was hoping for. I do like the idea of having two options so I can swap depending on which backpack I have on. If 6" carries well on both the hip and chest I may just start there and then decide if I want to try a shorter barrel. Right now I'm carrying either a SIG P220 on my strong side hip, or a P239 in an IWB holster clipped to a cargo pocket if I have a backpack with a hip strap that interferes with the P220's holster.
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