Introduction
With a name like Wesson, you may as well shoot for the recognition that comes with it. Dan Wesson did exactly that when he started building guns back in the 1960’s and 70’s. The brand has since migrated under the control of Czech firearms giant CZ along with another American brand Colt. But today we are taking a look at a pistol from back when Dan the man himself ran the brand. Today we are reviewing the Dan Wesson Model 15 .357 Magnum revolver.
The Dan Wesson Model 15 .357 magnum
Dan Wesson’s model 15 came to me as an eight-inch .357 Magnum, but one of the interesting features of the pistol is its ability to switch barrels. Nowadays this is a common feature more and more manufacturers are incorporating to their designs. But this revolver comes from an entire generation ago, giving gun owners the ability to switch barrels themselves at home.
The model 15 also came with a six-inch barrel to change the performance and handling characteristics of the gun. The barrel threads into the frame just in front of the cylinder, the supporting shroud is then installed over the barrel. The entire assembly is tightened using a spanner nut that recesses into the muzzle.
Unlike most revolvers, the model 15 has a slide release on the front of the cylinder crane. This release is pulled down while rolling the cylinder out the left side of the pistol. This simplifies and leaves the side of the frame open and clean. A walnut grip gives a handsome contrast against the high-gloss blued finish.
Shooting the Dan wesson Model 15
Shooting the Dan Wesson Model 15 was as pleasant as you might imagine. I find older revolver designs to be an exercise in perfection. The design has been around for so long, you’d almost have to try to make it feel crummy.
The smooth action of the model 15 feel like quality workmanship from a time long past. The snap of the hammer clicking to the rear feels like its on lubed bearings. And the cylinder rolling the cartridge into place as well.
Both the double action and single action functions of the model 15 were predictably clean. Pulling the hammer back with the trigger seems lighter than many other revolvers I’ve shot. And the single action break of the trigger is fantastic, like a glass rod being snapped.
Only accurate firearms are interesting in my opinion, and the Dan Wesson Model 15 surely seemed interesting to me. I was impressed at being able to stack shots in nearly the same hole at distances of ten to fifteen yards. The longer barrel kept the pistol shooting comfortably and with very little muzzle rise.
Changing Barrels on the Model 15 revolver
Unfortunately I was unable to locate the appropriate tool for tightening the nut that secures the barrel. It uses a spanner wrench with two prongs to loosen or tighten down the barrel nut at the muzzle. Once the nut has been loosened, you can remove the barrel shroud by pulling it off the muzzle end of the barrel.
The barrel itself can be threaded out from the frame of the pistol. The process is reversed to install the new length barrel. The barrel is threaded into the frame and spaced six-thousandths from the front of the cylinder. This can be done with a feeler gauge, and ensures there is not too much clearance between the chamber and breach.
After that is done, you can install the barrel shroud and tighten the barrel nut completing the process. I am a big fan of quality switch-barrel firearms. And while this particular design doesn’t fit my particular needs, it could surely fit yours.
Pros & Cons
I didn’t come up with many cons, so I’ll give you my pros first. Timeless craftsmanship is one way I would describe this pistol. The fit and finish are outstanding, the polished high-gloss bluing alone makes this gun feel more valuable than it is. It actually looks thick when compared to other bluing.
The handsome walnut grip while not my personal taste is quite comfortable and easy to control the 357 recoil. The size of the pistol keeps it from being particularly snappy when it comes to recoil. And the simple sights are quite effective, the 8-inch barrel has a red insert. While the 6-inch barrel has a simple serrated ramp.
Function of the pistol is flawless. Solid cylinder lock-up and crisp trigger pulls speak volumes on the design and build quality of the Model 15. The very few things I would change about the pistol are easily summed up as personal preference. I wouldn’t mind a little more aggressive texturing to the hammer-spur, on a couple occasions my thumb slipped off while drawing the hammer. And it could perhaps benefit from a different grip. Neither of these would be a deal breaker for me though.
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-CBM