{"id":37003,"date":"2015-05-17T15:48:35","date_gmt":"2015-05-17T19:48:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=37003"},"modified":"2015-05-17T15:48:35","modified_gmt":"2023-08-18T17:34:36","slug":"the-new-dan-wesson-357-back-with-a-vengeance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/the-new-dan-wesson-357-back-with-a-vengeance\/","title":{"rendered":"The New Dan Wesson .357, Back with a Vengeance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dan Wesson 715<\/strong>: https:\/\/cz-usa.com\/product\/dan-wesson-715\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy one on GunsAmerica<\/strong>: \/dan wesson 357<\/a><\/p>\n

Dan Wesson double action revolvers are back. It has been about 10 years since there have been new production DW revolvers on the market.\u00a0 CZ USA, which bought the Dan Wesson company in 2005, have made pistols under the name, but (until late last year) only a very limited number of revolvers. I am sure some of you reading this are familiar with the Dan Wesson’s.\u00a0 But I also bet there are a number of you that have no clue or think it must be a brand related to Smith & Wesson. For a little clarity lets take a look at Dan Wesson the man and a brief history of his company before we get to the review gun.<\/p>\n

\"Dan<\/a>

Dan Wesson 715 .357 Magnum.<\/p><\/div>\n

Dan Wesson<\/h2>\n

Daniel B. Wesson II was the great grandson of Daniel Wesson I who founded Smith and Wesson.\u00a0 DWII worked in the family business from 1938 until the company was sold in 1963. By 1968 he had formed his own company and began production of his own design of double action revolvers.\u00a0 These revolvers are not just some rehashing of an old K-Frame Smith– they are a totally different design with some very unique features.<\/p>\n

The Dan Wesson company has changed hands a number of times since its founding.\u00a0 Dan Wesson passed away in 1978 and the company\u00a0 was run by his descendants for a time.\u00a0 CZ took ownership of the in 2005 but have mostly focused on 1911s manufactured under the Dan Wesson name.<\/p>\n

\"Cylinder<\/a>

Cylinder release is on the crane.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Revolvers<\/h2>\n

So what makes the Dan Wesson revolvers unique?\u00a0 A couple of things.\u00a0 When you see one for the first time, you’ll notice that the cylinder latch is not in the usual place.\u00a0 The Dan Wesson latches are in front of the cylinders on the crane. The idea behind putting the latch on the crane is that it makes a stronger lock-up, and it does.<\/p>\n

But, if you are used to shooting just about any other double action revolver it takes a little getting used to. While you may operate the latch on a Smith, Ruger, or Colt with your right hand, the DW latch is more easily reached with the left.<\/p>\n

The other, and biggest difference of the Dan Wesson designs is the ability to swap barrels with ease. It is a very simple process to change out the barrels.\u00a0 The barrel screws into the frame with a shim behind it to set the cylinder gap.\u00a0 Once the barrel is attached, the shroud goes over it and a nut is used to hold everything together.\u00a0 The whole process only takes a couple of minutes.\u00a0 Why would you want to swap out barrels you ask?\u00a0 Lengths.\u00a0 Put a 2 inch on and have a great carry piece. Throw the 8 incher on and head to the range for some target shooting.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The barrel nut.<\/p><\/div>\n

The 715<\/h2>\n

The 715 is arguably the pentacle of the Dan Wesson designs.\u00a0 This is the stainless model in .357 magnum and, rightfully so, the model CZ has chosen to reintroduce. Here are some specs:<\/p>\n