New Dan Wesson Owener Looking for Information

[Ocsamschainsaw]

Hello!
I recently purchased, for 225 dollars out the door in a private transfer what I believe to be a Dan Wesson .357 magnum revolver.
The gun has no model designations on it, but does have the following markings:
Barrel Markings:
Dan Wesson Arms
.357 Magnum CTG

Frame Markings:
Dan Wesson Arms
Monson, Mass. USA
2637XX

Based on the searching that I've done on this forum, I'm pretty sure that this is a model 15, but I'm not sure-this is my first revovler to own besides an NAA mini revolver. The barrel looks different than the dan wesson's I've seen looking around the internet-this one is fitted with a 6 inch barrel, with an internal barrel nut, but it has no vent rib and no full underlug. I can't find any other pictures of Dan Wesson revolvers that have barrels like this.
The gun itself has a fairly bright blue finish on it, and large wood grips that I'm thinking about changing out because I have smallish hands-but I don't know what type of gun to order them for.
Oh, yes, it has an adjustable rear sight, the timing on the gun seems perfect, and the trigger mechanism is like glass.
For 225, did I get a good deal? What do I have here, exactly, can anyone give me a time frame as to when it was made, and...what sort of grips do I need to be buying for it?
Thanks for your time,
Travis

[Coyote_1]

You know what they say a PICTURE is worth a thousand words.  Post a picture of the Dan Wesson.  There may be a member of the forum that can provide you with the information you are looking for.  As the did you pay to much, I would say NO you got a Good Deal, I have been looking for months in my general area and on line for a Dan Wesson model 15 in good condition and reasonable priced.  I finally found one for $299 and I jumped at purchasing it.  

[Heavyhaul]

I'm no expert, but, 357 mag is mod 14 or 15( I think maybe 12 also but very old).  Full under lug is a "heavy barrel", adjustable sights makes it a Mod 15 (Target?), non-adj is Mod 14(Hunter?) and they came w/ vented or non-vented barrels.  I think I am accurate in my info, but it maybe not be complete.  Some one else chime in and let me know how accurate I am.  Monson guns are considered by some to be better.  I haven't heard anything conclusive to prove this, just speculation.  As for the grips, I have heard something about square and round tang guns, but I am under the impression that 357 Mag and smaller are small frame guns and the 357 Supermag and larger are large frame guns.  I enjoy shooting shooting my Ruger GP-100, but the DW will spoil you.  Be sure to try the grips before you change them.  I thought they would be too big also.  At the range, they made the gun handle better and steadier.  Good luck w/ it.  I can't see that you wnt wrong at all.

[Paul5388]

I assume you aren't dividing things quite so finely, so you switched to a chainsaw instead of a razor?

$225 sounds like a very good price to me!  That's assuming it came with a barrel wrench, but it's still a good price even if you have to get the $32 wrench from the factory (that's what a wrench for a M744 cost, so I'm assuming the M15 would be the same.)

[SEVENTY]

You got a good buy in a DW.  You can always buy a barrel if the one you
have is a little rough.  Mr. HeavyHaul has your information about right.
With good care, any Dan Wesson will give you a good many years.  My
DW pistols are over 20 years old and I would challenge anyone to know
that, from looks or operation. 70

[RollTide]

You have gotten some pretty good information so far.  As far as the dates go, check out this thread.

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=20675&highlight=monson+palmer+norwich

As far as grips go, Dan Wesson made several size and shape grips for the small frame guns (357 and smaller).  I am sure you can get them from the factory and they pop up on Ebay all the time (just go to Ebay and search on "Dan Wesson".  Hogue and Pachmayr also make excellent aftermarket grips for the small frame.  My favorite grips on the small frame are the Pachmayr "Gripper", but I have large hands and another grip may fit you better.  The wonderful thing about DW grip design is that you can have an infinite variety of grip sizes and shapes for the same gun.  If you do not find a factory grip you like, just get one that is close and used a power sander to "adjust" it any way you like. (just take it off the gun first  :grin:  :grin:  )

Hope that helps and welcome to the forum and the DW fraternity.

Roll Tide