Does anyone own DW 715 and S&W 65?

[timetofly]

I recently got bit by a revolver bug.  I recently picked up a S&W 65-2 and I really like that one enough to start picking up a few more SS revolvers.

With that said, I'm interested in picking up a DW 715 with a 6" barrel.  Can anyone give any info comparing the DW 715 to other revolvers that you have?

Thank you in advance

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

I don't own a DW revolver but I have handled and fired many over the years.They are nice guns but I personally never liked the cylinder release on the crane. That's just me though. That S&W model 65-2 is a fine revolver being the .357 magnum version of the model 10/64. You can't go wrong with either brand both are well built long lasting examples of the wheelgun. Vintage examples of either brand can get pricey depending on model. I've seen DW multi barrel kits in the $2500+ range. The rarer S&W's like a 3in. model 66 can bring over $1000 and so on. DW's can have and advantage over EVERY other revolver brand with their user interchangeable barrel system but certain other wear conditions can still exist.
Read about how to check timing on a revolver and pay attention for forcing cone wear, flame cutting of the top strap and excessive barrel cylinder gap, and end shake. These are all things that can greatly decrease a revolvers value or even render it unrepairable in some cases such as an excessively flame cut top strap means the frame has burned/eroded away indicating high round counts with extremely hot magnum loads. 
Excessive barrel cylinder gaps can be corrected on S&W,Ruger, and Colt revolvers but it's a gunsmith operation to "set back" the barrel and re-cut the forcing cone and you can figure at least $200 for that service.

[timetofly]

Well, Christmas came early for me.  LGS called and let me know that my present arrived a little early. 

Out of the box the SA trigger pull is 4 lbs, and the SA I'm guessing is about 10-11 lbs.  Both are very smooth.  No trigger work required on this one.  My 65-2, the SA is 3 lbs, and the DA I'm guessing at over 12 lbs, but very smooth also. 

I need a little range time before I can express a preference.  I'm hoping that the weather co-operates and I can get out tomorrow and shoot the DW with the 65-2. 

   

[Tanners Owner]

Congrats on the new toy. Update us please on your range results.

[timetofly]

I got out late today and didn't have a lot of time, but enough to go through a box of 38 SPL between the two pistols. 

In SA I shot a plate in a rack, then to a paper target and repeated with both revolvers, twelve rounds each.  I repeated in DA with the 715.  The results are below.  Time will tell which I can shoot better, but for now, neither revolver is for sale. 

The biggest difference is that the 715 has better sights IMO.  The 65 has a removable front blade and a rear sight that is cast into the revolver, very little to adjust.  I need to figure out where to aim the revolver to hit what I aim at.  The 715 has a blade in the front along with a sight that is horizontally and vertically adjustable.  The sights on the 715 allow for more contrast than the 65 which helps my old eyes.  See the picture below for a better explaination. 

I'm happy with both revolvers and don't regret buying either of them.  Both have a place in my humble collection.

     

[mbliss57]

Those are nice revolvers. I don't own a DW revolver (I do own the 1911 Valor). And a pile of other revolvers mostly S&W.
For comparison sake \the DW 715 is really the same as a S&W model 66 in SS. It is also very similar  to a SW 686. The difference just for those who may not know is the 65 has the fixed  sights and the 66 and 686 and DW have 715 the target adjustable sights.
Nice shooting. You will get hooked on shooting revolvers in DA.

Mike