Dan Wesson Grips

[Nightcrawler]

There's a 4" Monson, Mass. Dan Wesson .357 in a local shop I've been eyeballing. It's not a GP100, but it's plenty strong, I'm told, and would make a fine kick-around gun. And I have been meaning to pick up a .357 Magnum.

In any case, the factory grip isn't so comfy. Who makes aftermarket grips for the Dan Wessons? I prefer something that undercuts the trigger guard, so my fingers don't get scrunched up between the trigger guard and the frontstrap of the grip. I also don't like the steel trigger guard knocking my knuckles when I shoot.

So, who makes good grips for DW Revolvers?

 

[JohnK]

My first choice would be Hogues, but they don't fit everyone, others prefer Pachmayer. Pretty much all of the big grip makers make or made grips for the mid frame Dan Wessons.

At worst you could have a set of custom grips made exactly for your hand, since the DW uses a grip stud similar to the GP100 grips can be made to fit all but the smallest hands.

 

[Nightcrawler]

What is this "grip stud"? Do the Dan Wessons and GP100s not have springs in the grips, as do the S&Ws, Colts, and Ruger Redhawks?

Ooh, next question: What speedloaders work for the DW? Will S&W K-Frame loaders work?

 

[JohnK]

They have springs in there, but instead of a large frame like the S&W it's more like a post going down into the grip.

As they say a picture is worth a thousand words, I think these exploded drawings of the different guns will help explain the difference.

Dan Wesson: http://www.e-gunparts.com/images/schematic/1320z15.jpg
GP100: http://www.e-gunparts.com/images/schematic/1910zGP100.jpg
S&W M19: http://www.e-gunparts.com/images/schematic/1980z19-5.jpg

As you can see the S&W has a grip frame that's basically the same size as the grips. The DW and Ruger have just a small part of the frame sticking down into the grip area.

I'm 90% sure that the K/L frame speed loaders work with the Model 15 DW too.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I'd contact the good folks at: http://www.herrettstocks.com

 

[Majic]

You can get a set of DW oversized targets and whittle them down to custom fit you. In fact if you are interested a got one you can have cheap.

 

[wintermute76]

I"ve got a set of Hogues on my HS Sentinel Mk II, same as a DW Model 14/15. Been happy with them, way better than the stock wood grip.

 

[jar]

There is a difference too in the post for the DW. It's likely that your gun has the square post as shown while the newer ones are a round cylinder.

 

[Majic]

All the older Monson models had the square post.

 

[rolltide]

I really like the Pachmayers and Hogues. I have them for my DW 357's, my DW 44 and my DW 445 Supermag. The Pachmayer "Gripper" is probably my favorite for the 357. The solid grip/single post design is superior since it basically enables you to customize the shape of the grip any way you like. I did not realize that the GP100 had duplicated the Dan Wesson system in that respect.

I have thought of making a grip similar to a single action grip so that the recoil kind of rolls the gun instead of punishing the web of your hand. I have not got around to trying that.

The square hole grips are for all the small frame guns up to 357 and are interchangeable on all guns from 22 to 357. The large frame 44 Mag and up and the Supermag frames use the round holes and these grips are interchangeable between both the frame sizes. It has been that way since the Monson days.

Personally I think the Dan Wesson is in every way equal to or better than the GP100, and I like the GP100. Dan Wessons are the hands down best bargains on the used gun market, although the prices have been steadily rising for the last year or so. I used to pick up a good DW 357 Mod. 15 for around $150. Now they are around $250, but they are still a bargain at that price.

Roll Tide

 

[stans]

When I had a DW model 15-2 it wore Pachmayer large presentation stocks. I tried the smaller version as well as the DW hardwood stocks, but the large presentation stocks seemed to provide me with the best grip, least slippage and best recoil control. Sorry I ever let that gun get away.

 

[joab]

I've seen two different size grips for them. Mine are small but I have seen larger. Don't know if they were after market os stock Pic of my small grip Monson

 

[Majic]

Mine are small but I have seen larger. Don't know if they were after market os stock

Those are the factory service stocks. The larger ones you mentioned are the target stocks.

 

[joab]

hogue

danwesson accessories
sksman
more hogue
gun supply

 

[Dr.Rob]

DW Model 15 .357 4 inch w/Pachmeyer grips.

 

[cratz2]

I have a 22 revolver built on the same frame as your gun and found the Hogues to be about eleven million, bajillion times more comfortable than the large factory Combat-type wood grips.

Don't look as pretty though.

 

[popeye]

"eleven million, bajillion".......Exactically the amount of bills I get in the mail each month. I prefer DW small grips on my .22. anyway. I know hoo cares?

 

[cratz2]

Just paraphrasing Tim Robbins as The President in Austin Powers 2.

 

[gagunner]

DW grips

You can give E-*** a try.There are usually quite a few.Look under"hunting>accessories>grips".good luck!
Gagunner

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I bought 3 grips from ebay for my Monson DW. If you call the factory they even suggest you go there for the older grips because some guy bought all of the old stock of grips and is ebaying it out. That is where I heard of the ebay connection.

I got really nice grips and once on they have never come off since.