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December 4, 2011
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I picked up my new to me 744 First Issue from my FFL tonight. Its got a problem I've not had before. I can't open the cylinder, nor can I cycle the action. I tried loosening the barrel, did nothing. I can only slightly move the hammer back, maybe ten percent of the way, and there is zero cylinder rotation. I don't want to do any damage so I thought I ask for some saged advice before I force something and regret it. I'm guessing something in the bolt area is askew. Question is, how do I proceed.
Thanks for the help.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
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February 22, 2009
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Take it apart! Nothing to lose.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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December 4, 2011
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I emailed the seller, he said it was in 100% condition when it shipped. Assuming he isn't pulling my leg, what could have caused this in shipping? A hard shock perhaps?
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
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February 22, 2009
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I can't think of anything that may have caused that enroute. Have you loosened the grip screw and tried it? I'm guessing the bolt has engaged the cylider- is that correct? I'm thinking if the grip screw is out and you still can't get the cylinder to rotate- there may be something screwy with crane lock/ spring/plunger/ bolt assembly. It may require disassembly...
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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December 4, 2011
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Fixed it! I gave the frame a smart rap with a rubber mallet on the flat portion by the grips and everything is fine now. Gun cycles normally and the cylinder opens as it should. I have no idea what happened, but something was certainly jambed. I'll try shooting a few cylinders soon and see how it goes. I'm still thinking somebody rough handled the gun in transit, though I can't imagine how that would do what I experienced.
Gun is beautiful by the way. I'll post some pics tomorrow. Seller said he sold the gun to original owner who fired it less than 100 rounds, and I believe it from looking at the gun, excellent condition.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
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February 22, 2009
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Glad to hear it. If it were mine, I'd take it apart and reassemble- just to know all was well. Waiting on the kewl pics....
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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July 2, 2011
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rwsem said
Glad to hear it. If it were mine, I'd take it apart and reassemble- just to know all was well. Waiting on the kewl pics....
Come on fess up.....you'd take it apart anyway, cuz you know it's fun to take them apart! (I know I would) lol 
To the paranoid people who check behind shower curtains for murderers:
if you find one...what's your plan?
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November 17, 2008
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Glad to hear you got her working but I agree with Ron I would want to know what happened. By chance did you mess with the rear sight? I have seen a few DWs where the rear sight elevation screw would contact the cylinder when cranked all the way down. If not that, I bet there is some corrosion/gunk in the bolt/plunger area. Good luck.
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
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Here are some quick pics. Its been ugly outside today so had to shoot these in the basement.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
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December 5, 2008
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Very Nice!
Looks like a great start for 
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April 20, 2010
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SCORPIO said
Fixed it! I gave the frame a smart rap with a rubber mallet on the flat portion by the grips and everything is fine now.
You know, I had an old Ford f100 like that once. A smack on the side of the carb once in a while never hurt.
Don't you just love Dan Wessons? If you'd smack some other brands of revolvers like that, pieces would probably fall out the bottom.
-Lonwolf
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
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December 4, 2011
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Took it to the range today, ran 50 fairly stout rounds (16.8 gn 2400) thru it quickly double and single action, functioned flawlessly. I don't know what was wrong but it works.
Reminds me of the Apollo 14 landing, Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell got an abort signal before the start of decent to the moon. Mission control had Edgar tap the area around the light with a flashlight, in case a loose ball of solder was floating around behind the panel, light went out. Mission control CAPCOM said 'you tap nicely'. So this trick works on guns, carbs and lunar landers.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
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February 22, 2009
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...and sometimes teenagers.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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January 24, 2009
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lonwolf93 said
SCORPIO said
Fixed it! I gave the frame a smart rap with a rubber mallet on the flat portion by the grips and everything is fine now.
You know, I had an old Ford f100 like that once. A smack on the side of the carb once in a while never hurt.
I had to use that remedy recently on a '96 Explorer starter motor in a grocery store parking lot, it worked flawlessly just like it did on my '66 F100 20 years ago. Some things never change, I tell ya. hehe
Scorpio, thanks for the
and I'm glad you figured out the problem. I have the same grips on my .375 SM, I love those grips!
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