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March 12, 2018
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I have an DW 22 that shaves lead badly. Within 18 rounds I can push a patch thru the barrel and cylinder bores and I'll get strips of lead out of the barrel and lead flakes out if the cylinder.
I primarily shoot single action so I was guessing it's not an out of time issue as the cylinder locks well with only slight wobble.
On the rare occasion that I shoot double action, the cylinder locks up properly before the hammer drops.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
October 17, 2017
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Shaving lead has to be a timing issue. That the cylinder is locking well is only one aspect. The crane can easily be damaged from a fall or other abuse causing a slight misalignment at the front of the cylinder, yet the hand and bolt will still lock up Ok. Is this a new addition to your gun collection, or is this a new problem with a gun you've had for awhile?
One thing to try: with the gun unloaded of course; cock the hammer fully, then use a good flashlight to look down the barrel. You should be able to see the misalignment if it's shaving that much lead.
One other possibility that I can think of: take the barrel shroud off and look for any damage to either the frame or face of the shroud. Look for a burr, or possibly debris of some kind that is not allowing a completely flush fit when tightened down. Since there is usually a slight wobble to the barrel threads, this could possibly pull the barrel out of alignment with the cylinder.
Good luck!
March 12, 2018
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I used your flashlight tip to sidelight the cylinder gap and it appears that the cylinder lock may be holding the cylinder in a slightly over-rotated position. When looking down the barrel, I can see a small crescent of light from the cylinder face on one side. There is about .010" of rotational wobble the cylinder and when I physically rotate the cylinder back in the opposite direction until it stops, the crescent of light disappears and it looks like the bore and chamber come into better alignment. Not sure how that can be corrected. Maybe a small shim to hold the lock over slightly in the frame?
I've had the gun for a couple of years, but I haven't shot it much. I did shoot it when I first got it and don't recall any leading issues, but accuracy has been inconsistent. Sometimes it would shoot one ragged hole at 10 yards, and other times it would throw a 1.5" group of flyers.
It doesn't appear to have ever been dropped and is in great shape. The cylinder appears to line up perfectly with the frame so I don't think the crane is bent.
October 17, 2017
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Intriguing problem. I'm not exactly sure what could be done to correct the over-rotation of the cylinder, but I have observed an issue when the hand has been replaced on a DW. A new hand is supposed to have the small area (that part that extends beyond the face plate of the frame) that rides against the ratchet filed back a few thousandths of an inch from the rest of the part for proper timing. If a new hand has been installed that doesn't have this critical fitting done, the hand can indeed over-rotate the cylinder. In such cases however, there is usually very little if any play in the cylinder lock-up. Since yours has some rotational play at lock-up this may not be the problem. You could pull the side plate off and remove the hand to examine it to see if this fitting has been done. If not, it's precision work that probably should be done by a gunsmith with proper tools and experience.
I know I've seen photos on the forum of a hand showing what I'm talking about, but I can't remember where. Maybe another member can chime in with a photo.
August 8, 2016
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Email Bob, the revolversmith at DW. He’ll get it fixed for ya. Or have advice if you don’t want to send it in.
March 12, 2018
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Thanks for the DW gunsmith contact!
February 16, 2016
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Not sure about you, but I like to actually talk to people. Call (607) 336-1174 Mon-Fri 7am-4pm Eastern and ask for Bob Collins.
March 12, 2018
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Bob quickly returned my email and said they could fix it. Thanks for the help!
August 8, 2016
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Stinger said
Not sure about you, but I like to actually talk to people. Call (607) 336-1174 Mon-Fri 7am-4pm Eastern and ask for Bob Collins.
I hear ya but I’ve had better luck with email since Bob seems to be busy. With email he can respond rather quickly instead of picking up the phone.
To each their own
August 8, 2016
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Cameron Potter said
Bob quickly returned my email and said they could fix it. Thanks for the help!
Awesome! I’ll be sending a couple barrel assemblies to him next week. We’re very lucky to have bob at DW. I hope they have someone being trained to take over when he retires as he “sounds” like an older gentleman on the phone. But that’s not saying much.
February 16, 2016
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Andrew1220 said
I hear ya but ... To each their own.
It is difficult to add water to a glass that is already full.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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The bolt that slips into the slots of the cylinder, locking it up, could be worn. That would allow the play in the cylinder. Are the edges of the bolt rounded? A moot point if Bob is fixing it.
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