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December 8, 2020
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I'm kind of embarrassed to ask this but, will removing the barrel to clean then putting it back in change point of impact? I've been handling guns for the past 60 years. Started shooting when I was 5, and was competing in long range rifle competition at 14. I'm just not sure about this. One of the features I like about Dan Wesson revolvers is I can remove the barrel to clean it without cleaning from the muzzle. I have always field stripped my semi-autos to clean them, and never had a change in point of impact. However, their a bit different in that the barrel can't be turned at all in reassembly. Where as the barrel in a DW, even though it's set to .006" gap from the cylinder, could be very slightly turned in reassembling the revolver. I ask because last week I had my 15-2 all zeroed at 25 yards. Yesterday, using a different bullet and load I was high and far left on my target. Tight group, but nowhere near -0-. A different load would mostly change elevation, but not drastically alter windage. The group was in the top left corner of the target. As I said I really like cleaning from the "breech", nd not the muzzle which can definitely cause accuracy issues. Any thoughts on this theory? Thank you for "listening".
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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It should NOT change POI. Changing barrel lengths will change POI due to the difference in sight radius. Maybe you didn't get the shroud on correctly? I've have the roll pins break or wear allowing the shroud to move slightly on the frame. Try removing it and reinstalling it again, and check the pin and hole in the shroud. BC gap shouldn't have that much effect on POI. I run almost all my Dans at .003 on the highest chamber. Also, do all you testing with the same load and bullet weight, you want an apples to apples comparison, eliminate variables if you can.
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December 8, 2020
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Planning on doing that Thursday, going to run the .357's I used originally. I wanted to test a new load using action pistol bullets in .38 Short Colt brass I use for ICORE. They grouped great, just not in the 10 ring. Cleaned it yesterday, and reassembled, and set gap to what I had last week .006". I just thought if the barrel wasn't in the exact same position, ie..turned a few degrees, it might change poi. just like I never did trust "quick" release scope mounts either, for still being "on" after removal and reinstalling. Even if they were tightened the same as before. Same with my T/C single shot pistols, but there the scope is mounted to the barrel. I always believed the slightest change in any of the components or firearm changes things down range. As to the gap between barrel and cylinder, you say I can go as tight as .003", and the cylinder won't lock up once fired a few times? If so I'll try that, closer is better. I was just following the owners manual for gap.
February 21, 2011
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Cleaning it, no. Re-tightening it to a different torque yes.
Matthew Quigley on handguns:
“I said I never had much use for one. Never said
I didn't know how to use it.”
December 8, 2020
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In retightening to different torque, do you mean the barrel nut or a slight change in barrel to cylinder gap?
October 17, 2017
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There is some evidence that a Dan Wesson revolver’s accuracy can be affected by varying the amount of torque applied to the barrel nut. How much is debatable, but some shooters swear by it. Nothing to do with cylinder/barrel gap.
February 21, 2011
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Torque as I said, no I do not change the cylinder gap, thats why I have feeler gauges.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque
Its not so much a change in accuracy (as in group size) but POI to POA.
Matthew Quigley on handguns:
“I said I never had much use for one. Never said
I didn't know how to use it.”
October 17, 2017
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Interesting. On both of my DW’s I have the rear sight WAY to the right to hit the point of aim. Never really thought about changing the tension because I once made it too tight and had a VERY difficult time getting the barrel nut off. Wrist tight seems to work well, and is very consistent as I never have to change the rear sight adjustment when changing barrels.
Dans Club
January 17, 2015
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mister callan said
Torque as I said, no I do not change the cylinder gap, thats why I have feeler gauges.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque
Its not so much a change in accuracy (as in group size) but POI to POA.
I would agree. I can see a noticeable difference of POI depending on barrel length and load; all my DW's are the same. I generally load for either my 6" or 8" barrels.
December 8, 2020
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Thank you. Never thought about torque on the barrel nut. Again, any change in the components will change poi. What's going to "suck" is every time I fire the revolver and clean, I'll have to re-sight. I really don't want to clean from the muzzle, could cause more accuracy issues. Thank you for your feedback.
August 8, 2016
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Sh0otist said
Thank you. Never thought about torque on the barrel nut. Again, any change in the components will change poi. What's going to "suck" is every time I fire the revolver and clean, I'll have to re-sight. I really don't want to clean from the muzzle, could cause more accuracy issues. Thank you for your feedback.
I just use a bore snake to clean the bore. I’m using mostly jacketed bullets with occasional coated lead bullets.
I shoot thousands of rounds per year and my scoped 715 would still shoot 1-2" groups at 100 yards. Unless your bore is leaded badly, people get hung up on overcleaning their guns.
February 21, 2011
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Just to clarify, I'm not talking about changing barrels, just removing & re inserting the same barrel. You don't even have to remove it, just change the barrel nut torque.
Matthew Quigley on handguns:
“I said I never had much use for one. Never said
I didn't know how to use it.”
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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I have seen socket wrenchs sockets cut to fit the nut. You could use a torque wrench to obtain the same torque every time. Some silhouette shooters make a mark on the barrel muzzle or nut to insure it is in the same place every time. Most important is snug, not tight. With that being said, I have never shot competitively. If I get a heart size group of 5 out of 6 Rounds at 20 yards I am very happy. I think any impairment to the crown of the barrel would make a difference if that position changed after it was sighted in.
Also, re barrel gap, always take the barrel tool with you to the range. Don't forget to unload before adjusting the barrel gap. I also use .003 gap on the proudest chamber but after a while you can eyeball it. At least as far as my accuracy expectations are concerned.
February 21, 2011
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Again I am NOT talking group size. I have never seen a significant change in group size.
I am talking Point of Aim to Point Of Impact. The same sized group "moves" in relation to the Point of Aim.
Matthew Quigley on handguns:
“I said I never had much use for one. Never said
I didn't know how to use it.”
December 8, 2020
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Went to the range today and sighted in, again using the same loads I used over a week ago. When I started, the group was about 2" left of center, but elevation was dead on. So, the last 2x I removed the barrel to clean and replaced it, definitely changed poi each time. When I cleaned it today, I very carefully went from the muzzle. I don't want to chance moving poi until Cougar season is done. A friend of mine who builds AR type rifles told me anytime he removes a barrel and reinstalls it, he has to re-zero.
I have one more question. The re-print owners manual I have states, turning the windage screw clockwise moves the sight to the right. On my model 15-2, turning the screw clockwise moves the sight to the left. Is it possible I have an aftermarket sight, or is my manual incorrect?
October 17, 2017
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The only time I clean the barrel from the breech end on one of my DW’s is when I am changing barrels, which is a rare occurrence. Regular maintenance cleaning is done from the muzzle the same as on any Smith, Colt or Ruger revolver. I’ve been cleaning revolvers this way for 40+ years with no issues.
This discussion makes me wonder what fixed sight DW owners are faced with when they change barrels. A lot of trial and error on barrel nut tension I guess.
As far as adjusting the DW rear sight is concerned, go with what works and be happy you have one.
December 8, 2020
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That's what I'm doing. Was just curious as to whether the rear sight might have been changed in the past to an aftermarket. I learned after about 15 rounds to turn the adjusting screw the opposite direction to move the direction I needed to go. Also, all human error was removed, I was benching the revolver at the time.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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The only rear sight options that I am aware of is a Millett or a Ruger GP100 rear sight. Besides a Williams Fire Sight.
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