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December 5, 2010
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I just inherited a DW .357 magnum revolver. I took it to a local range and fired off a few rounds using 38 Special ammo. I have to say I'm disappointed. The gun seems to hang up or jam quite often. I can't seem to fire off more than four rounds before this happens. I tried lubricating it with WD 40 but this didn't help. I want to use this gun for target shooting and home protection but not if it's going to hang up all the time. Any suggestions as to what the problem might be?
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Range Officer
Range Officers
May 2, 2009
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Welcome to the DWF !!!
Sounds like the barrel is screwed in to far, and the front of the cylinder is rubbing on it. Do you have the barrel wrench to adjust the barrel?
SHOOT
December 5, 2010
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No, all I have is the gun - w/ a 6' barrel.
February 27, 2009
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Simplest thing to do is go to EWKs website and order a wrench and gauge.
Adjust the gap and clean up the action. Bet it works fine then.
In the interim, check the cylinder barrel gap using a feeler gauge. Should be .006.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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First try to determine if it is hanging on the same chamber each time. DW cylinder faces are not always square and true. Check your barrel gap on all chambers, you can usually go as tight as .002 with no problem, .006 is about the maximum.
If it is not hanging on the barrel>cylinder gap it may need a thorough cleaning under the sideplate, and a possible spring replacement. This is easily done like this:
https://www.danwessonforum.com/?page_id=3/reloading/tuning-up-your-15-2-the-average-joe-method/.
Finally, WD-40 is a not so great as a gun lubricant. I use CLP Breakfree for cleaning and Miltec for lubricating.
Finally (really Finally), welcome to DWF.
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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Each new (used) gun I buy, the first thing I do is blow it apart like this & give it a nice deep scrubbing. It's amazing how dirty used guns can be inside.
I use a small amount of wheel bearing grease on the posts that the hammer & triger pivot on & then douse everything else with Rem oil (a very light gun oil) as I reassemble. I usually set my barrel gap on non-SuperMags at about .004", but the factory setting of .006" is just fine.
Also, the cylinder face isn't always completely straight & true, so when you set your gap, find the tightest cylinder hole & set it at that spot. Do that & report back.
And yes, 
to the
glad to have ya here!
*EDIT* Boy, was I slow...Steve beat me to it yet again. 😀
May 17, 2010
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Welcome to the forum. You've already been given the best advice. When cleaning, esp once you get the crane and cylinder clear, clean and oil that shaft it rides on, as that can gum up. Also looking up at the strap across the top where the barrel screws into the frame, can get lead splatter up in there and rub on the cylinder. I have used a wooden toothpick to prod up in there. DW's are hardy guns, but they do need a cleaning once in a while.
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
February 11, 2010
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Open release latch and open cylinder just like you were going to load the gun, with
cylinder swung out , cock and release trigger multiple times. If it dose not hang up
then it is a cylinder gap problem, if it dose it is an internal problem. Just like
the rest of the fellow's have said 9 out of 10 it is dirty and needs cleaned.
-Blacktop
DWF Supporters
Dans Club
Moderators
November 17, 2008
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The guys have you covered so I will just say to the .
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
December 5, 2010
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Progress report:
After taking my DW to a gunsmith TWICE and getting it back with the exact same jamming problem, I went online and bought a barrel wrench on eBay. Got a feeler gage, adjusted the barrel clearance.
When I removed the barrel nut, it unscrewed with zero effort. It was only hand tight. I don't know if that contributed to the problem but I'm fairly sure it wasn't supposed to be hand tight. I looked in the DW manual online and did not find a torque spec other than instructions that said, "don't over tighten."
I just got back from the range where I went thru a box of 50 rounds with zero hangups. It shoots "like butter!" Problem solved.
Thanks for all the advice, everyone.
Now I'm a happy DW shooter. 
November 28, 2010
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I LOVE a Happy Ending!
April 25, 2008
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Great news! Glad you got the problem solved and to our forum!
The Savantist
January 22, 2008
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Glad you were able to resolve your issue!
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