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Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
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Last month, after a trip to the range that included my 15-2, I noticed something was not right. After getting home I examined it, and upon opening the cylinder it had a lot of slop. The crane rod appeared cracked, and a gentle tug and it broke right off! The cylinder came right off in my hand. A traumatic occurrence.
I will give you a quick history of the revolver. I bought it over 4 years ago at a local shop, my first ever Dan Wesson. Very shiny and looked well taken care of. The gun that got me hooked on Dans. It has given no trouble since I bought it and always had a very smooth action. It is one of the only Dans I own that I had never taken the sideplate off. It just was smooth and crisp and did not feel the need for internal cleaning. However after buying 'a few' more Dans I did notice that this one had more cylinder play at lockup, and accuracy was rather average not as good as a couple of my other ones. But still a good shooter.
I have no idea why the crane broke, I never dropped it or anything and it looked like a seldom used estate gun when I bought it.
So, with broken crane the question was what to do with it. I realized I had 3 choices.
1. Put it back in the safe as is for a parts gun or possible future repair. Money is a little tight right now and I had not planned on spending money on a new gun let alone sink $ into one I already have. But no, this option was no good for me I am a man who dislikes unfinished business.
2. Part it out on GB and Ebay. I do own a couple other 15-2s anyway. At what I paid for it, I could probably break even considering the high prices that parts are bringing lately. But no, it is too nice of a revolver even broken, and my first one. I just couldnt do it.
3. Send it to the factory for repair. So yes this is what I did.
On June 10 I emailed Keith Lawton and described the problem and sent a pic. He forwarded my email to Bob Collins, who answered me back that very day. I dropped it off at my FFL and he shipped it the 14th. I got an email from Norwich the 17th that they received it. After examining the 15-2 Bob called me, and gave me his estimate on the phone to replace the crane rod, the hand, and he recommended a new spring kit and it would be test fired. I told him to go forward with the repair, I think that was around June 25. Stated turnaround was 4-6 weeks. Well July 3 I got a tracking notification that my 15-2 was on its way home. Came today! I am working nights but could not sleep well due to the anticipation. Therefore I was at the door when the Fedex guy stopped out front.
I will tell you right now that I have the highest praise for the repair shop at Norwich. Gun came clean and oiled and wrapped in plastic, in the same Doskocil case I shipped it. Double action is smooth but a lot heavier, no doubt the new springs. Cylinder lockup with the action cocked is WOW. I mean when the hammer is in the cocked position this cylinder aint goin' nowhere. I am satisfied with the cost, and considering a good garage around here charges $75+ an hour labor I feel the labor charge on this for what is obviously a talented gunsmith is a good value. I basically have a crisp freshly timed revolver that is tuned to the best it can be.
Took it to the range this afternoon. 12 shots of 38+P for a shakedown run, offhand at 12 yards and accuracy is excellent. (For me). First shot was low and right perhaps cleaning some oil out of the barrel. 5 shots double action were good, like I said the DA pull is heavy but maybe the springs will break in a little after a few range trips. Shot a couple cylinders of .357, groups the same size but a few inches high. Range trip a success and this 15-2 is still a keeper. Excuse the long post this has been an anxious happening that ended up a positive experience.
Here is a pic of the broken crane
Here it is back home. I had put an old grip on for the journey. A bag with all the old parts was included.
Range trip, wearing the Hogue grip I put on it shortly after buying the gun
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
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DWF Supporters
October 14, 2010
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I'm glad they treated you right. Not a bad price to get it done right the first time.
Support your local IHMSA range.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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Range Officer
Range Officers
May 2, 2009
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In the grand scheme of gun repair, I think that is beyond reasonable for that work.
SHOOT
June 8, 2009
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Thanks a lot for sharing your story, esp. the $ part.
? Why did you have your FFL send the gun to them? It's been a while, but I sent a handgun to Ruger just by going to UPS, it cost a lot!, and when Ruger was done they sent it back to me (no FFL needed). Nothing bad on Ruger, my fault the gun needed work and they did a great job.
I have a .22 that I would like to have looked at, I've thought that beginning around '80, maybe your post will nudge me into doing something.
June 8, 2009
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I should have relayed this story about the original DW factory. I bought my first DW used. It had been shot a lot and I shot it a lot and first handgun I reloaded for. It got to the point it was just too "loose" and I sent it to the factory so they could look at it. In a short time it came back to me having been rebuilt and several parts replaced. The note said no charge repaired under warranty.
Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
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LeonardC said
Thanks a lot for sharing your story, esp. the $ part.? Why did you have your FFL send the gun to them? It's been a while, but I sent a handgun to Ruger just by going to UPS, it cost a lot!, and when Ruger was done they sent it back to me (no FFL needed). Nothing bad on Ruger, my fault the gun needed work and they did a great job.
I had my local FFL ship it, because he only charges me $30. I think UPS is more than that to ship a firearm. My FFL does the packing, ships USPS Priority so it gets there in like 2 days, and is only a 3 mile drive away from me. Norwich shipped it back directly to my home, Fedex signature required. They did not put any charge on the bill for the return shipping.
As a side note, before I shipped it some of my acquaintances told me they thought Dan Wesson should cover the crane under warranty, personally I thought that was ridiculous and I am quite happy with the price and outcome. It is well over 30 yrs old after all and could have been the subject of some type of misuse during that time. And sometimes stuff just breaks.
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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A happy ending. I wouldn't do any gun trading with those aquaintances.
January 5, 2015
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Just a note on shipping a pistol or revolver from Ohio. UPS or FedEx but has to be shipped Overnight and that can be pricey! Also with UPS I am told it has to ship from a main distribution facility not a pilot UPS Store branch. It may be less costly to have an FFL ship it out who has an existing account with UPS or FedEx and gets a reduced rate.
Just an FYI from what I recently experienced.......I shipped from the UPS facility a revolver from Ohio to Texas insured for $500 and they require an adult signature and the cost was $72 for the Overnight shipment which is the only way they will ship a handgun. A rifle or shotgun is totally different.........
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