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December 11, 2010
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Hello, I've been a member here for a while but Haven't posted much. I'm having a problem with a DW .357 mag. To be honest I couldn't even tell you what model it is. The problem is the cylinder binds on 3 of the 6 rounds. I've scrubbed the daylights out of the gun and barrel gap isn't the issue. I also noticed that the cylinder has absolutely zero forward-rear movement unless you swing it out. It looks like the small portion of the cylinder that sticks out past the face is dragging against the actual frame of the gun. The rear looks like it was rubbed a bit too but the front is completely bare metal. Its almost like the cylinder got longer, not sure that can happen though. Thanks for any help you can give.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
March 27, 2009
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Hmmm, Now this one is a puzzle post up some pics as the model will have something to do with the problem. Is it a pork chop?
Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
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Like Dave said, this is puzzling, if you could post pics it would help to see what is happening. Has the gun always done this, or is this a problem that has recently?
You said you cleaned everything, so I assume all cartridges drop into the cylinders freely and could not be sticking out slightly?
Could the ejector star be bent or damaged, preventing it from seating all the way in?
Good luck, I am sure the guys here will be able to help you through to diagnose what is going on with your pistol.
-Lonwolf
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
December 11, 2010
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The used to fire fine. The problem started slowly, just a little difficult to rotate past one spot on the cylinder. The next thing I knew I had to turn the cylinder with my left hand while pulling the hammer back with my right on 3.
All rounds fall into and out of the cylinders easily, and the problem persists even when unloaded. If you pull the hammer back slightly so that you can rotate the wheel around, the problem is still there on the same 3.
The ejector star looks good to my eye, however the face of it is bare metal as well. I'll try to post some pictures to show you guys what I'm talking about. Thanks guys.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Are the 3 that drag in sequence?
Just a very uneducated guess, the crane may be bent. If you watch from the side of the gun as you rotate the cylinder freely, do the gaps above, below, front and back of the cylinder stay consistent and even all the way around? In other words, is the cylinder turning true on it axis, or is it misaligned?
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
December 11, 2010
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Yes the 3 are in sequence. I can't see anything just by eyeballing it, but that doesn't mean much. I've tried to wiggle the cylinder with no unusual movement and I've tried applying pressure to the crane as I cycle it around, problem stays consistent through all of it. Also it seem like the cylinder gets stuck when your trying to swing it out sometimes. Is there a better way to check the crane?
February 11, 2010
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cwat320 said:
I also noticed that the cylinder has absolutely zero forward-rear movement unless you swing it out.
You should have some rear movement, you should be able the pull the
cylinder back and feel the spring tension of the alignment ball in the rear
frame. When the hammer is cocked there is an adjustment screw in there
to add or decrease the alignment ball tension. This is where I would
start first.
-Blacktop
Edit: Is this a problem that has developed during your ownership
or did you recently just get this gun ? ?
December 11, 2010
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The problem has come up during my ownership. Can't really say I did anything to the gun to make it stop functioning, at least not that I know of. I had the gun apart recently to do the average joe tune up, I'm pretty sure I know what screw your talking about. I'll loosen it up a bit and see if that helps. Thanks Blacktop.
December 11, 2010
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Well, I pulled the screw all the way out and still no movement. Cylinder still binds. I'm not sure what could have caused this. Would sanding down the front of the cylinder a very small amount help?
January 22, 2008
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I wouldn't start sanding anything. Take it to a competent gunsmith. Any should be able to tell you if something is bent or out of alignment which is what I suspect. Just ask them to inspect it and tell them you'll decide later what to do. The problem is going to be finding parts if you need them.
…he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. Luke 22:36 Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project http://www.irenasendler.com/
USN-Vet, NRA, GOA, JPFO, SC-GRGR
January 26, 2009
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I had the same thing happen to one of my 15-2's. A case got stuck under the ejector star and I got too aggressive with a screwdriver trying to get it out.
(I know it was dumb.) This actually bent the crane slightly and caused the cylinder to rub the frame at one point. I was able to straighten the crane and it's been fine ever since. I have also seen a cylinder bind up on a friends 15-2 just from crud in the cylinder/ejector area. It was hard to turn the cylinder even when it was open. If your cylinder turns freely when open that's not the problem with your's though.
February 11, 2010
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cwat320 said:
Well, I pulled the screw all the way out and still no movement. Cylinder still binds. I'm not sure what could have caused this. Would sanding down the front of the cylinder a very small amount help?
It might, but that's not finding the problem. You made the comment
that it's like the cylinder got longer, in reality we know that's not possible
but in theory it is possible for the overall length of the cylinder assembly
to get longer. What I mean is if the star is not recessing properly all the
way back in the cylinder, for what ever reason, it would make your OAL
longer. Check that star and rod real good.
-Blacktop
December 11, 2010
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Well after pulling the ejector rod out, it is bent. Just a little bit, at the threaded end. I left it out, closed it up and tried to cycle it without the rod. Still binds. Could a slightly bent ejector rod have cause some other damage that would do this? BTW the star seems to fit fine.
Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
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Okay I have one more thought on your issue, and I apologize if I am just going way off base here.
I have one Dan, that has a little sleeve that fits in the front of the cylinder. (see my pics). On this gun it seems to want to fit in only one way. So, I am saying, does your gun have this setup, and is it possible that you turned it around, and it doesn't fit in quite all the way, therefore pushing the cylinder back eversoslightly and making the star drag a bit on the back of the frame?
I know I am really grasping so I apologize if I am just confusing you more. I have 6 small frame Dans but only the one is made like this, it is an older one.
-Lonwolf
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
December 11, 2010
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I can see a line but if it is a sleeve it is stuck very well. Also this is the first time I've had the gun torn down this far, so I didn't put it in backwards. Maybe a previous owner...
December 11, 2010
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Its FIXED!!! (and I have no idea why.) I took the gun down again to check out lonewolf's suggestion. Upon re-assembly and a function check all was well. I'll try to put a few rounds through it soon, maybe this weekend. I'll be sure to post an update. Thanks to all who posted to help me out, I love my Dan and hated it being out of commission.
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