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October 11, 2009
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Hi guys,
I have'nt been here in more then a month. I was getting some misfires and indexing issues with my 445 SM so I sent it away. I searched the web a bit and think I saw a reference to HEFFRON CLASSIC FIREARMS here. Any way as luck would have it, I sent my DW to Mike Heffron in Iowa. When I say luck you better believe it! What was thought as a simple repair and trigger job turned out to be a total blueprint of my Super Mag.
When Mike first got Dan and took off the side plates it was found to be full of crud. This can happen to a firearm that has been in use for 20 years. Also the main spring had been changed to a lighter one to lessen trigger pull. With the crud and spring it was thought by Mike that was the problem.
In one of Mikes' emails he stated that while he has worked on and shot tons of DWs never has he shot the 10" 445 SM silouette version. As we had to wait for a new spring to come in and Mike to temper it (yeah Mike tempers his own springs) I told him I would send him the scope and some loaded rounds to make sure every thing worked right when he was done…..sending the rounds turned out to be the hit of luck on what turned out to be a project for Mike. All I had to do was send him Gun Pal payments.
I am going to insert an e-mail from Mike that explains in detail what happen when he shot my clean Dan with a new spring……..
Good Morning Doom.
Nah. It wasn't a head hurter, but I have some things about it that I would like to share with you so if you get the chance, you can either:
1) Find the guy that sold it to you and beat him over the head with it
and/or
2) Find the guy at Dan Wesson that put it together and beat him over the head with it.
You may find this stuff interesting. Keep in mind, that now your hammer fall weight exceeds factory spec. by 9 lbs. so if you do get a misfire, the primer has to be the issue, because firing pin protrusion was adjusted to factory spec. as well. Your single action trigger pull is 2 3/4 lbs and crisp. Your gun functions correctly now so there are no worries, but again, you may find this interesting.
Once I installed the proper weight hammer spring, the gun changed. It would not function right at all; and it still misfired (a gun shop that I do some work for has some of this ammo loaded by the owner for HIS 445……I'm starting to feel like a loner). The trigger would stick, timing problems were introduced, cylinder roll by problems. Overall, these are the items that were revealed as being problematic, based on actual Dan Wesson specs and prints and just plain visual inspection.
*Front portion of hammer was dimensionally incorrect; having a "bulge" in the casting which resulted in excessive friction for the transfer bar. -CORRECTED
*Ratchet should be individually fit for each chamber for optimal timing. It had not been. This resulted in some binding issues. -CORRECTED
*Trigger was not fit properly to allow adequate clearance between the bottom of the sear and the trigger return spring so it rubbed. -CORRECTED
*Trigger had not been fit to the bolt stop for proper operation. -CORRECTED
*Bolt stop had not been fitted for proper operation. -CORRECTED
*As you already know, the mainspring had been swapped out for a lighter one by somebody. -CORRECTED
*Minor headspace issue (headspace was .001 excessive) -CORRECTED
*Rear lock-up ball had been deliberately loosened. This makes the revolver cock easier, but results in roll by and excessive abuse to the bolt stop. -CORRECTED
*The bottom of the mainspring housing had been backed out by someone, again to lighten pull, but it also results in misfires -CORRECTED
-The factory service information does indicate that due to the centrifugal force generated by a full or partially full cylinder, roll by can still occur if repeated too fast. I can't get it to do it now, not to say that it can't happen, but I couldn't or didn't get roll by after all the repairs were done.
Your gun did receive the Premium Action and Trigger Job. In addition your Dan has been fully blueprinted and ready to go now.
Once and a while I get caught off guard like this, because I see something obvious like the mainspring and crappy oil and I stop there. WRONG. Well, it is all corrected now. FYI: I had a frickin' blast shooting that thing. What it will do to gallon milk jugs full of water is simply amazing. Just don't die the water red for visibility though. It looks like hell in the snow! About 150-200 yards behind my house it looks like a slaughterhouse.
If you need anything else or have any questions, just let me know. Your revolver will be leaving here on Monday.
Have a good weekend and stay out of trouble.
Mike Heffron
Owner: Heffron Firearm Classics
Phone: (641)-330-9560
http://heffronfirearmclassics.com/default.aspx
WOW!!! Right? If I would not have sent Mike those rounds he would not have gotten a chance to shoot it and found the other problems. So no question send the rounds was a lighting bolt of luck for me……
I am more then satisfied with not only the work Mike did, but in this process I have made another friend in the shooting world. The guy has been magic on my Dan and I owe him a cold beer when I meet him…
Of course finding Mike Heffron was the absolute "Boy Howdah" of luck! I have delt with a few gunsmiths in this shooting journey of mine. Only a few stick out….SHOTS TC in Oregon does magic on TCs no question. James Willis of WILLISFIREARMS.COM in Elm Grove, Louisana has done bluing, inletting, stuck bullets, trigger work on Rugers and Weatherbys for me and is an OUTSTANDING young gunsmith that is one of my go to boys. Mike Heffron is also in that group. As a matter of fact I am getting my Smiff 686 ready to go vist Mike, it needs some Heffron Magic on the trigger.
I am looking forward to making another Vid of my shooting ole Dan next week…..with a little more luck maybe I won't bleed this time…..
DooM
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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Doom,
Excellent report and Wow, never heard of that many problems with one Dan! Sounds as though after reading this you may be the best public service announcement that Mike will have received. Those testimonials go along way in building confidence in an individual you entrust to a prized possession. I have a 44 that just plain has an ugly trigger I may just try Mike instead of CZ after this report. Thanks alot..
SMF
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
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Excellent report, sounds like Mike certainly knows his stuff! This is the first I've heard too, of a DW with that many problems...although I suppose most of 'em don't get the careful attention of a master smith too often.
It sounds like your gun should definitely be cured of any ailments now.
Supporter
Range Officer
Range Officers
May 2, 2009
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In the bigger picture it sounds like this guy has auctual DW factory manuals and blueprints. Sounds like something we need for the archives. That could be why he found so many "issues" with the 445. How many gunsmiths have factory service manuals for DW's?
SHOOT
Range Officers
February 25, 2009
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A finely tuned Dan is Heaven!!!
Hey DOOM, I think you need two more rings..
Nice 445 buddy!
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
~Thomas Jefferson~
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
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Doom:
Thanks for the excellent report. Glad to hear of such thorough, conscientious service. My 741 has had a positively dangerous trigger job by the previous owner. It's not worth the risk to shoot it. I was going to send it to Keith, but it seems like Mike might be an excellent alternative.
Would you mind sharing what the final cost of this service was?
-Mike
December 12, 2009
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zoommb
Just take a swipe on the notch ( make it deeper) and your problem is solved. My 40 need another swipe again after a few thousand rounds.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
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This trigger kicks back with a vengence.
Scary to me.
-Mike
October 11, 2009
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Mike,
The charge for a Premium Trigger/Action job is $125.00 plus the freight back and fourth.
Yes I do think he has the manuals. There are just certain guns Mr. Heffron will work on.
Take a look at his site. He don't do TARUS...LOL
My Smiff goes off to him tomorrow.....
I think if you send him an email and tell him D00M sent ya you might get a discount....LOL or second thought you may get charged extra....
I have go so many 445 rounds loaded, won't get a chance to hit the range real good till Wed next week...
DooM
November 15, 2009
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My .44 magnum goes to him tomorrow for an extractor repair and possibly some additional work and the shroud tapped for a rail.
I will let everyone know how it goes.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Heffron's seems to be building a pretty good rep here, looking forward to hearing about your results.
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
November 15, 2009
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Well so far I'm singularly UNDERWHELMED.
I spoke with him on the phone, had a good conversation about what I wanted to do, and he said he'd call when he got it.
I included a letter in the box detailing our conversation, including all my contact information, and asking him to call me once he received it.
He's had it over three weeks now. Not only have I not heard a peep out of him, but my repeated phone calls and messages left have received not answer.
January 22, 2008
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n.paperman please post back once you get a response so the entire story is told. If not we'll have to delete your post.
Thanks,
Jody
October 13, 2009
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I really hate to post negative stuff, but I have unfortunately (so far) not had a good experience dealing with Mike Heffron. On my end it was/is selling him stuff. He made a couple Gunbroker purchases, and never paid for them-(as of yet), 3 months after the fact. I keep saying "so far and as of yet", since I talked with him several times via e-mail and he said he keeps forgetting and the last contact I had with him, he was supposed to send payment which was about a month ago.
Just statin' my experience. When I have talked with Mike he seemed like a really nice guy. Would be glad to post here if Mike makes it right!
Eric
January 22, 2008
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Eric,
Thanks for the info. There is nothing wrong with posting our experiences with Heffron or anyone else for that matter. We all certainly want to be informed about who we deal and spend out dollars with.
Jody
p.s I promise I will get to the range soon and test the barrel! 
October 13, 2009
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Hey Jody, Sure thing, thanks for keep an open forum where we can share our experiences. One of the great things about this place is that its such a postive place to hang out! Hopefully we can keep it that way. I think as long as we stick to the facts and stay professional everyone will benefit, maybe Mike will read this here and take care of things and all will be well for both n.paperman and me, and we can share how Mike made things right!
No worries on the barrel, whenever you get around to it! I actually have a blank sitting on my lap here-got detoured from work. 
Eric
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
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Without actually seeing what sort of work load, or personal load Mr. Heffron has, it's impossible to say why these business transactions have gone unanswered. I hope nothing bad is happening in his personal life to warrant the slow replies, but I'll understand if it has.
Hopefully both issues are dealt with soon, for the good of all involved (and for future involvements too).
November 25, 2008
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I too have had some recent issue trying to get a hold of Mr. Heffron. On his site he stated he had a round of salmonella poisoning and a trip to the ER for a electric shock (bad week). He currently has my 744 and the last I spoke with him was 4 weeks ago today and we were just waiting on an ejector rod from the factory. I can't get him on the phone, no return calls, or returned emails. This is very unlike him. If anyone does get a hold of him please post a update.
November 25, 2008
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UPDATE!
Heffron has posted to his blog today. Apparently he was having some health issues and is back to work. This may be the time to get a hold of him, although he is most likely very busy.
November 15, 2009
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bb_shot said:
UPDATE!
Heffron has posted to his blog today. Apparently he was having some health issues and is back to work. This may be the time to get a hold of him, although he is most likely very busy.
As of today I have neither been able to reach anyone at the business or received a phone call. His total lack of concern or response is intolerable. This is by far and away the worst customer service I have ever had.
Frankly at this point I don't give a g.d. about the reason. Unless the guy has stage four terminal lung cancer there is ZERO excuse for this. The very minimum he could have had someone contact me, even to explain his absence.
I strongly recommend potential customers go elsewhere.
If I don't have positive results by Tuesday I start taking other action.
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