Good Morning Everyone.

This is Mike Heffron, Owner of Heffron Firearm Classics.  I would like to address the above issues.  I do not wish to turn this into a Urination Competition.  I am going to state things fully, honestly and accurately.  After that you are free to say whatever.  I do not care to wade in again.  I have joined this forum to read.  It has been interesting.  It is a quality forum. 

While I do like these forums and I support their existance, this is a prime example of WHY they can be damaging when partial stories are partially shared.  Regarding the "partial story" statement, I am NOT referring to the 22 Mag.  I remember this revolver because I see VERY few 22 Mag Dan Wesson revolvers.  If you want, please send me the barrel and I will be more than happy to re-evaluate, but it did not keyhole here. This part of it almost HAS to be ammunition dependent.  This is VERY puzzling to me.  I do not recall however if I checked the twist rate.  If I didn't, shame on me for assuming.  If it is 1-16", THAT would explain the keyholing.  It SHOULD be 1-14".  At 1-16", as the bullet slows, it tumbles.  This usually begins at 35-40 yds and goes on from there.  If you are still having problems with this, please email me and we can discuss various options.  You sent it here, I charged you good money, let's get it right. 

Like the rest of you, I call it like I see it.  Half stories get us nowhere do they?  I am seeing comments like "This is unacceptable" and "Demand a refund" and "Get someone who knows Dan Wessons" I HATE to do this, but I am going to tell "The Rest of the Story".  I did not open this door.  As you may have read elsewhere on this forum, if I screw up, I WILL take my lumps.  I will not however lay down and be thrashed with half-truths and misinformation. 

Regarding the 44 Magnum........ Here are the repair details:

I received this revolver with a stripped ejector rod and the extractor tube (the part you see with the weld) was split full lenth.  It looked like a shotgun barrel that had been fired when plugged!!  Obviously, it needed much help. 

n.paperman admitted to me that he shot VERY heavy loads.  The gun showed it.  It also had excessive endshake.

His ONLY initial service request was simply to repair the extraction issue.

I located the SAME style tube he had before (not easy-his is a rather rare style with 2 grooves, 2 partial slits, VERY shallow threaded area for the extractor rod and smaller diameter on the ratchet end of the tube) 

I made a judgement call regarding this part, as one had already been literally destroyed.

Due to the design of the part, the slits and grooves weaken it.  I dished one side and placed a weld in it as a means of strengthening the part.  Another thing I did was deepen the factory threads for the extractor rod.  They are literally 3 times deeper now than stock.  I custom-made an extractor rod specifically for the deeper threads in the extractor tube.  It was turned out of 4140 and heat treated and threaded accordingly, so the overall thread depth male/female is triple that of stock with this particular extractor tube. 

While things were apart I addressed the endshake issue (it was pretty bad).  I then reassembled and lubed and loctited accordingly.

I then performed the Premium Action and Trigger Job. 

His bill for ALL of this work and return shipping was $0.00.  You have to be wondering why.......

Due to my absence (which is all addressed on another thread) n.paperman was angry about my lack of communication and the time involved with the repair.  I cannot deny him that, I would have been too.  I have thoroughly detailed my failings and corrective action on another thread. 

I understood him being upset.  I took my lumps.  My business did not have a backup plan should I become disabled, ill, etc.... The communication was lacking, as was the service due to severe physical injury outlined elsewhere AND due to my lack of an absence procedure with my business.  However, this is where things get interesting. 

n.paperman had a VERY disparaging letter he had written about me and my business.   He sent it to me.  We talked.  He informed me that he wanted:

1) The extractor issue fixed

2) A Premium Action and Trigger Job

3) Return shipping

All done for FREE or he would post "The Letter".  Frankly, this wanders into Extortion territory but due to him being understandably upset, I "played ball", foolishly.

I went above and beyond on the extractor mechanism.  I could have just stuck in parts however, I took steps that STRENGTHEN the design due to his obvious love for heavy loads.  Without being asked, told or extorted, I repaired the endshake. 

Sure, if you push the extractor completely out you can see the threads of the extractor rod and a weld.  I know.  I did that.  The weld reinforces the slits and the threads are much deeper than stock and accommodated by a custom-made-extended-thread ejector rod.  DW changed this particular design for a reason, and it wasn't because it worked so frickin' well!

When the time came to ship the gun to n.paperman, I gave him the tracking number that was assigned to his order.  The pickup got bumped due to weather (not uncommon here this year) and unknown to me, I have since found out, the TRACKING NUMBER changed.  Whenever n.paperman checked the number, it showed that it had not been picked up, when it actually had.  I was not aware that FedEx did this.  I do however know now.  The change shows up on my account.  If they are going to change the tracking number, I AM at least glad that it shows up that way at least on my end.

n.paperman left me a voice mail: 

-He found many new, creative and threatening ways of using the "F" word many, many times.

-He asked numerous times: "Do you have any idea who you are messing with?"

He then sent me an email threatening me with his numerous Secret Service and BATF contacts.  All the while, the gun is in transit being held up here and there due to Jack Frost......... and with a different tracking number (nice).

I take FULL responsibility for my part in this.  I have addressed my shortcomings MANY times and I have not for one second tried to dodge any responsibility.  This entire issue has been maddening on both ends.

As I have mentioned before, I enjoy my customer base and consider many of them friends.  After 21 years in business, this is the FIRST time I have been threatened with connections, letters, personal status etc...   I understand the frustation, but honestly, isn't this a little out of line?

n.paperman got what he asked for and then some.  His extraction mechanism is stronger than ever, his revolver is in time and lacking it's previous end shake and he has an action and trigger job with return shipping.... For $0.00.  

It is amazing how one NEVER quits learning.  I have a backup plan for service, shipping and communication now.  The other thing I have learned is that if I am ever threatened in this manner again I will simply ship the product back untouched.

I have worked on so many Dans it borders on indecent.  I can assemble, disassemble them in my sleep.  I can usually diagnose them over the phone/email.  You don't do that with minimal experience folks.  That takes years.  I am not bragging, I am simply stating a fact.  With Dan Wesson being in the state they are in, parts are not always easy to locate.  The ability for factory updates is nil.  I do take certain liberties in that area, when it improves the strength or performance of the revolver.  Right now, I own 16 Dan Wesson revolvers ranging from .22 LR to 445 SuperMag.  I love them all and some have been repaired slightly differently than "stock" for the sake of NOT having to do it twice. 

I really like your forum here.  I am glad the internet affords such opportunities.  In years past when a firearm was discontinued it just kind of faded away.......... With the internet it is kept alive and vibrant.  I like it. 

I will take my lumps when needed, but I will not tolerate a half-story ill-informed thrashing.  I have now addressed this openly, accurately and honestly.

This will be the last posting I will make regarding these matters.  I have made my amends and provided honest, detailed and accurate explainations.  There have been many changes in the business.  These have been lessons learned.

As I have mentioned elsewhere on this forum, I am not trying to tell anyone how to feel, I am not trying to change anyone's mind, I am not playing "Last Word" (you can have the last word, that is fine) and if you don't want to send me your gun, then don't.  I am simply stating truthfully, fully and accurately WHAT happened and WHAT was done.  

From here on out, I will be dealing with reading your stories, sharing experiences etc.... which is why this forum is here.  I am looking forward to it.    

Kindest Regards to "The Forum and it's Members",

Mike Heffron-Owner: Heffron Firearm Classics

(641) 330-9560

heffronfirearmclassics@live.com

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