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October 26, 2014
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My 1977 15-2 is one I've had now for two months. I've put almost 400 rounds through it with zero problems.....until this week.
I took it apart to clean some rust out of the cylinder crane, and after putting it back together, the gun will not fire rounds. It is punching the primer, but perhaps not strong enough?
I will give you this bit of info, and perhaps it helpful.
When I took the gun apart (and as far as the previous owner could tell me, this was the first time since 1977 it's ever been broken down and cleaned), the trigger return spring was resting outside of the hand, and not inside the slot on the rear portion of the hand. There was significant wear to the outside of the hand where the spring had been resting.
I've tried firing the gun with the spring put back where it was when I got it (resting outside the hand and not in it), and neither way works.
Any ideas, ya'll?
Dans Club
April 18, 2014
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Start by making sure the grip screw isn't to tight.
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"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Jim, the models 11 and 12 had that sort of arrangement of the trigger return spring. There was no hole in the transfer bar and the spring kind of rest against and wrapped around it. That was one of the very early changes Dan Wesson made. For the better. However , that probably is not the problem. There is a long thread on this problem but I am not sure where it is. Another member will be along to give you a link I am sure. If it was the grip screw you would be having problems with the hammer staying back in SA I think. It could be your ammunition. Try a different brand first (the easy solution). With a that rust and gunk in the ejector and the fact that the gun had never been cleaned I suspect there could be gunk in the firing pin hole or your firing pin spring is worn or broken. There is a spring in the small parts kit that EWK sells. My heart goes out to you. I have now bought a bunch if dans without that problem or the other one. If you need a part I am sure I have it. One of the symptoms of severe DWAS is buying parts in case CZ/DW goes bye -bye. You will need a punch 1/16" to remove the roll pin that holds in the firing pin I think. You might try flushing the hole out with a spray can of gun oil, WD-40 , or soaking it in ATF. More experienced folks will be along soon I bet. Good luck.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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One last comment .If you put in Wolff springs when you had your gun apart it may be that . The 7 1/2 lb spring will do that. I use the 8 lb spring.
October 26, 2014
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Ole Dog said
Jim, the models 11 and 12 had that sort of arrangement of the trigger return spring. There was no hole in the transfer bar and the spring kind of rest against and wrapped around it. That was one of the very early changes Dan Wesson made. For the better. However , that probably is not the problem. There is a long thread on this problem but I am not sure where it is. Another member will be along to give you a link I am sure. If it was the grip screw you would be having problems with the hammer staying back in SA I think. It could be your ammunition. Try a different brand first (the easy solution). With a that rust and gunk in the ejector and the fact that the gun had never been cleaned I suspect there could be gunk in the firing pin hole or your firing pin spring is worn or broken. There is a spring in the small parts kit that EWK sells. My heart goes out to you. I have now bought a bunch if dans without that problem or the other one. If you need a part I am sure I have it. One of the symptoms of severe DWAS is buying parts in case CZ/DW goes bye -bye. You will need a punch 1/16" to remove the roll pin that holds in the firing pin I think. You might try flushing the hole out with a spray can of gun oil, WD-40 , or soaking it in ATF. More experienced folks will be along soon I bet. Good luck.
Ole Dog,
I have tried three different brands of ammunition, all with the same results. I will check out the firing pin spring today. Thanks!
Supporter
June 25, 2013
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Have you tried federal?
Endeavor to persevere,
Press on regardless.
Need little, want less, love more.
October 26, 2014
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Federal, Winchester, and Herter's.
October 26, 2014
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I took the 15-2 to a local highly reputable gunsmith, and in about 30 seconds after taking it apart, he showed me the problem. The primary issue is the mainspring needs replacing. The secondary issue is the hand and trigger return spring were also badly worn and weren't a problem now, but would be soon. Two days from now, should be ready to run.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Those springs are over 35 years old, and possibly spent a lot of that time sitting in a safe.
DW's can be safe queens, sadly neglected for a long time. New springs and cleaning will probably fix this problem.
With all due respect to your local gunsmith, ask him to take a look Here. A good gunsmith is a GOOD gunsmith, ask him to just run through the Average Joe Tune-up.
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
Dans Club
April 18, 2014
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Ya, what Steve said, Super Great Advice...
Oath Keeper #021479 NRA #206814004
Member AAGSR Member AGA #83120600233
"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
Richard Henry Lee
American Statesman, 1788
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Dans Club
March 27, 2009
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Agreed on the tune up! Keep us posted!
October 26, 2014
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So, I've had my 15-2 at the gunsmith's shop for a little while, and the problem he has diagnosed is the mainspring needs replacing. Also, in the process of taking the gun apart, the cradle lock ("c" shaped metal pin) is missing.
Does anyone have a lead on where to find a mainspring and a cradle lock for a 15-2? Both the gunsmith and I are looking all over the internet, but everyone is sold out. Thanks, ya'll!
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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Call Dan Wesson in NY they should have it.
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If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
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Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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I would advise that you buy the DW spring kit and the crane lock. Clean it, install the new parts
https://www.danwessonforum.com/forum/reloading/tuning-up-your-15-2-the-average-joe-method/
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
October 26, 2014
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Thanks for the responses - I got my gunsmith in touch with Dan Wesson Repair Department, and parts will be on the way!
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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For what it is worth, a member has in the past made a crane lock out of the appropriate size wire. A magnet passed around your work area may find the original. You are not the first to lose one. Haha. Ditto for the hammer strut spring, a suddenly released mainspring or a nearly invisible handspring. When you get your new springs and tuneup you will not believe how sweet the gun is. BTW, ebay has bunches of spring kits . I just bought a couple of sets from TriggerShims.com. EWK has the small parts kits.
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