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June 9, 2009
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I got my first (and only) Dan Wesson a few months ago; a model 15 .357 with 4" barrel. I'm mostly a semi-auto shooter, but I've always liked revolvers and the DW seemed like the most bang for the $. I like the DW, but a couple of things bother me about it. I have some ideas for what to do to fix it but thought I'd run it by you guys here first.
1. I don't care for the trigger pull. It's relatively short, which I like, and it's not too heavy, but it's really "creaky", for lack of a better term. I can literally hear the mainspring making all kind of noise when the hammer is being cocked. It sounds like an old screen door or something. Is this normal? Would replacing the mainspring help smooth it out a little bit?
2. It's too front-heavy. I kind of liked the balance at first, but then I recently got a Ruger Service Six and I like the balance of that a whole lot more. I can just get the Ruger on target much quicker, even though the sights aren't as good as the DW sights. The barrel shroud I currently have on the DW is a full length shroud. If I replaced it with a partial length shroud, would that make a noticeable difference in the balance? Would it make a noticable difference in the recoil (mostly thinking .357 loads)? Would I be able to get a new shroud from DW? I haven't been able to find any for sale online.
3. The ejector rod is always coming loose. I constantly have to re-tighten it, even after a little dry fire practice. Should I lock-tite it in there? I'd hate to get it stuck or something...
If I were able to fix those three things, I think I'd have what I consider the ideal revolver. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks!
-Chris
Dans Club
May 17, 2009
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Spaker, 
to the 
. I had the same problem on my 715 ejector rod and here's what I did. Open the cylinder and put a rag on the rod then grip the rod/rag with a pliers and tighten it down. Mine has not loosened up since I did it. I don't think I'd lock-tite it although I believe there is some semi permanent lock-tite which may allow removal. Someone else on the forum probably knows more about that than I do.
Your other issues I'll leave to the guys who take these guns apart, although the shroud weight issue is something I like better then a light weight barrel.
with your DW.
DWF Supporters
Dans Club
Moderators
November 17, 2008
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Sounds like a good cleaning is in order. I never noticed anyof mine creaking when cocking or dry firing. There were several shrouds on GB last time I looked. Also DW has them if you can stomach the cost. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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I agree, the creaking sounds like something in the action is very dry. The spring is just…well…a spring. By itself, a spring won't creak, it's what the spring attaches to that will creak & send the vibrations through the spring, sort of like a speaker. Make any sense?
Check out Shoot's detailed thread in the gunsmithing section, for good pics.
As LB said, there's often barrel assemblies on GB. Here's a link to one of two that are currently on there.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti.....=142143297
If Jaggman's ejector rod fix doesn't do the trick, you could try a dab of loctite...but I would only use a "dab" if I were you. And only the light strength blue stuff.
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Range Officer
Range Officers
May 2, 2009
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Before you proceed any further here's my reccomendation
... Pull the sideplate and take care of the creaky spring problem (sounds like it may have a kink in it, or not seating properly). While you're in there you might want to clean / lube / trigger job it. But most important is while it is open, remove the cylinder/crane assembly and dissassemble it while it is already loose. Clean it up really well and oil it. Then when you put it back together use a little bit of blue loc-tite on the rod threads. Tighten it with padded jaw pliers or vise. Blue loc-tite is easy to get loose if you ever need to.
SHOOT
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Range Officer
Range Officers
May 2, 2009
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Spaker said:
I got my first (and only) Dan Wesson a few months ago; a model 15 .357 with 4" barrel. I'm mostly a semi-auto shooter, but I've always liked revolvers and the DW seemed like the most bang for the $. I like the DW, but a couple of things bother me about it. I have some ideas for what to do to fix it but thought I'd run it by you guys here first.
1. I don't care for the trigger pull. It's relatively short, which I like, and it's not too heavy, but it's really "creaky", for lack of a better term. I can literally hear the mainspring making all kind of noise when the hammer is being cocked. It sounds like an old screen door or something. Is this normal? Would replacing the mainspring help smooth it out a little bit?
2. It's too front-heavy. I kind of liked the balance at first, but then I recently got a Ruger Service Six and I like the balance of that a whole lot more. I can just get the Ruger on target much quicker, even though the sights aren't as good as the DW sights. The barrel shroud I currently have on the DW is a full length shroud. If I replaced it with a partial length shroud, would that make a noticeable difference in the balance? Would it make a noticable difference in the recoil (mostly thinking .357 loads)? Would I be able to get a new shroud from DW? I haven't been able to find any for sale online.
3. The ejector rod is always coming loose. I constantly have to re-tighten it, even after a little dry fire practice. Should I lock-tite it in there? I'd hate to get it stuck or something...
If I were able to fix those three things, I think I'd have what I consider the ideal revolver. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks!
-Chris
I've got a mint condition 4" barrel assembly I may be willing to trade for your heavy one.
SHOOT
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Unless someone has been altering the internals on your 15, a spring change and cleaning/lube will almost certainly fix that trigger. Blue Loctite is my solution for that ejector rod, and check with SHOOT on that shroud swap.
You'll be blowing the doors off that Service Six (which is a very nicer revolver BTW) before you know it
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
June 9, 2009
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Thanks for all the replies, everyone. I've removed the sideplate and thoroughly cleaned and lubed everything a few times since I got it, so it's going to take a little more to fix the trigger issue. I just disassembled everything again tonight and noticed that the mainspring is quite bent in the middle, so I think it might be rubbing up against the side of the spring housing and that's what's causing the noise/vibration. Numrich has the spring in stock for $5.30, so I'll go ahead and order one to see if that fixes it.
I'll try the suggestions on the ejector rod. Sounds like an easy enough fix.
Shoot, I just sent you a PM about the barrel swap.
Thanks again for your help, everybody!
Chris
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Range Officer
Range Officers
May 2, 2009
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Don't bother with a spring from Numrich--no point in spending 5 bucks on a used spring when you can buy a new one for that price. You can either order one from Wolff springs, Midway USA, or even me.
SHOOT
June 9, 2009
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Yeah, good call. I happened to read your thread about tweaking the model 15 just before I was going to order the spring and ended up ordering a set of reduced weight springs from Wolff instead. I'm polishing some of the internals right now and looking forward to the results!
Chris
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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Spaker said:
I just disassembled everything again tonight and noticed that the mainspring is quite bent in the middle, so I think it might be rubbing up against the side of the spring housing and that's what's causing the noise/vibration.
Ok, now I could see THAT causing an "old screen door" type of noise.
June 24, 2009
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I have a mint 15-2 6" V shroud that I will trade for a 6" VH shroud
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Please post Trades here:
/?page_id=3/for-sale/
or PM between interested parties
Thanks
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
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Range Officer
Range Officers
May 2, 2009
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Steve CT said:
Please post Trades here:
https://www.danwessonforum.com/?page_id=3/for-sale/
or PM between interested parties
Thanks
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