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December 4, 2011
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If I wanted to fit a new cylinder to one of my small frames, could I just use my existing ejector star with new cylinder from Dan Wesson without having to send the gun back to Norwich? What else besides the ejector star do they 'fit' when they install a new cylinder?
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
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February 22, 2009
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The fitting is actually filing the hand to rotate the cylinder so the bolt locks the cylinder "in time". If you haven't done it before or don't have a few throw-away, oversized, hands laying around, I'd send it to away.
I'm not certain if you can buy a few hands from DW without being a gunsmith. If you can and you wish to try, just be certain you have the timing correct. The results of not having the revolver in time can be painful and or disastrous.
Regards, Ron
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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December 4, 2011
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I understand the importance of proper timing, I was just wondering what they actually fit besides the hand to the star that rotates the cylinder. If one reused the old star that is fitted to the hand wouldn't that keep the timing the same? Maybe there are subtle differences in where the grooves in the cyl that engage the bolt are machined in each cyl that would make the timing vary. I'm not going to try to do any 'shade tree' gunsmithing, this is more of thought experiment.
I do have a project in mind that if it comes to fruition will require a new cylinder. I don't think Dan Wesson will even sell just a bare cylinder to a customer, the price sheet says 'factory install' so I guess the gun has to go home regardless.
Does anybody know if they are accepting any revolvers for repair/work since the new factory opened?
I may have to give them a call and find out.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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I can tell you that I did just what you are describing with a new cylinder and crane and ejector rod on my 715. It timed perfectly and shoots as good as ever. I used all the internal parts from my original crane as well as the original star and of course the original hand. I did the same on my brother's 715 and the cylinder appears to be timed correctly, but have not fired that one yet. Don't know if this would always work, but I had the same thought as you, that the cylinders should be the same, and the critical match up is the star and the hand, as long as we are staying in the same frame.
Transferring the star & hand to another frame might introduce other differences.
I don't know if DW will sell a new cylinder without installing it. They are pretty helpful, so you could call and ask about it. Maybe they would send it to your gunsmith who could supervise while you change the cylinder and then check the timing for you.
I'm thinking about the same thing for my 22, but with a 22 mag cylinder.
Gives me something to think about and work toward, unless I find a complete 22 mag for sale. 
Good luck!
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February 22, 2009
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Chris,
Reading the OP, I wasn't clear that you planned on exchanging just the cylinder and nothing else. So if you are changing just the cylinder and keeping everything else the same, it should work fine. Just check everything out once complete. I'm not certain if the cylinder slots for the bolt changed tolerance at all.
You can have an FFL or gunsmith order the cylinder for you. I have a C&R and they shipped "factory fitted" parts to me in the past.
Regards, Ron
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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