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September 3, 2018
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Help! My Dan Wesson 15-2 .357 (Monson) which I have owned since new is now suddenly shooting so far left I can not bring it back to center even with the rear sight adjusted fully to the right. It's not me. It's not the ammo. This gun was a tack driver in the past and shot to center with the rear sight at almost dead center. Regardless of the shooter or the ammo the results are nearly identical.
This gun has a 6" heavy vented barrel and front and rear sights are factory issue. The gun, bore and sights are in beautiful condition. At 25 yards I am about two to three inches to left of center. Elevation is fine. Gun has seen very light use. Barrel /cylinder gap are correct. Barrel nut is tight. Probably less than 500 rounds since birth.
Read a number of other posts with the same issue however I couldn't find that the posters resolved their problem. Or...if a resolution was posted I couldn't find it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I promise to follow up with the solution if found.
October 17, 2017
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Not sure what issue could possibly develop all by itself overnight to cause this problem in a Dan Wesson or any other revolver for that matter. If it is a timing issue (highly unlikely) you would see primers with off center hits and probably experience some shaving of bullet particles hitting you in the face. Since you're sure "It's not the ammo" that could only mean that you are using the same ammo out of the same box as the last time you fired the gun when it was still a "tack driver". How much time has passed since you last fired the gun? This is why I ask. I was recently at the range with a friend who was shooting his S&W 629 for the first time in nearly 15 years. This thing was really barking. A little while later he asked me to help him remove some fired cases that were stuck in the chambers as the extractor couldn't push them out. We used a screwdriver and small hammer to tap out the cases which showed signs of overpressure. Some were actually cracked lengthwise. After a closer examination we discovered these rounds (which had been stored in a plastic ammo box for the past 15 years) were showing signs of corrosion (green sludge around the primer socket). The gunsmith at the range examined them and promptly advised my friend to discard the rest of the ammo as they had probably become somewhat unstable. I suspect the point of aim could be adversely affected using ammo in this condition. This is one possibility given the scenario you described. If you are using different ammo than the last time you fired the gun, then there are endless possibilities as to where the majority of the rounds will land. Try some different ammo (a relatively cheap fix) and let us know if it changes anything. If not, then you might want to have it looked at by a gunsmith. Hope this helps.
DWF Supporters
April 14, 2018
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What ammo are you using? I’m thinking lead fouling.
September 3, 2018
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Had been a long time since the gun was fired....perhaps 10 years or so. Ammo is new. Used Rem UMC 38 Special 130 Gr., FMJ and American Eagle 38 Special 130 Gr, FMJ. Results were nearly identical. Bore was absolutely clean. Gun was fired by me and by our clubs instructor and current bullseye champion. His group was somewhat tighter than mine but still 2'' - 3" left. Going to clean again, reset the barrel and give this another go with two other types of ammo. Gun appears to be in perfect time. I know I'm missing something (in addition to the X ring)...just don't know what yet. What is curious is that a number of others have had the same issue....gun shooting left. Thank you both.
September 3, 2018
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Ok, as promised, here's my follow-up:
Re-cleaned the barrel. Bronze bore brush, Hoppes #9 original, patches. Let it soak, brushed and patched and soaked and brushed and patched again until the patches came out clean. Gave the cylinder a super cleaning as well. Checked the barrel by laying it on a straight edge and turning it. At one point I could see just a sliver of light between the barrel and the straight edge. Perhaps .001....hmmmm. Marked the barrel, reinstalled to .006 and marked the shroud with the thought of shooting a group then turning the barrel to see if that would change the point of impact. Back to the range with the same box of Rem UMC 38 Special 130 Gr., FMJ shot previously. Fired three shots. Nothing on the paper. Three more. Same results. Brought the rear sight back to center. Bingo. Point Of Aim is now Point of Impact! Go figure!!?? Was the barrel, when the gun was shooting left, not as clean as i initially thought??? Happy but puzzled. Stay tuned. Thanks all!
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