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March 9, 2013
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This is a "new to me" DW 744V that I just got shipped in last week after winning on GB. While a major gun enthusiast, I admit I am not a revolver expert. So today was the first time I had a chance to go through some of the "checks" for used revolvers to make sure it checks out before shooting it. This gun passed all the tests (from a youtube video at least) except the cylinder gap.
According to the video, what's in the owner's manual, and what I've read on this forum, the cylinder gap on this gun should not be as wide as this one appears to be. Please check out these pics & let me know your thoughts & if you have any suggestions for next steps of how to proceed. You clearly see the extra space between the cylinder and the feeler gauge - you can even see the wide gap in the larger view of the overall gun itself.
Looking forward to your opinions & feedback.
Thanks,
Bret
July 8, 2012
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I thought the 744, like most Dan Wesson's, had an adjustable cylinder gap. The gun appears (to me) to look normal in the photos posted. No offense intended, but you do know how to adjust the cylinder gap, don't you?
March 9, 2013
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No offense taken as this is my first revolver. So, no, I don't know how. I read through the instruction manual real quick just to double check the expected gap and read in the how to change barrels section that you tighten until the feeler gauge is firm, so I figured it could be. I was just concerned that I received it in this shape and why that might be the case.
Fill me in & I'll do it. I'm here to learn & I know you guys know. That's why I posted it.
Thanks
July 8, 2012
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It's actually pretty easy once you've done it the first time. It does require a special tool (the barrel wrench); if you didn't receive one with your new revolver, you can get one from EWKarms. Their link is at the top righthand side of the page. The quality of EWK gear is top shelf all the way.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video must be worth a whole lot more:
https://www.danwessonforum.com/forum/reloading/barrelshroud-and-grip-removalreinstall-video/
One thing that I find critical is to put as much pressure as I can with my thumb on the forcing cone (the part of the barrel that faces the cylinder) when I tighten the barrel wrench.
You'll soon realize that you need several barrel assemblies of differing lengths. EWK has them as well, as does Gunbroker and eBay.
Enjoy shooting that piece. I became hooked on revolvers after I picked up my DW 15-2. They're in a class all their own!
Huffy
March 9, 2013
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Huffy,
Thanks bro. I will check that out & get after it. I appreciate the info. I've already been checking out EWK and sent him an email about trying to get a 6" assembly to go with the 8" the gun came with.
Easy to get addicted to these things.
Have a blessed Easter
July 8, 2012
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You enjoy your holiday as well. My next acquisition will be a Dan Wesson 44 or 744!
August 28, 2009
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Waxxers - you've got the Allen wrench in there - get it out of there! You need a .006 feeler gauge. Give a shout if you need any help
March 9, 2013
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harly,
All I can say is that I guess a fool appreciates the safety of the internet. I appreciate you - I thought that's what the instruction book said that end was. I realize it's an Allen wrench, but there is a larger one that is labeled as such while the cap on the end in question indicated what I thought was the part used to measure this gap.
Crash course, here I come.
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January 24, 2009
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The allen wrench in your photos is part of your original DW barrel wrench assembly. Here is a shot of some various barrel wrenches of mine...
The small allen is used to remove the front sight, the larger end removes the grip. Since the original wrench is plastic & can break easily, I wouldn't recommend using it. Get one of EWK's wrenches, they are very strong.
The feeler gauge to set your barrel gap is a flat piece of thin metal, you can see one in the lower right of my photo. Feeler gauges can be purchased at an auto parts store, or hardware stores.
March 9, 2013
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I have already placed the order with EWK. Always planned to, just wanted to make sure I knew what I had in this gun.
Thank you all for your help.
August 28, 2009
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Waxxers said
harly,All I can say is that I guess a fool appreciates the safety of the internet.
Naaa - there's no fools around here! We all learn something new here every day! I bet before long you'll have that gun in pieces on your workbench tuning it up! Nice gun by the way!
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Waxxers- Just to make sure we are straight- the cylinder gap is Barrel to Cylinder gap; not Frame to Cylinder. It looks like you were trying to show the width between the frame and cylinder.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
March 9, 2013
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You're right. I did not understand. But as of about 2.5 hours ago, I do now in spades. I'm thankful the ridicule wasn't worse. I've never been very mechanically inclined, therefore not much of a do-it-myself guy. I try to shake that by watching a YouTube video about my first revolver to try to learn on my own & this is what happens.
What're ya gonna do right?
March 9, 2013
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So now I'll just try to burn this entire thread by using it as a test for a couple of attempted profile changes. Probably end up with the same success as my do-it-yourself revolver maintenance. 
February 2, 2009
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Glad you got it right now, you got a great gun there and the best part about the DW's is that you can actually adjust the gap.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Tons of information on this site- no need to go anywhere else when searching for DW revolver help! We're here for 'ya.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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December 4, 2011
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Remember that the only truely stupid question is the one NOT asked. Don't beat yourself up about it, there is a learning curve to everything and its pretty steep at first, but levels off after a short time. In a few months, you'll be giving advice to new members.
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
March 9, 2013
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Scorpio,
As Val Kilmer (as Doc Holiday) said in Tombstone....."I (probably) have not yet begun to defile myself" as it relates to asking stupid questions on here.
But let's hope the worst is over. 
All I could think of was the $1,000 I had in the gun & barrel set and was freakin' out to get something on this board about it.
I appreciate all of y'all's knowledge and willingness to pass it along to others with patience.
Hope everybody has a blessed Easter!
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July 2, 2011
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Waxxers said
Scorpio,
As Val Kilmer (as Doc Holiday) said in Tombstone....."I (probably) have not yet begun to defile myself" as it relates to asking stupid questions on here.
Wow, I guess I defile myself on a daily basis. More often several times a day.....
To the paranoid people who check behind shower curtains for murderers:
if you find one...what's your plan?
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December 4, 2011
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Waxxers, I know just what you mean about the $$$$. I recently picked up a 744 First Issue and I couldn't open the cylinder or cycle the action. I though I may have gotten taken, turned out all I needed to do was smack it with a rubber mallet to restore it to health.
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
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