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September 8, 2013
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Hi everyone,
After researching wheelguns, I settled and bought a DW 44. Pictures!!
Problem:
My gun only shoots single action. When you pull the trigger in DA, the hammer falls and hits, but does not hit the primer hard enough to fire.
- I can see the hammer doesn't travel as far when pulled DA. Is that normal?
- I have cleaned the firing pen as best I can
- I took off the grip and saw the spring. After tightening the hex bolt back in the gun would not lock the hammer in SA?
Is this fixable? Easy?
March 27, 2013
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That's a nice looking piece. I would say that your grip screw is screwed in too far. Back it out and see if the hammer will lock for single action. Good luck.
Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
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Yep this is probably the most common issue that occurs on Dan Wessons. Back the grip screw out until the action works fine. If the screw is in too far it interferes with the hammer travel. You can put a couple small washers on the grip screw, or get a shorter screw. You figure after many years of being tightened into the wood grip that the wood got compressed maybe a bit to much.
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
September 8, 2013
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Thanks SMKYTXN,
Got it adjusted to where it can lock in SA. Do I want it as close to not locking as possible or somewhere else? Any advice on tweaking the DA?
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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You just want the screw tight enough to keep the grip from moving. If you over tighten, it will FTF usually in DA. Lonwolf has a good idea to use washers or a shorter screw.
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
October 11, 2009
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I would get a spring kit and seeif that fixes the problem.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Welcome- looks like the guys have you fixed up regarding the grip screw. If you could, please re-size you pictures down to about 800 x 800, maximum. Thanks, Ron
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
September 8, 2013
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Pics have been resized per request/policy
I'll give the washers a try. Would a "small frame" revolver kit have the large frame spring I need?
I loosened it up a bit. I got 7/8 American Eagles to shoot DA, but the Winchesters (cheap ones) wouldn't shoot. Do others have problems with brass primers?
Thanks
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Different brands of primers can give different results, but as has been pointed out, overseating the grip screw introduces a problem. The best rule of thumb is to tighten the grip screw enough to keep the grip from falling off the gun.
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
September 8, 2013
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I'll have to get some washers. The grip is wingle-loose now. 
March 27, 2013
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I usually use nylon bushings instead of washers. Basically a skinny plastic tube with some thickness to it. You can find them at Lowes or Home Depot in the hardware section. I will get a half inch bushing and cut it to length then thread it onto the grip screw.
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January 24, 2009
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Congrats on landing your 44, it looks great!
Also, in case you missed it in your prior research, you may be interested to know that you have an early model 44 with a short hammer spur. DW changed to the long hammer spur shortly before s/n# 1077x pictured here. This belongs to our DWF member Salvo...
September 8, 2013
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I found my question about the spring pack.
Blacktop said
Yes, the same. Alot of the same springs in the small and large frame. When I was atEWK last year for a bluing job Eric and I were discussing this while my 44 was tore
down. He is looking into getting a large frame spring kit together for sale.
But these are the ones that interchange between small and large frames :
# 11 Mainspring
#13 Sight elevation spring
#17 Firing pin spring
#20 Aligning ball spring
#25 Latch spring
#28 Ejector spring
#34 Bolt spring
#43 Hand spring
#46 Strut spring
And these are Large frame only springs:
#41 Trigger return spring
#53 Trigger assembly latch spring
-Blacktop
I think I'll try the spring kit. For now I have disassembled the action, cleaned, and lightly greased it. Yet to get back to the range to test.
Does anyone use/recommend dry lube (graphite)?
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June 25, 2013
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Question...
Load up the chambers and then then tip the gun back so that the cartridges will fall out. Will they all fall out easily or do you need to use the ejector for some of them?
Endeavor to persevere,
Press on regardless.
Need little, want less, love more.
Dans Club
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April 20, 2010
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Does anyone use/recommend dry lube (graphite)?
I am not a fan of grease or dry lube. For my Dan Wesson internals, I use ATF, as recommended by a very experienced Dan Wesson guy, Shootist357. Also, I use very little, I think too much lube promotes cohesion of parts and attracts dirt.
-Lonwolf
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Any good oil can work. I prefer ATF too, as Uncle Si says "but hey, that's just me." Oil on rotating parts, grease on sliding parts is what I stick to.
I've linked this article before: "Graphite: (sprays, powders) Graphite is a crystalline product which is actually very slightly abrasive. It offers no appreciable benefit other than being dry; a lube with a good boundary lubricant package can be wiped dry to the touch and still provide better lubrication and protection than graphite. Save it for your keys and padlocks."
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
September 8, 2013
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Maxwell Silver said
Question...
Load up the chambers and then then tip the gun back so that the cartridges will fall out. Will they all fall out easily or do you need to use the ejector for some of them?
All 6 fall out easily.
Is ATF Automatic Transmission Fluid?
Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
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Yep, ATF= automatic transmission fluid!
It is slippery, thin and seems to adhere to parts well.
It is my experience that whatever lube you use, Dan Wessons seem to need very little of it, I apply sparingly.
-Lonwolf
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
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June 25, 2013
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Check out a concoction known as Ed's Red. There's recipes on the web.
Endeavor to persevere,
Press on regardless.
Need little, want less, love more.
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January 24, 2009
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Just don't get too much lube (ATF or otherwise) in your cylinder bores. Hot cases will tend to be fairly sticky upon extracting with a hole full of most any type of lube.
A little goes a long way & damn-near dry is usually spot on.
Lube, then wipe,wipe.
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