Register
Log In
Home
November 13, 2014
Offline
First post, but I have been lurking and lusting for years. I went to check out 15-2 pistol pack (blued, 4 barrels, tool, but only one rubber grip). This is the first Dan Wesson that I have held. In full cylinder lock all was well. The trigger was fantastic. But inspecting the frame there was some flame cutting of the top strap. I don't know how exactly to describe it (and I didn't get a picture) but it is enough to catch a fingernail rubbing from the cut to the normal top strap. Is this acceptable? The second issue is the muzzle crown on all of the barrels--it is flat, as opposed to having a slight chamfer. This differs from my other revolvers, but may be normal here? The third issue is the 8" barrel has some mild surface rust in between the rifling? Without having cleaning tools, I couldn't tell how significant this was. This is more of a general question, but should that be a concern in terms of function and durability? Thanks in advance for any help.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
Offline
Let me start off by saying Welcome to DWF.
1) Some flame cutting should not be a problem, but I can't give you a specific measurement or metric on this
2) DW barrels were not crowned
3) You should be able to clean up any rust in the bore of the 8", the good thing about DW revolvers is that the barrel is a pretty readily available item at a reasonable price if you cannot get it cleaned up
4) Grips are pretty easy as well, eBay, Gun Broker, Hogue, or LB Custom
If the price on your Pack is reasonable, Buy Now
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
November 13, 2014
Offline
That's great info. Price is $999. I just have to decide about the flame cutting. The issue is that I don't intend this to be a safe queen--I intend to shoot the snot out of it. So I don't particularly care about originality (so I can buy other grips--no worries, and even replace the barrel) but I do care about longevity. I assume that this can't be repaired.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
Offline
Price sounds very good. As I said, there is not a good number on the depth of acceptable flame cutting, but all four of my DW .357's have some flame cutting evident. I think that if the one you are looking at does not show any evidence of abuse or high shot count with massive overloads, you should be OK.
If you can post a picture we can help a little more.
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
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
March 27, 2009
Offline
Flame cut shouldn't be a issue, look at the firing pin and surrounding area ans feel it for any mal formation such as a donut ! If it is maybe a high power loads! Steve has pointed u in the right direction on these!
November 13, 2014
Offline
I went back and re-examined the gun. First, a question. I assume that each "forcing cone" is integral with each barrel. Interestingly, this gun was currently assembled with the barrel recessed in the frame, so the barrel/cylinder gap was basically the barrel to frame gap. That might explain the "broadness" of the flame cutting. And I was unable to get pics.
Anyway, upon closer examination the flame cutting did not go up the sides of the frame, and was not detectable on a magnified side view of the the top strap. I thought all was well, but I decided to redo my inspection from last night (I was tired, excited, and doing it at a check out counter) and when I put the gun into full lock up I found a problem. The side to side cylinder "wiggle" was slightly greater than my Ruger GP100 (which has about 3000 rounds through it), but seemed acceptable (the cylinder would return to center on its own). The endshake was more than my GP100, and I feeler gauged it at about .008" of movement. But to me the big problems were two (possibly three): 1) in full lock up, I could tilt the front of the cylinder "up", misaligning it versus the bore. I can't do this at all on my GP100, 2) although the firing pin looked okay, there was some slight deformation of the breech face around the pin, and 3) when I checked each cylinder in full lock up for timing (which is hard to do on this gun--to get enough light into the back when looking down the barrel) one of the six was off just a bit, Also, the 8" barrel was tapped for a scope (which I don't plan on using). Given all of that, I decided to pass.
I'd appreciate any further thoughts on what I found, and if anyone thinks it isn't a big deal and wants the gun, it is at the Cabelas in Tigard, Oregon (which you can have shipped to any other Cabelas for $25).
March 25, 2008
Offline
sounds like you did a good inspection. Did the pack come with the barrel tool? I find it hard to believe that the previous owner would use the gun with such a large barrel to cylinder gap. but you never know! normal gap should be .002 to .005. The gap you stated would not have anything to do with the cylinder end shake, but sone of that can be fixed thru Dan Wesson but not at the price you stated I would say you did good to pass. good to see others from Oregon looking to get 
Good luck in your search!
1 Guest(s)
