Register
Log In
Home
November 25, 2010
Offline
I got a Wesson Firearms, Palmer Mass, 2 1/2" fixed barrel 357 Magnum a couple weeks ago in a pawnshop. It's a heavy little beast, weighing 28 or 29 oz. Clearances are good, cylinder is tight with 6 good alignments, all the good things. There is even an over travel screw... slick!
I tho't I was getting a Dan Wesson revolver, after-all it has wood grips with the "DW" logo... And then I researched it after I got home, and found all-sorts of horror stories about the Palmer manufacturing plant. I gather this can't be properly called a Dan Wesson revolver (Someone correct me if I'm wrong).
I took it to a local range and fired it. Single action is a dream; double action is short and clean, but heavy. I fired everything (38 spcl) I had in-hand: 125 gr+P, SJHP, 130 gr FMJ Remington & Winchester, and 158 gr SJHP (the most accurate load in Ruger LCR). I am encouraged that it fired everything with no variation in elevation (unlike the light-weight gun). But it shoots 3" left at 7 yards. Then I looked at the frame more closely, and found the rear sight groove is machined significantly (nearly 1/16")to the left of center.
Unless someone tells me a better way, I plan to adjust the rear sight with a file, and maybe 30 minutes range time.
The remaining issue may be with the hand spring. I read these bend and make the revolver unreliable in DA. Any advice here?
Recapping:
1. Is this a Dan Wesson, or a "pretender"?
2. Is a file the best way to laterally adjust the sight?
3. How bad is the issue with the hand spring?
Thanx bunches,
Fountain
November 14, 2009
Offline
There is a lot of information on this website. Take a look around and you will find what you need. BTW, welcome to 
, post some 
so we can have a good look at what you have.
The Palmer plant has a bad rap. I have a 745 (stainless steel 45 long colt) and it works fine.
Some other members more knowledgeable will chime in soon and provide you additional information.
Happyness is a Hot DW and a pile of used brass!!! Rich
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
March 27, 2009
Offline
Pictures would help as we could see what you are dealing with. I have a Palmer fixed SS Model on it is 714 as it is a fixed model. This one will eat any ammo you can feed it. It is still a DW as it is built just like ones from Monson plant (except for the fixed barrel). Post some pic when you can and see what we can come up with.
I have been aroiund DW for several years and never had spring problems.
<img class="sfsmiley" title="Welcome" onclick="sfjLoadSmiley('dwf-welcome.gif', 'Welcome', 'https://www.danwessonforum.com/wp-content/forum-resources/forum-smileys/', '
', '1');" src="https://www.danwessonforum.com/wp-content/forum-resources/forum-smileys/dwf-welcome.gif" alt="Welcome" />
February 2, 2009
Offline
The Palmer plant opened after the Monson plant closed and used the machines from the Monson plant, so parts are interchangeable. The Palmer plant had quality issues as you found with the sight, but are still DW's and shoot as well and many people own excellent guns from the Palmer shop.
November 25, 2010
Offline
Thanx to all...
Am trying to post a few hurried pix. This is a learning experience, but maybe it'll do. Suggestions/instructions on the process?
Fountain
May 17, 2010
Offline
Definately a Dan Wesson
Never heard of hand spring issues
3" in 7 yards is pretty darn horrible.. my first thought is to remove the barrel shroud and make sure the index pin is there and that the shroud is being fit correctly into it.
ACK went back and read "fixed barrel" .. so scratch the remove the shroud idea. I still am not big on messing with the frame. My next move would be to look at sight blade.
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
November 25, 2010
Offline
This is a fixed-barrel gun; does it have a barrel shroud? Did you note the machining on the rear-sight groove?
I think this is what I have, quoting from my research, "Model 14 Fixed Barrel - .357 Mag. cal., 2 1/2 or 4 in. (fixed sight Service Model) barrel, satin blue finish. Mfg. 1993-95."
I really appreciate all you folks' help.
Pinetor said:
Definately a Dan Wesson
Never heard of hand spring issues
3" in 7 yards is pretty darn horrible.. my first thought is to remove the barrel shroud and make sure the index pin is there and that the shroud is being fit correctly into it.
November 25, 2010
Offline
Oops!!! I jumped too soon as well. Didn't read your last line.
I looked at the front sight first. It has a single pin entering from the right side. According to my calcs, with a 4" sight radius, I'd have to remove 0.048" from the right side of the front sight (0.095" from the rear sight groove). Did I calculate that correctly?
My thinking is that the rear sight groove is so badly placed that a little work at the range would be easier than trying to work on the front sight.
Will appreciate any insight you have on this.
Thanx,
BTW, My wife has an "Old" H&R .22 snubnose, with a bent front sight for alignment. Works okay, but it sure is ugly.
Pinetor said:
Definately a Dan Wesson
Never heard of hand spring issues
3" in 7 yards is pretty darn horrible.. my first thought is to remove the barrel shroud and make sure the index pin is there and that the shroud is being fit correctly into it.
ACK went back and read "fixed barrel" .. so scratch the remove the shroud idea. I still am not big on messing with the frame. My next move would be to look at sight blade.
February 11, 2010
Offline
Proverbs said:
The remaining issue may be with the hand spring. I read these bend and make the revolver unreliable in DA.
Are you getting light strikes in DA ?
-Blacktop
November 25, 2010
Offline
No, I've only fired 50 rounds, or so -- some D/A, some S/A. Groups way left, but elevation is good.
Was asked on the "New Member Forum" if I was sure it was a "fixed" bbl. As I study the gun, I'm not sure. The more I learn, the less I know. Here are the pix I posted there, what do you think?
And if it's not a fixed-barrel, I need even more help...
Blacktop said:
Are you getting light strikes in DA ?
-Blacktop
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
Offline
Definitely fixed barrel.
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
February 11, 2010
Offline
Proverbs said:
.
The remaining issue may be with the hand spring. I read these bend and make the revolver unreliable in DA. Any advice here?
I do not undrestand, What issue is the hand spring is giving you ?
EWK has hand springs if you need them :
http://www.ewkarms.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12&products_id=20
Ok I am going to throw this out there, because it can affect novice and experience
shooters alike , especially with a short sight radius. 80% of the time , in pistols,
left hand groups are operator error. A test from a gun rest or sandbags will
confirm what is really going on.
If the sights are off as much as you say, your probably right, but I would test
on a rest or bags from a table before I modified the gun.
-Blacktop
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
Offline
In your first pic, I can see the rear sight is machined to the left. The proper fix for that would be to send it to DW & have them weld it & cut it straight...but that may involve more money than you're willing to spend.
Another option would be to have a smith cut the top of the frame for an adjustable sight & turn it into a "model 15". I've seen that done to some guns on GB & it rarely looks good, though.
Hmmm...I wonder if EWK could make you a new front sight that is "Z" shaped?
That would be a relatively painless fix.
November 25, 2010
Offline
Thanx, Blacktop,
On (1) No issue, in my reading I gathered there might be some problem with the hand spring, so I have asked you experts. This will be my wife's "carry gun" (38 sp'l, maybe +P), and it must be reliable.
On (2) I totally agree on windage. I have over 1000 rounds thru my wife's Ruger LCR; it's now mine, because it hurt her when she fired it. Snubnoses are unforgiving. I'll definitely reach for a sandbag before I go near a file.
Blacktop said:
Proverbs said:
The remaining issue may be with the hand spring. I read these bend and make the revolver unreliable in DA. Any advice here?
(1) I do not undrestand, What issue is the hand spring is giving you ?
(2) Ok I am going to throw this out there, because it can affect novice and experience shooters alike , especially with a short sight radius. 80% of the time , in pistols, left hand groups are operator error. A test from a gun rest or sandbags will confirm what is really going on.
If the sights are off as much as you say, your probably right, but I would test on a rest or bags from a table before I modified the gun.
-Blacktop
November 25, 2010
Offline
Thanx for the suggestion.
Do you think DW would be willing to deal with the rear sight. I don't know about welding, but widening to the right would be good.
Charger Fan said:
In your first pic, I can see the rear sight is machined to the left. The proper fix for that would be to send it to DW & have them weld it & cut it straight...but that may involve more money than you're willing to spend.
February 11, 2010
Offline
Proverbs said:
Thanx, Blacktop,
On (1) No issue, in my reading I gathered there might be some problem with the hand spring, so I have asked you experts. This will be my wife's "carry gun" (38 sp'l, maybe +P), and it must be reliable.
Nothing gives me a better nights sleep than having all my bases covered, you can
get a hand spring for $3 from Eric at EWK arms :
http://www.ewkarms.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12&products_id=20
-Blacktop
February 11, 2010
Offline
Proverbs said:
Thanx for the suggestion.
Do you think DW would be willing to deal with the rear sight. I don't know about welding, but widening to the right would be good.
You can ask them what the fix would be and if it would be noticable after.
Here is their contact info :
https://www.danwessonforum.com/?page_id=3/parts-and-service/cz-dan-wesson-contact-information/
-Blacktop
November 25, 2010
Offline
After I got back from the range last night, I sent an e-mail with a photo of the rear sight to: gunsmith@cz-usa.com to see what they'd charge
I'll call the contact you furnished on Monday and try to cover all the bases.
BTW, in fading light, I sandbagged the gun and shot one cylinder on each of two 25 yd pistol faces. Groups were 2 1/2 & 3 inches to the left. Not a perfect representation, because of the near-darkness, but I'm generally satisfied with the original diagnosis.
Thanx again
Blacktop said:
Proverbs said:
Thanx for the suggestion.
Do you think DW would be willing to deal with the rear sight. I don't know about welding, but widening to the right would be good.
You can ask them what the fix would be and if it would be noticable after.
Here is their contact info :https://www.danwessonforum.com/?page_id=3/parts-and-service/cz-dan-wesson-contact-information/
-Blacktop
1 Guest(s)
