Register
Log In
Home
May 26, 2009
Offline
Greetings all!
I am considering the purchase of a DW service model 14-2 heavy underlug. 2 1/2" barrel. It came in its original box and the gun has a very solid lockup and is 98%. I shot it on Saturday and used magtech .38 158gr. non-jacketed ammo. Fully 60% of the hits on paper had keyholes. I checked the cylinder gap with the tool and found some play but not much. Thinking it was the non-jacketed ammo, I switched to some .357 jacketed Blazer and while only shooting 6 rounds, I didn't keyhole anything. Some of the guys at work say steer clear, some say no problem. What do you guy's think?? Thanks in advance,
mikey
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
Offline
First off...
What does the rifling in the barrel look like? The cool thing about DW's is that if your barrel gets worn, you can order another one relatively cheap from DW/CZ USA & you're good to go.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
Offline
Did you check the barrell cylinder gap with a gauge? The most common gap suggested is .006 but I find if you keep the face of the cylinder clean, easier with jacketed ammo, you can keep it at about .002 to .003. That may help, but take Chargers advise too and check for barrel fouling. Last would be to try another manufacturer or two of lead ammo and see what results you get. I had fired a box of 158 grain UMC lead ammo from my model 15 with superb accuracy and no keyholing at all.
Last but not least to the Forum.
SMF
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
December 17, 2008
Offline
Hey Mikey - to the DWF, great to have a new member with a new Dan Wesson!
Is that the pork chop shroud gun that was on GB?
Put up a picture if you get a minute.
-Dusty
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
Offline
Mikey-
When you say that the gap was off, by how much? Remember that there can be gap variances from chamber to chamber around the cylinder. The .006 shim should be a fairly tight fit, and barrel gap can be as tight as .002. It is possible that the keyholing problem is specific to the Magtech ammo, you might want to try several brands of ammunition, both jacketed and non jacketed. Also, as noted, carefully check the bore for damage to lands and grooves, or excessive fouling, both of which may affect a non jacketed (softer?) bullet more than a jacketed bullet. As Charger pointed out DW's are real easy to fix barrel problems on.
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
May 26, 2009
Offline
Thanks for the warm welcome folks. This pistol was a safequeen and just a little dirty. I haven't checked the rifeling yet but I assume that it is as good as the gun looks and shoots. Man, keyholer or not, I love the balance trigger-pull and feel in my hand. Dusty, this gun came from a fella around my area and has not been put up on GB.
I will clean the barrel and regap the cylinder and post some pics as soon as I have some time. Sheesh, I'm still trying to figure exactly what model and a manuf. date. This gun isn't a porkchop shroud. Definately a heavy underlug non-vented and what I've learned is a service model. It has rear sights that are part of the frame. (non-adjustable).
I look foward to chatting with you all soon as I will probably have some more newbie questions.
Thanks Again For Your Help,
mikey
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
Offline
If you have fixed rear sights and not a pork chop shroud you have a model 14
SMF
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
DWF Supporters
Dans Club
Moderators
November 17, 2008
Offline
Welcome aboard, and while I can't say for sure, Ill bet it's the ammo. Try several types and see what happens. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
1 Guest(s)
