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June 18, 2011
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Triple whammy — new DW owner, new member, and first post.
Been lurking here for a few weeks and trying to find out all I can about Dan Wesson revolvers.
I always liked the idea of DW's interchangeable barrel features, but never got around to buying one until now. Found a near mint model 22V at a respectible price. It has an 8-inch barrel and came with the original vinyl case and tools. S/N is 16495 which puts the manufacture date around 1978-1979 (I think). The gun was purchased new by the original owner and was shot about 100 rounds. The barrel nut and barrel has never been removed.
I found a NOS 4-inch barrel/shroud/nut assembly and and am now ready to switch barrels. And there-in lies the problem — the barrel nut is stuck. I don't know if it's rusted to the muzzle end of the barrel or if there's some dried lube in the threads. (There's no sign of rust anywhere on or in the gun.) Or maybe it was just torqued too tight by the factory.
I did a search and found several threads about removing stuck barrels and nuts. A frequent suggestion is to buy a EWK wrench. The multi-tool that came with my gun is all steel, so I don't know if an EWK would be an improvement. I've also seen the suggestions about heating the muzzle with a torch, but I don't want to damage the sight or finish. I don't want to get agressive with a hammer – not yet, anyway.
I'm now soaking the barrel nut where it threads onto the barrel with Kroil, hoping it will penetrate down around the barrel threads. I'm in no hurry, so I can do this for as long as it takes. Am I wasting my time with penetrating oil? Should I go ahead and get tough with it? Any other suggestions or comments would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
P.S. Can someone tell me how to make those blank pics go away?
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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You are on the right track, and BTW, Welcome to DWF! Your barrel nut is in place from the factory well over 30 years ago, so this is gonna take some work.
Kroil? No personal experience, but it works well for others here
Torch? NO!NO!NO! Gentle heat? YES! Hair dryer or very low setting and some distance on a paint stripping heat gun. Your steel wrench is probably OK, the EWK wrench is the very best choice, it is the best machined/fitting DW wrench there is.
Here's what I would do:
Soak in penetrating oil, apply moderate heat. Secure the gun in a padded vise, apply the wrench to the nut, and give the wrench a couple of sharp taps (into the barrel) to "break the freeze". Firmly and slowly back the nut out, keeping maximum force on the wrench to keep it fully engaged in the slots. You do not want to round out the slots in that nut.
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
DWF Supporters
June 20, 2010
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First Welcome 
...
That looks like one beautiful revolver, I would definitely not get aggressive with trying to get the barrel off yet, let it soak a bit. (Let it soak a lot 
actually). I have never heard of the factory cranking down the barrel too tight, though I may get corrected on that one.
Have you fired it yet (and checked the gap)? I have never thought about this before, but I wonder if shooting an old stuck barrel may give a jolt to the stuck area?!?
June 18, 2011
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Thanks, guys, for the warm welcome. I probably won't be posting much because I'm such a novice on DW revolvers. But I assure you that I'll be reading a lot.
I had been soaking the barrel nut in Kroil since early this morning and decided to give it a little gentle persuasion. Tapped the wrench's cross-pin a few times with a small hammer and the nut loosened and everything came apart like it should. Didn't need any tools to unscrew the barrel from the frame.
The 4-inch assembly went on easily and matches the frame perfectly. Now I have a gun I can effortlessly hold up at arms length. Haven't shot it yet — hoping for a day next week that's less than 100* so I won't melt at the range.
Thanks again for allowing me to be a member of DWF.
Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
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Welcome to the forum, and glad your barrel issue went ok. Your new Dan looks like a great one, and very nice soft case too. First one I've noticed with that little instructional note in it.
When I joined here a year ago I didnt think I would post much either, but turned out I have more to say (and ask) than I ever thought, although I am still more of a reader.
Lonwolf
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
September 1, 2010
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skeezix, I'm still waiting to make a fine on an 722, my 1st
I've only owned a DW for less than a year and now own five. They r
really great revolvers. I had the same problem with two of the guns that I purchased frm Gunbroker,just couldn't get the bbl off. With the advice frm the
group here on the 
I used the Kroil and a little rubber ear dropper(bulb)
didn't need a lot of the kroil just few drops around the bbl nut and left it standing with the grip low and the bbl high so the oil would drip dwn. 24 hrs later it came loose. good luck
by the way it u check some of the threads u r not the only one with blank spaces in ur pics. must b a problem with the site.
February 11, 2010
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Nice ! Bluing looks great ! Congrats 
and
-Blacktop
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
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Welcome to the DWF. Glad you got your barrel off without any damage. Don't be afraid to contribute; we can all learn from another's point of view. We're glad to have you join us.
-Mike
DWF Supporters
Dans Club
Moderators
November 17, 2008
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Nice 22. Beware of 
. You already have the symptoms.
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
March 27, 2009
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Welcome and glad the removal went well! Keep us posted on what you think about it after Range work! Nice grab on the 22!
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
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I'm glad it came apart for you with a minimum of grief. The gun looks like it's a real beauty & the soft case is a nice bonus.
aboard!
August 12, 2010
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congrats dear nice .22 revolver a i have a same model i 4 inch barrel its very accurate you people can get dan barrel shoruds tools etc easily its very great thing .we can only dream of it hope one day i get 2 inch barrel for my .22 regards
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