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October 29, 2010
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I have desired a DW since I saw a co-workers many years ago. Just recently started researching guns and I believe his was a Model 15-2 Pistol Pac. I am looking at buying a Model 14 and have some questions. I will look at gun tomorrow. It has the pork chop style barrels in 1 1/2"?,4" and 6". Seller says it was purchased (or made) in 1971. It has the barrel tools, but not the case or manuals.
1) I believe he means 2", not 1 1/2". Were there longer barrels made for this model?
2) The bluing on my co-workers gun really caught my eye. Does this model have the same style of bluing. Seller says it's not any different than his other guns.
3) Is the fixed sights an issue?
4) Any other details I should know about or questions to ask seller. He says two of the barrels appear unused and he believes it had less than a box shot through it. He says the gun looks new.
I plan to use the gun for target practice a few times a year. I haven't seen a lot of these around here (live in Pacific NW), but haven't been to the gun show in several months. I know people here are really proud of their guns when they are selling them. This guy is asking $550, which seems high, but then again there won't be any shipping fees or FFL charges (about $50-$75 for both) if purchased online and I will be able to handle gun before purchasing.
I need answers ASAP as I will be making my decision to buy tomorrow. Thanks in advance for your opinions, info and guidance. Bob K
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Dans Club
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November 17, 2008
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First Welcome BobK. Next I will try and answer a few of your questions.
Most likely it's a 2 1/2 inch barrel.
AFAIK 2 1/2, 4, and 6 are the only lengths for a pork chop style.
A M14 is most likely matt blue where the M15's are most likely glossy blue.
Fixed sight is self explanatory, no adjustment. Some guys like that , some don't.
Other than that the pork chop models are fine guns. Just realise due to the age, parts and acessories are somewhat limited, but usually can be found.
I hate to stick a price to it but a chop in good shape will usually bring $300-$375 on auction. extra barrel assemblies will bring $75 to $175 each so he is on the mid to upper end of the norm. All this is just my opinione though. There are others here much more familiar with chops and I trust they will jump in shortly. Good luck and my last comment is the only firearm purchases I have ever regretted are the ones I passed on.
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Bob, welcome to the Forum, you're in good hands here. Here goes:
1) He actually means 2-1/2". This is measured as barrel length, not shroud length
2) Bluing should be bright, shiny, with a high luster. DW's are known for very durable and high quality bluing. If this gun has been cared for and stored properly, you should have no concerns
3) If fixed sights are not an issue for you, then no.
$550 is a good value if the condition and function are good. Dan Wesson revolvers are inherently very accurate and durable. If you are not familiar with how to evaluate the functionality of a revolver, look here
Good luck, if the finish and function is good, you're about to buy a real fine revolver at a good price.
Steve
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
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January 24, 2009
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Welcome to the forum!
I would say that the seller's price is at the top end of current market value, from what I've seen lately. If it included a case, top market value could likely peak over $600. Model 14 Pistol Pac's are not as common as the 15's, so that could possibly fetch more at an auction sale.
If the gun has the "drift" type fixed rear sight like this, I would think it's likely a '71 ~ '72 gun…
If it has this later style fixed sight, it chould be in the late '72 ~ '74 range…
I have yet to see a Porkchop 14 with a glossy finish & would assume it to have the matte blued finish. It should also have a flush barrel nut, as opposed to an exposed style. Here's a shot of my early M14, for an example.
October 29, 2010
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Charger Fan,
I messed up posting this. Hope it comes through. I will see the gun later today. From the responses I got, these guns only have three barrel sizes available, don't have the glossy finish like the 15-2's and the asking price is at the high range. I am looking for a fair price and they tend to run high here anyway. I haven't seen a lot of these, either online or at pawn shops or local gun show. I want a gun I will shoot and not a collector piece. Need to take kids to soccer. Any more thoughts? THANK YOU for the advice (all who posted) and the warm welcome. Bob K
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January 24, 2009
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Well, my additional thoughts would be to air my personal opinion.
To me, finding a 14 with both extra barrels together, would certainly be worth this guy's asking price. As stated in prior posts, the barrels can be found, but it's not always easy to find some in decent shape...a lot of them are pretty beat up. That right there would easliy merit this purchase price, to me.
Good luck with your decision & let us know how the story ends.
October 29, 2010
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I am now an official member of the Dan Wesson family. Gun looks nice, but appears to have more wear than seller described. I think it has been used more than one box as seller described, but I am not an expert. He said he bought it in early 80's and never shot it. It is a Model 14, 71-72 era. The bluing is worn along lines, but for it's age, it looks nice. I will try to post some pics soon. All things considered, I am happy with the gun. I have already installed each barrel on gun(2 1/2", 4", 6"). All screwed on nice with no cross thread or burr problems.
One important question I have is about setting barrel gap. There is slight fore and aft movement in cylinder. If I put feeler gage between cylinder and barrel, install shroud and lock it down I can pull back on cylinder and feeler gage is loose. If I pull back on cylinder while setting barrel with feeler gage, install shroud and lock it down, when I release cylinder, the feeler gage appears tight.
Basically do you take in to consideration the fore and aft movement of cylinder when setting the barrel gap or do you just let the cylinder "find it's home" when you set the barrel gap?
As I have it set now, the gap measures .006" with cylinder pulled back and .0015" with cylinder in "at home" postition. This equates to a fore and aft "slop" of .0045". Is this a problem? Do I need to take it to a gunsmith or can it be remedied at home (if it is a concern).
Thanks again for all your advise and I look forward to more posts and definetly following this site. I have fulfilled one of my gun acquisiton's "bucket list" and am considering adding another DW. Bob K
February 11, 2010
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Set it at rest("at home"), the fore and after movement you mentioned is the cylinder alignment
ball in the frame do it's job.
-Blacktop
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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I would not gap to any tighter than .002, I normally gap to a snug .006, which yields about .003 for me. IT IS IMPORTANT that you check the gap on all 6 chambers, and gap to the tightest one. DW cylinder faces were often not consistently square.
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
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January 24, 2009
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These guys covered your gap questions, so I'll just add a big CONGRATS!
If you can, we'd sure love to see some
of your newest arrival. We're always looking for some new DW pics to drool over.
October 29, 2010
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Thanks for the info on barrel gap. I reset mine with.006 gage (some pressure) with cylinder at rest, all 6 chambers. After removing .006 gage I was unable to re-install it, but could get .003 gage in with slight to no drag on gage, so I feel I am there. Pics coming soon. Bob K
February 20, 2008
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Congrats and have fun!~!
Photo
If you're going to drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
October 29, 2010
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Trying to post pics of my Model 14, but can't get it to work. I am border-line ignorant when it comes to this. I took the pics and put them in a file on my desktop, but when I try to drag the pics onto the post, it goes to another screen and I have to re-post to try again. Any suggestions on what I am doing wrong? Thanks, Bob K
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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Bob, give this a try... https://www.danwessonforum.com/?page_id=193
If it still gives you grief, let me know & I'll give you my e-mail address to send them to. Then I'll post them here for you.
October 29, 2010
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Here are the pics I took. I think I finally figured out how to load them. Here is a picture of the 6" and 4" barrels. Not sure why the 6" is so shiny on the end compared to other barrels.
It appears some of the bluing is worn on longer barrels. Not sure if this is from use or sitting in a safe for many years.
This is everything I got for $550. Looks like an original barrel tool and a newer style.
There is some wear along lines, but not bad for a 40 year old (I think) gun.
October 29, 2010
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I have one more question regarding my pistol. When I lock up cylinder (cock hammer, then pull trigger and slowly release hammer keeping trigger back) I can move cylinder rotationally. I compared this to my colt anaconda and it does the same thing, but not as much movement. Is this something I should be concerned about? I would think the movement would be very slight. The part that engages cylinder does move side to side, but without removing side plate, it's hard to know if this is normal. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks Bob K
February 11, 2010
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That's normal, hard to measure how much rotational movement is too much, it's
kind of a "get the feel of it" kind of thing. Go to a gun shop and grab some
new S&W's and Rugers, you will be suprised the more or less "play" there are
in new ones and the difference from one to the next, no matter same
or different model's, even two different of the same model.
-Blacktop
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January 24, 2009
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I agree with Blacktop, the rotational play does vary from one gun to another, especially when they have seen some range time. Some guns just loosen up a bit more than others. I wouldn't worry about it unless you feel it's shaving or spitting lead when you shoot it. THEN it's a problem.
Judging from the shiny barrel end & the additional finish wear on the 6" shroud, I would guess that the previous owner probably shot that barrel primarily. From the pics & your description, it looks like you found yourself an excellent M14 Porkchop, way to go!
Thanks for sharing the
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