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April 8, 2009
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Hi to all on the forum. I've always wanted a Dan Wesson, ever since I first saw the article introducing them in the American Rifleman magazine as a kid. Wanted a .44 Mag too, especially after seeing Dirty Harry during the same time period. Now, I've got both of those covered almost 40 years later!
Just bought half of a 44B at a pawn shop; no barrel, Palmer gun. Ordered a 4" barrel from CZ, and a rubber grip for it from Hogue.
Now for my question. How tight can I set the barrel-cylinder gap without tying up the cylinder? I know the manufacturer recommends .006" since that's the size of the gauge they include with the gun, but I'm trying to maximize velocity and accuracy for competition shooting, some of it rapid-fire (silhouette, bowling-pin, etc.). Can I get away with taking it down to .003" that they use on the medium frame guns? How can I find out what year it was made, and what the original configuration was; barrel length and type of shroud (label is partially missing on the box, which itself is really torn up)?
Thanks in advance for all responses.
Slick
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Welcome to DWF, we have answers for most of the questions you are likely to come up with. I strongly urge you to check out the articles in our Archives section. regarding your specific questions:
1) Barrel/cylinder gap for standard calibers (non SuperMags) is spec'd at .006, it is possible to run a tighter gap, but you must check the gap on all 6 cyliders and gap the tightest fitting one. There are variances one many cylinders, and setting the gap on a "loose" one can cause problems. I normally gap to a pretty tight .006, others have gone as tight as .002. test and measure carefully.
2) Year of manufacture is difficult, some of our members have been able to provide some benchmark dates (again, on "Archives") that are tied to DW's that they are the original purchaser for. Serial number assignment was a little haphazard, and virtually no factory records exist
3) Information that may still be on your label will help identify barrel lenght (4, 6, 8, etc) and shroud style (Vent, Heavy, Vent heavy, etc.)
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
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
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Steve pretty much covered your questions, so that leaves me with...
LOL
Hopefully one day we will be able to solve the manufacture date mystery, but for now, we're pretty much shootin' from the hip.
Congrats on finally grabbing a DW, even if it wasn't complete at the start. I hope you got a smokin' deal on it.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
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Slick!
I guess Steve did, in fact, answer most of your questions. I am one of those who sets my gap to .002 on all my DW's. However, it is very important that you set the gap for the tightest cylinder position to the minimum gap you desire. Otherwise you will wind up turning the cylinder with your left hand between shots.
I know this because I've made this mistake. 
We hope you enjoy your DW and don't forget to provide some pics.
December 17, 2008
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Welcome aboard Slick!
I like your story and the "project approach" to getting your DW! Who didn't feel the thrill when ol' Dirty Harry pulled that monster out of his jacket...?
Dan Wesson in Norwich, NY lists parts in addition to what is available from CZ. We have the parts list posted in the Service & Parts forum
April 8, 2009
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Thanks to all for their input.
Dusty, that was one of the moments that really got me into guns later in life. It definitely is a project gun . . . wasn't even cleaned before they put it in the display case.
Zoommb, going to work on getting pics taken tonight . . . need to set up a decent white backdrop if I can find room somewhere in the house.
Charger Fan, hope I got a good price on it @ $250. Throw in the cost of the new barrel and Hogue grip and I'm still under $425 total. Can't touch a Ruger, Taurus or Smith .44 for anywhere in that neighborhood that has the quality of the DW.
SteveCT, thanks for the info on the cylinder gap. I would not have thought to check it on all cylinders!
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Slick-You did well, you're right about the competition, they don't compare well at 3x the price. You did get/did order a barrel tool? BTW, you get a pass on the picture requirement until it's complete, but the you gotta CUTP (Cough Up The Pixels-a new acronym?) eventually.
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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