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August 22, 2013
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Hey folks, thanks for keeping such a nice forum for all of us to enjoy! I just picked up a model 14-2 with a 4 inch and a 6 inch barrel. Have a couple of questions, hope you'll bear with me.
First, it seems that the model 15 barrels/shrouds will work with the 14-2. How about the front sights? will it need filed down or modified in any way since the 14-2 is non-adjustable? I'm toying with the idea of an 8 inch barrel with optics just for kicks... really wanting to get into handgun hunting (mainly with my open sight ruger in .41 mag) but would be a cool addition to have an 8 inch revolver to squeeze as much as possible out of this .357.
Second... I have had AWFUL experiences with taurus revolvers, 2 brand new ones have kaboomed in my hands with factory ammo and first shot in both guns. I'm a little skittish from anything except ruger now. I'm certainly not implying that DW is a poorly made gun, this thing feels great, but due to my past kabooms I'd like to know what I need to check out specific to a DW to make reasonably sure that it is 'safe'... Notice the quotation marks there, I'm experienced with all types of guns and realize none are SAFE from a kaboom, but just a little advice regarding DW specifically.
Third... When I got it, I was having an issue with the hammer not catching in single action mode, I found a reference on the internet to the grip screw needing a washer, I made a small washer for it and all seems well, is this a common issue and was this a proper fix?
Fourth... in double action mode it seems the cylinder is turning right up until the hammer drops. Everything seems to be locking up on "time" but this is far different from my rugers where the cylinders turn, lock, then the hammer drops. I can easily "stage" the double action pull on my ruger, having only had this DW revolver for a couple of hours I've not figured out how to stage it by feel yet. anyhow, does this sound proper for double action mechanics?
Fifth... how tight do I make that barrel nut? obviously I don't have a torque wrench to fit it, but I am a skilled mechanic so to me "really tight" would be breaking the plastic wrench... Should it be just shy of breaking the wrench? how about loctite, yes, no, HE%& NO? haha
I want to thank you in advance, we do NOT have competent gunsmiths in our area but that's ok because I am a DIY guy anyhow with extensive background in "appalachian engineering" and repairing every kind of mechanical device you can think of. I fully understand getting responses of "take it to a gunsmith" but what I'm looking for here is just comparable mechanics to known "good" revolvers that you may have. Thanks again!
Goober
P.S. as per the screenname, I'm a big Dukes of Hazard fan haha... Oh yeah, here's a pic for all you fine folks...
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Welcome to the Forum! You'll soon want another Dan over another Rooger....
1- You can use a 15-2 shroud. Just visit EWK and get a replacement front sight. His shop is linked in the right margin.
2- +P rated all day long; no worries as long as you have a properly functioning revolver.
3- good fix. Thanks for researching the symptom before just posting a question.
4- no issue as it is locked before the hammer falls.
5- NO locktite! Snug is the term I'd use. Take the wrench with you to the range so you can tighten if needed. I prefer to use a little (slide) grease on the threads. Some use anti sieze. Some don't use anything. Just take her apart every so often and clean the threads- you'll have years of shooting enjoyment.
Finally- if you run into an issue w/ the DW- ask here, if you can't find an answer. Plenty of experience to walk you through any problem, I'd say.
Best Regards, Ron
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
August 22, 2013
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thanks! I made sure to gap the cylinder correctly and all that jazz, just wanted to make sure I had the barrel tight enough, and the biggest cause of concern was the cylinder turning until the hammer fell. I guess these are just made to a little closer tolerances than rugers, so they were able to time them a little "quicker"...
One more question, I was cruising the EWK site, found some 6 inch RH shroud only links. Looks like these are for mounting optics, before I drop him an email (sounds like he's a busy dude) is this what I need to be looking for? would be nifty to just keep the 6 inch and only buy a shroud.
I can see a real addiction here, I'll have to watch it!
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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You can get an RH if you want to mount an optic- DWs are like Barbie dolls for men... If you pick up a plain 15-2 shroud, this is the front sight you need.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
August 22, 2013
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thank you very much! I followed a link in SteveCt's signature from The High Road here. I'm glad I saw that link!
I think I'll save up some pennies and get that done, that sounds like the way to go since EWK is sold out of the 8 inch barrel/shroud combos...
The great news is I own a farm with depredation permits for deer, so I'll get to give this .357 a real workout on some 4 legged varmints! I like the idea of using my iron sights, but an optic that is so easily swapped sounds like a real winner! hah
Thanks for all the help! I'm sure I'll be on here from time to time to report fun times.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Welcome to DWF, we indeed did meet for the first time on THR, good to see you here
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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July 2, 2011
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Everybody seems to have you well covered, so I'll just say welcome.
To the paranoid people who check behind shower curtains for murderers:
if you find one...what's your plan?
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Dans Club
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November 17, 2008
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Welcome to the world of DW and DWF. Sounds like your questions were answered well, but I will just add the suggestion to park the plastic barrel wrench and get the EWK wrench. A quality wrench goes a long way to prevent stripped barrel nuts. As much as I rave about the quality of DW, the plastic wrenches are prone to failure.
I can see a real addiction here, I'll have to watch it!
To late you are infected! 
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
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January 24, 2009
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goober said
I can see a real addiction here, I'll have to watch it!
I'll 2nd what LB stated, it's too late to resist, just sit back & let your wallet do the talking. before long, your DW stash may resemble this...
On the "Dukes fan" subject, I am a fan too. Much of my formative days were spent watching the GL fly & Daisy do her thing!
Even though I only watched the first two seasons faithfully, the Dukes series had an impression on me, of course the '69 Charger was the real star, and I didn't forget it. I bought my '70 in October 1985 & I still have it. No it's not restored...not yet. I hope to get that ball rolling one day soon, but since October 1993 it's been my garage queen.
So far I guess it's could still classified as "survivor" status. I bet maybe four hours of wrenching & a bunch of parts could have it driving further than my driveway. Some days I'm tempted to do just that & drive a 2nd Gen Charger around town wearing much of it's history for all to see.
Here's a shot from it's daily driver days from June '91. Both 1/4's are wrinkled, I only know the history on the right one, the left was Bondoed & painted from a previous owner.
Those old Keystone's I horse-traded from some guy sometime in 1990, he had them on a '74 Nova. They are still on it today. These days it's got uncapped headers, I think I'll fire it up for it's 1/4 annual start-up & fuel purge this weekend.
August 22, 2013
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NICE RIDE!!! I'm a youngster by some standards, 34, but I owned a fairly successful restoration business before the economic bust, I gave up the business (maybe not for good, but for now) when I started seeing cars going on craigslist for what I knew they paid for the paint job alone... Sad, but when you're losing a house, I guess selling off your toys is just what folks have to do.
I like this revolver more and more every hour... I initially got it as "trading stock" and something interesting to play with a bit, but the more I find out about them, the more I think I need to keep her around. Seems that EWK is sold out of 8 inch barrel/RH shroud combos, was toying with the idea of just getting a shroud for the 6 inch though, since they seem to be in stock... I was over looking at "ballistics by the inch" and it seems I can gain another 150 or so FPS out of the 8 inch over the 6 inch, not quite sure if it's worth the extra length and bulk though... Just something I'll have to think on a bit.
The only drawback is this critter is blued. Myself and blued guns do NOT get along well. I'm too cheap to run AC in the house and we live in a humid environment, furthermore our humble little home is really too small to put a decent gun safe in as well (I have been toying with the idea of an in floor safe though). So for now, blued guns have to get wiped down at least once every couple of weeks, and only come out when it's time to use them, I keep my stainless security six as my bedside revolver...
I have been noticing quite the caliber offerings from dan wesson though, if they made a stainless in .41 magnum, I think I'd have to find one 
as I'm a real sucker for the .41 magnum round. Anyhow, thanks a bunch for all the info! I'm sure my wife will learn to hate this forum as much as she despises The High Road hahaha...
We shall see what else I "need for the farm" hehehe, at least I have a somewhat valid excuse to throw out there!
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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The 741- they do exist. Start saving your pennies...
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
August 22, 2013
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now that is a real lust for me... wowza. I don't like purchasing anything off of the internet, and will probably never purchase a gun that way, I can only hope to find one someday
August 22, 2013
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add that to my marlin levergun in .41 mag (the one I dream about finding for sale locally), and the ruger blackhawk with 4 5/8 barrel that got me started on the .41 craze and I'd probably just let all these others go! Might keep the .30-06 for any "long range" stuff I find myself wanting to do, but wowza, what a combo!
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July 2, 2011
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rwsem said
The 741- they do exist. Start saving your pennies...
Yes they do!
To the paranoid people who check behind shower curtains for murderers:
if you find one...what's your plan?
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July 2, 2011
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Say there Charger Fan, couldn't help but notice your security system. That's one mean looking attack cat on guard. 
To the paranoid people who check behind shower curtains for murderers:
if you find one...what's your plan?
August 22, 2013
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gaaahhhh... yall are killin me haha... I guess I'll have to keep on the lookout for a 741 now. Due to the absolutely unattainable marlin in .41, I have researched having a NEF handi-rilfe rechambered. It's "sort of pricey" but really not too much. Can't remember the name of the guy, but he came highly recommended to me, and I think he said $400 bucks for the rechamber, adding sights, and drill/tap some scope mounts as well as tuning the gun. Really not bad, I could have it for around $650 not including shipping, I just really hate to blow that kind of cash on a single shot... I really don't think I'd have an issue selling it for what I had in it though, even though it's a single shot, it seems that those of the .41 cult all drool over a rifle chambered for that caliber.
I do have a hard time justifying it though, as much as I love the .41, there's not much it can do that a .30-30 won't do (aside from making .41 size holes)....
I'm also in the market for a .357 rifle, for the ranges I'm hunting at .357 is fine, I just have some sort of fascination with the .41 haha...
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Well, the logical conclusion is a Thompson Center Contender; Single shot, can be had in 41 MAG, can get a .357 rifle barrel- all in one. All for the price of the Handi-rifle project.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
August 22, 2013
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I'd rather have a thompson encore, I've already got the pistols in those calibers. It's a silly thing to want, for all practical purposes I can do what I need to do with a .41 round out of a handgun, but it's just one of those "wants"...
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January 24, 2009
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brucertx said
Say there Charger Fan, couldn't help but notice your security system. That's one mean looking attack cat on guard.
Good eye, Bruce! He's my little buddy & follows me everywhere. Sometimes that can get annoying though, like when I'm doing an oil change and he insists on sitting on my chest while I'm on my back under the car.
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July 2, 2011
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I know what you mean. I had a shelter rescue cat that was a sweetheart. Except when she insisted plopping her, admittedly overfed, carcass on my chest when I was sleeping.
To the paranoid people who check behind shower curtains for murderers:
if you find one...what's your plan?
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