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October 26, 2014
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As you may have seen in previous posts, I was given a 15-2 .357 magnum.
Since receiving it, I've shot perhaps 50 rounds through it, but yesterday was my first opportunity to go really shoot it.
I put 100 rounds through it of Herter's 158 grain FMJ - basic target stuff. It shot well, and had no issues. This morning, when I went to load it for carry, the cylinder is stuck. It won't rotate unless I really force it to.
Now - I have not cleaned the gun after yesterday's outing. So - is this a cleaning issue?
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Dans Club
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November 17, 2008
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Probably just needs cleaning. Check the cylinder gap and clean the face of the cylinder if it is rubbing. I suspect some power and or carbon got on the cylinder / crane pivot area. I doubt 100 rounds would jam one up but stranger things have happened. Clean everything up good and let us know what you found.
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Going WAY out on a limb here 
, it's almost certainly a B/C (barrel>cylinder) gap issue.
All kidding aside, the great advantage of DW interchangeable barrels is also it's greatest curse. On a cold, clean gun, the gap could be set to .002 on the tightest chamber. You need to check all the chambers for this to work. Be aware that as the gun "dirties up" gap issues emerge. DW cylinders (and many others as well) are not uniformly square and flat on the front face. The mainstream revolver makers build their guns to .006 (or more) gap just to make these issues be non-issues.
So yes this is partially a cleaning issue (Herter's may be a kind of dirty ammo?) and gap setting to .002 on the proudest chamber fixes this issue. If you are expecting a lot of shooting (everything gets hot and gap shrinks) go a little looser than .002
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
October 26, 2014
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Thanks, LBruce... that's what I was thinking, too. Also, something I did not mention in my original post is that this was gifted to me, and I haven't cleaned it since receiving it - so there's no telling how many rounds have been put through since it was last given a really good cleaning.
Are there any websites you folks would recommend that might tell a revolver rookie how to properly give the 15-2 a true breakdown for a full cleaning?
October 26, 2014
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Thanks, Steve CT... I should also add that the cylinder won't spin on the ejector rod when wide open, so there's something more than just the gap that's at play here.
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Dans Club
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November 17, 2008
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https://www.danwessonforum.com/forum/reloading/tuning-up-your-15-2-the-average-joe-method/
This is a great resource to take down your DW. No need to do the entire tuneup, just do the parts you feel are needed. Good luck.
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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lbruce said
https://www.danwessonforum.com/forum/reloading/tuning-up-your-15-2-the-average-joe-method/This is a great resource to take down your DW. No need to do the entire tuneup, just do the parts you feel are needed. Good luck.
LB
Even if you do not do the spring change, stoning and fitting..., a real in depth cleaning fixes a LOT of problems.
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
October 26, 2014
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Oh, how I love this forum. This is an amazing resource. Thanks for sharing this with me!!!
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Sam- Use the AJT info to tear that gun down as far as you feel comfortable, it really sounds to me like you have a safe queen that has not been cleaned in years, and has built up crud in all the wrong places.
CLP, Q-tips, and a dental pick will almost certainly fix your issues.
Let us know how we can help.
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
October 26, 2014
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SteveCT... help me out here... what is CLP?
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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CLP is a sort of generic term for:
Clean
Lubricate
Protect
I have always used BreakFree CLP for no particular reason except it was available and seems to be pretty friendly to most finishes.
I think there are a variety of CLP brands
Keep asking questions, we all learn from the answers
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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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Sam, I use Automatic Transmission Fluid to flush out and lubricate when I get a new old gun and don't do the tuneup. You really must do the tuneup. After cleaning do not leave too much lubricant in the lockwork. Any problems we can help you with. The cylinder probably just needs cleaning and greasing. I like Rem Oil in the spray can for after shooting just for the convenience. I would just clean the first go around. Smoothing and springs are optional. Did you get a barrel tool and wrenches?.If not, PM me but I cannot seem to answer. Sometimes threads from cotton swabs get stuck in the extractor or ejector.
October 26, 2014
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Thanks, Ole Dog. Please let me know if you got my PM saying "thanks". If not, I'd like to know so I can mail you a letter.
October 26, 2014
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So.... Here's what happened.
After reading the very helpful posts in this thread and reading through all of the links (which are AMAZING), I took my 15-2 apart tonight and found that the part of the crane that the cylinder revolves around was full of RUST! It was horribly thick, and it made total sense why this wasn't working well.
I did get a hold of the former owner of this firearm, and he explained that in 15+ years of owning, he had never taken it apart, and he was certain that his relative whom he bought it from (original owner from 1977) had never even shot it.
All is now well. Thanks for all of the helpful tips on cleaning products, as my 15-2 is now lubed, shiny, and ready to run.
This forum is amazing.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
March 27, 2009
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Now beware of this problem many have fallen to! You have one Dan you will own more in the near future! Glad it all worked out!
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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And... you MUST take them all apart! Well, at least that's my recommendation.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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A real success story. Sam, I did get your thank you PM. If you ever need misc. Small parts check with me. I have a bunch. I too fixed one of my first dans. What a blast. I am screw driver challenged but did it with the help of the forum. Once you do it , it is like riding a bike but way more fun. Many gunsmiths are scared of dans because they are not familar with them. Before the DWF not much was known about them and consequently most smiths do not like or are not knowledgable about dans. THANK YOU Jody. I hope many new Dan owners read this and get the courage to use those little allen wrenches and explore .
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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jsmidd said
So.... Here's what happened.
After reading the very helpful posts in this thread and reading through all of the links (which are AMAZING), I took my 15-2 apart tonight and found that the part of the crane that the cylinder revolves around was full of RUST! It was horribly thick, and it made total sense why this wasn't working well.
I did get a hold of the former owner of this firearm, and he explained that in 15+ years of owning, he had never taken it apart, and he was certain that his relative whom he bought it from (original owner from 1977) had never even shot it.
All is now well. Thanks for all of the helpful tips on cleaning products, as my 15-2 is now lubed, shiny, and ready to run.
This forum is amazing.
And the Truth Shall Set You Free!!
Many DW's have been safe queens for a lot of years, clean it, lube it, polish it a little!
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
September 28, 2008
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I've had some scary stuff come out of old 15-2's. One I bought was full of the biggest unburned powder flakes (like little discs) that I have ever seen. When I took the sideplate off, it was so loaded up that it was hard to believe it was able to fire in DA. A few minutes cleaning, and then about 10 minutes to get the barrel off, it was full of that weird old white lube they used, hardened into like concrete. Most of the others haven't been like that, just really dirty, and a couple of barrels were full of lead. They all came out looking great.
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