Dan Wesson revolver help

[Wormdog]

I purchased a new to me dan Wesson revolver at an estate sale recently. It was made in Mass. From 80-83. This model came with a 2",4", and 8" barrel. Beautiful blueing and visually a safe queen.
My problem is that the cylinder won't close/ seems to be frozen. Do any of you guys have any advice for me?

[Win231]

I've never owned one, but if you're not familiar with the operation, make sure the barrel isn't too close to the front of the cylinder. The gap should be .06, I think. Check with one of those feeler gauges that are probably included in the package.

[Wormdog]

I'll give it a try. Thanks

[newbutold]

Take a look here: https://www.danwessonforum.com/forum/

You bought yourself a very nice hand-gun

[Citadelgrad87]

Did it come with tools?

There should be a barrel wrench, kind of a t handle looking thing, the factory originals are $$$, but repros are still made.

Loosen the notched nut at the muzzle end, remove it, then pull off the shroud and you will see the actual barrel is a thin, unimpressive tube that is shockingly loose in the frame. Unscrew it until the cylinder can close. Then put a feeler gauge in between the forcing cone and the front of the cylinder and lightly tighten.

Dont overdo this, i used to have to take it apart every time when the cylinder would bind on the barrel.

Superb revolver, very accurate.

Congrats and welcome to the club. I bought mine in 1981 or 82.

[Wormdog]

Yup came with 2 sets of tools I'll give it a try right now. It's strange but the arm that holds the cylinder doesn't even budge at all. I'll check out the Wesson forum. Thanks

[Citadelgrad87]

You mean the crane arm is frozen? It might be rusted open?

Look on youtube, there are some good takedown videos.

Get good allen wrenches and be careful and gentle with the sideplate screws.

I stripped a rear sight windage screw once without even trying.

[Wormdog]

Fixed the crane arm and was able to close the cylinder. Was stuck shut from the inside. Now cylinder won't rotate dry firing in da or sa. With cylinder open it will drop the hammer fine. Gauged the barrel and it's within spec.
I'm going to do a complete breakdown now and see what's going on within thing. I think the lock underneath the cylinder is frozen.

[ojisan]

Oil is good.
Rust never sleeps.

[the_tunaman]

Made in Monson, Mass... those are considered to be the best. That was a pistol pack, and sounds like it is missing the 6” barrel. You can occasionally find them listed on eBay or other sites.

There is a forum dedicated to them - Dan Wesson Forums. Lots of good info there, and helpful owners.

I have a .357 and .44 pistol pack. Bought the .44 new back in the day. They are great shooters, and were responsible for a lot of competition wins back in the day.

[Dano3467]

DW still sells barrels & shroud sets.

Also many of the parts like those side plate screws.

[JTROKS]

I bought a DW22 that was rough in DA, but cocking the hammer would rotate the cylinder and will fire. The barrel/cylinder gap was spot on so I thought it may have a broken part inside. Found a schematic and the internals are about the same as the centerfire revolvers. When I removed the side plate I can see a brownish dry film inside and some around the small parts. I thought it was rusted, but after spraying the small parts with Liquid Wrench penetrating oil the brown stuff is rubbing off. After soaking for a few hours all the brown film wiped away. A bit of white lithium grease and a few drops of oil then reassemble the revolver. The gun worked perfectly after that.

If you use WD40 to clean up, my advise is to wipe the WD40 clean then use gun oil or Liquid Wrench Lubricating oil.

[Wormdog]

I cleaned a frozen spring in a plunger tube in the crane arm. Internals are nice now, but the arm that spins the cylinder isn't engaging properly therefore not being able to rotate.
I don't think this gun has ever been shot before. possibly a machining issue and was just thrown in a safe with the rest of the previous owners collection.

[Flouncer]

POS that re-nigged on many customers that ordered. Including me. .357 Rem Max. LMAO. Bout the only revolver that came from the factory stock that shaved bullet jackets back in the face of the shooter. Great safe queen. Better stuff made in Brazil or Argentina. Only Manufacturer I truly want to spit on. So this one is FUBR from just sitting around. Must have had a tough life getting through QA/QC there at the revered BS plant. Hug your HiPoint.

[mikeyr]

I have to disagree with above poster, I have had my Dan Wesson since the mid-1980s, never a problem and always good shooter.