Tweet
I recently acquired a DW .357 (not sure which model, nothing on the gun indicates). Everything seems in order, it feels tight and shoots accurately using .38 special ammo. When I shoot a magnum round there is a unusual amount of flare from the side. I'm used to a pretty big fireball from the muzzle, but the flare from the cylinder makes me real nervous (only did it twice, second time to make sure I wasn't imagining it). I am new to revolvers and have never fired a Dan Wesson so I'm not sure if this is typical. Is there a gunsmith in Marin County that I could take this to to get a professional opinion? Sorry if this is in the wrong forum.
-
-
Describe "unusual"...?
Depending on the type of ammo, it could be normal. -
I shot my friend's DW .357 in the '80's (with interchangeable barrels in different lengths) and also had this phenomenon. It seems to be the norm with DW's. But, check it out with a gunsmith just to be sure.Comment
-
Sounds like excessive gap between the barrel and cylinder. Did you get the tool and feeler gauge the revolver came with to adjust that?"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
"What we get away with isn't usually the same as what's good for us"
"An extended slide stop is the second most useless part you can put on a 1911"
"While Ruger DA revolvers may be built like a tank, they have the aesthetics of one also,
although I suppose there are a few tanks which I owe an apology to for that remark"Comment
-
no it is'nt, send it to me for safe keeping.
What is happing is the gap between the crown(end of barrel) and cylinder is over .006 thousands of an inch and it needs to be adjusted, this is common when changing barrels if not gaped properly, you need a feeler gage that you can get from Brownells or Midway to set it right.
Great guns have fun and be safe!sigpic
Thieves are the lowest form of life out there, except for liberal politicians, of course, but that's redundant.Comment
-
Thanks for the quick replies. The gun didn't come with anything, so I'll try to get some info about the gap and adjusting it.Comment
-
you need the tool at least... set the gap at .007 I believe
try:
and email
Last edited by El Gato; 09-14-2009, 2:55 PM.Greebo, as a matter of feline pride, would attempt to fight or rape absolutely anything, up to and including a four-horse logging wagon. Ferocious dogs would whine and hide under the stairs when Greebo sauntered down the street. Foxes Kept away from the village. Wolves made a detour. Terry PratchettComment
-
Heres a link to where you can buy the tool :
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
"What we get away with isn't usually the same as what's good for us"
"An extended slide stop is the second most useless part you can put on a 1911"
"While Ruger DA revolvers may be built like a tank, they have the aesthetics of one also,
although I suppose there are a few tanks which I owe an apology to for that remark"Comment
-
On a 357Magnum, you can set the gap as low as .003", and that's where I'd set it. More boost, less side flash. You really want .002" but since there's some fudge factor with most feeler gauges, go for .003" for reliability. If you end up below .002" it will crud up pretty quickly.
At .002" it will crud up somewhere between 30 and 50 rounds or so in 38spl or 357...you'll get max boost on the bullets but some people aren't happy with having to wipe down the cylinder face and back of barrel every 30 to 40 rounds, and some ammo is dirtier and will crud it up faster than that. However, a .002" gap gives you the fastest boost on the bullet. If you're good about cleaning your guns, your carry loads are quality stuff and you want absolute max performance, I'd try for .002" with very good feeler gauges - not cheap Asian stuff, GOOD US-made.
Best case, take your feeler gauges to a machine shop and have them verified - at least the .002", .003" and .004".Comment
-
Good link...Heres a link to where you can buy the tool :
In the 80's I was a warranty repair person for DW in the OC area... great gun to work on... they will work better if setup properly with the factory feeler gauge.. not tight just touching ...some of the cylinders are not faced square and need a little gap.. most are good YMMV....they are superbly accurate revolvers and the action can be made very very smooth... my company made one off short action guns and we did trigger work on them and it was amazing how smooth you can get a dw revolver... my .44 mag is amazing... good luck and enjoy your gun...
Greebo, as a matter of feline pride, would attempt to fight or rape absolutely anything, up to and including a four-horse logging wagon. Ferocious dogs would whine and hide under the stairs when Greebo sauntered down the street. Foxes Kept away from the village. Wolves made a detour. Terry PratchettComment
-
I ordered the tool, should be here next week. Thanks again to everyone that replied. To anyone who is on the fence about a Dan Wesson firearm I say - get one. It feels amazing. I've fired Rugers and Smith and Wessons (both great 357s) and to me the DW feels superior.Comment
-
With my DW, I simply cranked it into the cylinder then backed it out until daylight cracked into the gap. Gave 1/4 more turn and cinched up the nut."A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself...A murderer is less to fear. The traitor is the plague."......CiceroComment
There are currently 6650 users online. 112 members and 6538 guests.
Most users ever online was 239,041 at 10:39 PM on 02-14-2026.
Comment