Just picked up a Model 14

[DonT]

Just picked up a model 14 in nice condition with an 8", 4" and 2" barrel in 357.  Although I have owned other revolvers over the years this is my first Dan Wesson and I have few questions...

1. I noticed the frame on mine is more of a plumb color and the sideplate, cylinder, crane and barrel shroud are blued.  It was built in Monson, Mass.  I am assuming this is due to the this part (the frame) being of a different material or cast, is this correct?

2. Are there any particular parts to keep on hand as spares that commonly need replacing?

Thanks much for the help..

DonT

[RollTide]

The plunb coloring is common and I don't know what causes it.

As far as spares, springs are about the only things I can think of, and they rarely need to be replaced.  Personally, other than barrels, grips, and sights, I don't keep any spares for my Dan Wesson guns, although I do keep spares on my semi-auto pistols.

[Feldhege]

I am glad to hear that about your M14. I just purchased a Model 15 in 38 Special and it has the same thing. Frame is one color and the sideplate, cylinder, and Barrel are another. Thought it was maybe someone's project gun but the dealer assured me that this is how it came when the owner (now deceased) got it. He had asked the widow the same thing. She said that was one of the reasons he like "That Ugly Gun" was for it's character.

Robb

[Cowboybart]

Spare Parts:
I would get an extra barrel nut.  These have a trendacy to be soft and the 2 recesses for the barrel wrench may get boogered up.
I would also get and extra "hand".  This is the lever inside the frame that pushes up on the center section of the ejector.  This hand controls timing when shooting double action.  This is made soft because they want the hand to wear rather than the ejector.  The ejector has alot af machining in it and would be costly to replace.
I think they both go for around $9 each

The plumb color comes from getting the blueing solution too hot during the bluing process.  When the solution gets old it weakens. In order to get the metal to take a blue w/ weak solution the temp is raised.  When the temp goes too high it will turn the metal purple.  Sometimes this may take a year or so for it to turn purple.  OR the guy that did the blueing wasn't paying attention.