Author Topic: SOLVED - Troubles with my DW 44V10. (Read 796 times)

schick · « **on:** September 21, 2005, 07:03:32 PM »

I have what I think is a model 44V10 (vented 10" 44 mag). It's a Monson wit a real low serial number.

I have experienced the same problem with it since I bought it used a few years back. While shooting it (I want to to compete with it in handgun silhouette) I find that once in a while I'll cock it, pull the trigger, and "click!". I then swing the cylinder out and find that the hammer has dropped on an already fired chamber. This happens way too much, and is driving me crazy. I thought that maybe it was just me, and my grip, but friends have had the same trouble while shooting it. It's a real pain during a timed silhouette competition.

Some kind soul up here in Canada suggested I have a shim installed on my crane. Does this sound right? Is it something a newbie to revolvers can handle himself? Does the shim go just ahead of the cylinder?

I ask this becasue I am not aware of a DW service technician in Canada that can do the job, and shipping to the stats is apparently a nightmare. I may be forced to do this mysefl.

Has anyone else experienced this chamber jumping issue? Someone mentioned it was a problem with older smith and wessons.

Mayor of Hobbs Knob · « **Reply #1 on:** September 22, 2005, 02:21:56 AM »

I'm sure you've thought of this, but if the cyclinder gap is set real close, sometimes when things get warm the cyclinder will expand and drag against the barrel causing all manner of problems. I keep mine a little loose and it seems to prevent a lot of problems.

georgemu · « **Reply #2 on:** September 22, 2005, 03:56:08 AM »

Had the same problem with my DW357, was RELIABLE IN DOUBLE ACTION but not in single action. Check out your double action mode. If that's OK it may be the hand. Had to remove material from the fwd lower face of the hand..go slow. On my 445SM, same frame as 44 but longer cylinder opening, the crane lock broke and a piece interferred with the action. Also the hand spring could be at fault. If your not mechanically inclined take it to a gunsmith. The 445 was difficult to reassemble the the hand is pricey $$$$

Below are pics of my 357hand..the 445 mechanics are similar but has a modular trigger housing. Arrow indicates area removed.....
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/georgemu1/PublicView/5b450ec5.jpg

Hand contact area.....partially cocked....
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/georgemu1/PublicView/8e8f8d16.jpg

georgemu · « **Reply #3 on:** September 22, 2005, 05:41:25 AM »

This may help:

This is off the old DW website:
Dave

DISASSEMBLY, REASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS FOR DAN WESSON DESIGN LARGE AND SUPERMAG FRAME SERIES REVOLVERS
MAKE SURE REVOLVER IS UNLOADED
REMOVE GRIP SCREW AND GRIP
REMOVE MAINSPRING GUIDE RETAINING SCREW
COCK HAMMER AND INSERT MAINSPRING GUIDE RETAINING SCREW INTO BOTTOM OF MAINSPRING GUIDE AND THREAD IN 2-3 COMPLETE TURNS TO RETAIN MAINSPRING TENSION
RELAX HAMMER
USE DRIFT PUNCH TO TAP OUT HAMMER/TRIGGER PIN FROM EITHER SIDE OF THE RECEIVER
USE PUNCH OR SCREWDRIVER TO DEPRESS TRIGGER GUARD LATCH
PULL BACK ON TRIGGER AND REMOVE TRIGGER ASSEMBLY DOWNWARD
REMOVE HAMMER UPWARD
USE 1/16" DRIFT PUNCH TO REMOVE STRUT RETAINING PIN
REMOVE STRUT, STRUT PLUNGER AND STRUT SPRING
REINSTALL HAMMER MAKING SURE THAT IT IS PROPERLY SEATED IN THE MAINSPRING
COCK HAMMER
POSITION TRIGGER ASSEMBLY BACK INTO BOTTOM OF RECEIVER MAKING SURE THAT THE CONNECTOR AND HAND ARE IN FRONT OF THE HAMMER
PULL TRIGGER TO "FIRE" POSITION AND PRESS TRIGGER ASSEMBLY UPWARDS AS FAR AS IT WILL GO
RELAX TRIGGER
DEPRESS TRIGGER GUARD LATCH AND PUSH TRIGGER ASSEMBLY UPWARDS TO ORIGINAL POSITION
RELAX TRIGGER GUARD LATCH ALLOWING IT TO GO INTO POSITION IN THE RECEIVER
ALIGN HAMMER HOLE WITH HAMMER/TRIGGER PIN HOLE IN RECEIVER AND REINSERT HAMMER/TRIGGER PIN
COCK HAMMER
REMOVE MAINSPRING GUIDE RETAINING SCREW FROM BOTTOM OF MAINSPRING GUIDE AND RETURN TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION

http://www.gunsworld.com/exploded/dan44.htm

schick · « **Reply #4 on:** November 12, 2005, 07:08:50 AM »

I found a good gunsmith in my area, and he fixed me right up.

I brought the DW in and described the problem. It took him less than a minute to figure out it was probably just my bolt plunger spring. He was right.
It works great now. The bolt did feel a little soft (Now that he mentioned it). He put a much stiffer spring in. It was a little bigger and woudln't quite fit over the plunger, so he turned me a new plunger with a slightly smaller diameter.

I couldn't be happier. No more of the annoying "click" during a IHMSA match. My test firings show it to function perfectly. Now I just have to find the perfect load for Frontier brand electroplated bullets in 245 grain weight.

RollTide · « **Reply #5 on:** November 12, 2005, 05:56:44 PM »

Thanks for the update. I am glad it was something simple.

Roll Tide

darrell8937 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2005, 03:24:14 PM »

I too had a similar problem,, but with light primer strikes. Would misfire average two per cylinder(1/3) of the time.. Buoght a new mainspring and Üreka"works great now. Bang Bang every time.. Got the part thru Numrich... The spring was shorter but of a heavier gauge wire. I got the gun cheap and am very happy. Where else can you get a quality revolver for 200 bucks.