New DW Owner questions...

[grywht]

Hello all,

Just inherited a Monson produced 15-2 with an 8" VH barrel.  Shoots pretty decent...best groups are 3" at 25 yds from a sandbag rest (first handgun I've ever fired) My offhand groups are about 4" from said distance.  I've heard a lot about these things being "tack drivers" and am slightly disappointed with my results.

After firing & cleaning it a few times, I've become aware of a couple potential problems...

First, the cylinder face doesn't quite seem to be true.  I re-gapped the cylinder gap at .006 (per the manual) and have a couple spots on the cylinder that are a little tighter (.0035).  I understand this is a result of the heat treating process the Monson plant used.  Not too big of a deal, but I'd like to get it trued up.

Second, there is quite a bit of lateral slop in the cylinder during lockup...I have read that this is referred to as "endshake".  Using an automotive feeler gauge, with the cyl closed and the hammer pulled back my measured cylinder-to-barrel gap is .006...when I pull the cylinder back toward the butt of the gun, the gap opens up to .014.  I figure this amounts to .008 of 'endshake'. 

Are these common problems with DW guns, or am I within spec?

I've shot 4-500 rounds thru the weapon (only had about 1-200 shot thru it before I inherited it) and my accuracy really isn't getting any better.  I'm concerned that the variation in cylinder gap from one chamber to another and/or excessive endshake is causing erratic groupings.

Should I contact DW to see if they can't get the old gal tightened up a bit?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Gary

[RollTide]

I would definitely send it to Dan Wesson.  That amount of end shake is NOT typical of the guns I own or have owned in the past.  I think it is a definite suspect in your disappointing accuracy.  Of course many other manufacturers would be glad for that kind of accuracy, but you should get better from a Dan Wesson.

Welcome and enjoy your new firearm.

Roll Tide

[blhof]

What ammo are you using.  My 15-2's got the best accuracy with 150-160 gr cast bullets.  That endshake does seem excessive, usually anything over.008 will start causing lead spitting or buildup around the cylinder face and a loss of power due to excess blowby.  All the DW's that I've shot could get 1" groups with sandbags at 25 yds, with handloads. and the right wt factory loads.  I've shot or owned their 357mag, 357max, 41, and 44 mags.  All were excellent guns.  Scan through the older posts; I believe it was Gary Reeder who has a site that he rebuilds DW's for a fairly reasonable price.  CZ/DW if they will do it may be pricey, but check with them too. 

[RollTide]

Grant Cunningham is the best Dan Wesson smith I know of outside of the factory.  I was not aware the Reeder worked on DW's.

Roll Tide

[oldandslow]

I agree that it should do much better. I have the exact same gun, 15-2VH8 that I bought new. It is absolutely the most accurate revolver I have ever shot. It caused me to trade off a S&W Mod. 14 Target because it wasn't nearly as accurate as the DW. Get the slop in the cylinder fixed and I bet you will be very happy with the gun.

[grywht]

Guys,

Thanks for the info...I contacted Gary Reeder...he says that DW will not sell parts, so he doesn't mess with them.  He recommended the factory.

I called Grant Cunningham last week and he's no longer accepting work (he's backed up for several months).

I called & left a message with the service dept and followed my call up with an e-mail...hopefully I'll hear something from the guys at DW in the next few days.

As for the ammo I'm using...I've experimented with factory loads from CCI, Hornady, Winchester, Remington, and Cor-bon.  Winchester and Hornady loads in .38 spcl and Hornady loads in .357 have been the most accurate.

I have a box of the new Hornady "Lever Revolution" .357's I'm itching to try...but I'm a little too distraught at the thought of my gun needing repairs to shoot it at the moment.

Gary