Silhouette VH22 10 inch

[donzov]

I just bought a VH22 10 inch bull barrel silhouette. The person I bought it from said it was brand new in the box and that the factory had their very best gunsmith hand select all of the parts and assemble the gun. The serial # is the guys initials and 40X40 suggesting that this story may be true. He got it in 1992 and it sat in a closet for 12 years.
    What I need to know is whether or not this gun was worth what I paid or not. I haven't been able to fire it since the barrel nut broke when I went to set the cylinder gap and is at a gunsmiths who is trying to get it apart.
    The finish is a nice bright blue but they put it over all kinds of machineing marks on the gun. The gunsmith said he's never seen a Dan Wesson that didn't have nicks and gauges on it from the factory.
    So. what's it worth? How do I get parts and stuff since DW doesn't answer their phone? Will all other DW .22 barrels and shrouds fit it? and did the factory actually go out of their way to build guns for Individuals?
    I just happened to get it back from the smith and went to the range and this gun is the most inaccurate thing I have ever seen! Something is very wrong with this gun. what could it be? everything is tight,clean and brand new. but it shoots 7 inch groups at 25 yards and won't even hit a sheet of paper at 50.
    PLEASE HELP ME.
                                                            Donzov

[monson_magnum]

Wow. That's the first time I've heard of a DW being inacurate. The only thing that I've heard of that could cause that would be excesive cylinder gap, or a loose barrel nut. Any chance with that 10" barrel you're just wiggling too much. Have someone else shoot it just to see what happens.

I know DW does make custom gun's now, but I don't know if they did back then. You can get the part's from them. Just keep calling. They're a small operation and are now very buisy make the hell out of 1911 stuff.

I've eyballed many Dan Wesson's and never seen any with nick's and guage's. Doesn't sound like you're too happy with your purchase. Good luck. Cal

[wiley]

one of these, yesterday. Only shot it a few rounds, indoor at 7yds. All in one hole. Finish is excellent, only wear and tear externally was consistent with its age. Internally, there was a bit of wear on the action parts.
This one is set up to do single action, only. If forced, it will "kinda" do double action; but grinds metal. SA trigger pull is really nice and the 10" VH barrel really damps me out.
If you don't like yours, make me a nice price.

[donzov]

Thanks for your replies, I'm really stumped on this. When I got it the guy said to set the barrel gap at .006, I did so and used blue loctite. Useing the supplied gage it had a snug .006 fit, it takes a little effort to wiggle the gage around and it does'nt bind when you turn the cylinder.
    The barrel nut is tight, after my first time shooting I figured it must be loose. So I broke it loose and tightened it again, it's tight alright, the nut broke, so I'm buying parts for it already. Is there any place that sells parts other than DW?
    Well anyway it's tight. so I tried it again (300 rounds and at least 10 cleanings figureing maybe it needed to be broken in) The best I got was a 3 inch group at 10 yds. Is it possible to get it to tight?
    So I'm still looking for help and hope that I can get this gun figured out so it shoots as well as it's supposed to and can use it in silhouette.
    As far as selling it, What's it worth? I wouldn'd want to rip anyone off but I don't want to take a beating worse than I already have.
                                         Thanks again,   Donzov

[monson_magnum]

I would not use lock tite on the barrel nut. It doesn't have to be that tight. Did you brake it tightening it or loosening it.

As far as the part's go, you can check with other supplier's, but I bet they would have to order it from DW.

[wiley]

the big bore manual (on pages 5 and 6)
http://www.danwessonfirearms.com/large%20frame%20manual.pdf
Just at snug is all that's needed. Given that the ring broke, I'd guess that it was tightened well past that. I also have to wonder if part of the accuracy problem is the result of damage to the crown. I'd take the barrel out and look at both ends for damage, since the forcing cone at the cylinder end could be a problem, too. These can be repaired, if not too bad. Lot's of cleaning can be harful, too.
Looking at the web page: http: //www.danwessonfirearms.com/ , there is a list of distributers and stocking dealers. I also see parts on AA, GB and ebay: what do you need?
Prices range from $400, mint to $200, per Blue Book; but that's for ones that are not problematic.
I'd recommend that you continue with a call to DW, their page says they respond to calls after 2:30PM eastern.

[wiley]

2 More: http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/Home/default.aspx
 and a G/L ad: Herbs Guns at 541-851-0547

[donzov]

I managed to get a new nut and installed it according to the manual and your suggestions and it now shoots 3 inches at 25 yards, not as good as the seller implied. As far as I'm concerned the guy lied about everything.
    I tried closing the cylinder gap but it binds on one chamber at .004 and will not turn. I'm thinking about sending it back to DW for a complete going through, it appears to me that the cylinder is bad since the chambers are very loose and there are machining marks on the face of it, also the bluing is coming off the cylinder very badly where the locks ride on it.
    I feel now that if I keep throwing good money after bad someday this gun will be worth using in competition, but for now it's just too embarressing to shoot around others.
                                                                 donzov

[El Hombre]

Try some different ammo. My 722 is very finicky about the brand. I was very frustrated with mine when I first bought it, my old "loose" Ruger single six would group tighter. I experienced HUGE differences in group size just by changing ammo. Winchester T22 does well for me, as does Eley. Some guns are just choosey about what they like. Keep trying & you'll find some ammo to produce those groups you're after.
Good Luck!

[dawg_doc]

Try some different ammo. My 722 is very finicky about the brand. I was very frustrated with mine when I first bought it, my old "loose" Ruger single six would group tighter. I experienced HUGE differences in group size just by changing ammo. Winchester T22 does well for me, as does Eley. Some guns are just choosey about what they like. Keep trying & you'll find some ammo to produce those groups you're after.
Good Luck!

Let me second this comment.  I tried nearly 15 different brands in my DW.  Most would be real accurate up to 75 yards, but fall apart at 100 (I use it to shoot IHMSA).  I was getting extremely frustrated.  Bought a brick of Wolf MT and it seems to love it.  Shot the two best scores I've ever shot with it yesterday.