[Tuoti]

I'm seriously considering a Monson, Mass. SS Dan Wesson .44. The timing checks out good but the cylinder drags a bit when I open it? Any ideas what this might be caused by? TIA - Jon

[dude]

need of a good cleaning most likely

......what exactly do you mean by 'drags'??

[Jim March]

Hmmm...ya, not enough info.

If everything is lined up right and cylinder rotation while in the frame is OK, and it's just a bit of cylinder/frame contact while swinging in and out, not too big a deal. DWs are generally very good guns, once you get around the funky cylinder latch on the crane.

[Tuoti]

When I push the cylinder latch down I have to push on the cylinder to get it out. Not a ton of effort, but more than what it should take. And yes, the gun is in need of a good cleaning. Honestly, I didn't worry about it until I was reading your excellent post Jim about what to check out when buying a used revolver and one guy posted at the end of the thread from the Firing Line site about watching out for cylinder dragging. I'm probably just being too apprehensive - I think I'll buy the gun. The asking is $349 but I'm sure they'll take less. Jon

[stans]

The asking price is not really out of line and if you can get it down a little that would be great. Pushing down on the cylinder release does not completely release the cylinder on a Dan Wesson. There is a spring loaded ball bearing in the recoil plate that places tension on the back of the cylinder. The spring under that ball bearing is usually rather stiff, but this adds to the lock up strength of the revolver. The Monson, Mass guns are considered to be among the best of the Dan Wesson's. When I was in the market for a double action 44 I could not find a Dan Wesson anywhere. My first handgun was a Dan Wesson 357, wish I still had it!

[Jim March]

Most DA revolvers need an extra push to get the cylinder swung out. It has to be fitted pretty tight to make for an accurate gun.

In many ways, the whole idea of a swing-out crane is "nuts", and barely works. Single Action revolvers with a fixed cylinder are inherently more accurate; no DA revolver design with a swing-out cylinder will ever match something like a Freedom Arms SA for consistent accuracy. The new FA 22s on the mid-frame are being described as "frighteningly accurate", with sub-MOA being reported on specimens picked at random on store shelves, and their bigger cousins are almost that good. If you're not up on what "MOA" means, we're talking about guns that can send all six shots into less than an inch - at 100 yards.

The swing-out cylinder makes loading faster, and still leaves you with a solid frame for strength and safety. But an entire "alignment job" happens every time you swing it back in - that fit cannot be the least bit sloppy.

[Tuoti]

Got the gun today - negotiated $300 out the door.

Man, those FA 22's are unreal...my brother used to shoot an old DW .357 magnum w/8" barrel silhouette and was putting softball size groupings at 200 yards - open sights. He would lay down on his back and put the gun against his leg - not sure what position this is called. I'm hoping this .44 is close to being that accurate but we'll see - although I'm not sure I've got it in me to shoot groupings that close even if the gun could.

Appreciate y'all's help and info - Jon

[stans]

I think the shooting position in which you lay on your back and rest the handgun on the side of your knee is called the Creedmore position. Enjoy your new Dan Wesson 44, it is one of the strongest double action revolvers to ever hit the market. Now you need to get to the range so you can give a range report.

[dude]

that "funky Dan Wesson" crane set up is THE most mechanically efficient one there is.

It lines the hinge up directly under the latch so that there is no side or 'cross' tension and also has the rear ball. The cyl rotates into the frame, working 'with' the crane lock-up system to keep things allinged..........not attempting to pull it away like alot of other revolver designs.

The Dan Wesson design does not reload as fast as some of the others out there though, but that is where the superior accuracy of the fore&aft barrel locking system will help you out. You won't need that reload!

The easiest way to load your new DW is to do it one handed.......... place the revolver in your left palm using the thumb to depress the latch and a few of your fingers to easily extend the cyl. It takes a bit of practice.

btw- your new DW should easily match or excede the performance of the FA you have expierence with!!

[stans]

The Dan Wesson design does not reload as fast as some of the others out there

But with practice, it can be a very fast reload. I learned how to manipulate the cylinder when I had my model 15 Dan Wesson and I had no problems. Great guns, greatly under valued.

[foghornl]

The shooting posistion you describe sounds like the "Creedmoor" (sp?), which was used with some very long barreled black powder rifles of the time. I think you can find more info by doing a search for Creedmoor here on THR.

[waynzwld]

I have one of those too, it is the best revolver I have. VERY accurate. In the distant past, I used to have fun taking people who had never shot before to the range and leting them shoot the Dan Wesson. I would give them a little instruction course and show them how to stand and hold the gun correctly and then have them shoot at a 16" steel gong at 200 yards. Most of the time, if they did as taught, just about all of them could hit the gong 4 out of 6 times, with a few of them hitting it 5 out of 6, on their first attempt!. It sure would surprise them that they could even hit it more than once. It's one heck of a revolver, get some ammo and go to the range and have fun!

[SASS#23149]

Do'nt know where it was made,but I had a DW in .357 a few years ago that could drive tacks with the right ammo.It just loved Remington Golden Sabers...spendy little buggers!!
May be swing out revolvers aren't supposed to be accurate,but I don't need any more accuracy than that gun could deliver.
For creedmore position youll probably need a "blast shield" for your leg.I"ve tried it with a t/c and it works well for long range shots.
Enjoy,and give us a range report.

[Tuoti]

1st time shooter, non-rest, and 4 out of 6 at 200 yards? Wayne, you might want to start your own shooters clinic!