New member here so first off, hello! For the past 12 years I haven't been shooting, but recently the bug bit me again to start backup. I have several hand guns stored away and one of my favorites is a Dan Wesson 744VH. Since it hasn't been fired in 12 years should I have it (and my other handguns) checked out by a gunsmith or are there things I can look for myself to ensure they are safe to fire?
Bringing life back to my revolver
- Thread starter Center fire
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First off welcome to THR! 
Your DW should be alright to shoot, assuming that it was stored properly.
i.e. no rust, the barrel does not have any obstructions in it. Would not hurt to check the timing of the cylinder either.
That being said having a good gunsmith check them out would not be bad, just for the piece of mind.
Hope this helps.
Your DW should be alright to shoot, assuming that it was stored properly.
i.e. no rust, the barrel does not have any obstructions in it. Would not hurt to check the timing of the cylinder either.
That being said having a good gunsmith check them out would not be bad, just for the piece of mind.
Hope this helps.
Zaydok Allen
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If they were kept oiled and clean, and arent rusted up, I think you should be good to go.
Just pass a patch through the barrels and drop some oil in to make sure the internals are moving freely. I'd just check that they are indexing correcly and if you know how they were treated, they should be ok.
And welcome
Just pass a patch through the barrels and drop some oil in to make sure the internals are moving freely. I'd just check that they are indexing correcly and if you know how they were treated, they should be ok.
And welcome
RetiredUSNChief
Member
If your guns were properly maintained/stored and have no damage to them, then give them a good breakdown/cleaning and have fun with them!
Guns don't get "wear and tear" when they're not used, so what you should be concerned about is whether or not they're clean, lubricated, and suffered no significant corrosion damage that might interfere with operation.
Guns don't get "wear and tear" when they're not used, so what you should be concerned about is whether or not they're clean, lubricated, and suffered no significant corrosion damage that might interfere with operation.
Thanks for the replies and advices.
My 12 year hiatus was self-imposed. A buddy of mine turned me onto fly fishing and it took up all of my free time for a couple of years. Then I got married and had kids and fly fishing took a backseat as well. Now that my kids are older and enjoying activities outside the home I have time to do things for myself once again. Since I have several ranges close to me taking up shooting again was a no brainer. I knew someday I would comeback to it so I just stored my guns away. To celebrate my return to shooting I purchased a new handgun last week. I pick it up towards the end of this week. I can't wait! It's a Beretta M9. If anyone is interested my other guns are a Browning Buckmark 22, Dan Wesson 44, and Colt 1911 GoldCup 45.
My 12 year hiatus was self-imposed. A buddy of mine turned me onto fly fishing and it took up all of my free time for a couple of years. Then I got married and had kids and fly fishing took a backseat as well. Now that my kids are older and enjoying activities outside the home I have time to do things for myself once again. Since I have several ranges close to me taking up shooting again was a no brainer. I knew someday I would comeback to it so I just stored my guns away. To celebrate my return to shooting I purchased a new handgun last week. I pick it up towards the end of this week. I can't wait! It's a Beretta M9. If anyone is interested my other guns are a Browning Buckmark 22, Dan Wesson 44, and Colt 1911 GoldCup 45.
Zaydok Allen
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RetiredUSNChief
Member
12 years of no shooting...
You know, a man can lay back and INCREDIBLE stock of ammunition in 12 years of no shooting. A box here and there...
Please tell me you're sitting on a tractor trailer load of ammunition right now...
You know, a man can lay back and INCREDIBLE stock of ammunition in 12 years of no shooting. A box here and there...
Please tell me you're sitting on a tractor trailer load of ammunition right now...
Clean'm, Choot'm.
Nothing bad happened to a Dan Wesson in 12 yours laying in storage unless it rusted shut.
I just shot a 1941 S&W Victory model last year that hadn't been fired since 1941 at the factory when it was made!
All it needed was a cleaning rod run through it to knock out the sock drawer lint and some ammo.
You would be hard pressed to find a modern gunsmith that has ever seen a Dan Wesson revolver, let alone pass judgement on it.
rc
Nothing bad happened to a Dan Wesson in 12 yours laying in storage unless it rusted shut.
I just shot a 1941 S&W Victory model last year that hadn't been fired since 1941 at the factory when it was made!
All it needed was a cleaning rod run through it to knock out the sock drawer lint and some ammo.
You would be hard pressed to find a modern gunsmith that has ever seen a Dan Wesson revolver, let alone pass judgement on it.
rc
Twiki357
Member
If they were good when you packed them away, they should still be in that same condition now as long as there’s no rust or corrosion. I had mine packed away in an old Army foot locker for almost 20 years of marriage and child raising. A couple drops of oil and they were good to go.
Lucky Derby
Member
Welcome to the forum and welcome back to shooting.
Guns don't wear from just sitting the way a car would.
Just give them a good once over and hit the range.
Guns don't wear from just sitting the way a car would.
Just give them a good once over and hit the range.
bannockburn
Member
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Sounds like you have a great collection of handguns to pick up where you left off. Welcome back!
Confederate
Member
Nah, it doesn't need a checkup. Just some judicious cleaning and lubrication.
I had a friend who had a 1911 .45 he'd put in a lockbox after the war. In the early 60s he got it out, applied a few drops of oil, took it out to a quarry and, pointing it at some targets he put out, squeezed the trigger.
BANG!...Click. Jammed. He cleared it and tried it again. BANG!...Click.
In the early 60s the gun and ammo was far less than 15 years removed. A revolver would have fired with no problem. And if he'd had a modern auto like a Beretta 92 or a S&W 559/659, or a Sig, it likely would have worked with no problem.
I suspect you could put a revolver up for 50 years and it would be fine. Never could understand Jeff Cooper's love for the Colt 1911.
I had a friend who had a 1911 .45 he'd put in a lockbox after the war. In the early 60s he got it out, applied a few drops of oil, took it out to a quarry and, pointing it at some targets he put out, squeezed the trigger.
BANG!...Click. Jammed. He cleared it and tried it again. BANG!...Click.
In the early 60s the gun and ammo was far less than 15 years removed. A revolver would have fired with no problem. And if he'd had a modern auto like a Beretta 92 or a S&W 559/659, or a Sig, it likely would have worked with no problem.
I suspect you could put a revolver up for 50 years and it would be fine. Never could understand Jeff Cooper's love for the Colt 1911.
@retiredUSNChief I wish I did! I was shocked to discover how much has changed, especially in California. I nearly choked when told 22s are as hard to come by as unicorn dust.
@Drail no WD40. I was told to wipe lube and wipe down with 30 weight motor oil and keep in a cool dry place. The guns look fine, but a thorough cleaning is forthcoming along with a good oiling of fresh oil.
BCRider
Member
I can't believe that "Center Fire" was still available for a user name. GOOD SCORE ON THAT!
Welcome back to the fold.
Just the other day I cleaned up an old persussion single shot pistol that I was able to pick up for cheap because the owner thought it was busted. Turns out it was simply gummed up from old dried out oil that was preventing the sear from moving. The magic elixir I used to clean it was the easy to make "Ed's Red". I really like that stuff since it not only does a number on old oil and gunk but it also does a good job of dissolving and flushing away smokeless powder fouling. And best of all after it drains and dries off the solvents it leaves just a light film of ATF as a rust resistor and general lubrication. It's great as a flushing cleaner since it doesn't require me to fully detail strip a gun. I can just liberally squirt the stuff into the works and let it drain out along with the goop.
It's nasty stuff on the skin and nose though. So outdoors or in a well ventilated garage. And wear nitrile gloves to keep it off your skin. And once you see the recipe (just google for "ed's red". There's about a dozen variations on the same theme) you'll also understand that no smoking or open flames are allowed.....
That's a darn nice list of handguns you've got. Time to get back out and enjoy them again.
Welcome back to the fold.
Just the other day I cleaned up an old persussion single shot pistol that I was able to pick up for cheap because the owner thought it was busted. Turns out it was simply gummed up from old dried out oil that was preventing the sear from moving. The magic elixir I used to clean it was the easy to make "Ed's Red". I really like that stuff since it not only does a number on old oil and gunk but it also does a good job of dissolving and flushing away smokeless powder fouling. And best of all after it drains and dries off the solvents it leaves just a light film of ATF as a rust resistor and general lubrication. It's great as a flushing cleaner since it doesn't require me to fully detail strip a gun. I can just liberally squirt the stuff into the works and let it drain out along with the goop.
It's nasty stuff on the skin and nose though. So outdoors or in a well ventilated garage. And wear nitrile gloves to keep it off your skin. And once you see the recipe (just google for "ed's red". There's about a dozen variations on the same theme) you'll also understand that no smoking or open flames are allowed.....
That's a darn nice list of handguns you've got. Time to get back out and enjoy them again.
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