New Dan Wesson Owner

[ChiefTJS]

Just bought a Dan Wesson .22, never owned one, fired one or even held one before. It's a gorgeous gun and looks barely used at all, one little rub mark on the grip and one little rust spot on the frame. I'm not a collector so the tiny little flaws don't bother me especially since I got it for less than the cost of a new Single-Six. Didn't come with the wrench or the feeler guage and came in a .357 Dan Wesson box but I'm still pretty tickled. I remember reading about these in the gunzines back in the eighties and always heard the accuracy was excellent, here's hoping this one comes through for me. 

[bradshaw]

ChiefTJS....I'lI leave it to others to paint the DWA .22LR development story. A few notes: The Dan Wesson Arms .22LR is built on the Model 15 .357 mag frame with an offset firing pin for the rimfire. Per the fine accuracy realized from DW centerfire revolvers, it was unsurprising to see the DWA .22LR reach similar expectations. The .22LR is a cartridge of extreme intrinsic accuracy. The challenge to the ammunition manufacturer is to hold production to exactly quality, as priming is critical and the little lead bullet subject to easy abrasion and deformation.

For the revolver manufacturer, chamber dimensions and finish, chamber-to-bore alignment, forcing cone, and bore dimensions and finish are critical to accuracy. A Dan Wesson .22 that shoots is a revolver to enjoy. Not all are equal. To start, after carefully cleaning and drying chambers and bore, I would target your revolver as exactingly as possible----10 or 15 yards to establish sight dope; followed by 25 yards to establish base accuracy. Know that the DWA .22LR competed successfully in handgun silhouette, to include rams at 100 yards.

Silhouetters preferred 8, 9, and 10" barrels for longer sight radius, and a bit more velocity----which translates into flatter trajectory and reduced wind drift. Note the longer sight radius is more important. Also note that longer barrel doesn't mean better intrinsic accuracy. Only the above criteria, chamber-to-muzzle, determines intrinsic accuracy.

All DWA revolvers incorporate sintered (powdered) metal hammer & trigger. Some are nickel plated; yours is "blued." Single action may be tuned clean and light. In fact, among double actions revolvers, for single action LETOFF, the Dan Wesson and Colt Python may be set lighter than an S&W or Ruger----while preserving reliability. As for all revolvers, lubricate the lockwork. I prefer automotive lubricants for their thorough engineering and duty requirements. Motor oil and chassis grease. Synthetic motor oil for freezing weather and moly-disulfide dry lube for super-freezing.

A regular automotive feeler gauge set lets you adjust cylinder/barrel gap tighter than the DWA .006" feeler. DWA made thinner feelers, but generally supplied .006". I set for minimum that allows free cylinder rotation.
David Bradshaw

[bud]

I have that exact revolver and have had it since the early 80s. I have used it in many an IHMSA match and won state championships with it 3 years running in my class. It was top of the heap until Freedom Arms decided to make 22lr revolvers, but this DW will still hold its own. I know that both the large frame and small frame DW revolvers have or had the fastest lock time of any revolver made. Mr. Bradshaw may be able to explain this technically, but having shot many a revolver for 1000's of rds, the lock time one these ARE faster than Rugers, S&W's and colts for sure. I have other DW revolvers, large 'n small frame in a variety of calibers. They will stay in the safe fer sure. Anytime I need a serious revolver the DW's are the ones I reach for.

[warhawk]

You didn't happen to buy that in Hot Springs, Arkansas did you? A Pawn Shop here had one just like it a couple of weeks ago that was tempting me something fierce.

But I decided to hold out for a Model 17 and/or an 18.

[jsh]

I had a 10". It shot very well, but, each cylinder shot to a different point of impact. Each one shot a nice group at 50 with ammo it liked. I tinkered shot it off an on for 3 years before I gave up. It is a good well built gun but not what I expected. Best I shot with it was a 34-36x40. To do so was a chore as you had to keep track of what cylinder you made #1 and then were to hold off on each target.
Jeff

[ChiefTJS]

Thanks for the replies folks. Got it right here in Omaha down at Cabelas, I think it was from an estate. I'll be putting it through its paces next week and see how I do with it, I'm a little giddy about it so I may sneak off early from work to play.

[vonfatman]

Chief,
Nice revolver. You did great. They are not all that common. Certainly not in such fine condition. If you decide to travel towards KC....my range is 10 miles east of KCI, bring it with you....I'll let you shoot some other DWs.....I'd love to try your revolver.

Bob

[ChiefTJS]

I'll let you know if I get down your way. Seems Dan Wessons are like Rugers, I haven't even shot it yet and I want a .357.

[vonfatman]

Chief,
I have a blue and a stainless just sitting here. Come on down.

Bob

[cmillard]

my dad has had his since I think 1978. he loves it and it was his critter gitter (squirrel, coon, rabbit....) for many years. shot it EVERY day after work for many years. the only bad thing with it now is you can't find a barrel insert for it now a days. I had a chance to buy one from numrich a couple years ago but didn't. all of that shooting every day wore out the barrel!! I shot it a couple months ago and it was not shooting like it used to. gave it a thorough cleaning then shot several brands of premium match .22 lr ammo out of it. again, the groups were not what they once were. I then took some jb bore compound to it then gave it another good cleaning. took it out and shot about a 100 rounds through it to get the bore nice and fouled then proceeded to shoot some groups with it. again, not shooting like it used to do. cleaned it good again then looked down the bore and there were obvious places where the rifling was almost non-existent. I showed Dad and he said that he wasn't surprised at that as he shot it A LOT! I was in disbelief about this as I figured it would take hundreds of thousands of rounds to burn up a .22 LR. fact of the matter is, it is one fine revolver and he always got his bag limit of squirrel with it when he went out (6) and this was with iron sights and he took his fair share of tree rats with it as we all grew up on squirrel and ate it almost daily during the winter months when it was in season. shoot it and enjoy it!!!!

[bradshaw]

cmillard.... your dad sounds like a man truly enjoyed his sixgun and took great pride in shooting it well. Doesn't seem too difficult a task for a good smith to turn a new barrel for the DWA .22LR. Duplicate exterior dimensions, and go for the smoothest, minimal forcing cone possible. This is a revolver to keep shooting.
David Bradshaw

[cmillard]

I have told him about that, but for now he doesn't shoot it much anymore as his eyesight and diabetes is catching up to him. when I get it, I will definitely do that. he did take great joy in shooting it--with mom as well. they used to shoot all the time. mom is getting back into it, while dad still does, just not as much

[shorty500]

great guns imagine you will be pleased

[ChiefTJS]

cmillard- love to hear stories like that, glad your dad had the enjoyment of wearing it out. Bob- how did I know I'd find an enabler here (lol).

[cmillard]

i can't wait to get it in my hands "as mine" when he passes it down. I want to take out that barrel and get a real good look at it before I have a new one put on. I would like to bore scope it as well