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April 15, 2011
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Hi everyone, I am new to this forum although not to firearms. I've been shooting since the 1970s.
I recently inherited a prestine DW 357 Magnum built in Monson circa 1980. A few questions:
a) Does Dan Wesson, under its new ownership, still support this revolver? In other words, if it broke or I needed some part or other could I have my FFL ship it to them for repair?
b) I am imagining that there is a tutorial somewhere about how to adjust the cylinder gap. I just ordered the tool and guage from EWK (a GREAT resource, by the way) but I do not know that there is anyone around my location (People's Republic of California) who can show me how to do this. I am understanding that the cylinder needs to be checked and re-gapped periodically.
Any info very much appreciated. The revolver is a dead-on shooter and generally will shoot the pants off of just about anyone else on the range if I do my part. 
Here is the pic in case you missed it in the New Member's section.
The difference between a citizen and a civilian is that the citizen makes the safety of the body politic his personal responsibility. The civilian does not.
COTEP 545 -- PM7-45; 15-2 .357
Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
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Welcome to the forum, it looks like you inherited a really fine beauty there.
a) Dan Wesson is now owned by CZ, and they definitely do support the Dan Wesson revolvers. I don't have personal experience, but many forum members have bought parts or sent in whole guns for repair. It seems to me they still can supply any part you might need. In fact, on the CZ website they now list a SS .357 revolver mod. 715 that is going back into production soon.
b) Changing/adjusting the barrel is simple, you can do it yourself, look in the FAQ's in the header of this page for 'how do I change my barrel and grips'?
Shootist357 wrote a great tutorial for completely disassembling your revolver if you ever feel the need. https://www.danwessonforum.com/forum/reloading/tuning-up-your-15-2-the-average-joe-method/
And the guys on here are excellent at answering any question/issue you would ever have.
Lonwolf
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
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Welcome.
You don't need to adjust the gap periodically, only when you remove/re-install a barrel assembly.
That said, Every time I go to the range I clean my guns thoroughly. For me that means removing the BA.
Re-assembly is simple. However, the Monson and Palmer guns generally do not have flat cylinder faces. What this means is, you have to set the gap at the tightest spot on the cylinder face.
Set the gap.
Rotate the cylinder five clicks and check the gap each time. If you find a position where the feeler gauge will not fit between the cylinder and the barrel, reset the gap at this position and start over with checking the cylinder positions.
When you get through them all and the gauge fits everywhere, you're golden.
Enjoy your new toy.
-Mike
April 15, 2011
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Thanks for the great info. I agree with you about cleaning the revolver after each shooting, but I am not sure I think that that means taking off the BA.
Great to know that DW/CZ still supports this old girl. I hate guns that become orphans. A big part of the value of a firearm is the company that stands behind it. One of the reasons I buy Rugers pretty often.
Thanks for responding!
The difference between a citizen and a civilian is that the citizen makes the safety of the body politic his personal responsibility. The civilian does not.
COTEP 545 -- PM7-45; 15-2 .357
September 26, 2010
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BA = barrel assembly (the barrel and shroud)
April 15, 2011
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DrSparky said:
BA = barrel assembly (the barrel and shroud)
Got it. By the way, I notice that the DW has a transfer bar, a feature
of which I very much approve. Does this mean that it is OK to dry fire
without snap caps?
The difference between a citizen and a civilian is that the citizen makes the safety of the body politic his personal responsibility. The civilian does not.
COTEP 545 -- PM7-45; 15-2 .357
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
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Redleg said:
By the way, I notice that the DW has a transfer bar, a feature
of which I very much approve. Does this mean that it is OK to dry fire
without snap caps?
Should be just fine, but it would still make me cringe.
Redleg said:
I agree with you about cleaning the revolver after each shooting, but I am not sure I think that that means taking off the BA.
With
EWK's barrel wrench, it's so easy to remove teh barrel nut without fear
of buggering up the barrel nut, that I usually remove the barrel each
time. I like things clean & if the barrel is so simple to
remove/clean/reinstall, then why not? Besides it's much easier to clean
the barrel's innards when it's off the gun.
One of the reasons I buy Rugers pretty often.
You know what that means...right? Let's see some
in the "Other Makes" forum. 
hehe 
I have a Ruger or two myself.
September 26, 2010
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Charger Fan said:
Redleg said:
By the way, I notice that the DW has a transfer bar, a feature
of which I very much approve. Does this mean that it is OK to dry fire
without snap caps?Should be just fine, but it would still make me cringe.
Redleg said:
I agree with you about cleaning the revolver after each shooting, but I am not sure I think that that means taking off the BA.
With
EWK's barrel wrench, it's so easy to remove teh barrel nut without fear
of buggering up the barrel nut, that I usually remove the barrel each
time. I like things clean & if the barrel is so simple to
remove/clean/reinstall, then why not? Besides it's much easier to clean
the barrel's innards when it's off the gun.One of the reasons I buy Rugers pretty often.
You know what that means...right? Let's see some
I think dry firing if fine, the amount of force is very small as compared to the strength of the steel.
May 17, 2010
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As for me, I also remove the barrel and shroud each shooting session. I am rather partial to this post....
https://www.danwessonforum.com/forum/reloading/barrelshroud-and-grip-removalreinstall-video
Gives an idea of just how easy it all is.
Another two small doo-dads I would consider purchasing if you haven't conisdered it already both from EWK over yonder>>>>>>>>>
New barrel nut. The old barrel nuts have only 2 grooves the new DW and EWK barrel nuts have 4. I only use the EWK ones as they can be replaced and "save" the originals. Also the EWK Fiber optic sight is "light years" above the original red target sight.
Things to remember.. there is NO need to over tighten the barrel nut! Stripped barrel nuts are NO fun. If your worried you can alway check after every 25 rounds or so to make sure it hasn't loosened up. I have put 200 rounds through in a session and I am pretty light on the barrel nut. Make sure the threads are "squeaky clean". Also watch for the barrel turning in the frame as the nut is put on. Some folks will put a thumb on the barrel as they tighten the barrel nut, to keep the barrel from turning with the nut ( and thus becoming too tight).
Barrel gap: While there is a solid number to go by ( .006 ") there is room in that to fudge. Just remember that if the barrel end is touching the cylinder face ( at any time) then its too tight.
grip screw: Make sure not to over tighten the grip screw, as this can affect the firing of the gun.
Grips: personally I have gotten two DW's where the rubber grips were left on them all the time, and resulted in surface rust. Therefore I store my guns with wood grips. Though I shoot with both.
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
March 27, 2009
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Looks like all is covered great job! Keep us up dated on your DW!
April 15, 2011
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That is a great You-Tube video. After watching it, I feel confident that I could do the barrel removal and guage setting. Thanks a lot! 
Great suggestion about buying a couple of spare barrel nuts from EWK and just storing the original. Gonna do that too.
Not sure how I feel about the slab sided shrouds, but after watching that video I have an urge to try a different length barrel so I think I'll check out their site.
This site sure is a great resource! Thanks everyone.
The difference between a citizen and a civilian is that the citizen makes the safety of the body politic his personal responsibility. The civilian does not.
COTEP 545 -- PM7-45; 15-2 .357
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