Fire2053
Member
My grandfather had a Dan Wesson revolver. It says 22LR on it, but there is no way this shoots a 22. It slides right through the barrel. Can anyone help me with this
Dan Wesson
- Thread starter Fire2053
- Start date
- Status
TfflHndn
Member
Photo?
Savage Shooter
Member
The barrel and shrouds are interchangeable on them. so if you have a .357 barrel that's 4inches and you don't have a shroud in .357 that's 4 inches and you happen to have one for a .22 you can use it on a .357 and it will work just fine. Pictures would help us tell you what it is.
Steve CT
Member
To be clear, the barrel is not interchangeable between calibers, the shrouds are, as long as they are for the small frame Dan Wesson revolver. The barrels and frames are threaded differently for .22lr and .357 Mag to avoid inadvertently shooting the wrong caliber in a barrel.
Shrouds are generally interchangeable, for many years I shot a 6" .22 with a .22 barrel and a .357 shroud
Crunchy Frog
Member
Is it possible to mount a shroud without a barrel?
Nope, there would be nothing for the Retaining Nut to screw onto to support the muzzle end of the shroud
Fire2053
Member
Here is the pictures for the DW marked 22LR
Fire2053
Member
Last edited:
Fire2053
Member
More pictures
Fire2053
Member
More pics
bannockburn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 26,313
Looks like a .357 cylinder to me.
Fire2053
Member
Is a 357 smaller in circumference than a 9mm. A 9mm will not fit all the way in
Looks like someone just put a .22LR VH barrel shroud on it...not as uncommon as you'd think
Fire2053
Member
What caliber does it look like it would be. Can I find out by the serial number
Baba Louie
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
- Messages
- 3,831
Might measure the "hole" diameter. .35" = .357, .43" = .44., .45" = .45Colt, etc. for an approximate finding.
They did make some different chamberings tho, so maybe even a call to the factory to see if they can offer any advice is warranted. IIRC, when DW closed their doors, the ATF took their records (internet rumor I cannot vouch as true, but it makes sense).
Might want to soak it oil for awhile and clean it up, maybe buy a barrel wrench and feeler gauge... that bad boy needs some TLC.
Most common was a 15-2 in .357. But a lot of guys did shoot silhouette with the big bangers. DWs were noted for their accuracy in this regard.
There is a forum set up for Dan Wesson aficionados as well. (just an FYI thing)
They did make some different chamberings tho, so maybe even a call to the factory to see if they can offer any advice is warranted. IIRC, when DW closed their doors, the ATF took their records (internet rumor I cannot vouch as true, but it makes sense).
Might want to soak it oil for awhile and clean it up, maybe buy a barrel wrench and feeler gauge... that bad boy needs some TLC.
Most common was a 15-2 in .357. But a lot of guys did shoot silhouette with the big bangers. DWs were noted for their accuracy in this regard.
There is a forum set up for Dan Wesson aficionados as well. (just an FYI thing)
Lost Sheep
Member
Lucky you
Yours appears to be .357 Magnum (though it COULD be 38 Special-I am not sure if they made 38s). Get hold of a .357 mag cartridge (an empty, fired one would do if you don't want to deal with a box of new ammo). DW chambers were tight, so a fired case might be a very tight fit, but if a cartridge case fits, that will confirm it. I know of no DW barrels smaller than .357 diameter (other than the 22), so would not be worried about taking it to the range.
Examine the insides of the chambers and the barrel for pitting or damage before thinking about firing it. You might consider showing it to a gunsmith. Most I know of would render an opinion for little or no charge and a full examination would be cheap insurance.
Do you have the accessories (barrel wrench and nut and the feeler gauge) for removing and reinstalling the barrel? The feeler gauge is .006" and you can get one at any automotive shop, but the wrench and nut (later guns had a single combo tool) might be available only from a gun shop, parts store or Dan Wesson. It would be worth the effort I think.
It is a shame the finish is damaged. DWs had a gorgeous finish. Guns from the DW Monson factory are a prize.
Lost Sheep
The serial number would clinch it, but you will have to provide the number to Dan Wesson Arms and wait on their reply.
Yours appears to be .357 Magnum (though it COULD be 38 Special-I am not sure if they made 38s). Get hold of a .357 mag cartridge (an empty, fired one would do if you don't want to deal with a box of new ammo). DW chambers were tight, so a fired case might be a very tight fit, but if a cartridge case fits, that will confirm it. I know of no DW barrels smaller than .357 diameter (other than the 22), so would not be worried about taking it to the range.
Examine the insides of the chambers and the barrel for pitting or damage before thinking about firing it. You might consider showing it to a gunsmith. Most I know of would render an opinion for little or no charge and a full examination would be cheap insurance.
Do you have the accessories (barrel wrench and nut and the feeler gauge) for removing and reinstalling the barrel? The feeler gauge is .006" and you can get one at any automotive shop, but the wrench and nut (later guns had a single combo tool) might be available only from a gun shop, parts store or Dan Wesson. It would be worth the effort I think.
It is a shame the finish is damaged. DWs had a gorgeous finish. Guns from the DW Monson factory are a prize.
Lost Sheep
Lost Sheep
Member
Yes, while the 9mm is very slightly smaller in diameter than a .357, the 9mm case is tapered and the case near the primer end is too large for chambering in a SAAMI-spec .357 or 38 special chamber.
Lost Sheep
Fire2053
Member
I have the feeler gauge and the tool, but the tool is stripped inside the plastic so it won't take the barrel off
Baba Louie
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
- Messages
- 3,831
EWK Arms may have a new wrench you can order.
http://www.ewkarms.com/zen8/
Look under Dan Wesson pistols and in the pop up you'll find the tool.
Might consider new shroud or barrel if so inclined.
http://www.ewkarms.com/zen8/
Look under Dan Wesson pistols and in the pop up you'll find the tool.
Might consider new shroud or barrel if so inclined.
Savage Shooter
Member
That's what I was trying to say Steve CT or at least what I thought I said maybe I wasn't clear enough. Thanks though
It's a .357 by the looks of it as stated get a cartridge or a empty case and see though. Nice guns I'd put any of mine up against a Smith and Wesson any day.
It's a .357 by the looks of it as stated get a cartridge or a empty case and see though. Nice guns I'd put any of mine up against a Smith and Wesson any day.
I agree that it looks like a 357 that someone put a 22 barrel shroud on it.
Unfortunately the current CZ Dan Wesson does not have SN data for the original revolvers because they were taken by the ATF when Dan Wesson went bankrupt. At lest this is my understanding.
Unfortunately the current CZ Dan Wesson does not have SN data for the original revolvers because they were taken by the ATF when Dan Wesson went bankrupt. At lest this is my understanding.
Fire2053
Member
I want to thank everyone for the help. I will let you guys know when I find out what caliber it is and I will post some picks when I get it cleaned up. Thanks again
Lost Sheep
Member
Over the years Wesson Arms had different versions of the barrel removal tool. On my 1975 gun it was two parts, a nut that partially entered the barrel at the muzzle) and had a hex nut that you engaged with the second part, a stamped flat steel socket/box wrench. Later guns were a single piece (probably because a few owners had fired the gun with the nut still in the muzzle).
I have not seen a tool that had plastic as part of its construction (though they did have a plastic "sock" to cover the allen wrench part that was used to remove the grip.) I would be interested to see a photo of that tool.
On a sad note, my first DW's finish took damage very similar to what yours looks like. It picked up about 10% surface rust during a week of travelling cross-country in 1977. I had it tefloned (just about the only alternate finish I could afford at the time). It did slick up the action quite a bit. I still have that gun, although I lost my 4-barrel pistol-pack (carrying case, belt buckle, arm patch, the works) to financial hardship.
Lost Sheep
p.s. It is premature to consider jury-rigging a barrel wrench. It would be much better to get an original tool (which will be more reliable in operation), but a quick search for "pin wrench" and "spanner wrench" turned up this, among others
http://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-pin-wrench-36554.html
Last edited:
- Status
