Need help with new revolver!

Chargernmw · February 12, 2014, 07:10 PM

I have recently inherited my first revolver and I am finding little or no info on it. It is a Dan Wesson Firearms , Model 460, 460 Rowland, Serial No.: R00080. This is my first post so I will a temp to upload a few photos,
Second question is , the Gus has sat in a closet for years, what should I use to clean the gun? It has looks like it has a barrel inside of a barrel and a special tool is required to remove the inner barrel.
Third question is, what rounds can I shoot out of this gun if I should even shoot it? 45acp, .....
What's it worth.. Sorry so many questions but new to the revolver game, a lot different from m+p and ar's I'm use to.

Chargernmw · February 12, 2014, 08:00 PM

Another one

Bob Wright · February 12, 2014, 08:10 PM

What you have is a Dan Wesson .460 Rowland, a wildcat cartridge. I don't know what rounds are interchangable, if any.

The barrel has a nut at the muzzle that requires a special wrench to remove. After the nut is removed, the outer shroud can be slipped off, then the barrel unscrewed fromthe frame.

As to cleaning, barrel removal is not necessary, just swing out the cylinder and hold it open while passing cleaning patches through the bore. I use Hoppe's No. 9 fro cleaning, though there are other products that do just as well. Swab out each chamber with a patch soaked in solvent also. Follow the soaked patches with a dry patch and you've cleaned the gun.

To open the cylinder, in case you don't know, press down on the latch just in front of the cylinder and swing the cylinder out. Ease it out and also ease it back in, don't slam the cylinder around, also known aa "Kojaking the gun."

I'm not familiar with the Dan Wesson, maybe somebody here can tell you better.

Bob Wright

P.S. The gun is not a collector's item. Its value is that of a used gun, but probably could bring $600~$700.

Chargernmw · February 12, 2014, 08:26 PM

Thank you for your time, any idea on where to purchase that barrel tool? I see small amounts of surface rust if you look closely , I would love to disassemble and truly clean the gun up

Thanks again

Wishoot · February 12, 2014, 08:37 PM

Quote:

I would love to disassemble and truly clean the gun up

Don't.

Unless you are very familiar with the inner workings of a revolver, removing the barrel and sideplate is not recommended. You'll end up with a mess on your hands that will require either a ton of time to reassemble or a decent gunsmith.

Swab out the barrel with a decent gun oil or lead remover if necessary, clean under the ejector star, wipe down the outside and call it a day. Go very, very light on the oil too.

Bob Wright · February 12, 2014, 09:05 PM

You can probaly get the barrel wrench form somepne like Midway or Cabela's, or maybe Dan Wesson. You will need a feeler gauge also for correct headspacing when replacing the barrel. Contact Dan Wesson Arms for information.

There should be no surface rust, the gun is stainless steel. Whatever stain you see should wipe away with solvent.

Dan Wessons barrels can be interchanged easily, so no problem there. But do avoid trying to go too far. As i recall, the Dan Wesson doesn't have a side plate, but not too sure about that.

Bob Wright

P.S. Google "Gun Parts" for sources of tools. Maybe Brownell's also.

Chargernmw · February 12, 2014, 09:05 PM

Thanks, debating on just spending the money to have a good gunsmith shake it down, and I'll put it away for a Dirty Harry tribute shoot, on revolvers, I'm sure there are different frames, it has houge grips on it now, they are prolly 20 yeas old and still comfy, but for the once in a while I would shoot this I would like to have new wood grips or old, is there a type size I should buy, sorry I'm a rooke

Chargernmw · February 12, 2014, 09:09 PM

Thanks bob for the great info, will try to look into it, sorry for the stupid question bust was a side plate?

Bob Wright · February 12, 2014, 09:14 PM

I wish somebody who knew Dan Wessons would jump in here!

I'm about to the end of my rope.

But try Hogue grips as they also make wood (albeit stabilized wood) grips and may have one for your gun.

Bob Wright

Bob Wright · February 12, 2014, 09:16 PM

The Dan Wesson, like the Ruger DA, has no side plate. Colt and Smith 7 Wesson revolvers have a removeable side plate on the frame to gain access to the action parts, the "innards" of the revolver.

Go to Gun Parts Corporation web site and open schematics on Dan Wesson, Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers to see how side plates are utilized.

Bob Wright

James K · February 12, 2014, 10:01 PM

FWIW, the feeler gauge is used to set the barrel-cylinder gap, not the headspace, which is not altered by changing the barrel. In the DW, the part that looks like a barrel is simply a barrel shroud. The actual barrel is inserted into the shroud, screwed into the frame at the rear, then a nut installed on the front end to tension it and retain it in the shroud. This allows the use of different barrel and shroud lengths on the same frame.

The DW system with its interchangeable barrels and grips is one of those ideas that sounded good when someone said it fast. In theory, a police officer could have a 5" barrel duty gun with a full grip in his holster, come home, install a 3" barrel and small grip, and be ready for a evening out. Didn't happen. Most owners set the gun up as they wanted and left it, buying another, smaller, gun for concealed carry.

That being said, the guns are quite good, very reliable and accurate, provided the barrel is installed and torqued up properly.

Jim

old bear · February 12, 2014, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Thanks
Thank you for your time, any idea on where to purchase that barrel tool? I see small amounts of surface rust if you look closely , I would love to disassemble and truly clean the gun up

Thanks again

Mr. Wright covered it very well. Yet let me add, if you are seeing surface rust in the barrel, a brass barrel brush dipped in #9 can be used to remove the rust. If the rust is on the surface of the revolver, get yourself some Mothers Mag Polish and use it to lightly clean and polish the OUTSIDE of your revolver. Apply the Mothers with your finger tip buff off with a soft cotton rag.

Bob Wright · February 12, 2014, 10:12 PM

JamesK,

Thanks for the correction. I knew better, but fingers typed faster than brain thunk.

Thanks.

Bob Wright

Bob Wright · February 12, 2014, 10:14 PM

Mother's Mag Polish? Where in the world did you come up with that?

Bob Wright

James K · February 12, 2014, 10:25 PM

Only a car buff....

Jim

Chargernmw · February 12, 2014, 10:52 PM

Thanks you all for the great info, I'm sure I will learn as I go, but thanks for the head start! new to the revolver world, anyone know what the 460 was designed for? My not just make a 44 mag revolver? Speaks look close? Also can I shoot 44 mag from this gun?

Bob Wright · February 12, 2014, 10:56 PM

I've had no experience with the .460 Rowland, but think it was an attempt to magnumize the .45 ACP, more or less. Designed, I think, for autoloading pistols.

My data shows you can fire .45 ACP, .45 Super, and .45 Winchester Magnum ammunition in your gun. It will not take .44 Magnum ammunition.

Bob Wright

Bob Wright · February 12, 2014, 11:05 PM

As James K pointed out, there was a lot of stuff you could replace on Dan Wesson revolvers. Not only different barrel lengths were offered, but different barrel shrouds with different weights such as full lug, solid or vented ribs, etc. etc.

The barrel you show on your gun is slotted to lighten the weight and aid cooling of the barrel. And, yes, revolver barrels do get hot with magnum ammunition and a long revolver match.

Bob Wright

lee n. field · February 12, 2014, 11:18 PM

You might find these interesting.

Wikipedia on .460 Rowland

Quote:

For several years Dan Wesson also made a revolver specifically made for the .460 Rowland, which would also chamber .45 ACP, .45 Super and .45 Winchester Magnum, as does the Smith & Wesson Model 25/625. Both guns use moon clips and are very accurate fire arms. [Citation; Mr. Johnny Ray Rowland & .460 Rowland LLC]

460rowland.com

hemiram · February 13, 2014, 02:17 AM

get a wrench from EWK, it's a lot better than the plastic ones, and even better than the CZ factory ones.

http://www.ewkarms.com/

Gdawgs · February 13, 2014, 08:25 AM

Sweet gun! I love my Dan Wessons.

Like Hemiram mentioned, EWK is the best place to get the barrel tool.

I wouldn't bother taking it to a gunsmith unless there is something wrong with it. I do remove the barrels on mine when I clean them. It makes the job much easier. It's simple and only takes 10-15 seconds to do. Cool gun, too bad it wasn't chambered in something a bit more mainstream like 44 Mag. But if it shoots 45 ACP, that would make a fun plinker.

WC145 · February 13, 2014, 08:31 AM

I'd say you're going to need moonclips if you intend to shoot .45ACP or 460 Rowland. If the cylinder will accept .45 WinMag neither the Rowland or a regular .45ACP will headspace on the case mouths.

I'd be very careful using Mothers Mag Polish or any polish on that gun because of the matte finish, too much polish or elbow grease and you'll end up with a shiny spot. Try some very fine bronze wool and gun oil, be gentle.

The 460 Rowland is an amped up .45ACP, slightly longer and much thicker case. It runs close to double the pressure of the .45ACP and performance is impressive, though it's hard to find factory ammo, reloading is easy a you can use regular .45ACP dies. It's very similar to the .451 Detonics.

Pretty cool gun, I wasn't aware that Dan Wesson ever made anything like that. I'll bet it's a heck of a shooter, though I don't know who they would have been marketing it to, silhouette shooters, maybe.

BTW, the S&W 25 and 625 guns were only ever available in .45ACP or .45LC, no 460 Rowland or .45 WinMag.

ETA: Just googled Dan Wesson 460 and there's a fair bit of info out there on these. Looks like they came out in the early 2000's, limited run (the OP's gun is #80 off the line), well made but never caught on. Definitely a neat gun, IMO. That thing and a bucket full of .45ACPs loaded in moonclips would make for a fun afternoon at the gravel pit!

Magnum Wheel Man · February 13, 2014, 09:13 AM

sorry I'm so late to the party, but you have gotten good info so far...

I'd suspect, but not know for sure, that the S&W 625 moon clips should work in the Dan Wesson...

this is a custom gun project, but shows a picture of the barrel shroud, with no barrel inside... the barrel is threaded on both ends, & easily screws into the gun by hand, you use the feeler gauge to determine how far you screw it in, then a barrel nut on the end, screws in tight, to hold the shroud in place, & keep the barrel locked in place, after the feeler gauge is removed...

BTW... I have a couple large frame factory grips I might be persuaded to part with, if you really think you want the factory wood ( I like my rubber grips on both my 44 Magnum, & my 357 Maximum, & don't have pistol packs, so I have no need for the factory wood )

this, as I said, is a custom revolver, so it's not a Dan Wesson, but I did use a Dan Wesson barrel shroud, & Dan Wesson "type" barrel for it...

saleen322 · February 13, 2014, 09:16 AM

The Dan Wesson's are great guns. As someone already mentioned, get a barrel wrench from Eric at EWK. They are the best there is. Here is a partial pic of the internals. There is a double action plunger spring, hand, and the cylinder attaching hardware missing from the pic but it gives a general idea of how it goes together. I keep this pic around in case I get stuck as it is sometimes a while between cleanings. Hope this helps.

Chargernmw · February 13, 2014, 09:24 AM

Wow, great info, and yes it came with one moon clip of 45acp but want sure if the guy before me knew what he was doing, glad I know now, and thank you for the offer on the grips, but I think you convinced me to stick with what's on it if I'll be plinking.. Thanks everyone

February 12, 2014, 08:26 PM	#4
Chargernmw Junior Member Join Date: February 11, 2014 Posts: 8	Thanks Thank you for your time, any idea on where to purchase that barrel tool? I see small amounts of surface rust if you look closely , I would love to disassemble and truly clean the gun up Thanks again

February 12, 2014, 09:05 PM	#7
Chargernmw Junior Member Join Date: February 11, 2014 Posts: 8	Thanks Thanks, debating on just spending the money to have a good gunsmith shake it down, and I'll put it away for a Dirty Harry tribute shoot, on revolvers, I'm sure there are different frames, it has houge grips on it now, they are prolly 20 yeas old and still comfy, but for the once in a while I would shoot this I would like to have new wood grips or old, is there a type size I should buy, sorry I'm a rooke

February 12, 2014, 10:52 PM	#16
Chargernmw Junior Member Join Date: February 11, 2014 Posts: 8	Great info Thanks you all for the great info, I'm sure I will learn as I go, but thanks for the head start! new to the revolver world, anyone know what the 460 was designed for? My not just make a 44 mag revolver? Speaks look close? Also can I shoot 44 mag from this gun?

February 13, 2014, 08:31 AM	#22
WC145 Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Downeast Maine Posts: 1,836	I'd say you're going to need moonclips if you intend to shoot .45ACP or 460 Rowland. If the cylinder will accept .45 WinMag neither the Rowland or a regular .45ACP will headspace on the case mouths. I'd be very careful using Mothers Mag Polish or any polish on that gun because of the matte finish, too much polish or elbow grease and you'll end up with a shiny spot. Try some very fine bronze wool and gun oil, be gentle. The 460 Rowland is an amped up .45ACP, slightly longer and much thicker case. It runs close to double the pressure of the .45ACP and performance is impressive, though it's hard to find factory ammo, reloading is easy a you can use regular .45ACP dies. It's very similar to the .451 Detonics. Pretty cool gun, I wasn't aware that Dan Wesson ever made anything like that. I'll bet it's a heck of a shooter, though I don't know who they would have been marketing it to, silhouette shooters, maybe. BTW, the S&W 25 and 625 guns were only ever available in .45ACP or .45LC, no 460 Rowland or .45 WinMag. ETA: Just googled Dan Wesson 460 and there's a fair bit of info out there on these. Looks like they came out in the early 2000's, limited run (the OP's gun is #80 off the line), well made but never caught on. Definitely a neat gun, IMO. That thing and a bucket full of .45ACPs loaded in moonclips would make for a fun afternoon at the gravel pit! __________________ "If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it. The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge or jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - LtCol Jeff Cooper Last edited by WC145; February 13, 2014 at 08:44 AM.

February 13, 2014, 09:16 AM	#24
saleen322 Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2010 Posts: 779	Dan Wesson The Dan Wesson's are great guns. As someone already mentioned, get a barrel wrench from Eric at EWK. They are the best there is. Here is a partial pic of the internals. There is a double action plunger spring, hand, and the cylinder attaching hardware missing from the pic but it gives a general idea of how it goes together. I keep this pic around in case I get stuck as it is sometimes a while between cleanings. Hope this helps.

February 12, 2014, 08:10 PM	#3
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 3,005	What you have is a Dan Wesson .460 Rowland, a wildcat cartridge. I don't know what rounds are interchangable, if any. The barrel has a nut at the muzzle that requires a special wrench to remove. After the nut is removed, the outer shroud can be slipped off, then the barrel unscrewed fromthe frame. As to cleaning, barrel removal is not necessary, just swing out the cylinder and hold it open while passing cleaning patches through the bore. I use Hoppe's No. 9 fro cleaning, though there are other products that do just as well. Swab out each chamber with a patch soaked in solvent also. Follow the soaked patches with a dry patch and you've cleaned the gun. To open the cylinder, in case you don't know, press down on the latch just in front of the cylinder and swing the cylinder out. Ease it out and also ease it back in, don't slam the cylinder around, also known aa "Kojaking the gun." I'm not familiar with the Dan Wesson, maybe somebody here can tell you better. Bob Wright P.S. The gun is not a collector's item. Its value is that of a used gun, but probably could bring $600~$700.

February 12, 2014, 09:09 PM	#8
Chargernmw Junior Member Join Date: February 11, 2014 Posts: 8	Bob wright Thanks bob for the great info, will try to look into it, sorry for the stupid question bust was a side plate?

February 12, 2014, 09:14 PM	#9
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 3,005	I wish somebody who knew Dan Wessons would jump in here! I'm about to the end of my rope. But try Hogue grips as they also make wood (albeit stabilized wood) grips and may have one for your gun. Bob Wright

February 12, 2014, 09:16 PM	#10
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 3,005	The Dan Wesson, like the Ruger DA, has no side plate. Colt and Smith 7 Wesson revolvers have a removeable side plate on the frame to gain access to the action parts, the "innards" of the revolver. Go to Gun Parts Corporation web site and open schematics on Dan Wesson, Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers to see how side plates are utilized. Bob Wright

February 12, 2014, 10:01 PM	#11
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	FWIW, the feeler gauge is used to set the barrel-cylinder gap, not the headspace, which is not altered by changing the barrel. In the DW, the part that looks like a barrel is simply a barrel shroud. The actual barrel is inserted into the shroud, screwed into the frame at the rear, then a nut installed on the front end to tension it and retain it in the shroud. This allows the use of different barrel and shroud lengths on the same frame. The DW system with its interchangeable barrels and grips is one of those ideas that sounded good when someone said it fast. In theory, a police officer could have a 5" barrel duty gun with a full grip in his holster, come home, install a 3" barrel and small grip, and be ready for a evening out. Didn't happen. Most owners set the gun up as they wanted and left it, buying another, smaller, gun for concealed carry. That being said, the guns are quite good, very reliable and accurate, provided the barrel is installed and torqued up properly. Jim

February 12, 2014, 10:12 PM	#13
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 3,005	JamesK, Thanks for the correction. I knew better, but fingers typed faster than brain thunk. Thanks. Bob Wright

February 12, 2014, 10:14 PM	#14
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 3,005	Mother's Mag Polish? Where in the world did you come up with that? Bob Wright

February 12, 2014, 10:25 PM	#15
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Only a car buff.... Jim

February 12, 2014, 10:56 PM	#17
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 3,005	I've had no experience with the .460 Rowland, but think it was an attempt to magnumize the .45 ACP, more or less. Designed, I think, for autoloading pistols. My data shows you can fire .45 ACP, .45 Super, and .45 Winchester Magnum ammunition in your gun. It will not take .44 Magnum ammunition. Bob Wright

February 12, 2014, 11:05 PM	#18
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 3,005	As James K pointed out, there was a lot of stuff you could replace on Dan Wesson revolvers. Not only different barrel lengths were offered, but different barrel shrouds with different weights such as full lug, solid or vented ribs, etc. etc. The barrel you show on your gun is slotted to lighten the weight and aid cooling of the barrel. And, yes, revolver barrels do get hot with magnum ammunition and a long revolver match. Bob Wright

February 13, 2014, 02:17 AM	#20
hemiram Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2005 Location: Toledo, ohio Posts: 762	get a wrench from EWK, it's a lot better than the plastic ones, and even better than the CZ factory ones. http://www.ewkarms.com/

February 13, 2014, 08:25 AM	#21
Gdawgs Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 657	Sweet gun! I love my Dan Wessons. Like Hemiram mentioned, EWK is the best place to get the barrel tool. I wouldn't bother taking it to a gunsmith unless there is something wrong with it. I do remove the barrels on mine when I clean them. It makes the job much easier. It's simple and only takes 10-15 seconds to do. Cool gun, too bad it wasn't chambered in something a bit more mainstream like 44 Mag. But if it shoots 45 ACP, that would make a fun plinker.

February 13, 2014, 09:13 AM	#23
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	sorry I'm so late to the party, but you have gotten good info so far... I'd suspect, but not know for sure, that the S&W 625 moon clips should work in the Dan Wesson... this is a custom gun project, but shows a picture of the barrel shroud, with no barrel inside... the barrel is threaded on both ends, & easily screws into the gun by hand, you use the feeler gauge to determine how far you screw it in, then a barrel nut on the end, screws in tight, to hold the shroud in place, & keep the barrel locked in place, after the feeler gauge is removed... BTW... I have a couple large frame factory grips I might be persuaded to part with, if you really think you want the factory wood ( I like my rubber grips on both my 44 Magnum, & my 357 Maximum, & don't have pistol packs, so I have no need for the factory wood ) this, as I said, is a custom revolver, so it's not a Dan Wesson, but I did use a Dan Wesson barrel shroud, & Dan Wesson "type" barrel for it...

February 13, 2014, 09:24 AM	#25
Chargernmw Junior Member Join Date: February 11, 2014 Posts: 8	Great info Wow, great info, and yes it came with one moon clip of 45acp but want sure if the guy before me knew what he was doing, glad I know now, and thank you for the offer on the grips, but I think you convinced me to stick with what's on it if I'll be plinking.. Thanks everyone