The invention relates to continuous processes for making cyclic dimethylsiloxane oligomers by reacting in situ methyl bromide, dimethyl ether and activated silicon particles in a direct process reaction zone to produce methylsiloxanes, wherein the proportion of dimethylsiloxane produced in said reaction zone is greater than 75 mole % of the methylsiloxanes produced and recovering the dimethylsiloxane from the reactions zone. The invention favors making cyclic dimethylsiloxane oligomers by this in situ direct reaction.