SAO Competition Pistol Chambered in 9mm Luger, 45 ACP . This is about as good as you can get before going fully hand-built by an experienced gunsmith, and for the price, Im really happy with this 1911. This bobbed 1911 was brought back into production by popular demand. I understand the allure of battle-worn and distressed finishes, except they usually look artificial and cheesy. Through our Dan Wesson Custom Shop, our craftsman rely on skill, hard work, and American industry to transform your 1911 into a piece so individual, it becomes a piece of your history. Overall Thoughts With no cuts in the trigger, you really get a classic look with modern functionality of the texture on the face making it the best of both worlds. Without that, nothing else matters. Let us know in the comments below! Fit, finish, & operation all superb would highly recommend. I am also credited as weapons master on a few independent films. Dan Wesson Specialist Stainless 5" Pistol 8 RD 10mm Night Dan Wesson Specialist 1911 Stainless 5" Pistol 8 RD 9mm Ni Dan Wesson Specialist Stainless 5" Pistol 8 RD 45 ACP Nigh Dan Wesson V-Bob Two-Tone 4.25" Pistol 8 RD 45 ACP Front NS, Dan Wesson V-Bob Stainless 4.25" Pistol 8 RD 45 ACP Front NS. Coupled with the pistols heavily checkered grips, this makes for excellent handling. The frame is cut higher than on an old-school GI model, but the triggerguard is not actually undercut, it is just cut straight back. Subscribe to our email list and get exclusive access to promotions, sales events and more! Constructed with a forged stainless steel slide, frame with 1913 rail, 25 LPI checkering, ambidextrous thumb safety and G10 VZ Operator II grips round . There is no internal firing pin safety on this pistol, as God and John Moses Browning intended; in 1911 slang, it has a Series 70 trigger system. There are plenty of companies making $3,000+ 1911s on the market but there arent a ton in that mid-tier level. 12pm-6pm CST Mon I believe this pistol would make an ideal concealed carry or home defense firearm but easily fill the role of a duty pistol. Please Check back for availability. I picked up a few of the Wilson Combat Elite 10-round magazines with aluminum base plates. Throwback Thursday: Taurus Judge Range Report, ATI Milsport SGA 410 All the Advantages of an AR in .410, Ruger SR1911 LW Commander The Lightweight .45 ACP, Rifle Hack: Sighting for 100 Yards at a Distance of 25 Yards, Throwback Thursday: All About Bullet Grain. Richard C. Brown Owner Of AMERICAN COMBAT, Your email address will not be published. Dan Wesson states that the Distressed version has a hand weathered frame and slide, and doing the work by hand is the only way you could get a gun that looks this beautifully used except the pistol functions perfectly and is brand-new. As you see above on the first photograph with the extended base pad, when you slam it home, the base is about flush with the magazine well. The Dan Wesson Specialist also comes with front cocking serrations and a skeletonized hammer. Designed with the needs of law enforcement in mind, the Specialist Distressed features many state-of-the-art tactical touches. The full 42oz weight of this gun makes it extremely flat shooting and easy to control. www.czgunshop.com, www.czgunstore.com, www.danwessonfirearmstore.com. The SCAR 15P is chambered for 5.56 NATO and, with its 7.5-inch barrel, is the most compact SCAR to date. Posted February 25, 2022 in Pistols, Reviews, Semi-Auto by Matt E with No CommentsTags: 1911, 1911 Review, 9MM 1911, Dan Wesson, Dan Wesson Specialist. Dan Wesson offers the Specialist in 9mm, 45 ACP and 10mm with a Black Duty finish or bead-blasted stainless steel finish. We will notify you when the product arrives back in stock. One of the first things I noticed when looking at my Specialist for the first time was how tight the tolerances were from the factory. Lets take a deeper dive into the Dan Wesson Specialist chambered in 9mm. Let me know what you think about Dan Wessons down in the comments below. They feed and function flawlessly. With stunning brushed flats and bead-blasted rounds . The Dan Wesson Specialist, a culmination of mission-specific features applied to the tried and true 1911 platform. Constructed with a forged stainless steel slide . Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Imagine my surprise when my scale showed the trigger pull to be 4 pounds. I understand why it was flush; in the event, laser grips were installed, it would not interfere with the beam, but with the more traditional slide stop, it makes the pistol much easier to field strip. Forward cocking serrations allow for racking the slide or a press check while keeping the pistol close in your workspace. The frame sports an integral 1913 Picatinny, 25 LPI . Had to support my ol buddie over hereId like to find some extended mags for my dws10mmgonna check your recommendations out now..took a 2hr hike here in eastern ky yesterday with my specialist and 6 trp..damn cyotoes are everywhere here..I live in floyd co which is just west of pike co.Lotta old strip mines with plenty of rabbit they have a field day onhope we run into one another someday I could enjoy a beverage or 2 shootin the bull..thanks again. The Dan Wesson Specialist features aggressive G10 grip plates for a positive hand purchase in all conditions. Tactical night sights top the slide, allowing for a rapid flash sight picture by stacking the front sights white dot over the white dot in the serrated rear sight for daytime shooting. The Specialist also comes with a built-in magwell, ambidextrous safety, and 1913 Picatinny rail as standard for mounting light and laser accessories. Its accuracy and overall comfort to shoot are something that cant be ignored either. Constructed with a forged stainless steel slide, frame with 1913 rail, 25 LPI checkering, ambidextrous thumb safety and G10 VZ Operator II grips . $1,965.00 $1,849.99. Please be respectful of others. $659.99. I really like the idea of having a Picatinny rail on the bottom of the frame for light and laser attachments. Personally, I think the 1911 is an extremely cool platform and really paved the wave for other variants and modern handguns. Slide travel is smooth. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. The Heritage was introduced as an entry-level Dan Wesson. The company was founded by the great-grandson of the founders of Smith & Wesson. All Rights Reserved. Are the old Dan Wesson better than the ones made by cz? Federal Power-Shok Ammo 12 Gauge 3" Rifle ProMag FN Five-seveN 30 Round Polymer Mag HK VP9 Optics Plate #2 - Trijicon RMR / H Dan Wesson Specialist 1911 5" Pistol 8 RD 9mm Night Sights. Dan Wesson V-Bob 45 ACP Two-Tone 1911 Pistol with 10 Grips. Height: 5.5 in. Your email address will not be published. Even the same bullet weight will strike to a different point of impact at different velocity. Throughout the initial review, and the couple of thousand rounds afterward, the pistol did not exhibit any sort of an issue, even with a myriad of ammunition and magazines being used. So, maybe the only thing thats different between a Dan Wesson and a modern custom 1911 is the high price? Home Firearms Handguns Series Review: Dan Wesson 1911 Handguns. 9am-6pm CST Tue-Fri, 2023 Omaha Outdoors, LLC. Not only is it beautiful but also a joy to shoot and handle for all of the reasons you described. As you might have guessed, the appearance of the Specialist Distressed made me a bit nostalgic for my old single-stack carry gun. Breaking clean at 4.75 pounds, the Specialists trigger features just enough take-up to prep the trigger, combined with minimal overtravel to facilitate correct follow-through. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Im an avid shooter and love educating whether its at my job or in the shooting community. It is finished off with a set of G10 VZ Operator II grips that force the hand into the beavertail and hold it there. Ameriglo straight-eight night top the slide, allowing for a rapid flash sight picture by stacking the white dot on the front sight on top of the single dot on the serrated rear sight. Old-school flush seven- and eight-round magazines will still work in the Specialist Distressed, but youll have to press them in with the tip of a finger as theyll sit up inside that oversized magwell. Accuracy has been excellent. The tactical rail on the pistol is a MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail for mounting lights and/or lasers. My suggestion is to contact Dawson and provide them with the serial number of you DW. I do feel it is 1911 evolved.. Everything else being equal, a Series 70 trigger system will provide the lightest and crispest trigger pull of any 1911, and the 1911 already has the trigger pull against which all other pistols are measured. Accuracy was exemplary, as was usability. The classic long-style trigger has a tiny bit of travel before hitting a defined wall and breaking just under 5lbs. If you have questions about firearms, feel free to shoot me a message on my Instagram @fridgeoperator. The grip safety releases its hold on the trigger about halfway into compression. I carried the Specialist with the light attached for over a month with zero issues. That said, if I have the money and the opportunity, yes I will buy one. I never cleaned or oiled the gun before use and despite this, theDan Wesson Specialist worked flawlessly. It does not stick out any farther than the grip panels but is very easy to use. They are full size 1911s. Its a well put together 45, and it looks great. Ive shot plenty of 1911s around the $1,000 mark and others around the $3,000 mark but nothing in that middle ground of $1,800-2,000. Dan Wesson Specialist, .45 ACP, Black Du Dan Wesson Specialist, .45 ACP, Black Duty Finish NEW 01801, Guns > Pistols > Dan Wesson Pistols/Revolvers > 1911 Style. Even with the extended base pad, its about flush with the magazine well on the Specialist. Colt Pistols are renowned for their comfort, accuracy, and power. The Specialist was originally developed for police departments who seeked a more reliable and durable 1911 pistol. Initially, the Specialist was offered in a 9mm Luger and .45 Auto, it can now also be had in 10mm Auto. With all-steel parts, I was confident of the longevity of the pistol over time and abuse. The following websites are NOT affiliated with Dan Wesson. No restocking fee on new and unopened items. Dan Wesson Valor Commander 45 ACP, 4.25" Barrel, Black/SS, 8rd Mag. When you drive the mag home in the Specialist, you may need to use your thumb to ensure the magazine is fully seated. Shot placement is vital. An ambidextrous thumb safety is not imperative for a range gun in my opinion. Add on the fact it has night sights and a great trigger and you can argue it as a viable self-defense gun if you want carry a single stack pistol. The ambidextrous thumb safety is standard. Question I know its all relative but in your opinion how does the Specialist stack up to the Wilson ? Every Dan Wesson 1911 Ive tested over the past decade has been the equal in accuracy, fit, function and looks to custom 1911s, while costing half to two-thirds less. I have found the pistols to be high-end in every sense, save for the price. You can unsubscribe at anytime. A full-size 1911, this Specialist is chambered in 9mm and loaded with features to satisfy a public servant's special requirements. The serrations of the top of the slide are no longer machined into a raised rib, but they are machined into the top of the slide. Facing off in a handgun challenge featuring the smallest professional-grade enclosed red dot sight on the market, Eric and Tom put the Acro P-2 to the distance test by doing a walk-back challenge. DAN WESSON SPECIALIST (10MM AUTO) 5" BARREL (STAINLESS STEEL/BROWN) Dan Wesson Specialist (10mm Auto) 5 Inch Barrel (Stainless Steel/Brown) - (2) 8 Round Magazines, night sights are at 50% ,used in original box with two mags, owner's manual & takedown tool (it's a good looking pistol) It's in 95% condition for finish IAW NRA standards & with the following description and specifications: The trigger is adjustable for overtravel, but during the review, I did not change it. Dan Wesson Kodiak Tri-Tone 10mm 6" Pistol, Dan Wesson Specialist .45ACP 5 Black BLEM, Dan Wesson Specialist .45ACP 5 Stainless, Dan Wesson Specialist .45ACP 5 Stainless BLEM, Dan Wesson Specialist 10mm 5 Black BLEM, Dan Wesson Specialist Distressed .45 ACP 5 Pistol. Over the last couple of months, I have taken it on a dozen or so range sessions where I have roughly 800 rounds through the Specialist. However, one must consider that most modern semi-automatic handguns owe their roots to John Moses Browning (JMB). The hammer on the Specialist Distressed is a rounded Commander-style hammer, which allows it to nestle snugly inside the beavertail grip safety. I have a Pointman and it was love at first sight. There is a new dog in the pen and I cant remember the model but they run 6,000$ grand and take six months to get it. While aesthetics is often considered when buying a handgun, whats under the hood is far greater in importance. However, considering they aid you in funneling that fresh magazine into the gun and help with a speedy reload, I get why it was included with this pistol. I am not a huge fan of extended magazine wells on a pistol. Colt Model 1861 Special Musket: What's Its Value? Notify me about new product releases, reviews, and coupon codes. There is a Commander version with a 4 1/4 barrel, and you have the options of stainless or like with the test sample a black Duty Finish. Taurus Marketing Manager Caleb Giddings highlights the features of the new Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum, a purpose-built revolver with a 10.5-inch barrel and an effective recoil-taming brake, with Guns & Ammo Executive Editor Joe Kurtenbach. How old was this article or how little research did the author do? Pairing the big-bore .45 ACP cartridge with the scaled-down version of Browning's classic design satisfies both . It seems like every time i buy magazine even it says universal 1911.. it does not work right..meaning, it will fit but once i cock the slide it will not release. Speaking of magazines, the Specialist incorporates a magazine well. It seams lime it gets caught. Heritage in .45. It is fine to collect GI guns, but if you are going to bet your life on a handgun, you need good sights. In both full size 5 inch and Commander models. If I had to describe Dan Wesson 1911s, it would be as the most perennially underappreciated, best-value-for-the-price semicustom 1911s on the market. Regarding the Dan Wesson line of 1911 handguns article I own only one at this time its a Dan Wesson VALOR Model in 45acp with a rounded (bobbed) back grip corner & VZ Style G10 grips. If they make a 1911 as fine as their revolvers then I might jus have to consider picking one up. Dan Wesson Firearms Store 2021 All Rights Reserved. All comments are held for moderation and will appear after approval. I spent much of my youth involved with firearms and felt the call early on to the United States Marine Corps, following in my father's and his brother's footsteps. The pistols have the fit and finish we call hand-fitted. Offered in a full-size model, the Specialist Stainless sports a bead blasted stainless finish and is chambered in .45ACP. The slide release also seems to be a nonstandard design and is just a hair larger than the GI model. I saw it in the gun shop just window shopping and had to have it. Dan Wesson Specialist 10mm 5 Black - BLEM. Up for auction is a used Dan Wesson Specialist chambered in .45 acp. The forged stainless steel slide wears our inverted top rib with a single amber tritium dot in the rear sight and a green lamp with white target ring in front. Theres the 5-inch barrel with the original swinging link, 5-inch overall height for the pistol, but the overall length has been stretched to 8 inches with the addition of the beautifully blended beavertail grip safety. These are credible handguns with excellent performance and more than a little pride of ownership. Greatly appreciate it. Their new Specialist Distressed is no exception. Detail stripping the gun at the end of the review confirmed all the parts held up well and showed no signs of ill fit or premature wear. This means the tight lockup results in less unnecessary wear. With a standard magazine base pad, it is recessed, so when you slam it home, you may need to use your thumb to ensure the magazine is fully seated. About Dan Wesson Specialist - 5" Dan Wesson Firearms, or DW is an American handgun maker preferably known for their revolvers, but known as well for the line of 1911 semi-autos. I think this would be an excellent suit gun or something you carry when youre dressing up but still want to have a cool carry pistol. The pistol is completed with an ambidextrous thumb safety and a set of G10 VZ Operator II grips that ensure proper hand placement throughout hours of shooting. Jeff Bradley shows off the Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR) from Christensen Arms at SHOT Show 2023. The Specialist Stainless was originally developed for police departments who seeked a more reliable and durable 1911 pistol. The frontstrap of the frame and the mainspring housing feature 25 lines-per-inch (lpi) checkering. [], Your email address will not be published. That doesnt mean it is a cheap gun, it is simply more affordable than some of the other Dan Wesson handguns retail is still over $1000. It looks like its been riding around in a leather holster for a few years, only without the accompanying dings and divots in the steel and grips youd usually see. Antique (Pre-1899) Rifles - Flintlock Misc, Antique (Pre-1899) Rifles - Matchlock/Wheellock Misc, Century Arms International (CAI) - Rifles, Muzzleloading Modern & Replica Rifles (perc), Winchester Rifles - Modern Bolt/Auto/Single, Winchester Rifles - Pre-1899 Bolt/Single Shot, Century Arms International (CAI) - Pistols, Colt Automatic Pistols (.25, .32, & .380 cal), Colt Single Action Revolvers - Modern (22 Cal. Some of the loads will put five shots into two inches at 25 yards. Eric Poole and Tom Beckstrand test the Aimpoint Acro P-2 against one of red dot sights' biggest myths: distance. This is a 2-inch gun, I said to myself at the time and if you look at the 25-yard accuracy results, youll see that I was right. Best 1911 mags out there. Speaking of the 9mm version, it ships with two 10-round magazines. Let Oak Hill Guns help you find the best firearm that matches your skill and interest. Dan Wesson does NOT sell firearms directly to consumers online,instead selling our products through an Authorized Dealer network as well as to major wholesale distributors that work with all other FFL dealers. The tritium insert on the rear sight does not have a colored ring around it to draw your eye away from the ever-important front sight. Slide-to-frame-to-barrel fit is excellent, with no play. The provided Dan Wesson magazines have polymer basepads that assist in seating a magazine, especially at speed. The Pointman features fully-adjustable rear sights. Hand fit and hand polish are important components of the 1911 handgun. The Pointman has been the flagship of the Dan Wesson line for some time. I have test fired this handgun with a number of handloads and defense loads as well. Range Review: Dan Wesson TCP 1911. Colt Custom Carry Limited, superb hideaway. This .45 ACP version is supplied with two stainless eight-round magazines. We reserve the right to edit as appropriate, delete profane, harassing, abusive and spam comments or posts, and block repeat offenders. Dan Wesson. As far as triggers and ergonomics, the 1911-style pistols set the standard. Please use caution when giving personal payment information online. Swapping grip plates is straightforward if you prefer something less belligerent.. DW 1911 Features: Hand fit 70 series frame and slide Hand fit match barrels Hand fit match grade components throughout Zero MIM parts Carry bevel treatment | Models include Pointman, V-Bob, Specialist, ECO, Heritage . 's blog. I find this D.W. 1911 to be as fine as some full custom built 1911s on the market today and all for a very reasonable price. Im an average joe that really loves talking with other people about firearms and other passions. Weight: 42.3 oz. The TaurusTX 22 Compact delivers class-leading reliability, capacity, and shootability in a 22 LR platform, and it's cut for a slide-mounted mini red dot. The one disadvantage to a magazine well is you should be running magazines with extended base pads. -. Compare . ), Muzzleloading Modern & Replica Pistols (flint), Muzzleloading Modern & Replica Pistols (perc), United States Patent Firearms Revolvers/Pistols, Century Arms International (CAI) - Shotguns. We do not sell or share your information with anyone. Just after high school I enlisted and felt most at home on the rifle range, where I qualified expert with several firearms and spent some time as a rifle coach to my fellow Marines. The recoil spring under the barrel, double camming surfaces on the lower barrel lug, and receiver-mounted slide release are used to raise and lower the barrel. I have tested several of the all-steel five-inch barrel variants. When police departments approached us to build them a more reliable, durable 1911 to replace the ones they had been carrying, we developed a model just for them. The slide-lock safety indents properly. Normally I am not a huge fan of extended magazine wells on a pistol, but considering they do aid you in funneling that fresh magazine into the pistol, helping with a speedy reload, I get why it was included with this pistol. This Specialist Distressed is the full-size model, which sports the same Government model dimensions that have been around since, oh, 1911. (tested); single action It is no secret Dan Wesson is one of my favorite 1911 manufacturers, but that is with good reason, and the Specialist is no exception. Proudly powered by WordPress They can tell you what dovetail cut is on your DW and provide you with multiple options.They can install your sight or you can do it you self. I have the dan wesson Discretion and the specialist in 10mm. After some 500 rounds downrange with various magazines, various rounds, and several folks running the pistol, we had zero malfunctions. The overtravel can be adjusted, but I elected to leave it as set as it came from the factory. Forward cocking serrations were added for 2020, and while I am not a fan of forward cocking serrations on a 1911, purely for aesthetic reasons, this being a pistol designed for hard duty use, I understand their inclusion. A quality 1911 will last longer with hand fitting, as good fit means that eccentric wear is less. DAN WESSON SPECIALIST 1911 STAINLESS STEEL COMMANDER .45 ACP: GunBroker is the largest seller of Semi Auto Pistols Pistols Guns & Firearms All: 973036944. . A pistol that is hand-fitted with forged parts is well worth its price. The reset is short with a defined audible click making it clear the gun is ready to fire again. Its a quality product and Im very happy its mine. We will notify you when the product arrives back in stock. For sale: One (1) new in box Dan Wesson Specialist, .45 ACP. Dan Wesson ships the pistol and two eight-round magazines with extended base pads. The rear sight is drift adjustable via a set screw. But its not the reliability of the Specialist Distressed that makes it stand out; its the custom-grade fit, the accuracy and the distressed finish that distinguishes this 1911 from the rest. This checkering helps when the hand is sweaty or cold. Dan Wesson 1911 Specialist Distressed Specs Type: Hammer fired, semiautomatic Cartridge: .45 ACP Capacity: 8+1 rds. It has a match grade 5 barrel chambered in 9mm. Their reaction upon seeing the Specialist Distressed was the same as mine namely, that it is the best-looking distressed finish that any of us had ever seen. The overall weight of the Specialist is just over 42oz. Quick view. In the gun world, the 1911 is about as polarizing as it can get. Lets face it, the trigger is the unifier here. The older generations think its the greatest invention since sliced bread where the younger generations laugh at its capacity and overall weight. Dan Wesson Specialist 1911 5" Pistol 8 RD 9mm Night Sights $2,179.00 (Save up to 9%) Price $1,987.67 In Stock 01806 Dan Wesson Dan Wesson ECP 9 Pistol $1,705.00 (Save up to 6%) Price $1,606.82 01884 Dan Wesson Dan Wesson DWX Red Pistol 9mm 5" 19 RD $2,099.00 (Save up to 9%) Price $1,914.22 92001 Dan Wesson The thumb safety on this pistol is a bilateral model with oversized levers. The Dan Wesson Specialist Commander 1911 has a match-grade 4.25-inch barrel. Dan Wesson V-Bob 1911 4.25" Pistol 8 RD 45 ACP Front Night Lancer 30 Round 300 Blackout Smoke Magazine, LWRC IC DI M-LOK 5.56 Titanium 30RD Copper Handguard / Buffer, Maglula LULA Loader CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 9mm. Offered in a full-size model, the Specialist Distressed sports a distinct distressed Duty Black finish and is chambered in .45ACP. The forged stainless steel slide wears our inverted top rib with a single amber tritium dot in the rear sight and a green lamp with a white target ring in front. The same could be said for the accessory rail machined into the dust cover. The people at my FFL are veterans of the industry and see a lot of firearms. Kimber 1911. In cases such as these, aggressive grips are warranted. You'll find the Dan Wesson Specialist Pistols you're looking for at Danwessonfirearmstore.com, the world's largest online auction site dedicated to Dan Wesson Firearms Sales. I get it for a fighting pistol like this you may be sweating, bleeding, have gloves and such and such stocks are warranted, but for range use, I added a set of Alumagrips, still plenty of aggressive but not as much as the G 10s and added a bit of comfort for some of the folks helping out. Let me know down in the comments whatever way you lean on this. Thank you for your review! Well, truthfully it rode in on a truck, but semantics and all. Can you please give me models for magazines fir the 45 and 10mm? The feed ramp is properly polished with the requisite 1/32nd-inch grp between the two parts of the feed ramp. Truly, reliability is the heart and soul of a pistol. . This is a big step up in handling. All 1911 handguns demand some degree of hand fitting. I am not a professional shooter by any means, and therefore do not require such a firearm.