Dan Wesson 1911 experience

[Magyars]

I possess a DW Valkyrie. Great gun for personal protection/concealed carry

 

[2tonic]

In my case, there wasn't anything specific. I had just read the INGO DW fanboys talk for years about how they were as good and probably better than any of the semi custom 1911s. I have Les Baers, Wilson Combat and Nighthawk. It simply was not in that class. So I had a let down.

That's fair enough. DWs are production guns, cut by machines, with some hand fitting. They have their machining down pat. They use high quality aftermarket parts where they want, and the finished product is beautiful.
But you're quite correct, they're not in the same class as the all hand fitted pistols like a Nighthawk, Wilson, Ed Brown, or Les Baer.

They do however offer a solidly performing pistol, and a great value, without mortgaging the house.

 

[Colt556]

I recent picked up a FN 510 and so far, really liking it.

Great…. I didn’t even know that the FN510 existed and after reading up on it I need one!!! Thanks a Lot!!

 

[63PGP]

Great…. I didn’t even know that the FN510 existed and after reading up on it I need one!!! Thanks a Lot!!

Anytime.

If it helps my 510 fits a couple holsters, I have that were made for HK USP's. Not perfect but good for range days.

 

[Colt556]

Anytime.

If it helps my 510 fits a couple holsters, I have that were made for HK USP's. Not perfect but good for range days.

I guess I should have put it in purple.

 

[63PGP]

Oh, I got it. Hence the anytime comment.

 

[mmpsteve]

I havn't dove into the top-tier 1911's or 2011's yet, but these two DW's put a smile on my face. I bought the black one new, and the plum one from an esteemed member of INGO. The long slides balance perfect for me, and they don't feel as heavy as they really are.

The brand new one had a problem: The adjustment screw for the rear sight was tightened down enough to impede into the firing pin channel, interfering with the spring and leaving the firing pin extended out of it's hole. Had a slight failure to eject, and just happened to notice it sticking out. Just lucky I saw it before chambering another round.

I've been hoping they'd make a 9mm Specialist Commander, but havn't seen one yet.

In any case,





.

 

[Hopper]

Nice rigs @mmpsteve !

FWIW, DW gave their Specialist models a facelift in 2020, which cancelled the commander in 9mm. You can still get the 5" in 9mm but will need to keep your eyes peeled for a 9mm commander built 2019 or earlier. Seems those who have them aren't turning them loose!

 

[10mm]

I havn't dove into the top-tier 1911's or 2011's yet, but these two DW's put a smile on my face. I bought the black one new, and the plum one from an esteemed member of INGO. The long slides balance perfect for me, and they don't feel as heavy as they really are.

The brand new one had a problem: The adjustment screw for the rear sight was tightened down enough to impede into the firing pin channel, interfering with the spring and leaving the firing pin extended out of it's hole. Had a slight failure to eject, and just happened to notice it sticking out. Just lucky I saw it before chambering another round.

I've been hoping they'd make a 9mm Specialist Commander, but havn't seen one yet.

In any case,

View attachment 331126

View attachment 331127

.

Love the pieces. I keep leaning toward the long slides since they have that special aesthetic that I can't get enough of.


On a separate note. Thank you everyone for the replies so far. This got a lot more action than I had anticipated

 

[TheGhostRider]

I’m still digging my Valor .45
I’ve had a number of 1911s and this one is by far my favorite.

 

[Hopper]

I should've played the picture game earlier! This one is too much fun, it's like a squirt gun scalpel in 9mm. I prefer the feel and balance of a commander, but zero buyer's remorse with this 5" model.

 

[Jim5528]

I enjoy both of my DW’s

 

[Colt556]

My DW Valkyrie and Guardian in 9mm and 38 Super. All I’ve done is change the grips.

 

[venenoindy]

I havn't dove into the top-tier 1911's or 2011's yet, but these two DW's put a smile on my face. I bought the black one new, and the plum one from an esteemed member of INGO. The long slides balance perfect for me, and they don't feel as heavy as they really are.

The brand new one had a problem: The adjustment screw for the rear sight was tightened down enough to impede into the firing pin channel, interfering with the spring and leaving the firing pin extended out of it's hole. Had a slight failure to eject, and just happened to notice it sticking out. Just lucky I saw it before chambering another round.

I've been hoping they'd make a 9mm Specialist Commander, but havn't seen one yet.

In any case,

View attachment 331126

View attachment 331127

.

Dan Wesson Specialist Commander Black 9mm Pistol - BLEM For Sale Online - Dan Wesson Firearms Store

The Specialist is one of the newest additions to the Dan Wesson stable. When police departments approached Dan Wesson to build them a more reliable, durable 1911 to replace the ones they had been carrying, they developed a model just for them. The additions that made it ideal for law enforcement...

danwessonfirearmstore.com

 

[Quickfoot11]

I've got an itch that only an expensive new toy will scratch and I'm still in the middle of researching. My want is a middle expense 1911 in 10mm that will be hunting legal and I may want to carry it. Right now I'm sitting on two dan Wesson/cz models: the Kodiak and the Specialist.

I'm looking for the good, the bad, and the ugly of new dw/cz and if anyone has any first hand experience with them. I appreciate answers and I'm always willing to look at other models in the $1500-2500 range. I don't think I want to go full nighthawk though.

I don't think there's too much UGLY associated with DW. Go handle them, pure beauty. I have a DW classic bobtail 1911 in 45, it is a piece of art.

However, I'm not a big 1911 guy. Like you, I got an itch to have a high-end (for me) 1911 and after some research I landed on DW. The thing is gorgeous, it's fun to shoot, but I really have no practical purpose for it other than range fun (which I suppose is good enough sometimes!). I've been considering selling it off at some point though, it just sits in the safe honestly.

 

[10mm]

I don't think there's too much UGLY associated with DW. Go handle them, pure beauty. I have a DW classic bobtail 1911 in 45, it is a piece of art.

However, I'm not a big 1911 guy. Like you, I got an itch to have a high-end (for me) 1911 and after some research I landed on DW. The thing is gorgeous, it's fun to shoot, but I really have no practical purpose for it other than range fun (which I suppose is good enough sometimes!). I've been considering selling it off at some point though, it just sits in the safe honestly.

A range toy will be most of its life, but it will come hunting with me every year too. I've handgun hunted a few times with a .44 and squirrels with a volquartsen .22 mk4. I'm fairly confident it will get exercise outside of that and I'm obviously a huge 10mm nut, so it won't be anything to have another sitting in the collection. I keep leaning toward the Kodiak because I've always had a special place for long slides since I saw a javelina over a decade ago at a show somewhere.

 

[JTKelly]

Anytime.

If it helps my 510 fits a couple holsters, I have that were made for HK USP's. Not perfect but good for range days.

Only holster I'm finding for my 510 is the Desantis on the FN webpage. What HK holster does it fit in?

 

[63PGP]

OWB
KT Mech #5 Gunfighter and an older Red Hill Tactical but both of those companies make holsters specifically for the FN 510. The KT Mech holsters look strange on the website but every single one I've ever ordered has fit the specific pistol perfect. I've ordered for the USP, Mark 23 and a FNX-45 which I sold with the pistol. At $50 I think they are a deal.

Pure Kustom leather holster made for my USP 45.

IWB
Kramer #3 made for an HK USP 40.

 

[kawtech87]

A couple years ago I got lucky and scored a brand new PM-C off gun broker. I had been saving up to order one and just my luck when I had gotten the money saved DW went and discontinued them. But I won the auction and a few days later I had my favorite carry 1911.

 

[chadm]

That's fair enough. DWs are production guns, cut by machines, with some hand fitting. They have their machining down pat. They use high quality aftermarket parts where they want, and the finished product is beautiful.
But you're quite correct, they're not in the same class as the all hand fitted pistols like a Nighthawk, Wilson, Ed Brown, or Les Baer.

They do however offer a solidly performing pistol, and a great value, without mortgaging the house.

I would love to agree with you, but I can’t tell any quality difference or accuracy difference between Springfield Armory TRP, Les Baer Primere II, or a Dan Wesson Specialist.

I can’t tell any accuracy difference between the above guns and the many Colts I’ve owned. But the Colts are the only ones with battle rattle. Gosh they rattle. But they work flawlessly and are as accurate as they come.