Dan Wesson Specialist Commander .45 - First Shots

[jimbobborg]

I nearly bought a Silverback last year but someone beat me to it. Wouldn't be all that surprised if it was yourself.

I ordered it through Vienna Arsenal, $1998 out the door. His supplier had three more in stock

Interesting. Barrel bushing was pretty tight but I didn't need to use the included tool to remove it for field stripping. It came pretty well lubricated from the factory. Biggest thing I noticed was how well everything fit together. To me, that suggests a higher level of attention to finishing than most 'production' 1911's I've previously owned.

Bushing was super tight, even with all of the grease in there. The slide lock almost took a punch to get out. The slide is like it's on rails, though. I need to run a few more rounds through it. It is super accurate, and I hope it stays that way.

 

[OrbitalEllipses]

I nearly bought a Silverback last year but someone beat me to it. Wouldn't be all that surprised if it was yourself.

Interesting. Barrel bushing was pretty tight but I didn't need to use the included tool to remove it for field stripping. It came pretty well lubricated from the factory. Biggest thing I noticed was how well everything fit together. To me, that suggests a higher level of attention to finishing than most 'production' 1911's I've previously owned.

I couldn't get my DW Pointman's bushing off without the tool for several hundred rounds at least. I ended up notching the slide stop for easier reinsertion too.

 

[photoracer]

DW 1911s are considered among the best out there by pro shooters, mainly for carry. Not something you would beat to death year round in shooting events but the kind of 1911 that works when you take it out of the box. Something you can count on to carry when you leave the range. And the tolerances are so good they won't choke if you forget to lube them now and then. Not like any $800 and under 1911 you might buy from the cheaper venders (or even Colt for that matter). Used to be when I carried I used my HK USP Compact, but now 99% of the time I grab my DW Guardian 9mm Bobtail Commander. Both are reliable but the DW is slimmer and conceals better (WV now).

 

[judah7]

Nice pistol! I've never owned a 1911 but I always hear they are sweet shooters.

 

[Czechnologist]

Damn. You are a shooter. That's a nice pistol.

Thank you. One thing the Army does very well is teach its Grunts how to shoot and I tried to be the best student I could. Never missed a chance to spend the day at the range, try-out for Berlin Brigade's pistol team (made it in 78 and 79), NATO weapons orientation, Berlin Polizei Day. You name it. You learn real fast that the more Army-approved extra curricular activities you participated in, the less shit-duty you performed. Shit duty = guard duty, paint brigade, or let's-see-how-fast-we-can-walk-12-miles-carrying-all-of-our-crap. You get the idea. I shot and I played soccer. I never painted anything and the only time I picked-up cigarette butts was when we all had to do it on police call after morning formation. The price I paid was a pair of very f*cked-up knees and a lifelong joy of shooting that I just can't seem to do much about. I wouldn't change a thing, though. I don't have many things in my life that I regret but, not staying in and doing my 20 is definitely in my Top Ten.

 

[Outerlimits]

Dan Wessons are some of the most accurate 1911's out their. Right up their with Wilson Combat, Les Baer, Night Hawk. Just a few dollars less and great shooters, run great, and you never have any problems with them.......But if you should their Customer Service is top notch. Great Groups its not just the gun!!! I love shooting 45acp, I have a Kimber, and a Wilson Combat. If you ever get tired of shooting that 230 Grain Hardball ammo, I started buying 200 Grain 45 acp from Freedom Munitions, every bit as accurate as 230, but a little less recoil, and usually a little cheaper to shoot. Have shot thousands of rounds of Freedom's ammo and no problems with it. Catch a free shipping event, plus no sales tax. Cant beat it.
https://www.freedommunitions.com/ammunition/pistol/45-acp.html

 

[Czechnologist]

The worst part about owning a gun like this...is having to wait two weeks between trips to the range. I finally had a chance to go back today and put a couple hundred rounds thru it and went early to beat the Saturday crowd.

To summarize: 200 rounds today; 425 rounds total - ZERO malfunctions. I've pretty much settled on Geco 230gr FMJ as my base line test ammo. Its consistency and price being the two determining factors in the decision.

Warmed-up on the small bullseye target at 10 yards:

Pushed the target out to 15 yards and figured it would open my group up a bit more. It did but, it was mostly my fault. Everything I shot at that distance seemed to want to go left. I chalk it to Blaster229 not being there to demean/humiliate me when I need it most:

Overall, though, I'm very pleased with these results and very impressed with this gun. I've only owned a couple of 1911's that didn't malfunction, at least, once or twice during the first 1000 rounds but this one shows no indication of ever doing so.

 

[Dsnyder]

The 1911 has always been my favorite pistol. Yours is very, very nice.

 

[Czechnologist]

The 1911 has always been my favorite pistol. Yours is very, very nice.

I can't deny that I'm a fan. It was the first handgun I ever learned how to shoot and maintain.

 

[Florida_11B]

I can't deny that I'm a fan. It was the first handgun I ever learned how to shoot and maintain.

WOW you are dating yourself. LOL J/K. Additionally I am glad that you spent the money to get something that is Excellent Quality in stead of getting a RII and being dumbfounded when it has problems. I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for. Enjoy the new toy

 

[3paul10]

Zzzzzz man, you have some nice guns my friend!

 

[Czechnologist]

WOW you are dating yourself. LOL J/K. Additionally I am glad that you spent the money to get something that is Excellent Quality in stead of getting a RII and being dumbfounded when it has problems. I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for. Enjoy the new toy

Yep, I'm getting pretty close to achieving 'geezer' status! My issue gun in the Army was a 1911A1 that was about 7 years older than I was.

I've had it go both ways with 1911's - cheap ones that ran better than I could ever imagine and expensive one's that were absolute junk. I felt pretty good about getting the DW, though. It has run flawlessly for 400+ rounds and shows no indication of doing otherwise.

Zzzzzz man, you have some nice guns my friend!

Thank you! I've had a pretty good year so far!

 

[Czechnologist]

Some great deals out there on Sellier & Bellot 230gr FMJ prompted me to order 1000 rounds @ .28 center p/r with free shipping. Due to time and travel constraints, I went over to HTC Sunday morning to try a couple more boxes of it.

Warmed-up on the 10 yard bullseye:

Replaced the bullseye with a silhouette target and moved it out to 15 yards:

Even if it does foul the pistol considerably more than either Geco or Fiocchi, I can't complain about the results. This 1911 is steadily becoming the gun I enjoy shooting the most.

 

[manderson]

Congrats! Really nice pistol. Might have to snag one myself. DW is one of the most highly recommended 1911's in their price range on the 1911 Forum. My first 1911 was a DW PM7. I've had it for almost ten years and it's the best $800 I ever spent.

 

[Czechnologist]

Congrats! Really nice pistol. Might have to snag one myself. DW is one of the most highly recommended 1911's in their price range on the 1911 Forum. My first 1911 was a DW PM7. I've had it for almost ten years and it's the best $800 I ever spent.

I hit back-to-back home runs between the DW Specialist Commander and the Walther PPQ 45 and I couldn't tell ya which one I like shooting more. Both are insanely accurate and reliable. Both constantly remind me of why I prefer .45 ACP to 9mm for bowling pin and steel plate matches.

 

[kmartin370]

Dang, your shooting makes me want to run out and get one of those.

 

[Steve_Zissou]

Agreed, this thread is doing nothing whatsoever to make me not want a Razorback.

 

[DaemonAssassin]

I was on stay-cation last week and all I did was go to BBP to look at the Zev Glock 17 and 19. I've started to really get-into striker-fired pistols and had seriously been considering a Glock but wanted one that I knew Boundlesdyad didn't have (yet). CZ P-10 and FN 509 are also on my radar.

When Dan handed me that DW, though, I was done. Had no idea that it was available in a Commander-version.

You want a Glock? Get one that has a department serial number or one that has department markings on it... He won't have that one. But if you want to give my G22 a shot, let me know and we'll plan a range day.

 

[Czechnologist]

You want a Glock? Get one that has a department serial number or one that has department markings on it... He won't have that one. But if you want to give my G22 a shot, let me know and we'll plan a range day.

I'm not in any real big hurry. I stopped by BBP to check-out the Zev Glock because I had never seen a $1500 Glock before. It was extremely cool but, obviously, I didn't make it past Dan's 1911 case. I have a feeling that happens pretty often there? BBP has gotta be the only gun shop in MD where you can do a side-by-side comparison of an Ed Brown, Les Baer, STI, Nighthawk, Guncrafter, WC and Dan Wesson.

I could use a range day! I'll be back home next week and will definitely give you a call!

 

[DaemonAssassin]

I'm not in any real big hurry. I stopped by BBP to check-out the Zev Glock because I had never seen a $1500 Glock before. It was extremely cool but, obviously, I didn't make it past Dan's 1911 case. I have a feeling that happens pretty often there? BBP has gotta be the only gun shop in MD where you can do a side-by-side comparison of an Ed Brown, Les Baer, STI, Nighthawk, Guncrafter, WC and Dan Wesson.

I could use a range day! I'll be back home next week and will definitely give you a call!

I might be able to wake up the Kimber for that. Gotta tell it I have food for it.

Let me know and we'll figure something out.