I'm so stoked... (atten:Tuner it's a 1911 thang)

I've just purchased a membership to the 1911 club :D .

I call CDNN and order a Dan Wesson Panther, along with some Coco Bolo ultra thin grips.

I had been searching the forums and other sites looking at reviews and such for Dan Wesson guns and found a thread that said that CDNN was sold out of the Dan Wessons. So I called just to get the gun off my mind and sure enough they were sold out. :( Then Tommy asked what Dan Wesson I was looking at and I told him "the full size Panther", and he said "Oh, we've got 10 of those, but they'll go fast". So I got me one, it should be here by Monday.

So this being my first first 1911, what is the pre-range new gun ritual prep.

What are some things that I need to look out for?

How do those that carry a government model do so?

I don't know that I'll carry it, I've got a compact .40 and 9mm for that, but who knows.;)

Here is what the gun looks like for those not familiar with them (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=38633173)

Very nice ;)
I haven't had an oppertunity to shoot a Dan Wesson, but i've heard some good things about them.

My only recommendation is that (for me, at least) 1911s with flat mainspring housings point way too low. Swapping on an arched mainspring housing might help with pointability.

Congrats on your 1911!

First things first field strip the gun and clean and lube it. Reapply fresh lube to the gun before heading out to the range.

Familiarize yourself with the gun, not too much to familiarize, but it'll be easier at the range when you don't have to think about the controls. Thumb safety up is safe, down is fire (most guns are opposite :uhoh: ) Grip safety which many handguns don't have. etc etc...

Well... only thing else is to ENJOY the gun. You'll love it. It'll be one of those guns that you fire off a magazine, then check the chamber to see if its clear and take a few moments to admire the gun.... the almighty 1911! :D

Things to watch out for, when you disassemble the gun, the recoil plug is under a lot of pressure and can shoot across the room. Wear safety glasses and DONT point the recoil plug towards you. Getting hit in the face or in the eye can and will be very dangerous.

For carry, a good quality holster and belt is important. OWB holster I recommend a Milt Sparks 55BN or 60TK for highride. IWB many or seems like all would recommend the Milt Sparks VMII.

Anyways go out and have fun. Stop reading these forums, go out and shoot!

Just wanted to second what other posters have said. I think you will love the 1911 design and how naturally it will operate for you (it does for most I think).

I carry mine in a comptac C-Tac. It holds it securely and doesnt scoot around much. It also conceals well. After sitting for extended periods, it can start to get uncomfy (basically cuts off some circulation for a while, bleh) but thats probably because I'm a fairly thin guy.

I'd basically reccomend any good, name brand IWB for concealment.

I saw that Panther in the new catalog. Those are a steel at that price. (quietly hoping they sell out before I give in to temptation). :evil: