My New 45: Dan Wesson Commander Classic Bobtail

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Question for the group.

I have several Wilson Combat 47D magazines and they work fine. However on this gun, the smaller dimensions is one of the things that I like. So I want to get some more flush fit 8 round magazines. I see DW has their own brand for like $33 a piece. Wilson doesn't have any that are base padless. Chip Mc makes flush fit 8 rounders that should work fine, and I've always heard good things about that brand.

Has anyone used the DW flush fit 8 round mags? How do they compare in longevity and durability, but most importantly in reliability compared to Chip Mc magazines? Other brands I should look at?

I'll use my Wilson mags for the range, but flush fits for carry once they are adequately tested.
 
Haven’t used the DW mags. But congrats on your fine new piece of machinery and art! That’s one to be proud of.
 
Another congratulations. I have two 9mm Dan Wessons, a Guardian and an ECO. Both have been fantastic, and I'm considering buying another one in 45.

In regards to magazines, the only issue I had with the ones you mentioned was using hollow point ammunition in a couple of Chip McCormick magazines. They won't reliably feed HST 230 grain ammo, the SD ammo I use with 45's. They told me that their magazines work best with ball ammo. I pasted the info from their website below.

Q. What types of ammunition give the best function with CMC's magazines?
A. The Model 1911 pistol was designed to function best with .45 ACP cartridges that use a bullet with a smooth contoured nose, seated to an overall length of 1.260 inches. Model 1911 pistols chambered for the .38 Super cartridge also function best with bullets having a smooth contoured nose and an overall length of 1.260 inches. In pistols chambered for the 9mm cartridge, the best bullet shape is one with a smooth, rounded side and nose profile. Those projectiles should be seated so that the overall length of the cartridge is at least 1.150 inches.
If you are still having issues with Ammo, please contact our Tech Support Team.
 
TomJ said:
Another congratulations. I have two 9mm Dan Wessons, a Guardian and an ECO. Both have been fantastic, and I'm considering buying another one in 45.

In regards to magazines, the only issue I had with the ones you mentioned was using hollow point ammunition in a couple of Chip McCormick magazines. They won't reliably feed HST 230 grain ammo, the SD ammo I use with 45's. They told me that their magazines work best with ball ammo. I pasted the info from their website below.

Q. What types of ammunition give the best function with CMC's magazines?
A. The Model 1911 pistol was designed to function best with .45 ACP cartridges that use a bullet with a smooth contoured nose, seated to an overall length of 1.260 inches. Model 1911 pistols chambered for the .38 Super cartridge also function best with bullets having a smooth contoured nose and an overall length of 1.260 inches. In pistols chambered for the 9mm cartridge, the best bullet shape is one with a smooth, rounded side and nose profile. Those projectiles should be seated so that the overall length of the cartridge is at least 1.150 inches.
If you are still having issues with Ammo, please contact our Tech Support Team.
Click to expand...
Thank you. That is also my preferred 45 SD ammo, so I may skip the Mc magazines, and order a few Dan Wessons. I'll test mine first though to make sure it'll feed HSTs.
 
460Shooter said:
Has anyone used the DW flush fit 8 round mags? How do they compare in longevity and durability, but most importantly in reliability compared to Chip Mc magazines? Other brands I should look at?
Click to expand...


Typically DW's are Metalform mags. I dont trust any 8rd flush fit mag period!
 
As a dealer myself, I can tell you those new production CBOBs have really gone up in price! I remember when you could pick those up under $1000 all day. I'm kicking myself now that I only bought one back then. Congrats on a very fine pistol!
 
I'm jealous! I'm likely going to get a DW Valor bobtail in 10mm that should like just like that beauty (or I hope it does, anyways).
 
Olympus said:
As a dealer myself, I can tell you those new production CBOBs have really gone up in price! I remember when you could pick those up under $1000 all day. I'm kicking myself now that I only bought one back then. Congrats on a very fine pistol!
Click to expand...
I’m digging the grips but now I’m contemplating how a set of desert ironwoods would look on it.

Might have to hit you up.
 
Olympus said:
As a dealer myself, I can tell you those new production CBOBs have really gone up in price! I remember when you could pick those up under $1000 all day. I'm kicking myself now that I only bought one back then. Congrats on a very fine pistol!
Click to expand...

I paid $909 for mine in 2008.
 
460Shooter: said:
Honestly speaking, I’ve now gotten to handle a few Ed Browns, a Les Baer, and a Nighthawk Custom. The Dan Wessons IMO have just as nice of fit and finish as any of the stainless Baers, Browns, and the Nighthawk, that I’ve seen. Can’t speak for the rest.
Click to expand...

I’ve had my DW Valor for years now and it’s the best gun I own. The only change I would ever make to it would be to put an adjustable sight on it. I’ve had the.chance to shoot a few Wilson Combat 1911’s, a Les Baer Premier II, and a Nighthawk and I can’t shoot these “premium” 1911’s any better than I can shoot my Valor. The custom built bullseye gun I had a chance to shoot & tried to buy certainly outshot my Valor. I’ve my eye on a DW Pointman 7 for some time now and it’s just a matter of time before one comes home with me.
 
JDR said:
I’ve had my DW Valor for years now and it’s the best gun I own. The only change I would ever make to it would be to put an adjustable sight on it. I’ve had the.chance to shoot a few Wilson Combat 1911’s, a Les Baer Premier II, and a Nighthawk and I can’t shoot these “premium” 1911’s any better than I can shoot my Valor. The custom built bullseye gun I had a chance to shoot & tried to buy certainly outshot my Valor. I’ve my eye on a DW Pointman 7 for some time now and it’s just a matter of time before one comes home with me.
Click to expand...
Honestly I really doubt I’d be able to shoot the difference either. Maybe, who knows. There’s likely more inherent mechanical accuracy to the others due to more hand fitting, but I’ve only been shooting 1911s for maybe 8 years. And I only owned a S&W E Series prior to this gun and my PM-38.

Dan Wesson 38 Super

Dan Wesson 38 Super


If you’re used to driving a Chevy Impala, and then buy a Camaro, you’ll notice the difference. But a Corvette is still a higher performance car. But I’m no race car driver, so I like the Camaro just fine.
 
Ya gotta watch out for those Dan Wesson's because they are habit forming.:uhoh:
I started out getting a 715 revolver, looked high and low for a pre-lock S&W 686 but couldn't find one at a reasonable price. Then it occurred to me, interchangeable barrels, cylinder turns the same way as my Colt's, built like a tank. One of my better decisions.
Then about a year later I'm at the range when my firearms consultant, who knows I'm a 1911 freak, wiggles a DW Bobtail Valor in front of my nose. Feigning disinterest I ask to look at the offerings from Les Baer, Wilson combat and Ed Brown, which he happily obliged doing knowing perfectly well he was about to set the hook. The Cobra carry was to die for except the $3500 price tag but the Valor had everything I wanted and nothing I didn't. Down goes the bobber and into the net I go.
Fast forward to this year and I spot a PM-38, like yours, on Gun Broker opening bid was quite attractive so I went for it.
Nobody bid against me and I won, crap now I gotta pay for this thing, never expected that. :oops:
A 38 Super was always on my bucket list so no harm done I can check that one off the list.
Problem is after reloading it for a while I really like the 38 Super so much so I had to pop for a commander sized Guardian.
Thank God hunting season is almost upon us which will keep me out of that evil gun store.;)
 
tarosean: said:
Typically DW's are Metalform mags. I dont trust any 8rd flush fit mag period!
Click to expand...

My DW Valor came with CMC Shooting Stars, didn’t like them, and these were replaced with Wilson Combat 47D’s, no problems since.
 
Are Metalform and Checkmate the same. Mine came with Checkmates and now they are stamped DW. Haven't had any problems with them.
 
I put 100 rounds through this gun on Sunday afternoon. It shot very well and banging the 6" steel plate at 20 yards was no problem. I need to shoot it a lot more before I'd carry it, but all in all I'm happy.

The very first round didn't want to go into battery, but after that, all the 8 round mags I had with me worked fine. It needs a bit more breaking in. I may switch to 7 round mags in the future.
 
TomJ said:
In regards to magazines, the only issue I had with the ones you mentioned was using hollow point ammunition in a couple of Chip McCormick magazines. They won't reliably feed HST 230 grain ammo, the SD ammo I use with 45's. They told me that their magazines work best with ball ammo. I pasted the info from their website below.
Click to expand...
I don't doubt you had problems with McCormick mags in your 1911 with HST ammo as nearly every 1911/mag/ammo combination could be considered unique. However, I'd not consider it a blanket condemnation of McCormick mags with HST ammo.

I'd also take the "work best with ball ammo" with a grain of salt. The 1911 was designed to work best with ball ammo. Nearly every 1911 manufacturer and probably most 1911 mag makers will say that. However, there is nothing particular about McCormick mags that limit them to ball ammo. Actually, all McCormick mags come with wadcutter feed lips which are optimized for shorter rounds such as semi-wadcutters and hollow points rather than ball ammo.

McCormick, Wilson, Tripp, and just about everybody else that makes 1911 magazines uses wadcutter feed lips. If you want some other feed lip design, and I can only think of two other's, hybrid and GI, you'll need to go to CheckMate.
 
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