Dan Wesson 1911's?
- Thread starter Shipwreck
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Have one,a DW PT-CBOB
And my experience to this point has been excellent. Won't speak to a comparision, as don't/haven't owned or shot either you mentioned. DW ran good out of box and was extremely tight and needed some break in to slick up the action. Functions reliably and reasonably accurate for my uses (IDPA).
And my experience to this point has been excellent. Won't speak to a comparision, as don't/haven't owned or shot either you mentioned. DW ran good out of box and was extremely tight and needed some break in to slick up the action. Functions reliably and reasonably accurate for my uses (IDPA).
Zak Smith
Member
I've had a Patriot for about two years now. It had a few teething problems, but settled into a ultra-reliable workhorse. 12000+ rounds later:
[ link to LARGER image ]
[ link to LARGER image ]
jobu07
Contributing Member
I have never fired one, but I had the opertunity to handle one last summer while in his shop on a campaign stop. I must say his guns were solid, and the fit and finish was superb. I would have liked to have taken it home if not for the price...
ReadyontheRight
Member
Very solid for the $$ IMHO. I also like the controversial logo.
bogie
Member
I _really, really_ like my old Dan Wesson .357 6" full heavy underlug, which is on long-term loan to a friend.
I _really_ need to give her a call...
I _really_ need to give her a call...
Dan Wesson vs S&W
I have one of each but must admit that this is a totally unfair comparisson.
The DW Patriot is the finest pistol I've ever shot. Also the most accurate.
My S&W is the 1911SC, and it is not fair to compare a lightweight commander to a full size goverment model.
The DW is a lot more fun to shoot and more accurate with the longer barrel and sight radius. It has digested ever round I've ever fed it except for the Tarrus Hex (Barnes X) bullet. I wouldn't even try that round in the Scandium frame S&W. I will be trying the Federal EFMJ rounds as soon as I can find some.
Fit and finish on both is excellent. Both companies have great product support. S&W even pays shipping both ways. Unfortunately I found that out from experience. Still had the gun back in less than two weeks.
Trigger on the DW is better than the S&W and breaks clean at 3.75lbs. Since it's trip to Springfield the S&W has improved and breaks at about 4lbs. Plenty good for a carry gun.
I am impressed by both guns. Darn glad I've got one of each.
It is probably a lot easier to find a S&W 1911 to handle and inspect than a DW. There are very few dealers with one on the shelf.
I bought mine based only on internet based information and am very happy that I did.
Of course the same is true of the S&W 1911SC.
I live in a very small town. Not much to choose from here.
This is probably not much help but for the price point, I don't think that you could go wrong with either gun based on my experience at this time.
I did have to modify my grip a little to handle the S&W Schwartz safety on the 1911SC. With a high thumbs grip, the light grip I use on the DW would cause the S&W to light strike and fail to fire.
So much to learn, so little time, so little ammo.
Kim
I have one of each but must admit that this is a totally unfair comparisson.
The DW Patriot is the finest pistol I've ever shot. Also the most accurate.
My S&W is the 1911SC, and it is not fair to compare a lightweight commander to a full size goverment model.
The DW is a lot more fun to shoot and more accurate with the longer barrel and sight radius. It has digested ever round I've ever fed it except for the Tarrus Hex (Barnes X) bullet. I wouldn't even try that round in the Scandium frame S&W. I will be trying the Federal EFMJ rounds as soon as I can find some.
Fit and finish on both is excellent. Both companies have great product support. S&W even pays shipping both ways. Unfortunately I found that out from experience. Still had the gun back in less than two weeks.
Trigger on the DW is better than the S&W and breaks clean at 3.75lbs. Since it's trip to Springfield the S&W has improved and breaks at about 4lbs. Plenty good for a carry gun.
I am impressed by both guns. Darn glad I've got one of each.
It is probably a lot easier to find a S&W 1911 to handle and inspect than a DW. There are very few dealers with one on the shelf.
I bought mine based only on internet based information and am very happy that I did.
Of course the same is true of the S&W 1911SC.
I live in a very small town. Not much to choose from here.
This is probably not much help but for the price point, I don't think that you could go wrong with either gun based on my experience at this time.
I did have to modify my grip a little to handle the S&W Schwartz safety on the 1911SC. With a high thumbs grip, the light grip I use on the DW would cause the S&W to light strike and fail to fire.
So much to learn, so little time, so little ammo.
Kim
3-4 yrs ago, Dan Wessons could be found at the bottom end of price ranges. Now that the word is out, its getting harder to find real bargains, although for all the bells and whistles, they still represent a good value. The Pointman Minor's were their entry level models I believe, and did have some issues if my memory is correct. Stepping up to the Pointman Major's was a better choice. The Patriot Model is a definate winner! The Dave Pruitt model was unique, in that it had the chevron style serrations on the slide. If you can find a used DW in good shape, that might be just the ticket, as it seems from my experience and from reading online, they don't hold their value as well as a Colt, Kimber, etc.
I also have a PT-CBOB that I have been very satisfied with. A few minor teething issues out of the box, but nothing that needed a trip back to the factory. Just a little extractor tuning. Shoots everything I put through it, much more accurate than I am. Solid, well fit, crisp trigger, hard to beat. I can't compare them to S&W, but would guess them as easily an equal, and probably a better made gun than a S&W.
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Mike
Mike
Mine came like that from the factory. If there is one complaint about DW's, it is the multitude fo different small internal parts, external parts, sights, and things they do to their guns. The quality is there, but you are never quite sure exactly what you are getting without asking.
They may still be the best kept 1911 secret out there though.
Mike
They may still be the best kept 1911 secret out there though.
Mike
12-34hom
Member
Dw
I have one of DW "Razorbacks" - i sent it down to Teddy Jacobson "Actions By T". I had him work the gun with what he calls = street reliability package.
His work and ethic are excellent. The gun had some minor problems from the factory; those disappeared after Teddy completed his work.
DW has some fine guns, and their customer service is excellent. They had the good sense to listen to what the users and buyers wanted, hence their 1911 model pistols chambered in 10mm...
I would have no qualms about recommending a DW firearm for those in the market for a 1911 style gun.
12-34hom.
I have one of DW "Razorbacks" - i sent it down to Teddy Jacobson "Actions By T". I had him work the gun with what he calls = street reliability package.
His work and ethic are excellent. The gun had some minor problems from the factory; those disappeared after Teddy completed his work.
DW has some fine guns, and their customer service is excellent. They had the good sense to listen to what the users and buyers wanted, hence their 1911 model pistols chambered in 10mm...
I would have no qualms about recommending a DW firearm for those in the market for a 1911 style gun.
12-34hom.
Zak Smith
Member
"Para-military", a little smaller than the Military.
Flyboy
Member
Pm-1s
I have a Pointman Major PM-1S. I bought it for day-to-day carry and for IPSC.
I love it.
I've probably put between a twelve and fifteen hundred rounds through it. The day I bought it, I shot a hundred hardball. A couple of weeks later, I shot my first IPSC match; not realizing how much ammo I'd need, I shot all of the ball I'd brought, some of my JHP (Speer Gold Dots), and a bunch of handloaded LSWC a friendly fellow shooter (is there any other kind) gave me. Since then, I've fired probably another 700-1000 rounds, including a stretch of about 350 over the course of two months, during which time it was never cleaned and carried daily.
I've never had a jam.
That's actually why I didn't clean it--I wanted to see what it would to make it jam. It just won't do it. I run CMC Shooting Star mags, which no doubt have something to do with the reliability, but my experience is that this is a great gun that will go BANG! every time I squeeze the trigger. Accuracy is, well, better than I am, but that's not necessarily saying much.
Complaints:
1. Adjustable sights: the rear sight has a roll pin anchoring the front of the sight. That pin has broken twice. Highly aggravating. In good news, DW is going to replace the sight with one of a different design (the Novak, I think) for the cost of the sight--no labor, and it's going to take some machining. I still want the adjustable, I just think this one is a flawed design.
2. Very tight from the factory; I still have trouble stripping it for cleaning it. Tight springs make an idiot scratch almost inevitable. Fortunately, it's not that deep, and I'll be able to polish it out.
3. I don't care for the round front sight; I prefer a square blade. That's my own fault, though, as I had a choice, and it's certainly not a design flaw. I'll probably have it replaced with an orange square blade like in my Colt.
4. The damned thing is costing me a fortune in ammo! See my other thread about looking for a 9mm.
In short, I love my Dan Wesson, and have no qualms about using it as my day-to-day carry gun. I trust it more than my Colt Jam-O-Matic Combat Commander (which probably just needs a new recoil spring, but I digress).
I have a Pointman Major PM-1S. I bought it for day-to-day carry and for IPSC.
I love it.
I've probably put between a twelve and fifteen hundred rounds through it. The day I bought it, I shot a hundred hardball. A couple of weeks later, I shot my first IPSC match; not realizing how much ammo I'd need, I shot all of the ball I'd brought, some of my JHP (Speer Gold Dots), and a bunch of handloaded LSWC a friendly fellow shooter (is there any other kind) gave me. Since then, I've fired probably another 700-1000 rounds, including a stretch of about 350 over the course of two months, during which time it was never cleaned and carried daily.
I've never had a jam.
That's actually why I didn't clean it--I wanted to see what it would to make it jam. It just won't do it. I run CMC Shooting Star mags, which no doubt have something to do with the reliability, but my experience is that this is a great gun that will go BANG! every time I squeeze the trigger. Accuracy is, well, better than I am, but that's not necessarily saying much.
Complaints:
1. Adjustable sights: the rear sight has a roll pin anchoring the front of the sight. That pin has broken twice. Highly aggravating. In good news, DW is going to replace the sight with one of a different design (the Novak, I think) for the cost of the sight--no labor, and it's going to take some machining. I still want the adjustable, I just think this one is a flawed design.
2. Very tight from the factory; I still have trouble stripping it for cleaning it. Tight springs make an idiot scratch almost inevitable. Fortunately, it's not that deep, and I'll be able to polish it out.
3. I don't care for the round front sight; I prefer a square blade. That's my own fault, though, as I had a choice, and it's certainly not a design flaw. I'll probably have it replaced with an orange square blade like in my Colt.
4. The damned thing is costing me a fortune in ammo! See my other thread about looking for a 9mm.
In short, I love my Dan Wesson, and have no qualms about using it as my day-to-day carry gun. I trust it more than my Colt Jam-O-Matic Combat Commander (which probably just needs a new recoil spring, but I digress).
I can't say enough good things about my Patriot. Bought it used in excellent condition and have put 600 rounds through it at the range. I had one failure to extract and one failure to eject during the first 50 rounds. Put in a new spring (same DW spec) and no problems since. I'd love to have another!
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larry starling
Member
I personally don't care for them(DAN WESSON's)!My reasons for feeling this way are the following:
1 None of the gun stores I visit have them, and when asked They respond with, Why should I carry them when I have all these Colt's,Kimbers,Springfield's and etc. also they tend to respond with dw doesnt make 1911's!
2.The two store's that did have DW's one was a range gun that was in the worst shape I have ever seen! would have been scared to shoot it.asked the owner about it and he responded that a guy traded it in on a better quality 1911. The second one I saw was a SS model the workmanship on it was shoddy and rough!
now it is not my intention's to start a war or offend the Dan Wesson cult follower's out there!But in my opinion there are better quality and more affordable 1911's avaliable!Also I tend to believe that DW is an assembler and not a true manufactuer, as oh say COLT!
1 None of the gun stores I visit have them, and when asked They respond with, Why should I carry them when I have all these Colt's,Kimbers,Springfield's and etc. also they tend to respond with dw doesnt make 1911's!
2.The two store's that did have DW's one was a range gun that was in the worst shape I have ever seen! would have been scared to shoot it.asked the owner about it and he responded that a guy traded it in on a better quality 1911. The second one I saw was a SS model the workmanship on it was shoddy and rough!
now it is not my intention's to start a war or offend the Dan Wesson cult follower's out there!But in my opinion there are better quality and more affordable 1911's avaliable!Also I tend to believe that DW is an assembler and not a true manufactuer, as oh say COLT!
I understand they are made of better parts now (along with a huge price increase....but so has everyone else). I didnt like the unavailibility of them (the big southern distributor,Ellett Bros. told me 1.5 years ago they dropped them from their offerings due to QC and not delivering orders.) It also makes a difference to me that a pistol I buy keep its value and I do not really see that on DW's. It was also confusing that they had so many models and numbers,it seemed they were just assembling from parts...that point being minor and just me I guess. NO ONE in my area carries them or has anything good to say about them, again that point is very subjective. Given that you asked and gave 3 choices, I would go SA or Kimber. And last ,I acknowledge that DW has a cult following just like Colt, so in the end YOU make the choice on what is going to make you happy
Peter M. Eick
Member
I like my Razorback. It is a good gun and if you bought it from a dealer you can get it for a very good price.
I think the DW's are underrated in todays market. They are better quality then you can get for comparable money from most vendors.
I think the DW's are underrated in todays market. They are better quality then you can get for comparable money from most vendors.
waterhouse
Member
I've got a DW c-Bob and a Kimber pro elite. They have both gone bang every time I've pulled the trigger. They are both very accurate. I haven't shot them off a rest, so if there are minute differences in accuracy between the two I can't tell.
Slide to frame fit on the dan wesson is better than the kimber visually (you can't see any space on the DW at all) but both are physically very tight.
Based on my experience I don't think you can go wrong with either. I like the bob tail so much I'm considering having a smith do it to my kimber.
Slide to frame fit on the dan wesson is better than the kimber visually (you can't see any space on the DW at all) but both are physically very tight.
Based on my experience I don't think you can go wrong with either. I like the bob tail so much I'm considering having a smith do it to my kimber.
Far as I know, Dan Wesson contracts with Smith and Wesson for the receivers and slides on these guns.
Dan Wesson uses a multitude of high quality parts to assemble these guns. No slouch here, the stuff comes from the likes of Ed Brown, Chip McCormick, and Wilson.
Magazines are a hodgepodge of anything they can get.
I have seen these guns come new with McCormick, Mec-Gar and even Spanish Firestorm magazines.
The guns are fit tight from the factory and do take some shooting to settle in.
If you don't like this feature on these guns then never, ever buy a Les Baer.
The DWA guns are tight but nothing compared to a brand new Baer.
There are very few manufacturers that make a truely crappy 1911 anymore.
DWAs are comparable to Smith & Wesson in price.
Kimbers and Colts run more money.
All of these are better guns than the cheaper imports.
The guns are good and you get what you pay for.
Dan Wesson uses a multitude of high quality parts to assemble these guns. No slouch here, the stuff comes from the likes of Ed Brown, Chip McCormick, and Wilson.
Magazines are a hodgepodge of anything they can get.
I have seen these guns come new with McCormick, Mec-Gar and even Spanish Firestorm magazines.
The guns are fit tight from the factory and do take some shooting to settle in.
If you don't like this feature on these guns then never, ever buy a Les Baer.
The DWA guns are tight but nothing compared to a brand new Baer.
There are very few manufacturers that make a truely crappy 1911 anymore.
DWAs are comparable to Smith & Wesson in price.
Kimbers and Colts run more money.
All of these are better guns than the cheaper imports.
The guns are good and you get what you pay for.
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