Range Test: Dan Wesson, Sig, Colt

[HammerheadSSN663]

Looking to unload some of my 45s so I took the Dan Wesson 4.25" Bobtail, Sig P220 Elite full size, Colt Series 70 (2 ea.), and Colt Commander 4.25" Series 80 to the range tonight.

12" Target was set at 30'. (to measure accuracy)

The winner HANDS DOWN was the Dan Wesson averaging 5" max in spread (again at 30'!)
2nd Place: Sig P220 Elite
3rd: Colt Commander
4th: Colt Series 70(s) - yes the Commander was more accurate than the full sizes - totally suprising.

And all guns were straight out of the box - no modifications.

So the DW Bobtail stays, the rest go to the consignment case.

 

[model of 1905]

With just a little practice that DW will get alot better. Until I get my full custom 1911, my three DW's are the s***!

 

[loop]

Um, I range tested a 3-inch barreled Para Warthog today. Oustide edge to outside edge of holes on the paper was 1.5 inches at 10 yards. That's 30 feet.

I thought that was acceptable. Not especially good, but acceptable.

I really hope you're kidding about the five inches at 30 feet. If not, what is it you are selling and how much do you want for them?

Abysmal shooting...

 

[Philip Marlowe]

Hate to say I agree with 'loop', but...

I take it these weren't on a rest?

At 30' you should be able to shoot 1-1.5" groups (free hand). I typically do that with my HK USP...although usually on a good day

 

[rduckwor]

So the DW Bobtail stays, the rest go to the consignment case.

I would say that is a very good decision.

As for shooting from a rest, I suppose its fine for a max accuracy test, but I say shoot them as you would use them and see what you get. Not many of us will get to shoot from a rest when the SHTF.

RMD

 

[JDGray]

5" at 30'? Please don't take this the wrong way, but thats you, not the weapons. A little more range time will help. That may tell you which gun fits your hand better, but those other weapons will shoot as well as the DW, with more practice.

 

[HammerheadSSN663]

Hey guys that consider shooting a hobby and go through THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of rounds per year...I don't. I get to range MAYBE 5 times a year. So all things considered a MAX 5" spread (most within 3-5 inches) is NOT what I consider abysmal shooting free hand.

And sorry to again contradict you professionals, it WAS the guns.

The DW was consistantly near center mass every time.

 

[schmeky]

What JD Gray said.

 

[hanno]

I sold my Sig P220ST but when I had it, I would take it to the range with my Dan Wesson PM7. I could always shoot the PM7 better. And that is why I no longer have the P220ST.

 

[maskedman504]

His groups will tighten with practice sure- but if his skill is a constant (read: control) his accuracy (read:results) can definitely be used as a determination of what pistol is more accurate. Especially if he thinks (or does) shoot the DW better- guess what, HE WILL SHOOT THE DW BETTER!

Abysmal shooting...

Stay on the High Road!

 

[JDGray]

I somewhat misinterpretated the first post. His range visit could indeed find the most accrate of his fine 45ACP collection, in his hands. But if he practiced with the Sig 220, it could hang with the DW. The DW could be one of the tightest fitted 1911s made, and produce one hole groups at 30', but so could that 220 Just hope he didn't get rid of the most accurate gun. Someone will snag them rejected 45s pretty fast, hope he post them on THR

 

[maskedman504]

I somewhat misinterpretated the first post. His range visit could indeed find the most accrate of his fine 45ACP collection, in his hands. But if he practiced with the Sig 220, it could hang with the DW. The DW could be one of the tightest fitted 1911s made, and produce one hole groups at 30', but so could that 220 Just hope he didn't get rid of the most accurate gun. Someone will snag them rejected 45s pretty fast, hope he post them on THR

I agree with you; I put CZ/DW on an equal footing with Sigs; meaning Sig is the standard and DW/CZ has matched it. I have a 226 and love it. If they were women, I would marry the Sig and see the Dan Wesson on the weekends.

As for the OP- how many rounds did you fire through each? If you fired 100 rounds and had a 3" grouping, that could be a different story.

 

[HammerheadSSN663]

"5" at 30'? Please don't take this the wrong way, but thats you, not the weapons. A little more range time will help. That may tell you which gun fits your hand better, but those other weapons will shoot as well as the DW, with more practice."

The point of the post is which guns (too many) I need to unload.

Why do I need to practice with the rest (time and MONEY) when the DW was the best of the bunch (for me) - and as many other's on this website have stated re: the DWs?

Also, what's the point of higher end guns (Wilson, Les Baer, etc. etc.) if they are just as good as the bargain barrel .45s if all you need is a little more practice?

just asking.

 

[ljnowell]

Also, what's the point of higher end guns (Wilson, Les Baer, etc. etc.) if they are just as good as the bargain barrel .45s if all you need is a little more practice?

I dont understand the question. What is the point in higher end guns if you still have to practice? The gun is accurate, you have to do your part also, meaning practice. So far you arent doing your part, it sounds like.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

IMO I'd run a few more rounds through the .45's before making any rash decsions.

And I would probably create running targets for each pistol, that is, use the same target matched to the pistol for several range trips.

Then after several sessions things would look a bit clearer... or not.

 

[JDGray]

The point of the post is which guns (too many) I need to unload

Yeah, I read that. You decided to keep the DW, which is a fine gun, enjoy!

 

[weisse52]

I agree, keep what works best for you!

Now, where are you and how much do you want for the Colts?

 

[DRYHUMOR]

Careful now, them Colts aren't shooting worth a hoot. They've been proven out as $250.00 pistols now. Why, it'd probably take $400 to $500 put into each one of them to make em right.

 

[waterhouse]

You found the gun that you shoot best. That's what you were trying to do, so good for you. You may not win any accuracy contests, but 5" is good enough to keep things center of mass.

Also, what's the point of higher end guns (Wilson, Les Baer, etc. etc.) if they are just as good as the bargain barrel .45s if all you need is a little more practice?

The high end guns aren't "just as good" as the bargain barrel guns. They are generally better.

There are several variables in shooting, namely the shooter, the gun, and the ammo. If you assume that the shooter and the ammo are perfect, then the gun can make a difference. Shot by a mechanical contraption (taking human error out), some handguns shoot more accurately than others.

A perfect shooter may get 1.5" groups with an old Colt 1911 at 20 yards, but may get a 1/2" group shooting a Les Baer. In this case, if the shooter wants the smallest group possible regardless of cost, the Les Baer is the way to go.

If you shoot your DW at 10 yards with 5" groups, I'd venture to say that getting a higher end gun probably wouldn't improve your groups.

I sold my Les Baer for just this reason. I shot my Trojan and ended up with the same size groups as my LB. Another shooter, much better than I am, shot them both and got better groups with the LB. I wasn't a good enough shooter to get anything out of the improved accuracy, so I sold the gun to someone who was.

 

[doubs43]

By shooting off hand, you've introduced far too many variables to say for certain that the DW is the most accurate. By your own admission, you claim to have little range time or practice. How much did your consistency suffer by the time you were shooting gun three, four and five? Did you take the time to become consistent with each pistol's trigger? Were you tired by gun three, four or five?

While I'm sure you don't have access to a Ransom Rest, you could have eliminated many negative factors by shooting over sand bags from a seated position. I'm looking at two targets I recently shot with cast bullet hand loads over sand bags at 64 1/2 feet (21.5 yards) with an RIA 1911 Tactical and a High Standard GI Spec 1911. The Tactical group is 5 shots in 2" and the HS is 7 shots in 2.5". Considering the vast difference in the prices of your guns compared to my two factory-stock low-cost pistols, you surely don't believe that all of your pistols can't do better.

If you're convinced that the DW is the most accurate of the four pistols then I'm happy for you. Truthfully, I'm not convinced that your testing proved anything on which to base a valid conclusion.

 

[Ken Rainey]

HammerheadSSN663, Congrats on finding which one shoots best for you, I've only read good things about Dan Wesson pistols. I'd only suggest that you consider keeping the Colt Commander as a back up to the Dan Wesson for any unforseen circumstances that may arise ...

Fellas, I can tell by his post that he is no stranger to pistols and was just expressing what worked best for him. He evidently knows quality firearms and how he shoots, the DW shot the best for him and that's all that matters ...