What's up with Dan Wesson?

[Sharps Shooter]

I have a couple of questions regarding Dan Wesson handguns, particularly their 1911s. I’ve been lusting after a Dan Wesson 10mm, 1911 Commander size bobtail since I seen a picture of one about a year ago. In fact, I think I saw that picture on THR. But so far, I haven’t seen one for real.
Last night I went to the Dan Wesson website and looked up the Dan Wesson dealers in our area – two in Pocatello, about 30 miles north of here, and one in Logan, Utah, about 80 miles south of here. We visited all three dealers today and not a darn one of them was even aware that they sold Dan Wesson handguns. But after checking their catalogs, each of those dealers, sounding kind of surprised, told me they could order a Dan Wesson 1911 if I really wanted one. What do you folks think is up with that?
Secondly, I’m asking for opinions about Dan Wesson 1911s, particularly the Commander sized bobtails, from people who actually have them. How do you like them? Are they reliable? How’s their accuracy? I’ve read about Dan Wesson 1911s in a few gun magazines, but I take what professional gun writers say about guns they’re evaluating with a grain of salt. I’d much rather hear from people who had to lay out their hard-earned money for the guns.
Thanks in advance.
S.S.

 

[Snagglepuss]

I own 4 DW 1911's and two DW revolvers. I could go on and on about the quality of parts, slide to frame fit and their accruacy. Instead I will leave you with this link where you will find all the Dan Wesson owners you could ever ask for. Be careful though, we all love our DWs and it shows.

http://forums.1911forum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=52

As the old Lays potato chip commercial states, kind've, "you can't own just one".

 

[Eightball]

I’d much rather hear from people who had to lay out their hard-earned money for the guns.

What, you're saying that giving any given weapon that crosses your hands ia good review is working hard for your money?

When they say "there are dealers in your area", it means FFLs that a company will work with--not that they necissarily have said model, make, etc on hand. That's how it goes where I work; for example, we're a Steyr "dealer" but have nothing "Steyr" on hand. Which is unfortunate. But, we can order something from them a lot easier than an unaffiliated FFL, it would seem. YMMV.

 

[s&w 24]

glamdring is having major quality problems with his 5" 10 mm right now. Possibly soft locking lugs.

 

[Rangegod]

DW CBOB

I recently gave a long (for me) review of my new 45 ACP CBOB. It is basically a comparison to a new Colt XSE Commander I had bought two months earlier, and it is located here:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=227742

Last week I was finally able to shoot the CBOB and can say it exceeded my expectations. It ran 100% out of the box which makes it 1 of only 6 of my 30+ personally owned 1911's that have accomplished this. (The others you ask? Four Norincos and a PO P-12)

I am very impressed with the DW and it has joined the STI Trojan on my short list of “Excellent 1911 values under $1000”.

JAC

 

[Iggy]

I second Snagglepus's post.

DW was obtained by CZ and their guns are now marketed by the CZ dealers.

A network of distributor's was DW's main weakness. That has been solved and DW's are growing more and more popular everyday.

 

[Iggy]

I second Snagglepus's post.

DW was obtained by CZ and their guns are now marketed by the CZ dealers.

A network of distributor's was DW's main weakness. That has been solved and DW's are growing more and more popular everyday.

 

[the pistolero]

But after checking their catalogs, each of those dealers, sounding kind of surprised, told me they could order a Dan Wesson 1911 if I really wanted one. What do you folks think is up with that?

That's a good question...when I was in the market for a 10mm 1911, the folks at one of the local Kimber dealers (who is also the local Dan Wesson dealer) had nothing but good things to say about the Dan Wesson 1911s, even though they said their choice would be the Kimber. Maybe your dealers didn't have many orders for the DWs, though that still doesn't quite explain their lack of awareness regarding the Dan Wesson 1911s...

 

[Billy Sparks]

I carried my DW/CZ bobtail commander all day yesterday as my CCW piece. I alternate between a Colt or the DW as my primary CCW.

 

[10-Ring]

I am due to pick up my CBOB on tuesday. I already have 1000 rounds waiting to help break her in. I'll do a range report after my range session next weekend. So far, it has been a breeze. I ordered it, it took two days before the shop rec'd it, I paid for it & did the DOJ paperwork and now going through my 10 day wait.
Shooting details to follow

 

[ClarkEMyers]

I'd try talking to Ski at Ski's myself in SE Idaho

I'd try talking to Ski at Ski's myself in SE Idaho.

No question the Dan Wesson has been a great value for a great many people. They are often found on Gun Broker - there's a CZ Dan Wesson Commander 10mm Bobtail on Gun Broker right now if you want to buy sight unseen - before the CZ sale Dan Wesson would clear a lot of one offs, odd balls and prototypes on the auction boards.

 

[WESTTX357]

A local gun dealer here is also listed as a Dan Wesson dealer but i never see any on the shelf when i asked about i was told they didnt sell well enough in this area to keep them in stock but they could order me any thing i wanted from Dan Wesson and delivery was usually 3 days from placing order. I to am looking at getting a Dan Wesson 1911.

 

[CZF]

MY experience with the CBOB .45 Commander has been very positive.
They do come very tight from the factory and need some attention by hand cycling the slide or actually breaking them in by shooting.

I'm hoping for a Razorback BOBtail in 2007. You never know

 

[Arcticfox]

I may be able to help explain the dealers bewilderment when you informed him he was a DW dealer.

I work for a wholesale distributor, and we have agreements with more vendors than I can remember. I frequently field calls from people who say they found out on line I was a distributor for some product line. Being a source for the product doesn't mean we stock it! It just means someone at corporate set up an account with the supplier, somewhere in the past.

So, there are lots of distributors/dealers that have agreements with suppliers they don't do much business with.

 

[Iggy]

I'm hoping for a Razorback BOBtail in 2007. You never know

This series of threads won't help you a bit!!!

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154362

View attachment 280170

 

[Sharps Shooter]

"What, you're saying that giving any given weapon that crosses your hands ia good review is working hard for your money?"

What?

Thanks to the rest of you for your replys. And thanks for the link, Snagglepuss.
I will check with Ski's in Idaho Falls, Clark. I known and trusted Ski for many years when it comes to guns. But the list price on those Dan Wesson 1911 bobtails is over a thousand bucks. Even though I really like their looks, I'll have to read a lot of reports from people who actually own them before I'll lay out that kind of money.

 

[rmw]

I've got a CBOB , love it ,carry it all the time

 

[Snagglepuss]

You should be able to get one for around $850.