Dan Wessons are definately not on par with the other 1911 makers in that price range based on my experience. Of the four I have owned, 100% did not work out of the box. Of those four I cannot believe that three of them were even test fired more than the one round need for whatever-state it is that requires a shell casing to go with the gun. Mind you all four of mine were 10mm, and I am very aware that making a 10mm work takes a little more effort than a 45 (wonder how their 38 Supers and 9mms run?). For a little recap of what I have posted here before:
DW1: Razorback
Factory ammo sticks in chamber at around 90% into battery, with slide having to be driven open to clear them
Trigger is probably 8lbs, and feels like gravel
DW "fixes" it, rounds still stick but slide opens without a mallet
Trigger still 8lbs
Nice long scratch on trigger guard when it came back
Will go to my smith when I get a chance
DW2: Pointman 10mm
Last round in magazine fails to extract, just lays on top of mag
Rounds either extract and bounce of shooter's forehead or slide
Won't feed much of anything
Gunsmith puts in proper long ejector that actually touches brass
Gunsmith tunes extractor
Your's truly polishes feed ramp
Gun runs 100% until sold and reportedly still runs 100%
DW3: Patriot 10mm Experimental
Cases hang in extractor claw requiring pliers to remove
Extractor pin works way out of top of slide during first few mags
Gunsmith tweaks extractor and replaces solid pin
Gun runs 100%
DW4: PT-C 10mm Bobtail
FTF on nearly every round
Gunsmith has fixed but I have not had time to go get it or hear his report
Sights suck but that isn't DWs fault (other than perhaps bad taste)
So I would say DW is about where Tuner said he heard they were. If I did not have this horrible addiction to 10mm 1911s, I would not own one.
GR