10-8 Performance Lab, Episode 88: Dan Wesson Vigil 

Hell yea I learn a lot from you

You deserve more recognition and views.

I've been waiting for a new video to hit the 'Tube. Good to see you again!!

I bought a few parts from you and have been very happy with their performance.

Dan Wesson Specialist has been my favorite

I fully endorse your protocols when it comes to choosing ammo. I usually run the entire gambit, ammo from slide lock,slow feed, and live fire. Skipped the slow feed test on my latest Springfield and it came back to bite me with my duty ammo. It was fine until the gun got dirty. Changed to a higher quality magazine and it passed the slide lock , slow feed, and live fire. It now runs duty ammo all day no issues. Word to the wise don’t skip steps and follow Hilton’s protocols.

Love the DW Vigil model. My experience has been that the gun works flawlessly after you follow the factory recommended break-in period process. Too bad they discontinued it...

Excellent review 👍👍👍 Bummer the extractor wasn’t tuned from the factory 😔

Great video, I own a Vigil and ordered and installed your slide lock. I was much luckier than you. I have had as it turns out zero problems with my version. The only issue I had was with my Grip change and effort to ride the thumb safety while shooting. I extended my thumb to the slide lock causing three different magazines to seem to fail. This Never happened (with this 1911) before. I did not notice I was riding the slide lock, I assumed it was the slide lock. I was wrong as it turned out but I did gain a great new upgrade in your 10/08 slide lock. I found the problem by closing my eyes and gripping my new way, saw the issue and adjusted. Problem solved. I must admit that the pilot is the first not the last place to look when a problem pops up.

Thanks Hilton! Another good one! Looking forward to the TCP!!!

Thank you for sharing your research

I had seen you mentioned by various writers over the years but didn't make the connection until the end of the video. Outstanding content! This is what a gun review should be: a detailed assessment of the gun's design, materials, and manufacturing quality. I'm disappointed that Dan Wesson seems to be following Colt's lead into mediocrity by not tensioning extractors properly (assuming they even fit them properly) and not fitting the safety properly or even verifying that it functions properly. The dehorning treatment and some of the other details might justify the price difference but failing to fit parts that absolutely need fitting is not what I would have expected from them. The dehorning treatment may be nice but I have gotten so I think of my Colt's razor-sharp edges as retention features in the event of a struggle: I think it would be awfully hard to pull a gun out of someone's grasp when it has been slicked up with one's blood and one's index, middle, and ring fingers are lying on the floor. Shrewd product design...

I’ve had 3 Dan Wesson’s, 2-45’s and a 9mm. Great guns right out of the box. The only 1911’s I’ve ever owned that I didn’t have to do triggere work on….😊

all your grip purchase is accomplished via the front strap and MSH, you don't need checkering on grips to securely hold the gun

Great review 👍

I've bought the armorers tool and 1911 armorer's block from 10-8. I'm surprised that I only found your RU-vid channel, today; I'm glad I did. The reviews of the Vigil and Prodigy seemed really well done. You give better info than I've seen on other channels. You have your priorities, of course, but I would love to see a review of CZ's DWX. It seems like the DWX could be an excellent (out-of-the-box) moderately priced high capacity 1911 style platform. Maybe better than the Prodigy?

5inch 1911 still the best 1911....

I have your black straight 10-8 trigger shoe I hand fitted on my Dan Wesson duty treat Valor with a Cylinder and Slide matched 3.5# sear and black skeletonized hammer. Phenomenal trigger combination. Breaks like glass! I have installed a set of Sarges Honduran buck eye burl grip panels which are smooth but I may apply Lucid grip kit which you apply a clear coat, the medium granules (probably crushed glass), then apply another coat over which would add grip to the grip panels. In the beginning it had trouble feeding defensive 45 acp rounds so I polished the 2 piece gi feed ramp and it fed fine after.

I love my Dan Wessons. Excellent guns.

If I'm not mistaken, Chip Mc Cormick modified/changed their magazine follower since the old design tend to gouge the feed ramp on aluminum-framed 1911 pistols.

Thx! Have 4 in Vigil and quite happy. Put better front sight and 100 per cent reliable with huge variety of ammo. Put better grips on . 950$ used

That’s an EGW extractor, I’ve installed a few.

Another informative video. I just picked up a Dan Wesson Pointman Nine. I ran it through Kuhnhausen’s Bench Function checks and all was good. I’ve only put 50 rounds of Rem ball through it without issue. Three shot groups sat a little above and some a little below .6”. So, overall I’m satisfied. Now I need some of your grips and grip screws. When will the black cherry be back in stock? My thumb safety is tight and I may address that, but it is very positive. I’ll consider adjustment once I run it some more. And the trigger avg break was 2lb 13 oz. over 6 breaks.

Thanks for your post 👍🔫🇺🇲

Really enjoy your program, I recently purchased a TISA Duty, .45acp stainless government model. I haven't tried it yet as I am dealing wight a recent stroke. Have you tried this out, high have high expectation of it. I present own a Colt Gov't, a Ruger SA.45, Gov't model and of course the TASA.

What would be a good "starter" 1911 to get for a foundation to upgrade on? I guess that would mean a good quality forged slide and frame, so base model Springfield? Never mind. Just watched Episode 73. Question answered.

If you use a Vigil as a range gun what are the chances of wearing the frame out? I’m guessing none as long as you keep you lubed correctly. Just curious.

Just got a 9mm stainless Dan Wesson Specialist off Gunbroker, gonna send it to Nighthawk for some work. Any suggestions as what to have them do?

I wish I understood 1911s leaving the factory with zero extractor tension. Such a simple fix if it's a quality part.

Slotted screws should be outlawed, they are horrible to work with on anything.

Both the DW Vigil and their Commander length Valkyrie are great pistols, but need a bit of tweaking. I found same issues you brought out in your Vid. I really like the Valkyrie model for carry, I have a couple in 9mm. Instructive Video as usual.