Dan Wesson Review: The Best 1911? - Specialist 

Thanks!

I would love to own a Dan Wesson! I consider them a step and a half above Springfield/kimber. It’s not a nighthawk, but it’s a Staccato for 1911, you nailed that comparison!

Great review. I am a big 1911 fan. Thinking about getting a Springfield operator or a DW specialist. The ONLY “ding” I have on Dan Wesson 1911s I that their thumb safeties need a dehorn if your grip is such that your strong side thumb rides the thumb safety. I subscribed to your channel. Keep up the good work! It’s great to see the next generation appreciating the 1911.

I have a DW ECP, a custom 5" 45 acp Caspian, and a Springfield TRP. I love them all! I carry the ECP and highly recommend it. All of them function perfectly, but I did get rid of the full guide rod in the TRP and replaced it with a Wilson flat wound spring kit.

I've had the pleasure of owning several Dan Wesson 1911's in the past including a CBOB, VBOB and several Valors. The Specialist is my next gun, I've been eyeing them for a while now.

I have the Specialist commander with duty treat and the 1913 rail. Like you I've had many and the DW is a jewel. It's the first 1911 I've owned that I didn't have to tweak out of the box except for swapping out the factory trigger for a medium Harrison but that's personal preference. Everything you said was spot on. Great video!

Have never had an issue with reliability in my specialist, didn’t do the break in cleaning to spec. But do have rusty hammer. Got thousands of rounds through it. Superb pistol.

Thanks for the video, I traded up a few years go selling my Kimbers and Springfields to be able to move to Dan Wesson. I have not been disappointed.

This is a very well done video. Great presentation. And yes I own a DW ecp, it has been flawless, and I plan on getting a full size at some point. I just seem to really be attracted to Dan Wessons.

Dan Wesson is a Great 1911 to Keep. We had a couple DW Specialists. I still own 4 Kimbers, and 6 Springfield Armory 1911’s. You will love you DW, Congratulations!! 🎊🎈🎉🍾 🤠👮🏻‍♂️👍🇺🇸👻. B9USA Sr.

First time watching your channel. Primarily looking for what you had to say about the Dan Wesson. I think you did a nice job and I enjoyed your down to earth humor. Overall it was a nice review.

Love my Dan Wesson TCP in .45…for an aluminum framed, commander size gun, it handles the .45 round very well

Excellent review . I have a pm9 and the break In instructions was 200 rounds . I have also had and sold two $5000 full customs . With eyes closed , I could not tell the difference except I liked the safety better on my dw . I spent about $300 getting the custom features that mattered to me . The biggest difference was the finish on the inside of the gun . The Dw had tool marks while the full custom guns were as pretty on the inside as the outside . That difference didn’t make a difference to me . They really are the sweet spot for 1911s.

I just purchased this handgun yesterday …paperwork cleared and I bought it home today. Very helpful video as I just finished reading the manual but missed the part about a break in. That’s fine with me my EDC is currently a Kimber Ultra Carry II and had a 500 round break in period 100 rounds at at a time …and actually should have been 50 😅 in my opinion but now it runs great. So far I’m loving the fit and finish of this handgun. I happened upon the opportunity to purchase new at what I thought was an excellent price and just pounced on the opportunity. I’m totally not sorry and cannot wait to take it to the range. Unlike my usual approach to purchasing a pistol I’m doing my Research AFTER I got the gun. 😅and indeed I’m totally not disappointed there either as the more I learn the more pleased I am with my purchase. Still given a choice I’d prefer this pistol in a carry size. But I’m loving it so much I might just have to strap it on anyway. Absolutely, great review and thanks for sharing.

Subscribed! I had to sell 2 Wilsons and my Nighthawk Predator. Divorce and losing my job within 3 months. Love ur vid!

Great review. Great pistol. I have one in "Distressed Duty Black." It's one of my all-time favorites.

Had a chance to get this one or a used older model (without slide serrations and 3 slot picatinny rail), and had to go with the older model. The newer one is nice but there's just something about the aesthetics of the older one that won me over.

Well, I collect 1911 I have 24 of them and I do love my para ordinance,ruger, and RIA. Dan Weston makes a superior gun. I would love to own one just incredibly expensive for my budget. Glad to see you in Arizona. I am also would love to get together and actually shoot with you one day. But with that being said, my Kimber ultra carry 2 is my EDC.

I built mine. It has a Colt Commander slide, a lot of no-longer-available Pachmayr parts, a Caspian titanium frame, a Bar-Sto barrel, and several Metalform magazines. The thing shoots like a dream and is dead on target with 230-grain ball ammo. You can have your Dan Wesson, although I'm sure it's a good gun.

Just bought a Dan Wesson Razorback. Haven't shot it yet but plan to soon.

THANKS BRET GREAT REVIEW

I have a DW Guardian and l absolutely love it.

No MIM parts, hand fitted and tuned, own 4, Luv DW👍💯

OK. Now that's a pretty cool intro.

Awesome intro

I have 5. 1911s. I do have a Dan Wesson, I love it no issues

I own several Dan Wessons and never to my knowledge never seen the 50 round cleaning thing in the manual. Not doubting you but I don't recall seeing it. All my Dan Wessons shot flawless out the box.

First, I always enjoy your humor in your videos. Second, I have always liked 1911s but have never felt the urge to purchase one. I feel like that kind of goes into the collectors category for me. Maybe one day though! Third, can we just point out how when you grip your gun, all the blood is rushed to just your trigger finger? That’s when you know you got a hell of a grip on your firearm!

That cleaning process is only for their stainless models. The stainless models can gall and that’s why the break in process is what it is. They make what I agree with you on is the best production 1911’s currently available! Nice choice on yours. Just a FYI you could also order a custom from them for just a little more money and still a great value if they still offer that service. Great video! Rick

I love my MP7!!! Thanks for the great vid!!! EDIT: derp! I meant PM7 lol!

I would love to see a video about how you went about selling guns. I’m always curious what route people choose to go.

I just bought a Dan Wesson Specialist is 9mm. I am looking forward to many years of enjoyment!

I figured I would only own one 1911 and I wanted a decent one and settled on the Sig Select 1911. I pulled it out while watching your review. In some odd way it felt like a competition. I found myself saying I have that too and so is my Sig and my checkering is nicer...LOL. I like the size and shape of your Wesson's safety better. This 1911 has really become a favorite to shoot which unfortunately means there will be more 1911s in my future. Probably a upscale fancy 2011 and a very basic Rock Island-type model. Can you work on the 45ACP ammo pricing.

Now you got me all excited about a Dan Wesson 1911, and it turns out their warranty is only five years! I hope to live longer than that! 😬

I have the specialist in 10 mm all I did extra was put a set of adjustable sights I would put up against any of them

I always liked 1911's but never thought I could carry one practically. But now I own 2 a kimber pro carry and a Fusion Riptide-C. My local shop has a V-Bob Stainless and it felt amazing but for the price I definitely got to start saving up.

Love all my 1911s, I have nothing but colts except for the ww2 Rands and Ithacas. I enjoy the 45s and my 9mm ones but normally grab a 38 super

Nice! Enjoyed watching your review of this gun! I have a DW Specialist in duty coat 9mm, a Valor V-bob in stainless 45ACP, a Vigil CCO in 45ACP, and a Guardian in 38Super. All are very nice and exceptionally well put together. I also have a couple of various kimbers; a couple of top-of-the-line Rugers; a couple of top-of-the-line Colts; two very nice Magnum Research/Bul Armory guns; and 2nice Springfield Armory Garrisons that I use for tactical training class workhorses (one stainless, one blued). Definitely prefer the series 70 guns as they're a simpler build with better triggers. Thanks for sharing!

I will look into this further, being I own a 1911 Dan Wesson in 10mm

Love s&w and also the Springfields. Would like to know what you think of the new Springfield trp if you have seen one. (Definitely a direct competitor to the railed specialist with tan or black options)

I've got 5 and never had 1 single issue and NONE have 500 thru them❤

I have the A2, wanted something nice for a retirement gift and chose it over the $5000 guns. Nighthawk, Les, Wilson all have dork names stamped on them. Special Forces, CQB, tactical whatever…no thanks. Dan Wesson keeps all the stamping to a minimum. I didn’t know about the break in, it’s a pleasure gun, I never go over 100 rds per use and it gets a half hour cleaning each session. The trigger is lighter than my staccato p, but the reset is longer(most people can’t notice it).

The Dan Wesson Specialist is my sunday weekend bbq gun

The Specialist is a man's gun. It is a large frame and mitigates recoil nicely. I have several high-end pieces including Cabot and Nighthawk. The DW DWX is wonderful. The specialist is for me, and the price is right. Follow the damn break instructions. I found minutes of metal in the cleanings from the gun. The gun got better and better. Got to love it.

I think their break-in period is very, very conservative. I did 200 rounds with 4 types of ammo. Every 50 rounds I just threw some extra grease in the rails. Zero problems. When I cleaned it after that session there was no metal to speak of. Just carbon build up. It did get smoother though!

Good call!

I like 1911's myself. This was a fine commercial. Dan Wesson should give you a kick back. LOL. That being said I have .45 .40S&W-10MM, and a 9MM. The .40 was the 1911 I brought, the 10MM was the tip slide I made from parts at other outlets. What I'm getting at is my three, with a top four 1911's, cost less than your Dan Wesson. I have Tisas, and Rock Armory.

Also you have to check out the platypus 1911 things pretty cool and takes Glock mags

If there's something to take away from the popularity of Staccato and the recent 1911DS it's that the only thing that holds the 1911 back is magazine capacity. Just git gud at reloading. My experience with 1911s is almost the inverse of yours. My dad is a Glock guy so I learned on those, but when it came time to buy my own gun it was a Sig Sauer 1911 "Nightmare" as I see Glocks as "dad guns". Today I'm a full-blown revolver and 1911 boomer. Today my Dan Wesson Vigil is the 1911 that sticks with me. I love it. I compete with it. I carry it. If you ask me, it's the best gun in the world. As for 45 vs 9mm? Well I've seen a security camera video or two of people misholstering their Glocks and giving themselves the 9mm ouch pill straight to the no-fun-zone and remain standing. Would 45 have done more? I dunno maybe. I don't really care

I traded a FN tactical 45ACP for a DW Black Specialist and it’s all that you say. It’s heavy, mine is 2 1/2 pounds with an empty magazine.

If you think that thing is better than a higher tier SA, you’ve never held a Custom Shop Professional 😁

Advice for breaking in a 1911. Hand rack the slide over and over while watching videos or TV. But never drop the slide on an empty chamber, always keep your hand on it. Won't break it in as well as firing but helps.Also store the pistol with the slide locked open for a while when new. Or just buy a Colt which right out of the box rattles like a tin can full of rocks 😂

I took my Dan Wesson hammers and used a stainless cold blue with a sealer. It turns the hammer black but it wont ever rust and the chemicals only cost about $50 bucks in total and it will have plenty to last you many more bluing processes.

Break in period? Huh, another thing I didn't have a clue about. Is that for all guns, or just these very tightly fitted ones ? It's just like engines and breaks on a vehicle, maybe ? Anyway, another cool gun with great history.

I plan on buying this model, but I am torn between the 10 mm and the 45 ACP. Would you buy this weapon in 10 mm?

I actually go back and forth between carrying my .45 caliber 1911 and my 17 round capacity 9mm M&P Metal with a 23 round magazine that I carry as a spare. Between the two, I do not believe one platform is superior to the other nor do I believe either caliber is better than the other. It’s all about how to utilize each platform and overcome the unique disadvantages that both platforms and calibers have. 9mm obviously has the advantage of having higher capacity but one can not deny the power of a 230 grain bullet of a .45 Auto round. Yes, I carry hollow points in my .45 just like I do in my 9mm. However, if I was stuck with full metal jackets, I would trust my 8 to 10 round .45 caliber 1911 more than I would my higher capacity 9mm M&P… if I didn’t have access to hollow points, of course. Some might ask, “When will you not have access to hollow points?” I will remind those that ask about the ammo shortage that occurred during the pandemic where it was nearly impossible to find ammo. Although, I will say that I had an easier time finding .45 FMJs than I did everything else and, since .45 caliber FMJs give you more power but less penetration than a 9mm FMJ, they can be trusted for self defense. That brings me to my next point, which is that if you are in a hurry to stock pile rounds that can be used for target shooting and self defense… remind you, in a hurry… then going .45 Auto is the way to go as it is the most cost effective way to accomplish that goal. I don’t say this to bash 9mm because I still carry 9mm and trust my life to it as long as I have hollow points. In fact, I will be carrying my 9mm today. I’m not talking to those that have stocked up on 9mm hollow points during good times. I’m talking to those that didn’t realize the importance of a gun until things started going down hill in society as we potentially face another “Summer of Love” next year. Some might also ask, “Why get a .45 when you can get a 10mm?” I will simply invite you to watch Paul Harrell’s findings on 10mm vs .40 S&W, where he explains that many ammo manufacturers water down the power of their 10mm rounds to that of .40 S&W. I don’t want to be questioning the performance of my rounds when I’m at the store. I want to know what I have, which is why I will never give up my .45 caliber 1911.

I was able to get a used 2002 point man 45 major earlier this year. It has been a project, it was not well loved. Finally got it were it does not ftf or fte. I feel my bul armory and magnum research made by bul armory are much better 1911’s, better triggers and accuracy. Maybe the cz dan wessons are better fit.

I own the "Specialist" it is my favorite.

My Kimber 1911 10mm Black Ice Rapide anyday!

You’re 100% right on the break in process. My vbob was a train wreck. Mine ended up having to go back to the factory

Any opinion on the Bul Armory 1911s? They seem to be well-specc'ed and well made for the price.

Awesome video. I bought same exact gun a 2 months ago. Was wandering if yours came with a ramped barrel as well? I was a little confused because I’ve never seen that on a 45auto 1911.

The beginning of this Dan Wesson Valor review is comically bad. But, at the 2:35 mark, he makes a nice recovery and gives a thorough review of the pistol!

Great intro 🤣🤣🤣

What about the recoil ? it looks to be quite stable at shooting. I intend to purchase the Specialist Commander wich is easier to conceal & carry.

I..."cheaped" out and got a Sig Emperor Scorpion

Since you bring up Kimber and Springfield Armory, how do you feel about their products? Any preference of one over the other?

Thank you for such a great review. I have a question and I can’t seem to find an answer anywhere. I put a deposit down on a new Dan Wesson Specialist 45ACP today. Never owned a DW. Here’s my question, if I try to engage the thumb safety when there is no bullet in the chamber and the hammer isn’t cocked, is it normal for the thumb safety to slightly travel, click and stay slightly up as if it’s engaged? I was confused because it seemed to feel like it slightly locked the thumb safety. I’ve tried to make the thumb safety budge on a Springfield and a Sig, but the safety didn’t move. I’m hoping the gun I’m buying isn’t defective.

What brand of shoulder holster is that. Just picked up Government and Commander size Specialist.

I think that buying a used Springfield Vickers Tactical 1911 would be just as good as buying a used Specialist, and the small parts might be better, but I’m no 1911 guru.

Why is this channel not at 200k subs? Please do a 1000 rd update….

Just wondering what qualifies your opinions? Military or LE service? Decades of shooting? Competition experience?

It's gorgeous 😍

How often do you need to change the main spring on a Dan Wesson?

Do the commander sizes have smaller grips or just the shorter length of barrel?

I would love a Specialist but trying to find one or any Dan Wesson is an impossible task. I have major gun shops in my area. Some carry Ed Brown, Nighthawk, Kimber, Staccato, etc. And they are in stock. They are DW dealers but none of my four dealers carry them and say they can't order them. I never see one at the range. And yet, they get fabulous reviews. I've called them and they aren't helpful at all and tell me to go the a dealer. So far, I would say they make a really good product, have crappy customer service, and don't seem the slightest bit interested in selling firearms. For these reasons, I would stay away from them. There are plenty of good alternatives.

Customs have tons of issues also lol

Have you ever had any experience with The Specialist in 10mm?

Lol. I know you're not, but I did get here from a shill video of this gun ;)

Hey are those ambidextrous safeties that are having issues with wobbling new manufacture DW parts or EGW safeties?

👍

“or a sword on your back”😂

Where did u get the gun belt ?

Hahaha 😆 badass intro 🔫 🔫 🔫 🔫

Goood choice for the 1 1911 to keep. I woudld go o far a to make it

Have you tried Prodigy yet and is it any good.?

How much??

So you think you're cool because you have a Dan Wesson. You are!

I find it funny A lot of things they add on 1911's now that jacks up the price I think Is ugly ass fuck. lol

What? You think you're some kinda brawler style??

FQQLs and GUNs are a very bad combination.

🐸✝️

There is nothing like a 1911 have to admit i am biased to the 911 having driven them for years