Dan Wesson Specialist 9mm Review and Impressions

[Sensei]

be careful what you use to clean the gun if it has DW duty finish. Read the manual about what cleaners to use The finish is very abrasion resistant, but some cleaners will cause it to become cloudy and distorted. They recommend Kroil. YMMV

I saw that before I bought the gun. Basically, people need to stay away from Breakfree CLP. My cleaning so far has been a wipe down with a rag followed re-lube with Wilson’s oil / Ultima-lube or Weapon Shield. It seems like Weapon Shield, FP-10, Militec are all good to go.

[the Schwartz]

I saw that before I bought the gun. Basically, people need to stay away from Breakfree CLP. My cleaning so far has been a wipe down with a rag followed re-lube with Wilson’s oil / Ultima-lube or Weapon Shield. It seems like Weapon Shield, FP-10, Militec are all good to go.

I don't follow...

Will BreakFree CLP damage the Specialist's finish?

[Sensei]

I don't follow...

Will BreakFree CLP damage the Specialist's finish?

Supposedly. Although discolor is probably a better term than damage. The DW manual states the following in regards to cleaning supplies, “High-quality cleaning solvent (barrel only). Solvents can discolor your Duty Finish. Kroil is also recommended and Duty Finish safe. Oil based cleaner (polymer safe) for the rest of the gun. High-quality gun oil *such as FP-10, Militec-1 or Dan Wesson Rail Lube. We do not recommend the use of Rem oil, CLP or Hoppe’s elite gun oil on the rails of our firearms.”

There is some online debate about BreakFree’s safety, but enough posted pictures of discolored finishes that I’m inclined to stay away since DW specifically mentions it.

[the Schwartz]

Supposedly. Although discolor is probably a better term than damage. The DW manual states the following in regards to cleaning supplies, “High-quality cleaning solvent (barrel only). Solvents can discolor your Duty Finish. Kroil is also recommended and Duty Finish safe. Oil based cleaner (polymer safe) for the rest of the gun. High-quality gun oil *such as FP-10, Militec-1 or Dan Wesson Rail Lube. We do not recommend the use of Rem oil, CLP or Hoppe’s elite gun oil on the rails of our firearms.”

There is some online debate about BreakFree’s safety, but enough posted pictures of discolored finishes that I’m inclined to stay away since DW specifically mentions it.

Thanks.

I'd always wondered about the resistance/durability of such coatings on high end 1911s like that.

[Trooper224]

Thanks.

I'd always wondered about the resistance/durability of such coatings on high end 1911s like that.

It doesn't damage the finish, it just discolors it. I use Ballistol without issue and any run of the mill bore cleaner.

For lubrication I use this......

[the Schwartz]

It doesn't damage the finish, it just discolors it.

I'd beg to differ.

In addition to providing resistance to wear and corrosion, the function of a firearm's finish is aesthetic so discoloration is arguably damage―especially in the realm of high-end 1911s that involve an investment of $2,000 - $5,500...or more.

[Trooper224]

I'd beg to differ.

In addition to providing resistance to wear and corrosion, the function of a firearm's finish is aesthetic so discoloration is arguably damage―especially in the realm of high-end 1911s that involve an investment of $2,000 - $5,500...or more.

Okay Captain Semantics, you can have that one.

[the Schwartz]

Okay Captain Semantics, you can have that one.

Gee, I'm honored. What do I win?

Words have meanings. Often, those meanings are very important.

[David S.]

A P-F dollar.

[Sensei]

Let’s add another 100 rounds of Federal 124 grain AE to the break-in today. 1 mag (10 rounds) were fired 2 handed, another mag was fired strong hand. The other 80 rounds were virtually all Mozambique Drill. There were no feeding or extraction issues. There were 2 instances where the slide didn’t lock back on the last round during my series of Mozambique Drills. I loaded each mag with only three rounds so there were about 26 slide lock events and only 2 of those were failures. As state before, these slide lock failures are probably induced by my grip. Tomorrow, I plan to test this theory by shooting 100 rounds of Mozambique using only strong and weak hand grips.

Otherwise, the gun is running great. I’ve been cleaning everything but the bore every 50 rounds (I’m leaving the bore alone for the first 500 rounds) per Dan Wesson recommendations. The slide has become noticeably less tight and easier to rack, but there is absolutely no wobble in any parts.

Still very pleased with this gun. Reliability is still a B+ after 250 rounds. Tomorrow I plan to shoot another 50 rounds of AE to finish the break-in. Assuming that goes well, I’ll shoot 50 rounds of 147 gr HST.