Dan Wesson Specialist Optics Ready 45ACP

[Sensei]

I fired another 120 rounds of Federal 230 grain AE and 25 rounds of Speer 230 grain Gold Dot. This time, all rounds were fired with a Surefire X300U-A and an assortment of DW and Wilson ETM mags. While there were no failures, I noticed that it seemed to be shooting 3 inches low at 10 yards offhand, and my clearance rate on a 6-plate rack was about 75% at 10 yards with most misses hitting the frame. Up to this point, 50% of my rounds were 5-yard Dot Tortures and the rest under 10 yards. Thus, I took the gun back to 20 yards for the first time and fired supported by a Caldwell shooting bag. While not a a real rest, I figured it would minimize some of the human element. It grouped 5 round of the AE in about 2.0” but 6” low and 2” left. Overall, that accuracy seems pretty reasonable from a supported position since 2” is covered by the width of the factory front sight at 20 yards. I believe that the front sight on the Optics Ready pistols is identical to standard guns, so my suspicion is that the rear sight plate is too high. I’m not going to make any changes in the sights until I’ve decided on an optic.

Total Rounds Fired: 425
-300 Federal 230 grain AE
- 50 Speer 230 grain Gold Dot

FTF 0; FTE 0; Passed 10-8 Extractor Test

[Sensei]

Today it was 50 rounds of Federal 230 grain HST without a hiccup.

Total Rounds Fired: 475
-300 Federal 230 grain AE
- 50 Speer 230 grain Gold Dot
- 50 Federal 230 grain HST

FTF 0; FTE 0; Passed 10-8 Extractor Test

I’m ready to go out on a limb and say this gun is pretty reliable so far. I normally don’t consider putting a 1911 into the carry rotation until it gets to at least 1000 drauma-free rounds with 20% being JHPs. However, I’m going to put the brakes on any more rounds through this gun until DW gets their act together. All optics plates have been out of stock at distributors for several months, and the optics plate for the ACRO hasn’t been released yet. Making matters worse, the DW web store has been offline for a few weeks for a “server upgrade,” and nobody at DW can tell me anything about their products while the server is down. So, there is no point in further vetting a gun that shoots 4-5” low and is in a plate availability holding pattern.

[RAM Engineer]

Although I’ve known both facts, it just hit me today that CZ owns both Colt and Dan Wesson.

[HeavyDuty]

I considered looking for one of these because my ECP experience has been so good, but to be honest CZ’s stewardship of DW doesn’t seem stable or reliable right now. I’ll revisit if they ever get their heads out of their prdels.

[45dotACP]

Although I’ve known both facts, it just hit me today that CZ owns both Colt and Dan Wesson.

And heaps of people likely hoped that DWs influence would make a better Colt product...but more likely than not, the problems at Colt are likely to infect the quality at Dan Wesson.

The girl you dated in college with the face tattoos who you hoped would turn her life around was only ever going to ruin yours. It was ever thus.

[SW CQB 45]

last year, I sent a DW Valor to CZ for re-blue. I used the online return to factory. I was quoted a decent price for the reblue as I wanted to sell the DWV and the factory was the lowest quote. Was in the 200 to 300 range (depending on the work) were Ford's Refinishing (who do good work) was in the 300-400 range.

The advised a turnaround of 6 weeks.

It sat at CZ for months, I think 4 IIRC.

I spoke to someone at DW about my pistol who said CZ was understaffed and my gun was untouched.

They had my gun shipped to DW and I think they had to outsource the blueing as I was told they dont blue.

I got SUPER lucky as they did not charge me for the inconvenience.