Talk to me about a Dan Wesson Specialist

[Gio]

I have a stainless Specialist I bought a couple years ago to shoot USPSA single stack with that I never got around to doing. The gun is outstanding though and the extraction and reliability is on par or even better than my Springfield Professional. The trigger is also outstanding out of the box. I will probably end up selling it one of these days because I just don't carry or shoot a 1911 anymore, but it would be the only brand I would consider for anything short of a custom shop gun.

[JHC]

It's really only an issue because DW uses the same type of stainless for their slides and frames. Most other manufacturers use different types of stainless, or a carbon steel slide and stainless frame, to reduce chances of galling.

And here I thought SS galling had long past into history as gun makers learned about the material.

[OlongJohnson]

Getting one or both parts with Duty Treat will eliminate the issue, AFAIK.

[JTQ]

Getting one or both parts with Duty Treat will eliminate the issue, AFAIK.

Then you've got to deal with what chemicals damage the Duty Treatment finish.

Like JHC mentioned, I was pretty sure galling was figured out in the early 1980's, but there are an awful lot of recent complaints about it concerning Dan Wesson 1911's.

I used to be convinced the galling/Duty Treatment problems were user created, but I now think Dan Wesson had a period (now past, I think/hope) where they had a bad batch of steel/slides/frames.

I'm a long time member on a couple of 1911 forums, but I don't follow the Dan Wesson's very much. However, over the past several months I've spent some time on the Dan Wesson sub-forums reading about these galling and Duty Treatment problems. While I now believe Dan Wesson did have some problems, I can't help but think some of the problems are either user caused or simply a lack of understanding by folks not familiar with the 1911.

[Sauer Koch]

My 2017-manufacture Specialist was lubed liberally with Slip 2K and still managed to gall in under 20 rounds. Dan Wesson responded very quickly, but blamed Slip for being too thin an oil. I presume they'll fix it, but I would be careful with non duty-coated DW 1911's as the galling issue is still very much present.

I have a new DW A2, and started using the Slip 2000, EWL-30, and although I've only shot about 300 rounds through it using this oil, I'm liking it. It's very thick, and seems to stay put very well within the slide/rails. I want to up the round count without re-applying oil, and see how long it will stay wet. I bought some FP-10, and the EWL-30 is much thicker, and it seems that it would be a solid choice for the rails of a 1911. Has anyone else used this oil?

[TC215]

True, DW does recommend FP-10, but that doesn't mean it is or should be the only quality lubricant used. Sig recommends TW-25B, but a host of other options will work as well. I'm sure there are tons of stainless DW 1911's out there working perfectly. From my perspective, however, if my sample of one can't make it through two mags with a quality, non evaporative oil, I think that speaks to a broader QC issue. Ultimately we shall see.

My 2017-manufacture Specialist was lubed liberally with Slip 2K and still managed to gall in under 20 rounds. Dan Wesson responded very quickly, but blamed Slip for being too thin an oil. I presume they'll fix it, but I would be careful with non duty-coated DW 1911's as the galling issue is still very much present.

FWIW, I found this post from the VP of DW from 2016:

Never use slip 2000 on our stainless guns.

We tried using it a number of years ago and nearly every gun we tried it on failed. I rank it right up there with Rem oil and Hoppes elite, CLP etc. These may be fine for Colt but Colt has MUCH looser tolerances.

Follow your manuals.

Not all is lost, we can just refit your frame and slide and have it running good as new, with the right lubricant.

[Matt O]

FWIW, I found this post from the VP of DW from 2016:

That's good to know - unfortunate, but good to know. I wonder how much of this has to do with, as you mentioned in an earlier post, DW using the same type of stainless in both frames and slides. I've used Slip2k quite successfully in everything else, including my GI No Name, but it appears Dan Wesson's may need extra consideration.

[Sauer Koch]

About the Slip 2000. It appears that there are three grades (thickness) of oil: Gun Lube (CLP) > EWL > EWL-30, so it seems unfair to rule them (Slip) out, and not specify which particular grade they considered "too thin". I'd assume it was the Gun Lube (CLP)?

[Greg]

I continue to think a very tightly built 1911 is probably a better idea with blued steel.

[KneeShot]

I have 2 DW's. Both 45's. A duty treat 5" Valor and a Stainless V-Bob. I also had a DW guardian in 9mm. BLUF - I ended purchasing a WC and do not regret it. I'm not a gun smith and became tired of experimenting w/ mags, measuring mag feed lips, replacing springs, taking pics of feed way stoppages...and my V-Bob locked up due to galling. Yes - I lubed the hell out of it.

If I bought another DW, I'd do the same thing I did w/ my Colt S-70. Send it to a well reputable smith for reliability work (Severns, MARS, Harrison, BLR, WC,etc...)

Or save the shipping fee's, test ammo cost, finger crossing and buy a WC w/ WC mags. A DW w/ a reliability package and the "trust test ammo" will put you in the same ball park as a WC.

4000 rounds through the WC, 2 Feedway Stops. All kinds of ammo. 400 carry rounds of 185gn Barnes XTP. No issues. Cleaned every 1000 rounds, with lube added to the barrel hood every couple hundred rounds.

Hope I don't sound to judgey. Sharing a lesson learned to save another forum member time and money.

FWIW, I currently train/carry a G-19. That's what we are issued and good habits are important.

Jeremy