Dan Wesson Specialist question

[Rmiked]

The DW website shows the Specialists with front cocking serrations and a single slot on picatinny rail. On some websites the Specialists is shown with no front cocking serrations and a multiple slot picatinny rail. Does anyone have a recent manufacture pistol and what configuration does it have w.r.t. front serrations and picatinny rail? Thanks

[foxj66]

The DW website shows the Specialists with front cocking serrations and a single slot on picatinny rail. On some websites the Specialists is shown with no front cocking serrations and a multiple slot picatinny rail. Does anyone have a recent manufacture pistol and what configuration does it have w.r.t. front serrations and picatinny rail? Thanks

It was changes to the model last year, Current one has the single slot and Front cocking serrations. SKUs 01807 01815 01802 01806 01814 01801 for the full sizes.

[Rmiked]

Thanks!

[Rmiked]

I have read about some instances of the plastic base pad on Dan Wesson Specialists magazine getting caught on the front strap checkering and jamming the gun due to over-insertion. Is this due to design issue on the plastic pad being too thin? Or people slamming them way too hard? Is there a suitable aftermarket magazine (Wilson, MecGar) with metal lip that can’t get stuck on the checlering?

[TC215]

I have read about some instances of the plastic base pad on Dan Wesson Specialists magazine getting caught on the front strap checkering and jamming the gun due to over-insertion. Is this due to design issue on the plastic pad being too thin? Or people slamming them way too hard? Is there a suitable aftermarket magazine (Wilson, MecGar) with metal lip that can’t get stuck on the checlering?

That's mainly a magazine issue.

A DW Specialist was my SWAT gun. I stopped counting around 8,000 rounds. Probably has 10,000 through it. I never had any issues at all, and I used magazines with with both plastic and metal base pads.

[Rmiked]

Thanks, very impressive round count with no issues.

[TOTS]

I have read about some instances of the plastic base pad on Dan Wesson Specialists magazine getting caught on the front strap checkering and jamming the gun due to over-insertion. Is this due to design issue on the plastic pad being too thin? Or people slamming them way too hard? Is there a suitable aftermarket magazine (Wilson, MecGar) with metal lip that can’t get stuck on the checlering?

I think the some of the factory mags are juuust a little too long. I had one of the two that came with mine get caught in the checking without slamming the mags ridiculously hard on insertion. I sanded down the offensive part of the baseplate and watched the pressure on inserting it. I found the same mag would over-insert and hit the ejector even without the plastic being gouged by the checking. None of my WC ETMs do that and I have no issues with the other DW mag. I’ll have to measure the two for any differences.

[Rmiked]

Once you sanded it down, it has worked fine like the other? Is the Wilson mag baseplate metal or plastic?

[Joe45]

I have read about some instances of the plastic base pad on Dan Wesson Specialists magazine getting caught on the front strap checkering and jamming the gun due to over-insertion. Is this due to design issue on the plastic pad being too thin? Or people slamming them way too hard? Is there a suitable aftermarket magazine (Wilson, MecGar) with metal lip that can’t get stuck on the checlering?

I had this problem on mine with the original mags. (9mm) Switching to metal base pad Wilson's and Dawson's seems to have fixed the issue.

DW customer service was good and sent two replacement 9 round mags instead of the factory 10 rd.

[TOTS]

Once you sanded it down, it has worked fine like the other? Is the Wilson mag baseplate metal or plastic?

No, that’s why I think the distance bt the mag catch slot and top if the feed lips is too long; it still binds up.