Dan Wesson Specialist in 10mm

[Sensei]

I recently watched a video where Bill Wilson talked about the 10mm in a 1911 platform. He indicated that they were problematic. If I remember he said that more 10mm guns came back for warranty issues than all the other caliber 1911’s.

Cheers, Steve

Yep, and I've heard him say that there should be no 1911's chambered in 10mm. I take that to mean he thinks the 1911 design just doesn't lend itself to being reliable in that chambering.

Personally speaking, I'm convinced the performance/reliability window is very narrow and unforgiving when it comes to the 1911 platform and the 10mm cartridge. Everything (cartridge length, springs, chamber dimensions, magazines, bullet shape, ammunition specs, etc, etc.) must be just so-so or the gun won't work with predictable reliability. Every one that I've shot (including my own) just feels like it's operating on the ragged edge of reliability.

I use mine (a Springfield TRP) for hunting and I'm pleased with its performance, but I would NEVER trust it (or any other 1911 in 10mm) for any pursuit that involved my well-being.

I’m not going to say that Bill Wilson never said that. However, here is a recent video of Larry Vickers quoting Bill Wilson as referring to the 10mm as one of 3 calibers that are “rock solid” in the 1911 platform at the 1:20 min mark:

https://youtu.be/wTJlyGxcoJo

The other 2 rock solid calibers are 9mm and 45ACP. Lots of 38Super loving boomers are going to need some Anusol ointment for the butthurt caused by that claim…

[ssc45]

I’m not going to say that Bill Wilson never said that. However, here is a recent video of Larry Vickers quoting Bill Wilson as referring to the 10mm as one of 3 calibers that are “rock solid” in the 1911 platform at the 1:20 min mark:

https://youtu.be/wTJlyGxcoJo

The other 2 rock solid calibers are 9mm and 45ACP. Lots of 38Super loving boomers are going to need some Anusol ointment for the butthurt caused by that claim…

https://youtu.be/RDBA0EeFcZs

Start at 21 minutes.

Cheers, Steve

[Sensei]

Yep. He said it.

[Sensei]

Just picked the gun up from FedEx. Was surprised that their shipping center was open on MLK Day but anywho. The notes from their gunsmith says that they polished the feed ramp and chamber, adjusted the extractor, and replaced the slide stop lever. It was then test fired at the factory with quality FMJ ammo.

I wiped it down and relubed it with oil.

I’ve got several boxes of 180 grain Federal AE waiting…

[Trooper224]

Damn. I've been looking for a 1911 that would be reliable for 1k without a stoppage (given proper lube and cleaning between range trips) since I was 16. Between Colt and Springfield, I haven't been able to find one yet. Was considering a Dan Wesson Valor 5" Gov't Model in .45 Auto, but it just seems like all options are finicky compared to my USP, G21, or a Hk45 or previously-owned HK45C. Was a hair away from buying a Wilson CQB, but a friend bought one and had to send it back for reliability issues. It came back alright, but if I paid that kind of money for a self-defense-worthy .45 and it ended up like that, my head would explode.

My current battery consists of the following:

SA Range Officer 9mm, 6k rounds no stoppages. This one surprises me.

Two Dan Wessons, both .45acp 5-inchers. One a CZ1911A1 with 1600 rounds fired, no stoppages. Second, a Valor with 11,200 rounds fired with one stoppage: an oversized handload I take the blame for.

They exist.

I also have a 1917 produced Colt with 8 rounds fired and no stoppages, if it gets credit for senior status. 😀

[Sensei]

It had 1 failure to feed with a Wilson mag with the first box of 180 grain AE. Those mags struggle to feed from slide lock and will be returned for a refund. I got about 3/4 through the second box and then experienced failures to feed every 5 rounds with the factory mags. Tried to run a 10-8 extractor test with the remaining ammo but it choked on round #2. I’m going to clean it and play with the extractor tension.

To be fair, the manual recommends cleaning after every 50 rounds for the first 300 to prevent feeding issues. I blew right through that first box with nothing more than a dirty look…

[Sensei]

After wipe down and re-lube, I put another 50 rounds with 180 grain Federal AE with 1 FTF using factory mags.

[Sensei]

100 rounds of S&B 180 grain FMJ and 10 rounds of 200 grain HST. All rounds fired with the 2 factory mags (appear to be made by Metalform) and 2 Metalform mags (identical to the DW factory mags except for markings) that I ordered from CDNN. There were no failures.

To recap, the gun now has about 400 rounds through it. The first 100 were an unmitigated disaster that required a trip back to DW for polishing the chamber and slide stop lever. Since returning from warranty repairs, the gun has become more reliable as IÂ’ve migrated towards Metalforn mags. The gun would not reliably chamber a round with the Wilsons. This last 110 rounds without a malfunction was a milestone. It needs another 300 rounds without failure before IÂ’d trust it outside of the range.

[Rmiked]

I own a DW Specialist in 10mm. It wasn’t fully broken in until 275 rounds. It would occasionally require a slight tap on rear of slide to chamber completely. My only observation was the ejection distance was about 20 feet shooting SB 180s , Blazer 200s or Federal 180s. I ended up installing a Wolfe 23# recoil spring to shorten up ejection distance. It’s run great since with more reasonable ejection distance (10-12 ft) and chambering from slide lock release (or slingshot) runs fine. The factory recoil spring is reported to be 22# by DW. I run the factory mags or Wilson 47NX equally well. I have 650 rounds thru it and consider it reliable with no malfunctions past round count 275. I love my Beretta 92 A1 (9mm) but shoot the Specialist 10mm somewhat better. The 1911 platform encourages confidence with grip and trigger. I am not a great shot shooting 5” groups (5 shots ) at 20 yards standing. But for self protection I feel good with either pistol. I can’t imagine liking a 1911 better than the DW Specialist but it’s the only one I’ve ever owned. It has all the features I could want from the factory.

[NPV]

Curious, have you tried running Wilson 45 mags in the gun?