Dan Wesson Specialist in 10mm

[41magfan]

Yet, his company makes models of 1911 chambered in…10mm.

I know, crazy ain't it?

But, if you're in the business of making guns, I guess it makes sense to offer what people want (and will buy) whether you think it's useful or not. Truth is, the 9mm and the 1911 isn't a perfect match either, but everybody and his brother makes one and they seem to sell like crazy, irrespective of their shortcomings.

[gtmtnbiker98]

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.

Totally agree with this post.

[Dave Williams]

I had a Delta Elite back in the 90s that ran great. It’s lost to my trail of tears of firearms sales. All I really fed it though was 200gr Blazer with factory mags. I remember that my hand would be sore after shooting 100rds through it. Does Colt pretty much have the 10mm 1911 thing worked out?

[TOTS]

I had a Delta Elite back in the 90s that ran great. It’s lost to my trail of tears of firearms sales. All I really fed it though was 200gr Blazer with factory mags. I remember that my hand would be sore after shooting 100rds through it. Does Colt pretty much have the 10mm 1911 thing worked out?

I really appreciate this data point. While reading the above, I was thinking “I don’t remember hearing anything but good experiences with the Delta Elite “. But I have zero time around one and don’t like speaking about things I don’t know about.

[Frank500]

Got a new front sight for the Dan Wesson today. It’s installed so we went for a walk out east. Glad we survived with such a terrible pistol. Didn’t see any wolves or grizzlies so I didn’t have to beat one over the head. Whew I better read more on the inner tube so I learn.
This Dan Wesson and a couple of rock island 10mm that I have experience with are reliable and very accurate pistols. Oh yeah, so is my 6” nighthawk

[Lester Polfus]

I had a Delta Elite back in the 90s that ran great. It’s lost to my trail of tears of firearms sales. All I really fed it though was 200gr Blazer with factory mags. I remember that my hand would be sore after shooting 100rds through it. Does Colt pretty much have the 10mm 1911 thing worked out?

I can’t always remember where I put my car keys, but I can remember that the 200 grain 10mm Blazer load ran at 1050 fps. Colt had that power level figured out.

If you had been running a 200 grain wide meplat load at 1200 fps, you likely would have had less positive results and certainly would have had a more painful hand.

[DanTheWolfman]

I assume there are others already in the proper 11.5mm then

[willie]

Yes, factory ammo does beat up the 1911. The hand loader can drop down a tad below maximum loads. I did so and could tell the difference. I shot a truck load of 40S&W ammo through Glock and Colt 10mm's. The shorter case headspaces on the extractor and must be fed into chamber with a magazine. I used the same technique with a 32 Long sub gun using 32ACP ammo. Of course, that's me, and I ain't recommending the practice.

[willie]

Steve Fischer on a P&S podcast intimated that a secret was that .45 mags also worked reliably in 10s. He made it sound like he was giving away a secret. Could someone verify for those of us who don’t have access to 10mm 1911s? May be useful knowledge if true.

They could be easily very easily adjusted to fit. I've tightened 40 mags to feed 9mm ammo reliably. I'm hamfisted like Bubba so it's not difficult.

[Frank500]

Wanted to test the Dan Wesson with new front sight and an RIA with new sear spring. Went east since it’s really quiet out there. Good thing I took two 10mm 1911s cause we saw blame and wish dragging a bear trap!!!!!! Trap was empty but I had two 1911s to beat a bear with. Oh, they both ran flawlessly as usual. Survived another dangerous morning with 1911s that aren’t supposed to work