I get it for a fighting pistol like this you may be sweating, bleeding, have gloves and such and such stocks are warranted, but for range use, I added a set of Alumagrips, still plenty of aggressive but not as much as the G 10s and added a bit of comfort for some of the folks helping out. I must admit Im leaning towards the 2011s like the Springfield Arms prodigy or the new Dan Wesson models. In the gun world, the 1911 is about as polarizing as it can get. That weight helps keep recoil down when shooting .45s, and Im guessing the 9mm version of this pistol is a pussycat. A pistol that is hand-fitted with forged parts is well worth its price. 1 Review. Shot placement is vital. A quality 1911 will last longer with hand fitting, as good fit means that eccentric wear is less. The Specialist is a prime example of the constant refinement of the defensive handgun platform. The provided Dan Wesson magazines have polymer basepads that assist in seating a magazine, especially at speed. However, for an actual undercut triggerguard, where the line from the triggerguard doesnt go straight back to the frame but rather curves upward before hitting the front strap, youre probably going to have to buy a dedicated competition pistol made by small shops youve likely never heard of, which will cost you a lot more than the Specialist Distressed. Dan Wesson Firearms Store 2021 All Rights Reserved. It has a match grade 5 barrel chambered in 9mm. 9am-6pm CST Tue-Fri, 2023 Omaha Outdoors, LLC. While the manual of arms is the same as any other 1911, the enhancements are what sets the Dan Wesson Specialist apart from the crowd. The Dan Wesson line of pistols includes many fine crafted 1911 pistols in various configurations and finishes. .505 Gibbs Rifle Brass 'H H' Headstamp: Maker and Quality Info Sought, Self-Defense Handgun and Ammo Options for People With Dexterity and Strength Issues, Federal Ammunition History: 14 Things You Didn't Know, Springfield Armory Hellion 5.56 NATO Bullpup Rifle: Tested, Revic Optics BR4 Ballistic Rangefinder: Review. The new rifle is built on an aluminum billet chassis with carbon-fiber forend and cheek riser featuring V-block bedding. In both full size 5 inch and Commander models. It included 100 rounds of 230-grain full-metal jacket (FMJ) practice ammo and 20 rounds of Federals legendary 230-grain Hydra-Shok defensive ammo. This is the ideal setup for all-around service protection and home defense. Accuracy was exemplary, as was usability. Did you swap springs? $1,965.00 $1,849.99. Right out of the box, this 1911 feels very tight but functioned 100% so far. It is no secret Dan Wesson is one of my favorite 1911 manufacturers, but that is with good reason, and the Specialist is no exception. Dan Wesson gave the Specialist a classic long-style trigger with texturing on the face for a tactile grip. Guardian in .38 Super V-Bob Black in .45. The VZ Grips G 10 stocks were very aggressive, allowing a very firm purchase on the pistol, coupled with the front strap and mainspring housing checkering and deep beavertail it was easy to lock this pistol up with a firm grip. Lockup is tight and it doesnt rattle when shook like the original GI pistol. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Whether you agree with me or not, that is just fine. Speaking of magazines, the Specialist incorporates a magazine well. An all-around handgunner using a handgun for competition, hunting and general recreation will wish to have the pistol sighted in for the chosen load. In Stock. -. Head to your nearest authorized dealer to get an order placed, or if you don't have a nearby authorized dealer, have your local dealer call us at 800-955-4486 . About Dan Wesson Specialist - 5" Dan Wesson Firearms, or DW is an American handgun maker preferably known for their revolvers, but known as well for the line of 1911 semi-autos. Some complained about just how aggressive the G 10 stocks were. Initially, the Specialist was offered in a 9mm Luger and .45 Auto, it can now also be had in 10mm Auto. So, the next time you see fit to disparage that fella going on about his 1911-style pistol, look at your own autoloader and know that without John Browning and his 1911, you may have been carrying a Luger offspring, and no one wants that. Dan Wesson Specialist 1911 5" Pistol 8 RD 9mm Night Sights (Save up to 9%) Price $1987.67. This .45 ACP version is supplied with two stainless eight-round magazines. That being said, the magazine you select has as much, or maybe more, to do with reliability than the ammo. The overall weight of the Specialist is just over 42oz. The Specialists trigger left little to be desired. The trigger is adjustable for overtravel, but during the review, I did not change it. We do not sell or share your information with anyone. Dan Wesson Specialist 10mm 5 Black - BLEM. I understand the allure of battle-worn and distressed finishes, except they usually look artificial and cheesy. Give a Gift However, it is a welcome upgrade for a fighting handgun. Thank you Matt, I appreciate that. I am a dyed-in-the-wool, hard-headed, and somewhat unreasonable 1911 guy. There are plenty of companies making $3,000+ 1911s on the market but there arent a ton in that mid-tier level. An ambidextrous thumb safety is not imperative for a range gun in my opinion. The finish has been distressed right where the guns finish would be worn away by a hand and a holster, and it is the same price as the standard Specialist with the black Duty finish, so they dont charge you for the distressed look. The trigger on this Dan Wesson feels like it was looked over and hand-polished rather than just fitted like many standard 1911 companies. This is so if you want to install laser grips on your pistol, where the laser is usually positioned at the top of the right grip and aiming down the frame, the tip of the slide-stop pin is no longer in the way of the laser beam. The company was founded by the great-grandson of the founders of Smith & Wesson. Well, truthfully it rode in on a truck, but semantics and all. Kimber 1911 For Sale . It looks like its been riding around in a leather holster for a few years, only without the accompanying dings and divots in the steel and grips youd usually see. 12pm-6pm CST Mon The frame is cut higher than on an old-school GI model, but the triggerguard is not actually undercut, it is just cut straight back. Take a moment to also explore Handguns manufactured by Dan Wesson Firearms all of which can be found through here at discount prices on Danwessonfirearmstore.com. Ruger's multi-role small frame autoloading rifle - Sear - combines AR-10 power with AR-15 Portability. Specialist - Dan Wesson Firearms UPDATED FOR 2020 Specialist View All MSRP $ 1,849.00 - $ 2,179.00 Updated for 2020. The frame sports an integral 1913 Picatinny, 25 LPI front strap checkering, undercut trigger guard and recessed slide stop to enable the installation of laser grips. Federal Power-Shok Ammo 12 Gauge 3" Rifle ProMag FN Five-seveN 30 Round Polymer Mag HK VP9 Optics Plate #2 - Trijicon RMR / H Dan Wesson Specialist 1911 5" Pistol 8 RD 9mm Night Sights, Dan Wesson Vigil CCO 7 RD 45 ACP Cocobolo Shadow Grip, Dan Wesson Eco 8 RD 9mm Pistol Night Sights, Dan Wesson 1911 Kodiak 8 RD 10mm 6.03" Pistol, Dan Wesson 1911 Kodiak 8 RD 10mm 6.03" Gray Slide Pistol, Dan Wesson 1911 Bruin 8 RD 10mm 6.03" Pistol, Dan Wesson 1911 Pointman 45 8 RD 45 ACP 5" Stainless Pistol, Dan Wesson 1911 Pointman Seven 8 RD 45 ACP 5" Stainless Pistol, Dan Wesson 1911 Guardian 9 RD 38 Super 4.25" Pistol, Dan Wesson 1911 Guardian 8 RD 45 ACP 4.25" Pistol, Dan Wesson 1911 Guardian 9 RD 9mm 4.25" Pistol, Dan Wesson Wraith Distressed Stainless Pistol 8 RD 45 ACP, Dan Wesson Razorback 1911 Stainless 5" Pistol 8 RD 10mm. Each of the Dan Wesson handguns features a crisp, consistent trigger action. Add on the fact it has night sights and a great trigger and you can argue it as a viable self-defense gun if you want carry a single stack pistol. Personally, I think the 1911 is an extremely cool platform and really paved the wave for other variants and modern handguns. Shopping with us is absolutely safe - you never have to worry about credit card safety when shopping here Share your latest AR build or photos from the range with #RangeDayFriday for a chance to win a new firearm! I do feel it is 1911 evolved.. All Rights Reserved. Caleb Giddings, Marketing Manager at Taurus, introduces the all-new TaurusTX 22 Compact. The pistol returns to battery in the same manner each time it is fired. Fit, finish, & operation all superb would highly recommend. 6 more deals from guns.com . Weight: 42.3 oz. Throwback Thursday: Taurus Judge Range Report, ATI Milsport SGA 410 All the Advantages of an AR in .410, Ruger SR1911 LW Commander The Lightweight .45 ACP, Rifle Hack: Sighting for 100 Yards at a Distance of 25 Yards, Throwback Thursday: All About Bullet Grain. The built-in magwell lets you run the longer 10-round baseplate magazines without having the magazine stick out. The Shooter's Log, is to provide informationnot opinionsto our customers and the shooting community. When police departments approached us to build them a more reliable, durable 1911 to replace the ones they had been carrying, we developed a model just for them. Dan Wesson Kodiak Tri-Tone 10mm 6" Pistol, Dan Wesson Specialist 10mm 5 Black BLEM, Dan Wesson Specialist Distressed .45 ACP 5 Pistol. I never cleaned or oiled the gun before use and despite this, theDan Wesson Specialist worked flawlessly. Notify me about new product releases, reviews, and coupon codes. I have test fired this handgun with a number of handloads and defense loads as well. Please bear in mind this is my opinion. 's blog. Our authorized dealers can be found here. The Shooter's Log, is to provide informationnot opinionsto our customers and the shooting community. Dont get me wrong, I enjoy other platforms almost as well, looking at you CZ, but my first choice is always the 1911-style pistol. Old-school flush seven- and eight-round magazines will still work in the Specialist Distressed, but youll have to press them in with the tip of a finger as theyll sit up inside that oversized magwell. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Im an avid shooter and love educating whether its at my job or in the shooting community. Federal Power-Shok Ammo 12 Gauge 3" Rifle ProMag FN Five-seveN 30 Round Polymer Mag HK VP9 Optics Plate #2 - Trijicon RMR / H Dan Wesson Specialist 1911 5" Pistol 8 RD 9mm Night Sights. Dan Wesson V-Bob 1911 4.25" Pistol 8 RD 45 ACP Front Night Lancer 30 Round 300 Blackout Smoke Magazine, LWRC IC DI M-LOK 5.56 Titanium 30RD Copper Handguard / Buffer, Maglula LULA Loader CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 9mm. Compare. Heritage in .45. With a forged slide and receiver and all steel parts, durability will not be an issue. A quite different pistol from Dan Wesson is the Specialist. The pistol is completed with an ambidextrous thumb safety and a set of G10 VZ Operator II grips that ensure proper hand placement throughout hours of shooting. You'll find the Dan Wesson Specialist Pistols you're looking for at Danwessonfirearmstore.com, the world's largest online auction site dedicated to Dan Wesson Firearms Sales. This set up gives you quite the advantage in bright lights and low/no light conditions. Ameriglo straight-eight night top the slide, allowing for a rapid flash sight picture by stacking the white dot on the front sight on top of the single dot on the serrated rear sight. Dan Wesson 1911 Specialist Distressed Specs Type: Hammer fired, semiautomatic Cartridge: .45 ACP Capacity: 8+1 rds. On top of the stainless steel frame and slide, Dan Wesson has applied their Duty finish, which is ferritic nitrocarburizing, known in other places by proprietary names such as Melonite. Dan Wesson Specialist, .45 ACP, Black Du Dan Wesson Specialist, .45 ACP, Black Duty Finish NEW 01801, Guns > Pistols > Dan Wesson Pistols/Revolvers > 1911 Style. Coupled with the pistol's heavily checkered grips, this makes for excellent handling. As you might have guessed, the appearance of the Specialist Distressed made me a bit nostalgic for my old single-stack carry gun. The pistol features ledge-type rear sights with a tritium insert. It is fine to collect GI guns, but if you are going to bet your life on a handgun, you need good sights. The pre-2019 Specialist slide stop arm terminated flush with the receiver. Whenever I take someone out for the first time shooting, I think this would be a good candidate to start with just since its a soft shooter and easily controlled. If you are looking to step up your self-defense sidearm, I highly recommend taking a look at the 2020 Specialist line. You can have the pistol chambered for .45 ACP or 9mm and with a black finish or with a satin stainless finish. These magazines look great in the firearm and I have never had any issues with feeding despite this being a 1911 in 9mm. The Pointman has been the flagship of the Dan Wesson line for some time. A beverage or two would be awesome. Ive shot some top shelf 1911s and mine can run neck and neck. With us, you can get top-rated yet cheap guns and upgrade them in a snap, all these for the sake of our customers hassle-free experience. These are superb firearms. Dan Wesson states that the Specialist line is designed for the needs of law enforcement, and the Specialist is in use or authorized by several police departments, including the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. The VZ G10 grips that come standard on the Specialist look very clean and do a great job giving you traction on the handgun along with the checkering on the mainspring housing. The last change is the slide stop arm on the 2020 Specialist protrudes from the right side of the receiver a bit, as you expect on a 1911. We will notify you when the product arrives back in stock. Dan Wesson 1911 50th Anniversary Single 45 ACP 5" Barrel 8rd Mag. Coupled with the pistols heavily checkered grips, this makes for excellent handling. All checkering these days is done by machine, which means it will be slightly less sharp than old-school hand checkering but also costs less. The front sight has a standard green tritium insert with a white ring around it. [] My original review can be seen by following this link. The company was founded by the great-grandson of the founders of Smith & Wesson. The Heritage reflects Dan Wessons commitment to quality, but it wont break the bank. This pistol has a 5 match grade barrel, stackable tritium night sights, VZ Operator II G10 grips, ambidextrous thumb safety, black duty finish and comes with two 8 round magazines, a cable lock, the factory paperwork and a factory plastic hard case. I find this D.W. 1911 to be as fine as some full custom built 1911s on the market today and all for a very reasonable price.