Facing off in a handgun challenge featuring the smallest professional-grade enclosed red dot sight on the market, Eric and Tom put the Acro P-2 to the distance test by doing a walk-back challenge. Joe Kurtenbach and Caleb Giddings also look at the first-ever optics-ready carry revolvers with the new Taurus 605 and 856 T.O.R.O. The built-in magwell lets you run the longer 10-round baseplate magazines without having the magazine stick out. The balance and handling of this size handgun make for good control when firing the .45 ACP cartridge. Some complained about just how aggressive the G 10 stocks were. 's blog. Coupled with the pistols heavily checkered grips, this makes for excellent handling. We will notify you when the product arrives back in stock. The rear sight is drift adjustable via a set screw. This is a big step up in handling. 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. The rear sight is drift adjustable via a set screw. Stocky's Owner Don Bitz walks David Faubion through the company's new rifle stocks for 2023. The Specialist features a checkered front strap. Im guessing most people these days would hardly recognize the original spur hammer of the 1911. Accuracy was exemplary, as was usability. 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. Quick view. The barrel bushing is a match stainless steel model, but you wont need a bushing wrench to remove it as it is only finger tight. For sale: One (1) new in box Dan Wesson Specialist, .45 ACP. Hand fit and hand polish are important components of the 1911 handgun. Range Review: Dan Wesson TCP 1911. 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. Regarding the Dan Wesson line of 1911 handguns article I own only one at this time its a Dan Wesson VALOR Model in 45acp with a rounded (bobbed) back grip corner & VZ Style G10 grips. My suggestion is to contact Dawson and provide them with the serial number of you DW. However, considering they aid you in funneling that fresh magazine into the gun and help with a speedy reload, I get why it was included with this pistol. 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. Had to support my ol buddie over hereId like to find some extended mags for my dws10mmgonna check your recommendations out now..took a 2hr hike here in eastern ky yesterday with my specialist and 6 trp..damn cyotoes are everywhere here..I live in floyd co which is just west of pike co.Lotta old strip mines with plenty of rabbit they have a field day onhope we run into one another someday I could enjoy a beverage or 2 shootin the bull..thanks again. America's Ultimate Shooting Sports Discounter, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). The Dan Wesson Specialist, a culmination of mission-specific features applied to the tried and true 1911 platform. Dan Wesson Valor Commander 45 ACP, 4.25" Barrel, Black/SS, 8rd Mag. For unrelenting protection on the home front, dont hesitate to call in the specialist. Of course, the serrations on the rear of the sight and between the sights help eliminate glare when shooting in glaring or hard light. 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. When you drive the mag home in the Specialist, you may need to use your thumb to ensure the magazine is fully seated. Colt Model 1861 Special Musket: What's Its Value? An ambidextrous thumb safety is not imperative for a range gun in my opinion. Compare . Offered in a full-size model, the Specialist Stainless sports a bead blasted stainless finish and is chambered in .45ACP. We will notify you when the product arrives back in stock. The Pointman features fully-adjustable rear sights. My favorite magazines are made by Check-Mate. That will give you issues. Fixed Night Sight, A Novak-style snag-free sight with tritium self-illuminated vials. Tactical Rear Sight, With an abrupt front face, our tactical rear sight allows for one-handed racking of the slide and has a single tritium vial dead-center below the sights notch. Front Serrations, Forward cocking serrations give solid purchase for press-checks. Inverted Rib, To cut down on glare our top rib is cut into the slide. Ball End Mill Cut, This cut accentuates the carry cut and slightly modifies the appearance. Tactical Hammer, The skeletonized hammer helps to reduce weight and maintains the clean look of the pistol. Long Solid Trigger, A long solid trigger was used to give a traditional look and incorporate a serrated face. Ambi Safety, Grip Safety, An ambidextrous safety allows for an easy to access to the safety for both left-handed and right-hand shooters. Rail, Equipped with a 1913 Picatinny rail, adding a light or laser is a simple operation. Mainspring Housing Checkering, Our 25 LPI checkering on the flat mainspring housing provides the means for a superb grip. Magwell, Reloads are made easy, our magwell helps to funnel the fresh mag into the gun. This Specialist Distressed is the full-size model, which sports the same Government model dimensions that have been around since, oh, 1911. Speaking of magazines, the Specialist incorporates a magazine well. Kimber 1911. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. [], Your email address will not be published. I have the Dan Wesson commander classic bobtail. A step-up from the Heritage is the Pointman. Im an average joe that really loves talking with other people about firearms and other passions. It was about two weeks later, and this holster showed up. Continuing to improve my firearms skills and knowledge is a never ending journey in which we should all be committed. The grips are held in place by Allen-head screws. Even with standard loaded 147gr subsonic ammunition, the Dan Wesson Specialist cycles and locks to the rear which is awesome for a 9mm 1911. These are superb firearms. The tritium insert on the rear sight does not have a colored ring around it to draw your eye away from the ever-important front sight. Accuracy has been excellent. 1 Review. 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. I have been shooting my Dan Wesson fairly regularly since I picked it up back in early December. In the late 1990s I became a life member to the National Rifle Association and worked with the Friends of the NRA. The frontstrap of the frame and the mainspring housing feature 25 lines-per-inch (lpi) checkering. Lockup is tight and it doesnt rattle when shook like the original GI pistol. That rail is a bit substantial, so as a result, the empty weight of the Specialist Distressed is 42.3 ounces. DAN WESSON SPECIALIST (10MM AUTO) 5" BARREL (STAINLESS STEEL/BROWN) Dan Wesson Specialist (10mm Auto) 5 Inch Barrel (Stainless Steel/Brown) - (2) 8 Round Magazines, night sights are at 50% ,used in original box with two mags, owner's manual & takedown tool (it's a good looking pistol) It's in 95% condition for finish IAW NRA standards & with the following description and specifications: To be honest, the Specialist Distressed looks a lot like the blued 1911 that I carried for about a decade, except the bare metal where the bluing was worn off kept wanting to rust. A defensive handgun having the ability to secure a light can provide an advantage if the situation goes off the rails while the moon is out. Pairing the big-bore .45 ACP cartridge with the scaled-down version of Browning's classic design satisfies both . Barrel Length: 5 in. In all my reading and research over the past couple days I now find myself deciding between two DW 1911 models. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. The Heritage was introduced as an entry-level Dan Wesson. The trigger pull was so crisp and the reset so short and sweet that the pull weight felt substantially lighter than it was. The front strap is also checkered to twenty-five lines per inch. Click Here: https://membership.nr. While all of the other Specialist models are available in 9mm or .45 ACP, at the moment the Specialist Distressed is only available in .45 ACP. Be the first to review Dan Wesson Specialist .45ACP 5 Stainless BLEM. That said, if I have the money and the opportunity, yes I will buy one. The reset is short with a defined audible click making it clear the gun is ready to fire again. Dan Wesson Specialist 1911 stripped to inspect it parts after several boxes of ammunition were fired. The slide and frame of each Dan Wesson pistol slide together with a tight accuracy-promoting standard. Proudly powered by WordPress Just after high school I enlisted and felt most at home on the rifle range, where I qualified expert with several firearms and spent some time as a rifle coach to my fellow Marines. Even with the extended base pad, its about flush with the magazine well on the Specialist. We reserve the right to edit as appropriate, delete profane, harassing, abusive and spam comments or posts, and block repeat offenders. Question I know its all relative but in your opinion how does the Specialist stack up to the Wilson ? The Dan Wesson Specialist sits in a mid-tier price range but offers a ton of semi-custom gun shop items without paying the crazy prices of high-end custom shops. At the Dan Wesson factory, we not only produce, but also customize some of the finest quality 1911 handguns. Heritage in .45. The Heritage reflects Dan Wessons commitment to quality, but it wont break the bank. Lets take a deeper dive into the Dan Wesson Specialist chambered in 9mm. I picked up a few of the Wilson Combat Elite 10-round magazines with aluminum base plates. These are credible handguns with excellent performance and more than a little pride of ownership. I am a dyed-in-the-wool, hard-headed, and somewhat unreasonable 1911 guy. Their new Specialist Distressed is no exception. Fortunately, my affinity for that pistol was not a flash in the pan, if you will allow me a tired cliche. I carried the pistol for about a month, and like any 1911 style pistol, it was not too hard to conceal as long as you paid attention to what you were wearing. The one disadvantage to a magazine well is you should be running magazines with extended base pads. With an 8 round magazine capacity and a 4.25 length barrel, the Commander Classic is such a tried and true essential to our lineup, it has withstood the test of time, maintaining its California legal status. This item is no longer available. The Specialist also comes with a built-in magwell, ambidextrous safety, and 1913 Picatinny rail as standard for mounting light and laser accessories. I have test fired this handgun with a number of handloads and defense loads as well. Let us know in the comments below! I saw it in the gun shop just window shopping and had to have it. The Specialist was originally developed for police departments who seeked a more reliable and durable 1911 pistol. A quality 1911 will last longer with hand fitting, as good fit means that eccentric wear is less. Their reaction upon seeing the Specialist Distressed was the same as mine namely, that it is the best-looking distressed finish that any of us had ever seen. This item is no longer available. Normally I am not a huge fan of extended magazine wells on a pistol, but considering they do aid you in funneling that fresh magazine into the pistol, helping with a speedy reload, I get why it was included with this pistol. 12pm-6pm CST Mon Since the Dan Wesson Specialist review was completed, it quickly became my favorite so much so that I bought it after the review. 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. If you have questions about firearms, feel free to shoot me a message on my Instagram @fridgeoperator. I do feel it is 1911 evolved.. All Rights Reserved. You can have the pistol chambered for .45 ACP or 9mm and with a black finish or with a satin stainless finish. How to Choose the Best Scope Reticle for Your Application, Colt King Cobra Target 22LR Rimfire Revolver: New for 2022, SIG Sauer P322 Rimfire Pistol: First Look, Non-Lethal Personal & Home Defense with Byrna, Range Tested: EAA Girsan Pistols & Shotguns, New for 2023: Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR), New for 2023: All-American RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol, New for 2023: FN Rush 9Ti Pistol Suppressor, New Big Bore Pistols for 2023: FN 510 Tactical and FN 545 Tactical, New for 2023: FN SCAR 15P Rifle Caliber Pistol, First Look: Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum Revolver With 10.5-Inch Barrel, New-for-2023 Taurus Judge Executive Grade 410/.45 Colt Revolver, Smith & Wesson Equalizer and the Brand New M&P 5.7 Pistol. If they make a 1911 as fine as their revolvers then I might jus have to consider picking one up. Dan Wesson gave the Specialist a classic long-style trigger with texturing on the face for a tactile grip. The trigger is adjustable for overtravel, but during the review, I did not change it.