Dan Wesson Specialist 1911 First Shots: Full of Surprises

Published on February 21, 2024
Duration: 10:52

This review of the Dan Wesson Specialist 1911, presented by an experienced reviewer known for critical assessments, highlights its potential as a high-quality, custom-level 1911 at a more accessible price point. While demonstrating excellent accuracy and low recoil due to its weight and 9mm caliber, the review identifies significant reliability issues stemming from the factory 9-round magazines, contrasting sharply with the flawless performance of Wilson Combat 10-round magazines. A 1,000-round follow-up is planned to assess break-in and potential issue resolution.

Quick Summary

The Dan Wesson Specialist 1911 offers excellent accuracy, capable of 2-4 inch groups at 50 yards, and features a low-recoil 9mm package due to its 44 oz weight. However, reliability issues were noted with factory 9-round magazines, contrasting with the flawless performance of Wilson Combat 10-round magazines. It's considered a strong value proposition compared to higher-priced custom 1911s.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Dan Wesson Specialist 1911
  2. 00:40Features and Specs
  3. 01:40Value Proposition: Custom 1911 Alternative
  4. 02:53Accuracy Testing at Distance
  5. 04:09Recoil and Rapid Fire Performance
  6. 05:21Magazine Reliability Issues Identified
  7. 08:11Final Assessment and Future Plans

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key features of the Dan Wesson Specialist 1911?

The Dan Wesson Specialist 1911 features Trijicon sights, a serrated flat-top slide, a bushing barrel, an accessory rail, G10 grips, 25 LPI front strap checkering, a magwell, and an ambidextrous safety. It has a full steel frame weighing approximately 44 ounces.

How accurate is the Dan Wesson Specialist 1911?

The reviewer noted the Dan Wesson Specialist 1911 is capable of 2-4 inch groups at 50 yards and demonstrated high hit probability on steel targets at 75 yards, indicating excellent inherent accuracy.

What reliability issues were encountered with the Dan Wesson Specialist 1911?

Failures to feed and sluggish slide movement were observed when using the factory Dan Wesson 9-round magazines. These issues were not present when using Wilson Combat 10-round magazines.

Is the Dan Wesson Specialist 1911 a good value?

Yes, the Dan Wesson Specialist 1911 is positioned as a high-quality option that bridges the gap to more expensive custom 1911s like Wilson Combat or Nighthawk Custom, offered at roughly half the price.

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