Dan Wesson 9mm "LASD Specialist" - Range Report/Break-in Updated

BillD

BillD

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Was away from home for a couple days, this was waiting when I got back. Initial impressions limited to fondling only lol at this stage - hope to get it to the range this weekend if weather cooperates. Those first impressions are very good though - not a rattle nor looseness nor superfluous movement anywhere to be found, feels absolutely solid like it was milled from a single block of metal. The parts that are supposed to move, all glide as if on ball bearings - very much reminds me of my P210 for overall feel and solidity. My Ruger SR1911, while I'm very fond of it too and it's treated me well, feels like a collection of parts flying in formation in comparison lol. It's certainly works fine, but just holding the two...well it's a bit of a difference in fitment/feel no doubt. The DW's trigger has a short takeup and then a very clean, crisp break - I don't have a trigger gauge, but it feels a touch heavier than the P210 and a touch lighter than the SR1911. It came with three mags, and I bought one extra to try (Dawson Precision, all are 10 round mags), but other than the logo of DW or DP, they are EXACTLY the same mag! The grips are VERY aggressive feeling, which I like, and the front and back strap checkering have some serious bite as well - makes for a confident grip! The safety (right side only but that works for me) is very precise, engaging and disengaging with a solid snick/click, grip safety feels very positive as well. Have a bunch of snap caps and it loaded/fed/ejected those fine. The finish, "duty black" is really nice too - it's a clean, matte colour that hopefully wears well, just a few oil smudges in the pics below that don't do it justice. So yea a few unboxing pics, of course :p .....

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Bill,
I already told you that I am one of those who think a 1911 has to be in .45acp. That being said, I know you're a man of good taste and that Dan Wesson sure looks real fine. Maybe I should broaden my horizons...

Gilbert
 
RC Fan said:
Gorgeous! Thanks for the pictures!
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Thanks Cathy!

Gillis2 said:
Bill,
I already told you that I am one of those who think a 1911 has to be in .45acp. That being said, I know you're a man of good taste and that Dan Wesson sure looks real fine. Maybe I should broaden my horizons...

Gilbert
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Well if I hadn’t caught you at an earlier “broadening your horizons “ moment Gilbert, I wouldn’t have that P210 as part of my own modest collection right now :cheers:
 
Very nice Bill. Sounds like it fits and functions exactly like my Bruin. I am highly impressed with the Duty finish compared to the finishes i've seen on a lot of other guns. Looking forward to a range report.
 
lil_juiced_coupe said:
I grabbed one of these in 45, they are great. Compared to my Valor I see no difference in quality.

Now for the 9MM Guardian to show up!
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Sounds like you've had a good month for new pistols! ;)

gdawg said:
Very nice Bill. Sounds like it fits and functions exactly like my Bruin. I am highly impressed with the Duty finish compared to the finishes i've seen on a lot of other guns. Looking forward to a range report.
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The quality of the finish alone was a nice surprise, and have read good reports on it's durability too - like I said, pics don't do it justice :) . I hear the Bruin is available in 10mm too ;)

MartyK2500 said:
Congrats!
I got really close to getting one myself.
Really nice 1911
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Sakoman .308 said:
That's a fine 1911, If it runs anything like my DW Single Stack Custom did ( 40 S&W ), you're in for a treat.
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Just hoping the Nfld. weather gods, and they're a cruel bunch, cooperate tomorrow lol.
 
mudgunner49 said:
That's a sweet blaster indeed. I covet one of these in The Lord's caliber (.45) so bad that my teeth hurt...
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LOL...I know the feeling, I still have a long "list" of wants :) .

P.S. a little more background on these particular LASD pistols (from a U.S. site I queried about):

They (LASD) won't be using any of these. For various reasons I won't go into too much detail on this was going to be a commemorative gun for their deputies. After it was all set up and the first 500 or so (was going to be quite a bit more) were made it got canceled. For legal reasons all but a handful (I think 3 or 5, can't really remember. May be a few more) got shipped to Canada.
 
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BillD said:
LOL...I know the feeling, I still have a long "list" of what's next :) .

P.S. a little more background on these particular LASD pistols (from a U.S. site I queried about):

They (LASD) won't be using any of these. For various reasons I won't go into too much detail on this was going to be a commemorative gun for their deputies. After it was all set up and the first 500 or so (was going to be quite a bit more) were made it got canceled. For legal reasons all but a handful (I think 3 or 5, can't really remember. May be a few more) got shipped to Canada.
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There's actually a few deputies that bought these and use them as their duty weapon. Both 9mm's and 45's are authorized as duty weapons over there.

More than 3-5 got shipped up here. I don't have all the details as NS is pretty shy about discussing numbers but I would say that about 20-30 pistols of each calibers went to NS.
 
Harry Callahan said:
There's actually a few deputies that bought these and use them as their duty weapon. Both 9mm's and 45's are authorized as duty weapons over there.

More than 3-5 got shipped up here. I don't have all the details as NS is pretty shy about discussing numbers but I would say that about 20-30 pistols of each calibers went to NS.
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I think he meant 3-5, maybe more, didn't get shipped out to Canada...or that's how I read it :) . Whatever deputy was supposed to end up with this one, I promise to look after it ;)
 
BillD said:
I think he meant 3-5, maybe more, didn't get shipped out to Canada...or that's how I read it :) . Whatever deputy was supposed to end up with this one, I promise to look after it ;)
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I hear ya. I doubt that NS bought the entire lot.

I'm wondering what is the legal reason to why did they not sell these in the US... A plain Specialist sells for $1500, a Duty Treated black version for $1850. I'm guessing that a LASD version with extra mags would fetch more than the common version. Why loose money and let them go to a Canadian distributor that sell them to his licence dealers for about $1600-$1650 cost.
 
Harry Callahan said:
I hear ya. I doubt that NS bought the entire lot.

I'm wondering what is the legal reason to why did they not sell these in the US... A plain Specialist sells for $1500, a Duty Treated black version for $1850. I'm guessing that a LASD version with extra mags would fetch more than the common version. Why loose money and let them go to a Canadian distributor that sell them to his licence dealers for about $1600-$1650 cost.
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Didn't get any more info than what I posted but the details would be interesting I'm sure - I can only think of one reason that may apply..."politics", someone didn't want deputies getting fancy "commemorative" pistols gratis maybe?

Harry Callahan said:
I can attest that some LASD deputies have these has on and off duty weapons. In both 45 and 9mm.
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Well they're certainly getting a nice gun! Interesting though too, as nice as these are, that with so many other higher capacity/more LEO popular options out there, that a department would still issue 1911's as a regular service pistol.
 
BillD said:
Didn't get any more info than what I posted but the details would be interesting I'm sure - I can only think of one reason that may apply..."politics", someone didn't want deputies getting fancy "commemorative" pistols gratis maybe?



Well they're certainly getting a nice gun! Interesting though too, as nice as these are, that with so many other higher capacity/more LEO popular options out there, that a department would still issue 1911's as a regular service pistol.
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Yeah, the LASD have a wide range of approved pistols/revolvers for both on and off duty.

Here's a link from the SRA:

https://sheriffsrelief.org/2016/08/sheriff-approves-expanded-off-duty-weapons/
 
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