Dan Wesson.

manta49 · December 6, 2011, 03:48 PM

I am considering on buying a DAN WESSON RZ-45 Heritage. Does any forum members have any experience with Dan Wesson semi-auto pistols.

geetarman · December 6, 2011, 04:19 PM

I have been very fortunate to have handled and shot a Dan Wesson PointMan9.

It is the BEST 9mm I have ever shot. The fit and finish on that gun rivals anything I have ever seen.

The gun I shot belongs to a CZ factory team shooter and he claims it has had no work done on it. It is a factory blem and the blem is microscopic.

That gun has been discontinued and I am not sure what has replaced it.

In any event the guns are well built, hard to find and expensive. . .but they sure do work well. I would love to have one.

Geetarman

EAJ702 · December 6, 2011, 06:06 PM

They do manufacture some very nice production 1911’s.

Here’s what the PM-9, Classic CBOB and CCO look like.

overkill0084 · December 6, 2011, 06:10 PM

I'm very happy with my CCO. DW builds a nice gun.

rduckwor · December 6, 2011, 06:43 PM

DW is good to go. Expensive for a production gun, but very high quality.

Adamantium · December 6, 2011, 06:54 PM

I had some pretty big problems with my Dan Wesson 1911. Constant 3 point jams, slide not locking back on an empty magazine, light strikes of primers and one time it cycled 2 rounds of ammo with one trigger pull which got me DQ'ed from the USPSA match I was shooting at the time. Thankfully it jammed on the third round because it was an almost full magazine.

I packed it up and sent it back to CS and they swapped out the firing pin spring fixing one problem and sent it back to me like everything else was a figment of my imagination. The thing that really got me is they put down they "Tuned the magazines for reliability" as if I was supposed to only use the 2 factory mags or send any new magazine I bought into them so they could make it work in my gun.

I ended up fixing the problems myself and now it is great. If I ever buy another 1911 it won't be a Dan Wesson. I like the idea of a high end production gun sporting semi-custom small parts. OTOH two of my problems were caused by the idea that a 1911 needs to be super super tightly fit together.

Therealkoop · December 6, 2011, 07:05 PM

I have the heritage.

When i first went to shoot it, I lubed it generously and placed some stupidly accurate shots at 25 yards. At about 50 rounds, it felt gritty. Not being used to having such an incredibly tight 1911, I went inside and cleaned it up just incase something was wrong.

everything looked fine, lubed it up and was smooth as silk.

Since then ive put 3000 or so rounds through it completely flawlessly, and the accuracy is still amazing. Ive never experienced the grittyness again so it may have been a burr or something. Either way, I can put many rounds through it now without cleaning and never have issues.

Ive owned 6 1911's and this is by far my favorite. i highly recommend it.

tjhands · December 6, 2011, 08:00 PM

DW is a very decent brand.

whippoorwill · December 6, 2011, 08:05 PM

My experience with my Heritage is pretty much the same as that of Therealkoop (see above), but without the gritty feeling after 50 rounds. Seriously, it's wonderfully made and wonderfully accurate.

I'd say that currently, my favorite 1911s, in order (beginning with my favorite) are my DW CBOB, DW Heritage, Kimber CDP Ultra, and Colt XSE. This particular Colt doesn't have the accuracy of the others, and the workmanship isn't quite up to the others (minor), but it does have the horsey that so many forum members cherish. I've had a couple Springers, Para, and perhaps others I'm forgetting, but sold them as they didn't compare (IMO) to those that I kept. But, they're all quality pistols...

You should be very happy with the Heritage if you buy it.

zombieslayer · December 6, 2011, 09:01 PM

My Vbob is the finest pistol I've ever owned. The DW's are excellent guns, go for it.

gunluver · December 6, 2011, 09:06 PM

I have a Dan Wesson Guardian .45 and I echo everything postive everyone has said. Fit and finish are top notch, accuracy is superb, and reliablity has been flawless. It is currently my favorite gun (that I own). I am trying to figure out how to fund a matching DW Guardian in 9mm now!

zoomie · December 6, 2011, 09:08 PM

My next gun will be a CCO. This thread just reaffirms that.

KyJim · December 6, 2011, 09:12 PM

Dan Wesson makes fine semi-autos. I own three and am going to buy a fourth:

A Guardian in 9mm:

My CBOB with after-market grips from member Sarge43:

And my Valor:

JWT · December 7, 2011, 02:34 PM

My CBOB is a fine gun. Extremely well made for a production gun. In addition, DW customer service is first class. I picked the CBOB up used in like new condition. Had some FTF issues and called DW. Their warranty states it covers only the original owner but they had me send it to them and tuned it up so if now shoots perfectly - no charge.

THORN74 · December 7, 2011, 08:44 PM

here is mine .... i love it. its a great gun with a flat out BUY reccomendation.

gunluver · December 8, 2011, 01:33 AM

KyJim... That is one BEAUTIFUL CBOB!!

Therealkoop · December 8, 2011, 06:36 PM

Adamantium, you said you fixed the issues yourself. What did you have to do to solve them?

The only issue I ever see anyone have with DW on the 1911 specific forum is people will have galling issues, which DW seems to have a good reputation for taking care of.

Adamantium · December 8, 2011, 10:00 PM

No galling issues for me.

When I sent it in to customer service they changed out the firing pin spring for a lighter one, which got rid of the light strikes. They also put some lock tight on the over travel screw on the trigger, thinking that is what caused my double fire. It wasn't and I said so but I was going to get around to doing that anyway so no real complaints. After thousands of rounds I haven't had another double fire so it was probably a freak accident. Basically what that did is make it so it could run of factory FMJ. The slide wouldn't lock back consistently but it would feed and fire a mag of that finally. Any other nose profile like a JHP, SWC of even my own LRN wouldn't feed more than a few in a row without a jam.

After I got it back from them I replaced the original slide stop with a 38 super slide stop, as my magazines were missing the slide stop or not having the spring power to raise it. After switching to CMC+ mags that problem was solved.

Also I did a tension test of the extractor and it was much tighter than I needed it to be so I loosened it up a bit. That didn't solve my feeding problem but it made it a bit better. After that I tried adjusting the timing of the barrel as that can cause 3 point jams, but it didn't help. So with that not working I took a flier on a $50 aftermarket barrel from Midwayusa and the feeding issue was fixed. About 3000 rounds later I threw the factory barrel back in just out of curiosity and noticed how tight the barrel was around the bushing so I sanded it down to where I could turn the bushing freely with just my hands. Feeding problem solved once and for all.

And now it will feed and fire anything but Berry's 200 grain Flat Points. And that's fine by me as they have a stouter nose than most JHP's.

December 6, 2011, 03:48 PM	#1
manta49 Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2011 Location: N Ireland. UK. Posts: 1,809	Dan Wesson. I am considering on buying a DAN WESSON RZ-45 Heritage. Does any forum members have any experience with Dan Wesson semi-auto pistols.

December 6, 2011, 04:19 PM	#2
geetarman Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,157	I have been very fortunate to have handled and shot a Dan Wesson PointMan9. It is the BEST 9mm I have ever shot. The fit and finish on that gun rivals anything I have ever seen. The gun I shot belongs to a CZ factory team shooter and he claims it has had no work done on it. It is a factory blem and the blem is microscopic. That gun has been discontinued and I am not sure what has replaced it. In any event the guns are well built, hard to find and expensive. . .but they sure do work well. I would love to have one. Geetarman

December 6, 2011, 06:06 PM	#3
EAJ702 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Posts: 448	They do manufacture some very nice production 1911’s. Here’s what the PM-9, Classic CBOB and CCO look like.

December 6, 2011, 06:10 PM	#4
overkill0084 Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2010 Location: Northern, UT Posts: 1,162	I'm very happy with my CCO. DW builds a nice gun.

December 6, 2011, 06:43 PM	#5
rduckwor Senior Member Join Date: June 26, 2008 Location: L.A. - Lower Alabama Posts: 365	DW is good to go. Expensive for a production gun, but very high quality.

December 6, 2011, 06:54 PM	#6
Adamantium Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 1,021	I had some pretty big problems with my Dan Wesson 1911. Constant 3 point jams, slide not locking back on an empty magazine, light strikes of primers and one time it cycled 2 rounds of ammo with one trigger pull which got me DQ'ed from the USPSA match I was shooting at the time. Thankfully it jammed on the third round because it was an almost full magazine. I packed it up and sent it back to CS and they swapped out the firing pin spring fixing one problem and sent it back to me like everything else was a figment of my imagination. The thing that really got me is they put down they "Tuned the magazines for reliability" as if I was supposed to only use the 2 factory mags or send any new magazine I bought into them so they could make it work in my gun. I ended up fixing the problems myself and now it is great. If I ever buy another 1911 it won't be a Dan Wesson. I like the idea of a high end production gun sporting semi-custom small parts. OTOH two of my problems were caused by the idea that a 1911 needs to be super super tightly fit together.

December 6, 2011, 07:05 PM	#7
Therealkoop Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2010 Posts: 285	I have the heritage. When i first went to shoot it, I lubed it generously and placed some stupidly accurate shots at 25 yards. At about 50 rounds, it felt gritty. Not being used to having such an incredibly tight 1911, I went inside and cleaned it up just incase something was wrong. everything looked fine, lubed it up and was smooth as silk. Since then ive put 3000 or so rounds through it completely flawlessly, and the accuracy is still amazing. Ive never experienced the grittyness again so it may have been a burr or something. Either way, I can put many rounds through it now without cleaning and never have issues. Ive owned 6 1911's and this is by far my favorite. i highly recommend it.

December 6, 2011, 08:00 PM	#8
tjhands Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2005 Posts: 1,718	DW is a very decent brand.

December 6, 2011, 08:05 PM	#9
whippoorwill Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2008 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Posts: 521	My experience with my Heritage is pretty much the same as that of Therealkoop (see above), but without the gritty feeling after 50 rounds. Seriously, it's wonderfully made and wonderfully accurate. I'd say that currently, my favorite 1911s, in order (beginning with my favorite) are my DW CBOB, DW Heritage, Kimber CDP Ultra, and Colt XSE. This particular Colt doesn't have the accuracy of the others, and the workmanship isn't quite up to the others (minor), but it does have the horsey that so many forum members cherish. I've had a couple Springers, Para, and perhaps others I'm forgetting, but sold them as they didn't compare (IMO) to those that I kept. But, they're all quality pistols... You should be very happy with the Heritage if you buy it.

December 6, 2011, 09:01 PM	#10
zombieslayer Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,198	My Vbob is the finest pistol I've ever owned. The DW's are excellent guns, go for it.

December 6, 2011, 09:06 PM	#11
gunluver Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Location: York, Pa Posts: 381	I have a Dan Wesson Guardian .45 and I echo everything postive everyone has said. Fit and finish are top notch, accuracy is superb, and reliablity has been flawless. It is currently my favorite gun (that I own). I am trying to figure out how to fund a matching DW Guardian in 9mm now!

December 6, 2011, 09:08 PM	#12
zoomie Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2006 Location: GA Posts: 1,870	My next gun will be a CCO. This thread just reaffirms that.

December 6, 2011, 09:12 PM	#13
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,149	Dan Wesson makes fine semi-autos. I own three and am going to buy a fourth: A Guardian in 9mm: My CBOB with after-market grips from member Sarge43: And my Valor:

December 7, 2011, 02:34 PM	#14
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	My CBOB is a fine gun. Extremely well made for a production gun. In addition, DW customer service is first class. I picked the CBOB up used in like new condition. Had some FTF issues and called DW. Their warranty states it covers only the original owner but they had me send it to them and tuned it up so if now shoots perfectly - no charge.

December 7, 2011, 08:44 PM	#15
THORN74 Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2010 Location: Chicago 'Burbs Posts: 543	here is mine .... i love it. its a great gun with a flat out BUY reccomendation.

December 8, 2011, 01:33 AM	#16
gunluver Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Location: York, Pa Posts: 381	KyJim... That is one BEAUTIFUL CBOB!!

December 8, 2011, 06:36 PM	#17
Therealkoop Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2010 Posts: 285	Adamantium, you said you fixed the issues yourself. What did you have to do to solve them? The only issue I ever see anyone have with DW on the 1911 specific forum is people will have galling issues, which DW seems to have a good reputation for taking care of.

December 8, 2011, 10:00 PM	#18
Adamantium Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 1,021	No galling issues for me. When I sent it in to customer service they changed out the firing pin spring for a lighter one, which got rid of the light strikes. They also put some lock tight on the over travel screw on the trigger, thinking that is what caused my double fire. It wasn't and I said so but I was going to get around to doing that anyway so no real complaints. After thousands of rounds I haven't had another double fire so it was probably a freak accident. Basically what that did is make it so it could run of factory FMJ. The slide wouldn't lock back consistently but it would feed and fire a mag of that finally. Any other nose profile like a JHP, SWC of even my own LRN wouldn't feed more than a few in a row without a jam. After I got it back from them I replaced the original slide stop with a 38 super slide stop, as my magazines were missing the slide stop or not having the spring power to raise it. After switching to CMC+ mags that problem was solved. Also I did a tension test of the extractor and it was much tighter than I needed it to be so I loosened it up a bit. That didn't solve my feeding problem but it made it a bit better. After that I tried adjusting the timing of the barrel as that can cause 3 point jams, but it didn't help. So with that not working I took a flier on a $50 aftermarket barrel from Midwayusa and the feeding issue was fixed. About 3000 rounds later I threw the factory barrel back in just out of curiosity and noticed how tight the barrel was around the bushing so I sanded it down to where I could turn the bushing freely with just my hands. Feeding problem solved once and for all. And now it will feed and fire anything but Berry's 200 grain Flat Points. And that's fine by me as they have a stouter nose than most JHP's.