Dan Wesson CCO: range report

wheelyfun · June 20, 2013, 06:37 AM

Range Report: Dan Wesson CCO

Brand new in box, so I field stripped, cleaned out factory oil and relubed. I used Enos Slide Glide (medium) to lube the top of barrel and rails. I used a drop of oil on the pivot point of barrel link.

I shot the following ammo: 150 rounds of Blazer 230 gr FMJ
50 rounds Tula Ammo 230gr FMJ
75 rounds PMC bronze 185gr JHP

Started off from 7 yds with the Blazer ammo. My initial point of aim was dead center of the bullseye, which brought my hits too high. Here is the target after my first seven rounds:

I was thrilled to see such tight grouping from this pistol, as I was not really too concerned about accuracy, but rather just seeing how the CCO felt in the hand, reliability, etc…
So, second magazine my point of aim became the “lollipop” sight picture, and BAM, the point of impact was right where I wanted it!

ZERO malfunctions through the first 100 rounds or so, and then……failure to lock back after last round. This occurred once or twice, at which point I took some Q-tips and swabbed out the area around the slide lock (on the interior of the slide) and was back in business with NO further problems. (I have two Wilson Combat mags in the mail, if indeed the failure to lock back occurred as a fault of the factory Checkmate mags?)

The trigger pull was like none I had ever experienced: light, predictable, short return, and smooth.
This thing is a SHOOTER!!

As I got more comfortable, I began to double tap and “dump” a mag full into the target. Accuracy barely suffered, even at full speed shooting.

From 25 yds out, my POI was way high……and I remember reading about some CCO models needing a taller front sight? Will Dan Wesson send me the correct sight? What kind of pusher do I need to install?

I ran a Bore Snake through the barrel every so often, and wiped the feed ramp down with Q-tips. Near the end of my session, I had problems with some Golden Saber JHP, in which the very last round would not feed into the chamber…..but seemed to be nosedived into the base of the ramp?
I wiped it down and went back to the PMC bronze JHP, and the problem went away.

I could not believe how many times my shots would literally hit the same hole I had just shot! I started getting cocky and taking insanely difficult shots (hitting just one replacement dot from the Shoot N See target) and have never had such an accurate pistol.

I have been shooting lots of double action revolver lately, so perhaps that translates into a much easier time with a single action?
Very satisfied with this 1911, and am happy to have one of my dream carry guns.

VZ Black Cherry 320’s are in the mail……and a TT Gunleather IWB & Wilson Combat mags.

Dashunde · June 20, 2013, 08:13 AM

Very nice.

Hunter Customs · June 20, 2013, 09:44 AM

Nice write up and a nice gun.

I like the fact that Dan Wesson did their home work and built the gun using a ramped barrel and the Clark/Para style ramp at that.
Even though some believe that single stack guns will not feed when a ramped barrel is used, it's the best way to go in an aluminum frame gun in my opinion.

As for your gun shooting high at 25 yards, I wonder if the smaller grip frame may be adding to that problem.
The smaller grip would make it easier to heel the gun, that along with the recoil may be most of the problem.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

wheelyfun · June 20, 2013, 10:37 AM

Bob,
thanks for the advice (regarding "heeling" the gun).
While I do not think that is my problem.....I will focus on my shooting grip next time out (today!)

KyJim · June 21, 2013, 06:27 AM

The Dan Wesson CCO is my primary carry gun, clothing permitting (a little hard to carry wearing elastic waistband shorts). I can't remember having a single hiccup with mine. I like six round Checkmate mags but have run the supplied 7 round Checkmates and a couple of seven round Wilsons through it with no problems. Mine does not shoot high but I have small hands so may not experience the same level of heeling.

If you continue experiencing shooting high, contact Dan Wesson. They have good customer service but may want you to send the gun back to them.

wheelyfun · June 22, 2013, 05:43 AM

UPDATE:
I stopped by the range after work last night.
On occasion, I stop by to test my carry gun in "real" world scenario.

What I mean by that is, I had been carrying all day, cocked and locked (duh, it is a 1911) and love to approach the target, draw weapon and engage the target.

Sounds simple, but I am looking for malfunctions, in order to insure that my carry weapon is reliable.

I once had a malfunction with a Glock, during such a "test" and it shook me enough to put me back onto revolvers for a year or two.....

Anyway, I fired 29 rounds (4 mags @ 7 rounds each, plus the chambered round) and had ZERO malfunctions.

Still hitting slightly high (from 8-10 yds) but am learning exactly what sight picture to use, so that I do not have to replace the front sight yet....

wheelyfun · June 23, 2013, 12:17 PM

UPDATE 6/23:

Fired over 250 rounds today, using new Wilson Combat mags and VZ Grips.

ZERO malfunctions with the Wilson mags: perfect fit and function.

The VZ grips felt great in the hand, but the grip screws were backing out every 50 rounds or so.....if you get some VZ grips...order the O-rings that come with them...

I'll get some from local hardware store and be back in business.

June 20, 2013, 06:37 AM	#1
wheelyfun Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2010 Location: Vermont Posts: 241	Dan Wesson CCO: range report Range Report: Dan Wesson CCO Brand new in box, so I field stripped, cleaned out factory oil and relubed. I used Enos Slide Glide (medium) to lube the top of barrel and rails. I used a drop of oil on the pivot point of barrel link. I shot the following ammo: 150 rounds of Blazer 230 gr FMJ 50 rounds Tula Ammo 230gr FMJ 75 rounds PMC bronze 185gr JHP Started off from 7 yds with the Blazer ammo. My initial point of aim was dead center of the bullseye, which brought my hits too high. Here is the target after my first seven rounds: I was thrilled to see such tight grouping from this pistol, as I was not really too concerned about accuracy, but rather just seeing how the CCO felt in the hand, reliability, etc… So, second magazine my point of aim became the “lollipop” sight picture, and BAM, the point of impact was right where I wanted it! ZERO malfunctions through the first 100 rounds or so, and then……failure to lock back after last round. This occurred once or twice, at which point I took some Q-tips and swabbed out the area around the slide lock (on the interior of the slide) and was back in business with NO further problems. (I have two Wilson Combat mags in the mail, if indeed the failure to lock back occurred as a fault of the factory Checkmate mags?) The trigger pull was like none I had ever experienced: light, predictable, short return, and smooth. This thing is a SHOOTER!! As I got more comfortable, I began to double tap and “dump” a mag full into the target. Accuracy barely suffered, even at full speed shooting. From 25 yds out, my POI was way high……and I remember reading about some CCO models needing a taller front sight? Will Dan Wesson send me the correct sight? What kind of pusher do I need to install? I ran a Bore Snake through the barrel every so often, and wiped the feed ramp down with Q-tips. Near the end of my session, I had problems with some Golden Saber JHP, in which the very last round would not feed into the chamber…..but seemed to be nosedived into the base of the ramp? I wiped it down and went back to the PMC bronze JHP, and the problem went away. I could not believe how many times my shots would literally hit the same hole I had just shot! I started getting cocky and taking insanely difficult shots (hitting just one replacement dot from the Shoot N See target) and have never had such an accurate pistol. I have been shooting lots of double action revolver lately, so perhaps that translates into a much easier time with a single action? Very satisfied with this 1911, and am happy to have one of my dream carry guns. VZ Black Cherry 320’s are in the mail……and a TT Gunleather IWB & Wilson Combat mags. __________________ When two of equal skill meet at swords' point, there is no conclusion to the match--Takuan Soho (written in 1629)

June 20, 2013, 08:13 AM	#2
Dashunde Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2004 Posts: 2,021	Very nice. Last edited by Dashunde; June 20, 2013 at 08:24 AM.

June 20, 2013, 10:37 AM	#4
wheelyfun Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2010 Location: Vermont Posts: 241	Bob, thanks for the advice (regarding "heeling" the gun). While I do not think that is my problem.....I will focus on my shooting grip next time out (today!) __________________ When two of equal skill meet at swords' point, there is no conclusion to the match--Takuan Soho (written in 1629)

June 22, 2013, 05:43 AM	#6
wheelyfun Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2010 Location: Vermont Posts: 241	UPDATE: I stopped by the range after work last night. On occasion, I stop by to test my carry gun in "real" world scenario. What I mean by that is, I had been carrying all day, cocked and locked (duh, it is a 1911) and love to approach the target, draw weapon and engage the target. Sounds simple, but I am looking for malfunctions, in order to insure that my carry weapon is reliable. I once had a malfunction with a Glock, during such a "test" and it shook me enough to put me back onto revolvers for a year or two..... Anyway, I fired 29 rounds (4 mags @ 7 rounds each, plus the chambered round) and had ZERO malfunctions. Still hitting slightly high (from 8-10 yds) but am learning exactly what sight picture to use, so that I do not have to replace the front sight yet.... __________________ When two of equal skill meet at swords' point, there is no conclusion to the match--Takuan Soho (written in 1629)

June 23, 2013, 12:17 PM	#7
wheelyfun Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2010 Location: Vermont Posts: 241	UPDATE 6/23: Fired over 250 rounds today, using new Wilson Combat mags and VZ Grips. ZERO malfunctions with the Wilson mags: perfect fit and function. The VZ grips felt great in the hand, but the grip screws were backing out every 50 rounds or so.....if you get some VZ grips...order the O-rings that come with them... I'll get some from local hardware store and be back in business. __________________ When two of equal skill meet at swords' point, there is no conclusion to the match--Takuan Soho (written in 1629)

June 20, 2013, 09:44 AM	#3
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	Nice write up and a nice gun. I like the fact that Dan Wesson did their home work and built the gun using a ramped barrel and the Clark/Para style ramp at that. Even though some believe that single stack guns will not feed when a ramped barrel is used, it's the best way to go in an aluminum frame gun in my opinion. As for your gun shooting high at 25 yards, I wonder if the smaller grip frame may be adding to that problem. The smaller grip would make it easier to heel the gun, that along with the recoil may be most of the problem. Best Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com

June 21, 2013, 06:27 AM	#5
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,149	The Dan Wesson CCO is my primary carry gun, clothing permitting (a little hard to carry wearing elastic waistband shorts). I can't remember having a single hiccup with mine. I like six round Checkmate mags but have run the supplied 7 round Checkmates and a couple of seven round Wilsons through it with no problems. Mine does not shoot high but I have small hands so may not experience the same level of heeling. If you continue experiencing shooting high, contact Dan Wesson. They have good customer service but may want you to send the gun back to them.