A few months ago, I took the plunge into uncharted territory, at least for me, and purchased a brand new Dan Wesson Vigil Commander in .45 ACP. This pistol was my first Dan Wesson (aside from a .357 Magnum Pistol Pac I purchased in the 1970's, which was an absolutely brilliant competition and carry revolver) but was by no means my first rodeo with the 1911. I've owned, carried, and shot them for about 50 years. In just a moment you will see why I am only now writing about a handgun I bought months ago.
When the Vigil arrived, I inspected it in some detail, and was thoroughly impressed with its fit and finish. The gun seemed to have everything I was looking for (except for one tiny component I could easily add myself) and was offered at a very reasonable price. The gun had features that many more expensive 1911's didn't offer. Things were looking great. I explicitly compared it side by side with a Colt in the same price range, as well as a Wilson Combat that had cost me twice as much used as the Vigil had cost new. The Dan Wesson was much closer in fit and finish to the Wilson than to the Colt. This was looking like a really good value proposition.
But then I tested the trigger. To my dismay, my new Vigil came out of the box with a 6.5 pound trigger, as measured on my Lyman electronic trigger pull gauge. This was the average of ten pulls, with some being higher. To say the least I was disappointed since the company advertises a 4 to 4.5 pound trigger pull. I immediately resolved to send the firearm in to Dan Wesson to have this corrected. This is where the trouble started. I dutifully filled out the online Service Request Form, and waited for a response. Thirty days passed with no response from Dan Wesson. Phone calls and emails to Dan Wesson Customer service went completely ignored. In fact, the phone there went unanswered for a week of calls before I gave up.
I then called CZ Customer Service, who answered my call immediately. A very nice gentleman there took responsibility for correcting my problem, and apparently sent a message about the issue over to DW. Another ten days passed without contact, so I again called CZ, and once again they helped me out by sending me a return Fedex tag by email. I returned the pistol the same day I got the tag with a detailed description of my issue. I waited another month before following up on what should have been a rather simple issue to correct. Once again the phones at Dan Wesson went unanswered.
I then called CZ Customer Service again. They kindly looked up my service order and told me when I could expect my pistol back and provided me with tracking information. I received my handgun back today, exactly 45 days after sending it back. This does not include the six weeks spent trying to get someone's attention at Dan Wesson. The pistol now has a 4.5 pound trigger pull, and I have no reason to doubt that it will shoot accurately and reliably. It appears to be a very well-made handgun. It is a shame that someone at the factory felt it was okay to ship a $1,200 handgun with a trigger that was two pounds too heavy. This is not why one buys an upscale 1911. In short, I have nothing but praise for the folks at CZ-USA, without whom I believe I would still be trying to get my trigger pull resolved. But I am profoundly disappointed with the lack of responsiveness from Dan Wesson to a warranty problem. I would suggest some cross-training between CZ and DW on matters of customer service.
So aside from the trigger, which is now resolved, what is the tiny missing component that I may need to add to this otherwise fine pistol? That one is my fault. When I selected the Vigil, I failed to notice that it does not have a so-called "memory bump" on the grip safety. I am one of those old farts who learned to shoot a 1911 with my thumb riding the thumb safety, and don't always get the grip safety completely depressed without the bump. So I will either have to adjust my grip, or fit a grip safety that has one.
Am I happy with this pistol? Yes, very much so. I just didn't plan on having to wait three months to get to use what I paid for. I give Dan Wesson high marks for production quality, but rather low marks for customer service, at least in my case.
