Observations on 1st range trip w/new DWX

[JimLob65]

My convently (but expensively) close Sportsman’s Warehouse had a new Dan Wesson DWX in the display case when I visited a few days ago. Like many I was hooked on the idea of mixing the best features of the 1911 and higher end CZ pistol when it was prematurely introduced in 2019. It all seemed to be mythical until they actually started shipping late last year. I recall being alarmed when the MSRP climbed by several hundred dollars when it seemed imminent that it would be actually produced, figuring that I wasn’t likely to buy another large, expensive and heavy 9mm competition style pistol (I own a CZ S2O and TSO, and a Beretta 92x Performance), especially since I haven’t been shooting handguns too much lately as I have bought several nice rimfire rifles and a couple of very nice Tikka T3X’s, as well as a 4.25” & 6” Colt Python. Lots of good stuff to shoot!!

However I was badly bitten by the bug, pondered over it for a few days and a couple of trips to visit it. A trip to my not-so-local mega gun shop demonstrated that the DWX actually was on sale at SW, not cheap but $150 below MSRP. I bit the bullet and bought it yesterday, having everyone behind the counter telling me what a beauty it was.

Keeping in mind that I hadn’t been to the range in several months since my local and convenient range has been under maintenance for over 6 months and hadn’t really shot too much 9mm lately, my results at the range were really impressive given my limited shooting ability. At the admittedly short range of 7 yards I tossed only 1 round outside the 9 ring on whatever target I was shooting out of about 40 rounds, very good for my shooting abilities. DWX ran 100%, is VERY smooth, the sights were outstanding as I really like the green fiber optic (I didn’t have to touch an adjustment either) and the trigger is amazing, measuring at around 3lb 6oz and very crisp! Fit-n-finish are outstanding as is the machining with no marks to be found on frame or slide. There is an ever so slight amount of slide to frame play, minimal really. Not as tight as my S2O but close.  The only issue or concern that I had was that I had a tendency to nudge the safety lever up a bit while shooting with a high grip with my right thumb when placed under the lever.  It seems that if I place my thumb on top of the lever the slide will drag on it.  I have to pay greater attention to the placement of my right thumb.  Haven’t had that problem on any other pistol that I have shot that I can remember. 

In short the DWX is all that it has been advertised as, and more (I know….not news…)! Not so sure I needed to put out the cash but IMHO the DWX is worth the cost. Didn’t get to shoot it as much as I would like to today as I needed to sight in my new scope on my Tikka 270Win, shoot my new Springfield Armory 2020RF 22 for the first time and adjust the new Wilson Combat rear sight on my 6” Python. Hopefully I will get back to the range in a couple of days with the new Dan Wesson.

[rbuzz00]

Congratulations on your new DWX, you're gonna love it.  Aside from the fact that DW messed up by not offering an optic ready version (I'm told it will be introduced at Shot Show), I think they did a fantastic job.

[em44052]

I love my DWX, and since I tend to modify every gun I own, I was able to lighten the trigger pull to 1lb 6oz and changed the grips and added a magwell. The slide has been sent to Impact Machines to mill for an SRO. Definitely one of my favorites.

[bobjd]

My convently (but expensively) close Sportsman’s Warehouse had a new Dan Wesson DWX in the display case when I visited a few days ago. Like many I was hooked on the idea of mixing the best features of the 1911 and higher end CZ pistol when it was prematurely introduced in 2019. It all seemed to be mythical until they actually started shipping late last year. I recall being alarmed when the MSRP climbed by several hundred dollars when it seemed imminent that it would be actually produced, figuring that I wasn’t likely to buy another large, expensive and heavy 9mm competition style pistol (I own a CZ S2O and TSO, and a Beretta 92x Performance), especially since I haven’t been shooting handguns too much lately as I have bought several nice rimfire rifles and a couple of very nice Tikka T3X’s, as well as a 4.25” & 6” Colt Python. Lots of good stuff to shoot!!

However I was badly bitten by the bug, pondered over it for a few days and a couple of trips to visit it. A trip to my not-so-local mega gun shop demonstrated that the DWX actually was on sale at SW, not cheap but $150 below MSRP. I bit the bullet and bought it yesterday, having everyone behind the counter telling me what a beauty it was.

Keeping in mind that I hadn’t been to the range in several months since my local and convenient range has been under maintenance for over 6 months and hadn’t really shot too much 9mm lately, my results at the range were really impressive given my limited shooting ability. At the admittedly short range of 7 yards I tossed only 1 round outside the 9 ring on whatever target I was shooting out of about 40 rounds, very good for my shooting abilities. DWX ran 100%, is VERY smooth, the sights were outstanding as I really like the green fiber optic (I didn’t have to touch an adjustment either) and the trigger is amazing, measuring at around 3lb 6oz and very crisp! Fit-n-finish are outstanding as is the machining with no marks to be found on frame or slide. There is an ever so slight amount of slide to frame play, minimal really. Not as tight as my S2O but close.  The only issue or concern that I had was that I had a tendency to nudge the safety lever up a bit while shooting with a high grip with my right thumb when placed under the lever.  It seems that if I place my thumb on top of the lever the slide will drag on it.  I have to pay greater attention to the placement of my right thumb.  Haven’t had that problem on any other pistol that I have shot that I can remember. 

In short the DWX is all that it has been advertised as, and more (I know….not news…)! Not so sure I needed to put out the cash but IMHO the DWX is worth the cost. Didn’t get to shoot it as much as I would like to today as I needed to sight in my new scope on my Tikka 270Win, shoot my new Springfield Armory 2020RF 22 for the first time and adjust the new Wilson Combat rear sight on my 6” Python. Hopefully I will get back to the range in a couple of days with the new Dan Wesson.

Congratulations on your new purchase. Sounds like it is making you smile.

[bobjd]

I love my DWX, and since I tend to modify every gun I own, I was able to lighten the trigger pull to 1lb 6oz and changed the grips and added a magwell. The slide has been sent to Impact Machines to mill for an SRO. Definitely one of my favorites.

That is a beauty.

[JimLob65]

Took it back to the range today along with my Shadow 2 Orange.  All I can tell you for sure is that both pistols deserve a better triggerman!  Hard to choose between them really.

[JDP]

I've had my DWX about two months and I am really impressed with the accuracy of the pisol right out of the box. This is probaby the most accurate pistol I have but it's also the most expensive one I have.

First photo is at 7 yds. Second is at 15 yds.

[JimLob65]

That’s some darn good shooting!  I have had several expensive competition type 9mm handguns, and still have some of them.  The DWX surely is an easy one to shoot well!

[JimLob65]

Third range trip with the DWX for a total of about 125 rounds.  Has run 100%.  One thing for sure….it gets others to pay attention!  Last trip I shot it against my CZ S2O, while this trip I took my CZ TSO.

Unfortunately the past several months I have paid more attention to shooting long guns, including several very nice rimfire and a couple of Tikka Roughtech rifles, which are awesome!  Therefore it takes me several shots to settle in and begin to shoot to my abilities, which aren’t really all that great.  Still my results with both pistols were pretty comparable.  I finished off my string of shots with both pistols by resting my wrists across the small shelf, concentrating on the front sight and the trigger.  There was little to choose between them at the end of the day.  The trigger on the DWX is a bit more crisp, but the trigger on the TSO was definitely lighter, almost half the pull weight as the trigger on the DWX!  Several pulls on the TSO trigger weighed between 1 lb 8oz and 1 lb 11oz!  The lighter trigger of the TSO as well as the longer sight radius were definite advantages.  It seemed the TSO was a bit lighter recoiling than the DWX as well.  The thinner front sight blade and the crisper trigger were advantageous on the Dan Wesson.

I am not sure how helpful my post may be as I am not an accomplished shooter.  I had very good results with my S2O as well.  I guess if anyone is trying to decide between these three pistols it would depend on which set of features appeals to you.  The slide/frame fit of the CZs is definitely tighter (the TSO is bleep TIGHT!!), but it seems the DWX is easier To manipulate the slide because it has more real estate.  The safety on the DWX seems a bit on the light side as unless I ride my thumb on it I tend to nudge it up (unfortunately it rides on a scar that runs along the crease of my thumb).  The ergos are very similar obviously, trigger type not withstanding and minus the gas pedal on the TSO.  Tough to choose between them.

Next trip I will be shooting it with my Beretta 92x Preformance.

[Glenn54]

Congrats on your new DWX.  How do you like your new Wilson Combat rear sight on my 6” Python?

[JimLob65]

I am very happy with the Wilson Combat rear sights.  Well worth the money as the supplied rear sight wouldn't hold adjustment in either of my Pythons, a 6" and a 4.25".  Very nice sight picture and no wobble!  AND no tiny set screw that was totally worthless.  Kinda ridiculous that someone should have to put out an additional $120 to fix a problem with a $1500 revolver.

[em44052]

Third range trip with the DWX for a total of about 125 rounds.  Has run 100%.  One thing for sure….it gets others to pay attention!  Last trip I shot it against my CZ S2O, while this trip I took my CZ TSO.


Next trip I will be shooting it with my Beretta 92x Preformance.

Nice review of the DWX vs the TSO. I was able to adjust the trigger weight on my DWX the same way you would adjust the trigger weight on a 1911 by manipulating the sear spring. I was able to achieve a weigh of 1lb 6oz on the DWX.

I also have a Beretta 92x Performance that I has been modified with a straight SA trigger with a trigger pull weight close to 2.5 lbs. Looking forward in seeing your review.

[JimLob65]

Third range trip with the DWX for a total of about 125 rounds.  Has run 100%.  One thing for sure….it gets others to pay attention!  Last trip I shot it against my CZ S2O, while this trip I took my CZ TSO.


Next trip I will be shooting it with my Beretta 92x Preformance.

Nice review of the DWX vs the TSO. I was able to adjust the trigger weight on my DWX the same way you would adjust the trigger weight on a 1911 by manipulating the sear spring. I was able to achieve a weigh of 1lb 6oz on the DWX.

I also have a Beretta 92x Performance that I has been modified with a straight SA trigger with a trigger pull weight close to 2.5 lbs. Looking forward in seeing your review.

Finally had a chance to shoot the 92X Performance side-by-side with the DWX.  Didn't shoot a whole lot of rounds through them for a few reasons, including taking my new Tikka T3X Lite in 223 Remington to the range for the first time (an AWESOME rifle)!

Interestingly enough the Beretta has a lighter SA trigger, by a noticeable amount.  Dan Wesson measures at a very crisp 3.5lbs IIRC while the Beretta with a lighter mainspring installed measured just above 3lbs.  In fact all the competition-oriented pistols I have compared with the DWX had lighter triggers. 

The Beretta hadn't been out of the safe for a while and, being a long time Beretta guy it felt like shaking the hand of a long time friend, with the exception of the Vertec grip.  That being the case I shot the DW noticeably better than the 92X, with the groups being tighter and more to point of aim. Difference in sights and trigger??  My DA shots were very good with the Beretta, leading me to believe that trigger discipline was part of the issue.  That being said my back has been acting up lately and was suffering from a stiff neck (getting old SUCKS .  Really have to look into getting some eye glasses too.  However, I shot both pistols with the same broken down body, and did better with the Dan Wesson.  I am also contemplating ordering a set of LOK grips for the Beretta that resemble the traditional grip of the Beretta 92, of which I am much more familiar.  Maybe I would see better results with them than the Vertec grips currently installed.

Beyond all the alibis I think if I concentrated on a single pistol and therefore a single trigger pull, set of sights and ergos my results on target would noticeably improve.  Since that is not the case as I love shooting a variety of guns my observations are more oriented towards results from an average shooter that more reflect the pistols themselves.  They are all great pistols that one could be proud to own.

Thanks for putting up with my rambling.  Hopefully there may be a nugget or two of value in all of it.