Beginning a new thread relating to my experience with the "New" DWX Full-Sized Optic-ready pistol. The main reason I'm writing is to let others know answers to questions that I have had to figure out. If I'm asking, I'm sure others may be seeking the same.
The weapon has approximately 800 rounds through it and I've used it in one Level 1 USPSA match and an informal Steel Challenge match. In both of these, the weapon was unmodified with the exception of using a DW Optics plate to mount an SRO. I'm relatively new to shooting pistols in competition. I'm a "B" shooter in Carry Optics. Considering I'm in my 50's it is highly improbable that I will get much faster or my reflexes will improve. Overall, this weapon has a lot of potential, particularly for someone with less age, weight and more skill. The weapon makes speed and accuracy much easier as compared to the P10F and my Optics Cut SP01 Shadow. In the Division 1 USPSA match, I moved up in my normal ranking and in the steel match, I came in 2nd behind a "B-class" PCC shooter. He beat me by less than a second. I like the gun.
Trigger. This pistol has an exceptional trigger. I only have a couple of 1911 pistols (Springfield Operator and RIA), but comparatively....there is no comparison. Trigger is fit well with no lateral or vertical play. No overtravel. I've seen some complaints that the trigger shoe does not have an overtravel adjustment screw. In my opinion, it doesn't need it. Using NRA-type trigger weights, the trigger will just pick up a 3# weight. It will not pick up a 3.25# weight. For dynamic shooting, its almost too light for me.
Safety and other ergos. The safety works for my hand and grip style. Its well fitted and tight. Mag release is easy to switch for lefty's and is extended. For me, if it was any longer, it would conflict with my hand placement.
Accuracy: I don't shoot bullseye, but I did shoot one group less than 1.5" at 25 yards off of a bench and I have a tremor. Its accurate.
I've since added LOK Shadow 2 Gridlok aluminum palm-swell grips and a LOK TSO/TS Series Brass Gridlock Magwell. Unmodified, the pistol is slightly biased to the muzzle. Good for recoil, but bad for me with target transitions. The brass magwell moved the balance of the gun back to the trigger guard. Neutral. Although the gun is now 4.5 oz heavier, my transitions are now a little faster and the added weight at the bottom of the grip actually improved recoil management (that and enhanced grip). If I hold the gun correctly, the weapon cycles without ever losing the dot and I'm shooting 135+ PF ammunition.
Unlike the original DWX, the OR version uses Shadow 2 grip screws, so the ones that LOK sends with the grips work fine. The Magwell slipped on the bottom of the frame without any fitting or the use of any hammers or mallets. To facilitate the magwell, I am running Hennings +3 P10 mag extensions. Without modifying the factory follower, this allows for 22 rounds in the magazine. When I was shooting my P10 in Carry Optics, I tried the MBX spring and follower (no lock back) that added a bit more capacity. It would not feed reliably in the P10 and I have not tried with the DWX. The feed angle is a little less steep in the DWX so it may work. If I try, I will report back on this thread but buy at your own risk. Factory floorplates are not compatible with the magwell. They probably could be modified but would sit recessed.
In regards to holsters, it fits in 5" 2011 holsters that are cut for full rails. I've tried a couple. Currently running in a Black Scorpion that I bought for something else until I can get something a little better.
By way of clarification, the DW website says that the grips are compatible with the CZ75. They are not. They are compatible with the CZ Shadow 2. I have a set of G10 LOK palm-swell bogies cut for the SP01/CZ75. They did not work on the DWX. The Shadow 2 styles are backward compatible to older frames, but some older grips will not work with the new frames. I had thought to reuse the bogies. $350 later, I have new grips, a magwell and grip extensions.
The DW adapter plate is cut for BUIS. I verified with DW that the rear sight cut on the adapter plate is cut for "Glock" type cuts. The dovetail for the front sight is Novak. I don't currently have any fitted but I did have the red-dot screws fail in competition on my Shadow 1. It kinda sucks on a classifier to have your red-dot fly off on a slick top slide. I'll probably slide a standard height Glock sight in the dovetail in case this ever happens again.
The DW adapter plate attaches to the slide with 3 screws. Because of this, location of the recoil bosses are somewhat limited. The optic has to be mounted close to the ejection port. The SRO slightly overhangs (couple tenths of an inch). There does appear to be an aftermarket option that allows for a more rearward bias. It only attaches with 2 screws so there is a trade-off.
Negatives:
1. Weak ejection.
At present, the weapon has somewhat weak ejection. 2 to 3 feet. Below 135 PF, I have had 4 instances where an empty case has become entangled in the ejection port. These have happened when traversing the weapon to the right. I believe I am following the spent case and catching it. Could be bouncing off of the optic or a combination. Planning on disassembling the extractor and checking for burrs in the channel. Had the same issue with the P10 when new and with 800 rounds through the pipe, it is improving. The extractor looks to be the same as the one on the P10 but without a loaded chamber indicator. I am reaching out to DW to see which CZ extractor spring is compatible. I can currently get a new extractor on CZ's website but the spring is not listed. I like to keep an extra set along with a slide stop. At present, not an issue when running higher velocity loads but I would like to drop PF a little. The recoil spring is a 11lb flat wire and the recoil spring guide is aluminum. I can't find a lower power flat-wire spring and I'm afraid that a standard wire spring will gall the aluminum. I can find a tungsten rod, but don't want to add more weight on the muzzle nor do I want to spend the money. Minor issue for now. Recoil is good and returns to a natural point of aim.
2. Short Chamber (Leade)
This barrel has the shortest leade of any 9mm weapon and I own and I'm used to CZ's. I generally handload. I don't keep much factory loaded ammunition in the house but what I do have is mostly 147gr and 124 gr defensive loads. It's a good thing it isn't a defensive pistol because none of it will fit (Federal HST). 115gr CCI does fit and function but I had to shorten my normal competition load by .045" and rework the powder charge. I had been running 124gr Precision Delta JHP V2's at 1.125" with 5gr of BE-86. They gave me 1080 fps out of my Shadow and function well in my PCC. In this I am running the same projectile at 1.080" with 4.8gr of BE-86 at 1105 fps. A friend of mine ran into the same issue with another brand competition oriented pistol. Not generally an issue if you only run 115's or handload, but I do wish if they build the barrel around a particular bullet profile, they would share that information. If you load your own ammunition, you have a tendency to work a load you like and then buy ALOT of the needed components. I'm glad I could get these projectiles to work. If you don't handload, you will want to take the barrel to the LGS and plunk the ammunition.
Overview.
In total, for a competition oriented weapon, I am very satisfied. I had considered a Stacatto P or a CZC AO1 and a few "budget" 2011 styled firearms. I as able to shoot the Stacatto P and didn't like it. Plastic grips and plastic trigger shoe just felt cheap for the money and the mags are wicked expensive. Aside from the grip angle, the Stacatto felt very similar to a Glock but if they are your thing, it may be a good fit. Honestly, I preferred the Springfield to the Stacatto. While I was able to handle the DWX before buying but I could not find an AO1 in central Virginia and was leery to drop that kind of money without handling. Considering that I've bought decent cars for less than I have in this thing, its unlikely I'll buy/try anything else.
If you are looking for a dual use, competition/nightstand weapon, this isn't it. I doubt you'd be able to find suitable defensive ammunition. If you are a CZ guy and want to move to Limited Optics, compared to a Shadow 1 or Shadow 2, this is like a cheat code. It wants to run fast and you can easily (albeit expensively) change the grips to suit your particular needs. For me, a 1911 style safety just works better than the safety on a SA CZ75 based weapon.
