Nikos 31 Posted June 20, 2012 After a month of waiting due to our OGAM rules (purchased a M&P 9mm compact first), I finally got to pick up the DW Guardian on Monday from Chris at Bullseye Tactical Supply. Chris is usually a great guy when he doesn't get off the phone with NICS telling you that you've been denied. Funny Chris. First impressions with the DW Guardian is that there's a lot of attention to detail even though it's a production gun. The slide to frame fit is nice and solid as there is no lateral or vertical play yet it cycles very smoothly. The trigger is awesome -- there's about an 1/8" of take up and the break is crisp with no detectable creep. The pull is pleasantly light at about 3.5 to 4 lbs. The barrel is fitted nicely but not to the same tolerances as a higher end custom. It's a match barrel (well, it says so on it) and the feed ramp is nicely polished. The bushing goes on easy but there's not much play. When the gun is assembled, the barrel locks up nice & tight and there's no detectable movement at either end. The slide is finished with Dan Wesson's propriety duty finish (molecular bonding?) and it's supposedly one of the best treatments available. The frame is anodized(?) aluminum and there's also a lot of attention to detail as well. The 25 lpi checkering on the front strap is very nicely done and provides a good comfortable & secure grip. The MSH is bobbed but it's smooth. I'm considering purchasing the matching 25lpi checkered MSH from Ed Brown. The factory grips (called shadow grips) are very nice. They're slim profile grips but also very comfortable. Overall, I think it's real good production piece as Dan Wesson utilizes parts from the high end manufacturers to complete their builds. As I stated before, there's a lot of attention to detail and I would definitely recommend this gun to others. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daedalus 19 Posted June 20, 2012 Congrats! Sweet piece Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hiker88 22 Posted June 20, 2012 Beautiful! Congrats! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lunker 274 Posted June 20, 2012 Great looking guns. I always remember my Dan Wesson CBOB having the tightest slide-to-frame fit I had ever seen. It ran really smoothly though for such a tight fit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1563621 388 Posted June 20, 2012 Very Nice!Ramped barrel? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
notmetoo 41 Posted June 20, 2012 "I'll be in my bunk..." Thanks, now I need to apply for more permits and get me another DW. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikos 31 Posted June 21, 2012 Thanks fellas. The DW line is addictive and if I had the funds, I would love to get a Valor, Specialist and Pointman fix. Dave, yes, the barrel is ramped. I have 2 extra permits and I was considering the Pointman but a friend of mine is giving me a deal on his 2 gun collection that I can't turn down. Actually, I'm giving him $300 more considering that he was going to give them to the gun buy back program for $75 each. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hd2000fxdl 422 Posted June 21, 2012 Very very nice, congratulations. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Ray 3,566 Posted June 21, 2012 Wow, WOW Needs an ambi safety, but that's cause I'm a southpaw. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikos 31 Posted June 21, 2012 Wow, WOW Needs an ambi safety, but that's cause I'm a southpaw. I'm also a southpaw and the ambi safety is also on the to-do list. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandy 44 Posted June 21, 2012 Well now , that is a fine looking .45 ! Enjoy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NJdiverTony 27 Posted June 21, 2012 Niko, Beautiful pistol!!! Congrats and best of luck with it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve_G 51 Posted June 21, 2012 Almost to purdy to shoot...almost. Very nice!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueLineFish 615 Posted June 21, 2012 Wow..beautiful gun. I love the finish on it. Congrats. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sigman 41 Posted June 21, 2012 Beautiful 1911! Nice pics too! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimmyAGR 54 Posted June 22, 2012 Sweet looking. I have a Dan Wesson Valor and it is definitely a sweet shooter and a great looker. It is my favorite handgun. Fit and finish is spectacular! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites