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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congrats! Sweet piece

Beautiful! Congrats!

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.

Very Nice!Ramped barrel?

"I'll be in my bunk..."

 

Thanks, now I need to apply for more permits and get me another DW.

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.

 

 

 

 

Very very nice, congratulations.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Wow, WOW

 

Needs an ambi safety, but that's cause I'm a southpaw.

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.

 

 

Well now , that is a fine looking .45 ! Enjoy

Niko,

 

Beautiful pistol!!! Congrats and best of luck with it.

Almost to purdy to shoot...almost. Very nice!!!

Wow..beautiful gun. I love the finish on it. Congrats.

Beautiful 1911! Nice pics too!

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!