Description
The DWX came out of a pretty interesting engineering experiment between Dan Wesson and CZ — what would happen if you took the fire control group from one of the best 1911s on the market and dropped it into a frame built around CZ 75 ergonomics and capacity? What came out the other side is one of the most talked-about production pistols in recent memory.
The frame profile is pure CZ 75, with the familiar grip angle, checkered frontstrap and mainspring housing, and high beavertail that keeps your hand right where it needs to be. The slide, however, is more 1911 in spirit — DLC-coated steel with front and rear cocking serrations, a ribbed top strap to cut glare, and an optic-ready cut that accepts Dan Wesson optic plate adapters. Out of the box you get a fiber optic front sight sitting in a 1911-style dovetail and a fully adjustable black rear sight with a Shadow 2-style cut — so you have real sighting options whether or not you go the optic route.
Under the hood is where the DWX really earns its keep. The barrel is a bushing-less bull barrel design borrowed from the CZ P-10 family, which means tight lockup for accuracy without the complicated bushing-and-link takedown of a traditional 1911. Field stripping is straightforward — line up the slide, pop the slide stop, done. The trigger is a flat K-style single action unit spec'd by Dan Wesson between 3.5 and 4.5 pounds, and in the hands of reviewers across the board it reads as crisp, short, and fast. The ambidextrous thumb safety sits right where a 1911 shooter expects it and snicks on and off cleanly.
The full-length Picatinny rail on the dust cover adds weight up front, which pays real dividends on felt recoil and muzzle flip — multiple reviewers have called it one of the flattest-shooting non-compensated pistols they have tested. This 10-round configuration ships with one magazine and is compatible with CZ P-10F and P-09 double-stack magazines, making upgrades easy and affordable. Standard CZ 75 grips and TS/Czechmate magwells also fit, giving you a deep parts ecosystem to draw from. For anyone who has ever wished they could have a CZ Shadow 2 and a 2011 in the same gun, the DWX is a serious answer to that question.
Key Specifications
- Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 92013
- UPC: 806703920139
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Action: Single Action Only (SAO)
- Barrel Length: 4.95 inches
- Barrel Type: Match-Grade, Bushing-Less Bull Barrel
- Finish: Black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon)
- Frame Material: Steel
- Slide: Optic-Ready, Serrated Steel
- Capacity: 10+1
- Overall Length: 8.52 inches
- Weight: 45 oz
- Sights: Fiber Optic Front, Fully Adjustable Rear
- Safety: Ambidextrous Thumb Safety
- Trigger: Flat K-Style, Single Action
- Rail: Full-Length 1913 Picatinny
What’s Included
- Dan Wesson DWX 9mm Pistol
- 1 x 10-Round Magazine
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Dan Wesson DWX different from a standard 2011?
The DWX is not a traditional 2011 build. Rather than using a modified 1911 frame stretched to fit a double-stack magazine, the DWX uses a CZ 75-profile frame with 1911 fire control components dropped in. It also uses a bushing-less P-10-style barrel lockup instead of the traditional 1911 barrel link system, which simplifies takedown and improves consistency. The magazines are CZ P-10F/P-09 pattern, which are widely available and much more wallet-friendly than dedicated 2011 magazines.
Does the optic-ready slide come with a cover plate?
Yes, Dan Wesson Optic Ready models ship with a cover plate installed so the slide is protected out of the box. To mount a dedicated optic, you will need a DW optic plate adapter, which are available separately through the CZ-USA web store. The rear sight cut is compatible with CZ Shadow 2 style sights, giving you solid iron sight options if you prefer to run it without glass.
Is the DWX compatible with standard CZ 75 grips and accessories?
Yes, the full-size DWX uses standard CZ 75 grip panels, so there is a wide selection of aftermarket options available from the established CZ aftermarket. Magwells from the TS and Czechmate series are also compatible, and the swappable magazine release means you can configure the pistol to your preference. Many standard 1911 trigger and fire control components are also compatible, giving gunsmiths plenty to work with.
How does the DWX handle for someone coming from a 1911 background?
The transition is very natural for 1911 shooters. The ambidextrous thumb safety operates exactly as expected, the trigger is a flat single-action unit with a crisp break in the 3.5-4.5 lb range, and the slide manipulation geometry is closer to a 1911 than a standard CZ 75. The main adjustment is the grip angle and CZ-style takedown, both of which most 1911 shooters find intuitive fairly quickly. The full-length Picatinny rail dust cover also keeps muzzle flip noticeably flatter than most traditional 1911 platforms.
This version comes with a 10-round magazine — can I use higher-capacity magazines with it?
The DWX is compatible with CZ P-10F and P-09 double-stack magazines, which are the same magazines used in CZ's full-size polymer-framed pistols. These are readily available and reasonably priced. Just verify that any extended-capacity magazines are permitted in your area before purchasing.
What kind of shooting is the DWX best suited for?
The DWX was originally designed with competition use in mind — particularly USPSA Limited Division — and it shows in every detail, from the adjustable rear sight and fiber optic front to the match-grade barrel and flat trigger. That said, it works just as well as a range pistol or home defense option for anyone who wants a premium, customizable platform with exceptional ergonomics. The heavy front-weighted design from the full-length dust cover also makes it one of the softer-shooting full-size 9mm pistols in its class.





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