$2,699.00
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Dan Wesson originally developed the Specialist for police departments that needed a more durable, feature-rich 1911 than what was already on the market. The result was a gun with a long list of practical upgrades baked in from the factory, and it transitioned naturally into the hands of civilian shooters who want a serious, no-compromise full-size 1911 without paying custom shop prices. The slide, frame, and barrel are all hand-fit at the factory, and the tight tolerances show the moment you pick it up.
The optics system on this pistol uses a modular plate design, so you can run the stock Novak-style rear sight cover as-is or swap to a footprint-specific plate for your red dot of choice. The forged stainless steel slide wears an inverted top rib that cuts down on glare, and the tritium night sight setup gives you a single amber dot up back and a green lamp with a white target ring up front for fast, low-light acquisition. Out front, you also get cocking serrations for press-checks and forward manipulation. The Black Duty finish is a nitride treatment known for toughness against daily wear.
The frame is loaded with practical ergonomic details. Twenty-five LPI checkering covers both the front strap and the mainspring housing, and the VZ G10 Operator II grips add texture without being punishing on your hands after a long range session. The undercut trigger guard lets you ride your grip high, and a recessed slide stop keeps things clear for laser grip installation. Ambidextrous thumb safety, extended magazine release, and a detachable beveled magwell round out the controls. The 1913 Picatinny rail on the frame makes it easy to mount a weapon light or laser, which is exactly the kind of versatility that earned this gun its law enforcement roots.
The trigger on the Specialist is a classic long-style 1911 unit with light texturing on the face, breaking cleanly in the 4.5 to 5 lb range with a short, defined reset. Reviewers running 700+ rounds through this platform consistently note tight groupings at 25 yards and a smooth, predictable break that holds up session after session. It ships with two 10-round magazines with bump pads.
The pistol ships with a standard cover plate that houses a Novak-style rear sight, so it's fully functional as an iron-sight gun right out of the box. Footprint-specific adapter plates for popular red dots are available separately, and the modular system is designed so you can swap plates with basic tools. It's worth sourcing your plate at the time of purchase since availability can be inconsistent.
Absolutely. The stock cover plate includes a fixed tritium rear sight, and the green lamp front sight with white target ring works great on its own. Many people run this pistol purely on irons and appreciate the clean, snag-free Novak-style profile. The optics cut just gives you the option to add a red dot down the road without any slide milling.
Most standard factory 9mm loads run fine, and the match-grade barrel is built to tighter tolerances than budget 1911s. As with any 1911 chambered in 9mm, it's a good idea to do a quick plunk test with your chosen ammo before buying in bulk, since the tight chamber can be picky with certain headspaces. Quality brass-cased factory ammunition from major manufacturers is your safest bet.
Yes, the Black Duty finish is a nitride treatment and it's genuinely tough against holster wear and daily handling. Dan Wesson does recommend avoiding certain solvents and oils that can cloud the finish, so it's worth checking the owner's manual for their specific care recommendations before you clean it the first time.
The Specialist OR uses a plate-based system, so compatibility depends on which adapter plate you choose. Common footprints like Trijicon RMR are supported via Dan Wesson's dedicated plates. Dan Wesson's website is the best place to confirm current plate availability and supported optic footprints for this specific model.
The Specialist sits in that sweet spot between production 1911s and full-custom work. The hand-fit slide, frame, and barrel give it tolerances you typically don't see until you get into significantly more expensive territory. It comes loaded with features, like the magwell, Picatinny rail, ambi safety, and night sights, that are often sold as add-ons on comparable guns.
| UPC | 806703017969 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 01796 |
| Action | |
| ATF Type | Pistol |
| Barrel Length | 5'' |
| Caliber/Gauge | 9mm |
| Capacity | 10+1 |
| Color | Black |
| Length | 8.75'' |
| Magazine Included | 1 x 10-Round |
| Model | |
| Number of Magazines | 2 10 rd. |
| Package Height | 3.3 |
| Package Width | 8.8 |
| Product Type | 1911 |
| Safety | Beavertail |
| Shipping Weight | 4.0 |
| Sights | Fixed Tritium Night |
| Sights Type | Fixed Tritium Night |
| Slide Description | Optics Ready/Serrated |
| State Restriction (CA) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
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