Dan Wesson PM-C .45 - Fail after 6 rounds

HB Rider

Active Fanatic
Joined
May 21, 2019
Messages
26
Location
S/E Michigan
I picked up a new Dan Wesson Pointman Carry .45 yesterday (my 7th Dan Wesson 1911). I inspected it with the sales staff, it appeared to be range-ready (it didn't appear to be dry, as I got some oil on my fingers when working the action), so I took it to the range. It shoots great and feels wonderful in my hands. I really like Dan Wesson pistols.

Unfortunately, it locked up tight after the 6th round. Dan Wesson responded to my on-line warranty claim at 6:30 this morning, and the gun is going back today, but I'm disappointed, to say the least. (Dan Wesson is already blaming me, without even seeing the gun.)

Here is the video of my experience:

Thoughts and comments from those with more experience are appreciated. (I only have 45 1911 pistols and I'm not a 1911 armorer, so I certainly don't have all the answers.)
 

terdog

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Jun 13, 2019
Messages
174
Who'd you talk to @ DW?

They ain't always the friendliest.

I just sent a VBOB 10MM back today thats 1 week old.
 

terdog

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Jun 13, 2019
Messages
174
I picked it up from my FFL, took her home and field stripped, cleaned and lubed and headed out to my spot.
The 1st 50 rnds went fine. Then, the slide lock would not release. I pull the slide back and it would partially release. I had to use my thumb to fully release it.
Called DW and got the std " run 300 - 500 rnds through it before sending it in". Don't think that is gonna make a difference with this issue.
I have a 5" Valor, so I swapped slide releases. No difference. IMHO, the cutout in the slide is the wrong shape.
 

Attachments

  • DW VBOB 025.jpg
    DW VBOB 025.jpg
    4.9 MB · Views: 43

HB Rider

Active Fanatic
Joined
May 21, 2019
Messages
26
Location
S/E Michigan
terdog, thanks for the info. I'm wondering if the quality control at DW is deteriorating as they are becoming more popular. I know of 3 Guardian 9mm pistols that were all shooting very high, at least two of which went back to DW for a taller front sight (one is mine). And I'm still having random failure to lock back on the last round in my Vigil that isn't dependent on any particular magazine or ammunition. And there is no indication that my PM-C was test fired before leaving the factory.
 

terdog

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Jun 13, 2019
Messages
174
About 1 yr ago, I bought a 9mm Valkyrie. It was perfect in its operation. But, when I'd clean it I' notice some metal deformation on the underside of the slide, where the slide would hit full travel.
I emailed DW ad got the std "its normal, shoot 300-500 rnds and watch it."
Well, I have 1911's from Kimber, Coonan, WC, DW and Sringfield, and NONE of them did that. Its obvious to me that my particular example wasn't machined to the right dimension.
It has since stabalized, but I don't really like the way that Endre, Kieth and I forget the other guys name, run things. As a customer, they make me feel like I'm being a bother to them.
 

LAZER

New Fanatic
Joined
Aug 28, 2019
Messages
1
I had the same problem. My new Dan Wesson would jam after a few rounds. I had to field strip the firearm to relieve the jam. With a live round in the chamber you must be cautious in handling it or take it to a gunsmith. According to the user manual a new Dan Wesson .45 must fire 300 - 500 rounds as a break in period. According to Dan Wesson once the break in period is over the jam (which is normal during the break in period) is to be expected.
 

m/v MOJO

Fanatic
Joined
Nov 27, 2018
Messages
21
And I'm still having random failure to lock back on the last round in my Vigil that isn't dependent on any particular magazine or ammunition.

I had a problem with my 9mm Specialist not locking back every time. After lots of testing, the problem turned out to be me! The DW slide lock lever is longer than most others and occasionally my left hand would inadvertently contact the slide lock and keep it from locking back. I discovered this by firing strong hand only a never once having a failure to lock back, but when firing with both hands the problem would surface with some degree of regularity. I replaced the slide lock with one that didn't extend so far forward and have never had the problem again. The picture below shows a Springfield RO on top and the DW Specialist below. The red line indicates the length of the RO slide stop, the yellow is the Specialist. The meat of my first knuckle was going over the top of long slide stop and not allowing it to move upward on the last round.

slide stop comparison - DW vs Springfield RO.jpg
 

bigd63

Fanatic
Joined
Aug 28, 2019
Messages
7
I recently purchased my first DW, a new Valor 9mm. I have substantial experience with 1911's, but this is my first DW. First two trips to the range I fired 250 and 200 rounds respectively and was getting terrible accuracy; 4-6" groups at 10 yards. I completed a service request on the website and my reply was "our pistols are mechanically capable of much better accuracy than that". Well duh, I replied that I knew that, which was why I was requesting service. Sent the gun in and got it back in 3 weeks with list of parts polished and stated "test fired, within specs". They also changed the front sight for reasons know only to them, resulting in the gun now shooting low. Back to the range for 200 more rounds, accuracy better but still not good and 3 failures to extract shooting Win, Rem & CCI factory ammo. Hoping the FTE's were ammo related, as only advice from DW was "your pistol will run beautifully with good ammo". Long story short, voicemail and emails not returned, questions ignored, and the gun is now at my gunsmith for a shorter front sight and tighter barrel bushing at my expense. This pistol and DW customer service have left me with a very low opinion of DW. YMMV.
 

terdog

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Jun 13, 2019
Messages
174
I heard back from DW. Endre claims that the whole problem is that I have a shok buffer installed.
Hello Terry,

I received your pistol and began the tear-down, you did not mention you were using a recoil "shok" buffer…this can and does cause operational issues with the pistol.

I can redo the slide for 75.00

I went into great detail about the buffer being installed AFTER the problem started and that they are on all my 1911's. No response.
I got a notification that my pistol is shipping out today. Guess that I'll find out this weekend, but my experience is also making me question any further DW purchases.
 
Last edited:

Trump.45

Fanatic
Joined
Oct 16, 2018
Messages
20
Had a similar experience with SF R.O.Champion. It would not cycle after the FIRST round. Sent it back. They said they had to polish the ramp, and throat. It was better when I got it back. It probably took 300 rounds to get it where I can actually depend on it. It should not have left the factory in that condition. Lotta hassle sending it back.
 

bigd63

Fanatic
Joined
Aug 28, 2019
Messages
7
Yes, it is a lot of hassle, especially with a brand new gun. It's even more frustrating to send it in, get it back and it's still not right, plus they quit responding to you. My impression is that they just don't care.
 

Liggett

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Jul 9, 2018
Messages
57
Location
Northern Vermont
I had a problem with my 9mm Specialist not locking back every time. After lots of testing, the problem turned out to be me! The DW slide lock lever is longer than most others and occasionally my left hand would inadvertently contact the slide lock and keep it from locking back. I discovered this by firing strong hand only a never once having a failure to lock back, but when firing with both hands the problem would surface with some degree of regularity. I replaced the slide lock with one that didn't extend so far forward and have never had the problem again. The picture below shows a Springfield RO on top and the DW Specialist below. The red line indicates the length of the RO slide stop, the yellow is the Specialist. The meat of my first knuckle was going over the top of long slide stop and not allowing it to move upward on the last round.

View attachment 5449
I've had this exact problem and have changed ALL my DW's that have the extended slide stop over to a shorter one from the ECO.
 

chwats

Fanatic
Joined
Jun 19, 2019
Messages
8
I am really disappointed with all of the feedback here on DW firearms! I have been considering a purchase of one of these guns based on prior reputation. I think I will pass on this for now and stick with my Sigs, Colt's and SA 1911's for now. Sorry to those of you that have had to deal with such crappy customer service!
 

Koda

Fanatic
Joined
May 31, 2018
Messages
13
Location
USA
So im not alone....

I invested in a DW based on their stellar reputation and my only DW has been a horror story of warranty repairs 2 years worth and technically still going.


And quite frankly the many "2-500rds breakin" ive had to pay for each warranty return isnt helping me like them.
 

bigd63

Fanatic
Joined
Aug 28, 2019
Messages
7
My thinking is that they do as little work as possible on it, fire a few test rounds and if "within specs" they send it back and assume that the owner is an idiot.
 

Wolfstar

New Fanatic
Joined
Jul 31, 2019
Messages
4
Well thank you for this informative thread. Glad I saw it. I think I will stay with my Colts and for high end 1911s, my Les Baers. Never had any of the crazy stuff I read about here. Thank God.
 

Roger Watkins

Fanatic
Joined
Nov 20, 2018
Messages
11
Geez. All this is news to me. I have 3 DW's, all .45's. One CCO and two ECO's including my carry. Never had a problem with any of them but they are all 5-7 years old. I wonder if The quality is slipping? Having said that, I'm in love with my Sig P320 with the military trigger. It almost makes it single action. 15 rounds too
 

William

New Fanatic
Joined
Aug 28, 2019
Messages
1
My C-Bob shoots like a dream, (No WC, but better than Kimber, etc.) No failures at all in the first 600rds or so.but I'll echo the bad feelings about service or any other dealings I've had with the company. Just the opposite with Sig and Wilson combat. both of those companies have been absolutely great. Kudos to Sig, especially, since they are a production shop, rather than a custom shop.
 
Top