New Dan Wesson Tactical Combat Pistol: Everyday Carry For 1911 Fans
The 1911 is a fantastic firearm, no question, but it can be hard to conceal…
The 1911 design has undergone very few significant changes since it was first brought to market over a century ago, and for very much the same reason that sharks haven’t evolved since the Devonian era: They were made perfectly the first time. That said, given that the 1911 wasn’t originally designed for concealed carry, it can be a challenge for the 1911 fan to carry, especially on-body. That’s where the new Dan Wesson Tactical Combat Pistol (DW TCP) is sure to shine for 1911 fans. It’s an all-day-carry handgun for those who prefer the 1911 platform and demand great accuracy in a carry pistol.
First, the DW TCP is lighter than many 1911s, tipping the scale at a mere 32 ounces. It also features a compact, stainless steel slide that is beveled in a tri-top design, creating a smoother profile for easy, snag-free holstering and drawing. Aggressive slide serrations make loading and unloading the DW TCP a pleasure.
But the DW TCP isn’t just about concealability–it’s also about intelligent ergonomics. A top rib on the DW TCP slide helps reduce glare, plus it features Dan Wesson’s new U-notch rear sight with a whopping .156-inch-wide notch. Paired with a brass-beaded front sight, this sight combination puts a shooter’s eyes on target quickly. The TCP’s grips are new from Dan Wesson, with a tapered profile that is slim at the top and full-width at the bottom, giving shooters with smaller hands an easier reach to the trigger. With three facets that mimic the distinctive slide, the serrated features on the grip encourage a high, deep grip, as does the undercut trigger guard.
But what is concealability and ergonomics without accuracy? That’s why the DW TCP sports a 4-inch-long bull barrel, featuring a 30-degree crown that is flush cut for easier disassembly. There’s also a tactical rail under the barrel so a light or laser can be attached.
Finally, what is concealability, ergonomics, and accuracy without durability? With a similar recoil system to the Dan Wesson ECO pistol, the DW TCP features a flat-wire recoil spring rated for 15,000 rounds–three times the round count of a typical 1911 dual recoil spring set up. The Dan Wesson guarantee of quality means the TCP will be on the job and ready for years to come.
Available in 9mm Luger, 45 ACP, and done in a Black Duty finish, the DW TCP is at home in a carry holster, on a nightstand or at the range. MSRPs are $1725 for the .45 ACP version, and $1700 for the 9mm version.
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I’ve no doubt it’s well made. Nor do I have any doubt that it’s price prohibitive. If I’m carrying concealed then my personal concern is putting at least one of the first two shots where it must be. While I’d love to shoot this one I can’t rationalize needing it more than my M&P or PPQ, both in .40 caliber. If I want a .45 for any reason I’ll stick with my SR 1911. And all three of those cost just over one of these. And the Walther and Ruger both are tack drivers, the S&W right behind now with some tweaking at my gunsmith’s place. I just don’t know how the price is rationalized in such company for a CCW firearm.
Many years ago I was able to send a Colt Government Model to one of the best 1911 pistolsmiths in the country at that time; Armand Swenson totally reworked it and the difference between before and after is amazing. Same results with Cylinder & Slide’s rework of my Browning Hi Power. I’m just a regular, everyday working guy who saved up for a couple of custom pistols. Both the Browning and the Colt shoot better now than when they were brand new. Some folks are part changers, some few are legitimate gunsmiths and fewer still are artists at using a file or and end mill. Gunsmiths and artists have to make a living, don’t begrudge them a few dollars for an instrument you intend to use to save lives – those of others as well as your own. Buy the best you can possibly afford; you’re betting your life on it!
To talk about a Springfield XDE and a Dan Wesson 1911 in the same sentence, they should kick you out of the gun world.
Dan Wesson makes some quality firearms, no doubt. But at the end of the day, if your involved in a self defense shooting, nobody is gonna care that you shot the offender with a $1700 DW or another brand of gun you bought for $400. To me, the DW concealed carry 1911 is nothing more than a conversation piece that does the same job as any other .45 ACP pistol at a quarter of the price. Plus, there are several other manufacturers of compact 1911’s that don’t run anywhere near $1700.
Greg this is for people truly appreciate quality in a firearm .If you ever owned a quality firearm such as this is you will never spend money on any one of the utility handguns. Especially if your life depends on it,
Or, you can go with the SA XDe 45ACP. Same size as a SCCY 9mm, accurate, highly concealable, and a quarter of the price of the DW.