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View Full Version : New Dan Wesson VBob: Impressions and Break In


aqualungs
07-31-2014, 12:02 PM
First Impressions:
Went to the FFL last week to pick up this gem, and I was not disappointed. Lines are clean and crisp, and attention to detail is pristine. The slide to frame finish is so tight compared to my late Eseries Scandium frame that I parted with. Different animals, (steel frame vs alloy) but I could actually wiggle the rear of the slide quite a bit when new, but that is not the case with the VBob. Comparing the match grade barrel to the Eseries, there is no comparison.
After cleaning and polishing the bore, the mirror finish was a cut above the Smith. I know there is about $200-300 difference in price between the two, but what you get for the difference is worth it. In my experience, it was going from a rickety assembled pistol (grip safety cough cough.. also looked used when I bought it new) to a custom quality pistol. The assembly, materials used, and the finish detail are of no comparison when between the two. This is just my experience, and the only other 1911s I can compare it to are others I have held and shot (SA) and my RIA Compact Tactical. Honestly the fit on the RIA was better than the S&W. Others may disagree, but this was the case with my Eseries, which was sold a few weeks ago.
The 3 oz. of extra weight is worth it from going to steel from alloy. If it doesn’t fire, it makes a good club! I like the GI safety, and I am not a fan of the ambi. After my recent back surgery it’s hard to stay 140lb wet, and I look like an orange on a toothpick, at only 5’10”. I have to take any advantage I can get for concealing. This leads me to the bobtail... Love it! I do have medium hands so this increases the point ability and I prefer it over a full size grip.
Breaking the pistol down, it was very clean! There was only a bit of manufacturing oil that needed to be removed, but I still did my standard cleaning with CLP followed by Wilson Combat oil to sheen up and protect the surface. Per the manufacturer, I was sure to use the provided DW oil for break-in on the rails and hood of the barrel. After oiling, I hand cycled the slide 200+ times, then disassembled and re oiled again for my range trip.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r103/fellbeast77/IMG_0291_zps6fdc1df7.jpg (http://s142.photobucket.com/user/fellbeast77/media/IMG_0291_zps6fdc1df7.jpg.html)

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r103/fellbeast77/3fc34448a6a81d9b6bdb5589f4d16f72_zps6c0ba75c.jpg (http://s142.photobucket.com/user/fellbeast77/media/3fc34448a6a81d9b6bdb5589f4d16f72_zps6c0ba75c.jpg.h tml)

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r103/fellbeast77/IMG_0293_zpsbbfe2925.jpg (http://s142.photobucket.com/user/fellbeast77/media/IMG_0293_zpsbbfe2925.jpg.html)

The Range:
I took 150 rounds of CCI Lawman 230gr with me. The manual says clean every 50 rounds during break in, so I brought the DW oil with me and re oiled the barrel hood and rails after quite a few rounds. I ran a 10 round WC magazine, 2 WC ETM 8 rounders’, 1 WC flush mag, and 2 CM factory mages.
I am happy to report not one failure happened, except after 125 rounds, the slide did not lock back on the last round, with the WC flush mag, and it was difficult to remove the mag after the failure. I carefully and firmly pulled the mag and it released. I have used this mag quite a few times, so may be a fluke. We will se next time!
All the brass casings flew and landed perfectly to my right. The thin grips are perfect for my hand, and when shooting it contacts all surface areas of my hand and is not a "meat grinder" like some have said. The pistol does not move, and I am guessing sweaty or muddy hands will have no problem. I do wish for a different color, but the grips will stay! For now…
I will say this gun shoots better than I do, and every time I shoot a 1911, pointing them feels so natural, and I shoot them better than I do with M&Ps and Glocks. I like the Heine sights a lot, even better than my 3 dot Novak’s. I feel it helped me concentrate on the front sight more. All shots were very close together at 25 ft., but ironically missed the bulls eye every time! This gun is such a smooth shooter, it’s a keeper, and makes me want another DW for sure.
Until next range trip! I will keep you all informed on the break in period on this pistol, and I will polish up on my groupings. Happy shooting all!

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r103/fellbeast77/4bbd40488a1a328f8f718f60294e4062_zps3875a5c7.jpg (http://s142.photobucket.com/user/fellbeast77/media/4bbd40488a1a328f8f718f60294e4062_zps3875a5c7.jpg.h tml)

AdamG247 (Navy-Ret)
07-31-2014, 12:14 PM
Great report and nice review. Thanks for taking the time to give us your impressions. Good shooting as well. Enjoy your new EDC. Its a keeper for certain.

milkmanjoe
07-31-2014, 12:19 PM
Great report...beautiful pistola...your world is good!

brownie
07-31-2014, 12:29 PM
Congrats, great shooting

sdmc530
07-31-2014, 12:35 PM
Nice report!!!

MPDC
07-31-2014, 04:49 PM
Excellent! :)

jmlutz
07-31-2014, 04:53 PM
Great pistol and report!

ronpaul50
07-31-2014, 06:09 PM
Great report.

Caleb
07-31-2014, 06:21 PM
Great shooting! Nice pistol Sir.

UZO8
07-31-2014, 09:44 PM
Nice shooting!...
Thanks for the report... and enjoy the 'Bob!

aqualungs
08-10-2014, 04:00 PM
Put another 150 rounds today,and not one hitch. The WC flush Mag that hung up last time ran flawless, so it must have been a fluke. 10 rounder WC mag also ran perfect. I can't say enough about this piece. Very happy.

(100 - CCI lawman 230 gr. and 50 - Federal 230 gr.)

Next trip will be hollow points

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r103/fellbeast77/58dfc8ece0005874a6bc7174c9eccbb0_zpse64e4851.jpg

skosh69
08-10-2014, 05:08 PM
Congrats, great report and pics!!!

DaFadda
08-11-2014, 12:27 PM
Well done report! Thank you!! I've read other reports on larger sites that go something like this "I got my gun out and sprayed n prayed, and now I'm a mall ninja warrior who will kill you all if you mess with my stuff." Felt like I was reading the words of Francis from the movie Stripes. This was clear, concise, nice pictures..... and oh.... .btw.... nice shooting too!
Thanks again!
DaFadda

aqualungs
08-15-2014, 12:02 PM
Well done report! Thank you!! I've read other reports on larger sites that go something like this "I got my gun out and sprayed n prayed, and now I'm a mall ninja warrior who will kill you all if you mess with my stuff." Felt like I was reading the words of Francis from the movie Stripes. This was clear, concise, nice pictures..... and oh.... .btw.... nice shooting too!
Thanks again!
DaFadda

Haha thanks, and great movie. I try really hard no to be long in the tooth, and to the point. Gotta love those mall ninjas!

Grizzman
08-15-2014, 02:44 PM
Nice report, shooting, and definitely pistol.

I think the matte stainless makes a damn attractive pistol.

aqualungs
12-29-2014, 11:30 AM
Went to the range yesterday for some more fun and couldn't be happier. No failures at all and every time I take this pistol out I love it more. It's definitely my go to gun and follows me everywhere around the house. This gun has a permanent throne on my nightstand, and it will be hard to best it. I can't be happier. I want another Dan Wesson for sure. Time to save for an ECO for my CCW.

Pics are of unloading the first mag, second mag, and about 60 more shots thereafter.http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/29/0e324f9063193680f51c6e20e81bdcd5.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/29/98d24da3ccc6420e18a85c3581bdb35a.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/29/30982eb23f2e9e5b41c1db63e450cc1c.jpg


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