COTEP.org - New member from Alaska

Hi all. Just joined the forum today and bought my first Dan Wesson 1911 yesterday. I had been eye balling a Pointman 7 in 40 caliber for the last 2 years new in the gun case at the local BX in Anchorage. I finally broke down and scraped up the $$ to put it on layaway due to a sale, ended up out the door for just under 1K. Apparently, many a JBER Airman/Soldier/retiree had looked at and passed on this spectacular pistol due to the 40 caliber chambering (I think 45 is far more popular in general and maybe especially more here in AK).

About the 1911:
Shell casing date is 05/14/2009
Trigger is fantastic, crisp, clean, probably about 4.5lbs by feel (will check it with guage when I get a chance)
Fit is unbelievably tight on slide to frame fit, yet functions smooth as glass for lack of better saying!
Finish is nice, though I guess it has been shuffled around some in the gun case over the few years it has sat all lonely! Has a few little scuffs on the bead blasted front of frame and top of slide.

My plans for this beauty is to find a match grade barrel in 10mm to fit myself. Will also upgrade to another set of grips. Lastly, will have to either find a gold bead front sight or a tritium front. Would be open to suggestions from members on barrel and front sight options out there. The rear adjustable sight I will leave as is. Would like to eventually have a front strap checkering job done, but don't see sending it out anytime soon in current market.

I have several other 1911's:
Sig Blackwater with rail
Kimber Pro Carry CDP II made in about 2009-2010
S&W 1911PD with rail, scandium frame
Springfield Loaded Stainless Champion
Auto Ordinance

I like to (Gasp!!!) work on my 1911's and have invested more $$$ in tools and parts from Brownell's than my wife could never understand! My Sig Blackwater is stock other than some VZ grips (collector value limited edition). My Kimber and Springer have both been upgraded with Ed Brown or Wilson parts I have fitted. My Auto Ordinance was a poorly fit rough specimen I picked up to really get the feel for shaping metal/custom building. Have lowered and flared ejection port, fitted an Ed Brown grip safety, swagged the frame rails to tighten slide frame fit, and replaced all of the parts on. Last thing I will try to do is fit a Kart barrel someday soon. It has turned out ok, shoots and functions alright, but I think I have been trying to "make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" so to speak, at least concerning my particular specimen from Auto Ordinance.

That is about it. Can't wait to start digging into the forum threads to learn and progress in my 1911 obsession! Have learned much from the 1911 forum already and appreciate all of the great masters that share with us novice's. Will try and post a few pics of my new pride and joy!

Kevin in Eagle River, Alaska