If you love the 1911, don’t miss the Dan Wesson 1911 Commander Classic. Many people don’t understand why you wouldn’t just go with a modern, high-capacity, polymer pistol. Well, after handling this gun, we think you’ll understand exactly why the 1911 is so respected.
Here’s what’s great about the Dan Wesson 1911 Commander Classic: This pistol delivers high-quality, modern functionality while retaining everything firearm owners love about the 1911. The Commander Classic isn’t a good-looking gun–it’s a great-looking gun. Add to that its precision and full-steel construction, and you’ve got a firearm that demands attention.
But the goal of this review isn’t to rave. Yes, there’s a lot to like about the Dan Wesson Commander Classic, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s for everyone. So let’s look at the specs, features, drawbacks, and benefits of this firearm fan-favorite.
Overview of the Dan Wesson 1911 Commander Classic
The Dan Wesson 1911 Commander Classic might, on the surface, seem like one of those novelty purchases made by gun collectors with a yearning for a time when handguns were big, beefy, and carefully crafted from forged steel. But this classification is, at best, an oversimplification. At worst, it’s simply false.
There’s a legitimate market for the 1911 platform, and particularly the Commander Classic. In many of the states that are most popular with firearm owners (where gun regulations are less stringent—the American South and Midwest), it’s easy to form a bias toward a certain type of firearm. For example, many people in these areas will favor higher-capacity pistols with polymer frames and no manual safeties.
However, these preferences fall apart when you travel to states with more regulations. There are millions of firearm owners in California who have to contend with state-imposed laws on the capacity, design, and carrying location of their firearms. And it’s these areas where the 1911 platform really shines.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:
- History of Dan Wesson Firearms
- Specs of the 1911 Commander Classic
- Caliber Variations of the 1911 Commander Classic (And Other Dan Wesson Pistols)
- Exploring Specific Features of the 1911 Commander Classic
- Pros and Cons of the Commander Classic 1911
Note: While we will occasionally mention the 1911 platform in isolation, this review is specifically about the Dan Wesson Commander Classic, and what makes it a particularly appealing 1911.
A History of the 1911 Commander Classic by Dan Wesson
For the astute firearm collector (or anyone with a detective’s eye), you might be able to glean a significant amount of history about the 1911 Commander Classic just by looking at the last name of the man responsible for its creation. Dan B. Wesson the Second is the great-grandson of Dan Wesson, one of the founders (along with Horace Smith) of the iconic company Smith & Wesson.
Having worked for the company himself, Dan Wesson split and created his own company around 1968, when Dan Wesson Firearms was born. They began making quality revolvers and evolved from there.
It wasn’t until the late 1990s that they began to wade into 1911s, and in recent years they’ve been known primarily as a manufacturer of semi-custom 1911s. As for ownership, the company is currently in CZ’s hands. The firearm is manufactured in Norwich, New York.
Specs of the 1911 Commander Classic
Let’s get the numbers and specifications for the 1911 Commander Classic out of the way. This gun can vary in cost, but you’ll often find it for around $ 2,000.00, give or take. The caliber, though variable (in other similar models to the Commander Classic), is your standard and much-beloved .45 ACP. It’s a single-action trigger with an overall length of 8 inches and a barrel length of 4.25 inches.
Unloaded (with the magazine inserted), the Commander Classic weighs 36.5 ounces. You’ve got your capacity of 8 plus 1, an overall height of 5.5 inches, and a width of 1.45 inches. While this size and dimensionality wouldn’t typically be considered a concealed-carry sidearm, it can certainly serve that purpose if the need arises.
Here’s a simple list of specs on the Commander Classic:
- Caliber: .45 ACP
- Weight (unloaded): 36.5
- Width: 1.45 Inches
- Height: 5.5 Inches
- Barrel length: 4.25 inches.
- Length: 8 inches
- Capacity: 8 plus 1
- Grips: Wood
- Safety: Manual
- Price: Variable, depending on where you go and if you find a used one.
Now, let’s look at some variations of Dan Wesson firearms so you can see how these specs compare to others.
Caliber Variations of the 1911 Commander Classic (And Similar Dan Wesson Pistols)
If you’re looking for different caliber options (those that stray from the good old-fashioned forty-five), then Dan Wesson has a few other models available. Keep in mind that the Dan Wesson Commander Classic – this exact model – is currently standard in .45 ACP.
With that said, if you love the Dan Wesson style (and history of quality) but want something different than the .45 ACP, there are options available. Dan Wesson Firearms has heavily pushed into the classic 1911 platform, with variations both smaller and larger than the Commander Classic.
There are too many designs and variations to list here (everything from the caliber to the color to the pattern on the scales can vary slightly based on the model you choose), but I encourage you to browse through them and see if something catches your eye.
Final thing I’ll say before we get into the variations: if you’re looking for a balanced model that combines old-fashioned power and pristine manufacturing with modern carry sensibilities, look no further than the Commander Classic.
Here’s a quick breakdown of a few different Dan Wesson 1911 models and how they compare:
- DXW Compact ( Similar to Glock or SIG)
- The Dan Wesson ECP (Similar in size, but with a 9mm option)
- The Dan Wesson Razorback – or Bruin for a larger barrel (Larger Model in 10mm)
Let’s look at these models in more detail.
Dan Wesson DXW Compact
If you’re living in a concealed-carry-friendly area, you might be thinking: Look, I love the Dan Wesson name, but I don’t think a relatively heavy gun that only holds 8 rounds is practical for my purposes.
If that’s you, and the Commander Classic leaves you feeling somewhat limited, then cast your gaze upon the DXW Compact. The DXW is much closer to something like a compact SIG or Glock (albeit with a few Dan Wesson touches).
You still get a fully metal frame, but it’s aluminum instead of steel, which reduces the carry weight. You can also purchase a model that holds 15 plus 1 in the chamber. Now we’re talking! Both of these changes make the Dan Wesson DXW a serious contender for EDC/concealed carry.
Even though the DXW is designed more like a modern pistol (leaving some of that 1911 charm behind), it retains some classic features. We already discussed the metal frame, but there’s also a manual safety, a metal trigger, tritium sights, and a match-grade barrel.
The Dan Wesson ECP / Guardian
If you really want to keep that 1911 DNA alive, the DXW likely won’t be your first choice. However, if you’re still set on an easy-carry Dan Wesson, you might want to check out the ECP or Guardian model.
At a glance, these two pistols are more like the Commander Classic. They both very much say “1911” when you see them, and they both have that “bobbed” frame at the handle to give you an improved profile for concealed carry.
There are two major differences between the Commander Classic and the ECP or Guardian models: weight and caliber. The ECP and Guardian are both aluminum-framed pistols, which appreciably reduces carry weight.
Both have alternative caliber options. Each offers the .45 ACP if you want to maintain that firepower, but you also have the option for 9mm and .38 Super. The Guardian model offers 9mm or .38 Super, while the ECP offers only .45 ACP or 9mm.
The Dan Wesson Razorback or Bruin (A Bigger 1911)
It’s easy to assume that everyone looking at the 1911 these days is only thinking about concealed carry. But this simply isn’t true. Especially when you start to head out west (or up north for our Alaskan friends), the conversation becomes less about concealed carry and more about power and reliability. It’s less about stopping an intruder and more about stopping a wild animal.
If that’s you, and the concealed carry conversation makes you yawn, then you might just be looking for something bigger than the Commander Classic. If so, look no further than the Dan Wesson Razorback or Bruin models. Both of these guns are a 1911’s 1911. The barrels are longer (6 inches on the Bruin), and they launch the powerful 10mm.
If you’re a rancher, farmer, big game hunter, or hike near potential predators, then reaching for one of these “ultra” Dan Wesson 1911s might be the right call.
The Specific Features of the 1911 Commander Classic
Why do people love the 1911 Commander Classic? Well, even though there are lighter, higher-capacity options that offer more caliber versatility, there aren’t many that do it the way the Commander Classic does.
Let’s face it. If you’re in the market for a 1911, do you want it to be light? Typically, the answer is no. You want your 1911 to feel exactly how it’s supposed to feel: like a bulletproof, battle-ready block of premium steel. A hand-cannon that will have your back!
The Commander Classic keeps everything you love about the 1911 while offering the most elegant modern updates. Besides the specifications we’ve already mentioned, the Commander Classic also has a bobbed handle. That gives the firearm a better profile for concealed carry and removes snag points for a fast draw.
The Commander Classic is made of full stainless steel, giving you the confidence that it will hold up over time. Notably, this model retains the classic touches, with wood grips that make each a bit unique.
Wesson also added strategic bead-blasting to reduce glare, though many areas are still polished in a classic fashion. Interestingly, the back of the grip is almost fully polished. While to some this might seem to reduce grip, it’s a conscious decision to reduce snag points for everyday carry.
Pros and Cons of the Commander Classic 1911
Anyone who tells you a firearm is perfect for everyone probably isn’t being honest. While we like the Dan Wesson Commander Classic a lot, that doesn’t mean that it’ll work for everyone in all situations. With this in mind, let’s go over some of the main pros and cons.
Cons of the 1911 Commander Classic:
- Weight: Fully loaded, this gun will be nearly 4 pounds. For some people, that’s just too heavy to consider as an everyday concealed-carry weapon.
- Capacity: Another typical con of 1911s that holds true here. Some people simply want more than 8 plus 1 rounds at their disposal.
- Price: At around $ 2,000.00 (depending on where you buy it and its condition), the Dan Wesson Commander Classic is more of a legacy purchase than something to “give a try.”
Pros of the 1911 Commander Classic:
- Modernized design without breaking that 1911 feel: If you really want a 1911, the Commander Classic gives you the full experience while also making acceptance a little bit easier based on modern standards.
- Fit and finish: The tolerances on the trigger, slide, and barrel are legendary. Expect the Dan Wesson Commander Classic to run very smoothly.
- Fun to shoot: There’s just something about firing a 1911 that feels different (in a good way), and this joy is only magnified with a premium option like the Dan Wesson Commander Classic.
Is the Dan Wesson 1911 Commander Classic a Good Handgun?
The Dan Wesson Commander Classic is a great handgun. Firing the formidable .45 ACP, this pistol retains the quality and nostalgia of a classic 1911 while offering the subtle modern touches we crave.
If you’re in the market for a 1911 and want one you can carry on the daily, get your hands on a Commander Classic and give it a try.