The 1911 Pistol
With over 100 years of manufacturing behind it, you might be asking a similar question to mine: “How can this be made better after all this time?” It’s not a rhetorical question. Modern manufacturing and materials certainly can make great improvements, yet many new 1911 pistols like this Heirloom model from Dan Wesson have similar features and function to their century-old ancestors.
Related: How to Speak 1911 – Holding Class on the Evolutionary Differences
The 1911 is a single-action, recoil-operated, single-stack pistol chambered in .45 ACP. The simplicity of the single action makes for a reliable operation and requires little time to familiarize yourself with the gun. The triggers in 1911s are often impressive in both feel and break, a natural side effect to its design. An intuitive safety is incorporated to operate with the thumb, and the famous grip safety adds another layer of security.
An impressively simple and cunning barrel lock design is one of the 1911 features that made it so successful. A hinge-link and locking lugs allow the barrel to securely lock into battery for fire and quickly disengage to reload itself after firing.
Another famous feature – perhaps for different reasons – is the 1911’s single-stack magazine. In the eyes of many handgunners, the eight-round capacity is a drawback, but 110 years ago, it was a step up from the typical six-round capacity of most handguns. Despite only carrying eight cartridges, it carries them well and cycles them flawlessly.
The Dan Wesson Heirloom 1911
Aside from the classic 1911 features, the Dan Wesson Heirloom model shows a great deal of class. Dan Wesson builds a limited run of new Heirloom pistols each year, and as the name implies, these are built to pass down from one generation to the next.
Smooth lines and a high-gloss finish give this pistol a classy feel, while custom engraving sets it apart from your typical 1911. The finish work on the pistol is fantastic, with polished feed ramps and a perfectly machined barrel bushing for a tight fit and smooth operation.
The tactile knurling on the grip and frame gives great engagement with your hand, and the simple but effective sights line up naturally with the grip angle. It doesn’t take long with this pistol to understand why the 1911 has been around for so long.
On the Range
Shooting the Dan Wesson 1911 was a bit different than what I am used to, as the .45 ACP has a bit more recoil than the 9mm that I usually feed my handguns. As usual, the trigger felt fantastic, which allowed me great control when breaking shots. Coupled with the match-grade barrel, this made for some good shooting.
The all-steel construction of this pistol makes it quite stout. It feels like a good hammer. The weight and smooth operation made shooting the Heirloom comfortable, and the controls of the pistol were familiar and intuitive. The natural motions of my hands seem to index perfectly with the safety.
Reloading the Heirloom took a touch more focus than required with my flared magwells and such. The traditional 1911 and magazine are far less forgiving, and it takes a bit of practice to execute a perfect reload.
Accuracy from the Dan Wesson was more than adequate. I don’t consider myself an exceptional shooter, and I was able to hit my mark. Most of my shooting was done with 230-grain ball ammo; with a different ammo type and shooter, it might perform even better.
Pros & Cons
The good things about this pistol are apparent even in the pictures. Fit and finish on this pistol are top notch. Everything lines up nicely and fits as you would expect from a perfected design. The finish and engraving are well done, as is the machining underneath the polished finish.
Shooting went flawlessly, with zero malfunctions. This speaks to the proven design and its quality. The trigger felt fantastic, which is pretty common with 1911 pistols, and the other controls were tactile and easy to operate.
Some of the things I might change about this pistol are probably more of a preference than a problem. First, with the resistance of the recoil spring, it is challenging to grip the front of the slide to charge the pistol. The surface is quite slippery, so you can only charge it reliably using the textured area at the rear of the slide.
Also, I wasn’t a big fan of the grips. They seemed slightly out of place both physically and in appearance, but that is easily changed should you desire.
Conclusion
As a certified gun nut, it’s in my nature to find affinity for most firearms. As I expected, the Dan Wesson Heirloom 1911 was a pleasant experience, in both the historical aspect as well as the .45 ACP that I don’t shoot often. I can see why this design has stood for so long and has inspired new and even better designs.
Personally, I only like guns that I am going to use. Few collector or heirloom-type firearms interest me, but I can certainly see the value in them. This pistol would do just as well in a display case or as a gift as it would on the range. So, if you find yourself looking for a traditional 1911 for a similar purpose, have a look at Dan Wesson’s Heirloom line.
