A 1911 Crushing Targets at 180 meters — Dan Wesson Elite Series Brings the Fury

What do you call a double stack 1911 in 9mm, with an Excalibur level trigger, an RMR, and a threaded barrel? Dan Wesson calls that the Fury. One of the most appropriately named pistols I have seen. I would have to concur. This pistol has roots in paper and steel matches, but God help whoever is on the other end of this as a tactical gun.

Since 1968, Dan Wesson has been producing top-notch custom firearms. Similar to a fine wine, they’ve gotten better over time. The great-grandson of D.B. Wesson, co-founder of Smith & Wesson, began producing custom revolvers. As the company grew and their success increased, the company was acquired in 1998 and shifted from revolvers to also producing 1911s. The purpose of these custom, hand-fitted 1911s was simple: the most accurate 1911 on the market. After I spent time on the range with it — I’d agree. Dan Wesson has continued to innovate their 1911s and incorporates high-end parts from companies like Ed Brown, EGW, Greider Precision, just to name a few. In 2005, Dan Wesson partnered with CZ USA and has continued to produce high-quality 1911s. This Dan Wesson Elite Fury is no exception.

The Fury fit my hand like it was made for it. It features front strap and mainspring housing checkering, with an oversized magazine well machined in. The grip safety is functional, but so extended it is almost impossible not to engage it. The grips are a very thin micarta, befitting a double stack, with a checker pattern on the front half, linear serrations at a diagonal on the back half. The trigger guard is both larger and more square than other 1911’s I have shot, opened up no doubt to be more accessible with gloves on. The frame is thick and boxy down to the dust cover, with a Picatinny rail section cut in. It wouldn’t be much of a tactical gun without that option. It incorporates a low-mass hammer that was designed with performance as all excess weight is removed and the surfaces have been polished.

SPECS

• Type: 1911, single-stage trigger
• Chambering: 9mm
• Barrel: 5.5 in.
• Overall Length: 9.25 in.
• Weight: 48.5 oz.
• Trigger Pull: 2 lbs., 8 0z.
• Grips: G-10 Micarta
• Sights: Trijicon Tritium 3 dot suppressor height, Trijicon RMR
• Finish: Matte Black
• Safety: Ambidextrous beavertail
• Capacity: 18+1 rds.
• MSRP: $4899

The trigger is a flat K-style trigger, skeletonized of course. Out of the box, mine broke at 2 pounds, with the tiniest bit of take up to let you know you were there. I have never seen a factory trigger as high-quality as this one in a pistol, outside of full up custom race guns. The low mass hammer has had every ounce of excess weight removed, and it falls like a lightning bolt. The trigger and hammer are so smooth your fingers can’t believe what they are feeling.

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Up top, the slide moves like ball bearings falling through a vacuum. Aside from overcoming the resistance of the recoil spring, there is not a burr or imperfection to be felt. There are front and rear cocking serrations, as well as a serrated flat top to the slide. The rear has been milled and a Trijicon RMR red dot sight expertly fitted on a custom Dan Wesson plate. As a backup, Trijicon tritium suppressor height sights are also included.

Range Time

The threaded bull barrel is a bushing-less fit, along with a one-piece guide rod to increase reliability. The gunsmith fitting these things together clearly knew what he was doing on mine. I expected some incredible accuracy, and I got it. I am not a Bullseye Master, but I was able to walk all the way to 180 meters getting first round hits on a B/C zone sized piece of steel. Finally falling apart at 200m, I was left with the feeling it was the shooter, not the 1911. At that range, the red dot is larger than the target anyway.

How did the gun run? Like a cheetah with blood doping and something to lose. The weight of the gun controls the 9mm recoil extremely well, and the 2-pound trigger is effortless. Combine that with the incredibly short reset distance of a 1911 trigger, and things really come together. I had to reshoot some of my normal pistol drills because at the end I realized I was holding back. This gun allows you to go faster, and that is a good dollar spent. For a race gun or a tactical gun, you could certainly do worse. Those 18 rounds in the magazine go quick, but out of this platform, they also count. I ran SIG Sauer Elite Performance ammunition through it and it ran flawlessly.

Like many of you out there, a price tag of $4,899 for a pistol is extremely hard to justify. Hell, that is hard to justify on a rifle. But after shooting this one, I assure you this. I want one. It’s high-quality finish and overall superb ergonomics and trigger make it tough enough to withstand everyday abuse and not sway those who purchase it to leave it in the safe. After running this pistol for the day, I started thinking about what I could sell to get one.

For more information about Dan Wesson 1911s, click here.

For more information about SIG Sauer Elite Performance ammunition, click here.

To purchase a Dan Wesson on GunsAmerica, click here.