I havent owned a 45ACP 1911 in about 3 years. Ive had a few in the last 20+ years. So I decided to do some research and buy another one. I purchased a DWF Commander Bobtail new from a small shop in the DFW area. Ordered on Thursday, and picked it up on Friday.
Nice box with 2 seven round magazines, polymer bushing wrench, and two plastic vials of some sort of metal conditioner.
Pistol was tight, but smooth. Flats were nicely polished and the matte areas were uniform. Wood grips were of nice figure and checkering.
Front machine checkering was good, 20LPI. Seems a little rough and might be too aggressive in a 5 day course.
Disassembles like any other 1911 that does not have a FLGR. No machining marks inside.
Lightly lubed with CLP and reassembled. Picked up some Fiocchi 230gr. Hardball for break in.
Today at lunch I went to an indoor range in North Fort Worth. 15 yards max.
Now, I am not expecting a lot. I anticipate FTEs and FTF with a new pistol, especially a 1911. I know this is a tight gun and it will require a few hundred rounds to break in.
Loaded up the first mag with 5 rounds, aimed fired with a two handed grip.
Nice tight group. Recoil was up and a little to the right. Group was to point of aim.
Tried to load the second mag, and it wouldnt take the first round. The follower was binding right at the top. I was finally able to get it loaded by compressing just the front tip of the follower for the first round. The rest of the rounds loaded fine. This continued to be a problem throughout this range session.
At shot 26, I had a FTF. The round hit the feed ramp and stopped. Racked the slide and it went into battery. I noticed that my groups were opening up and I first thought was that I wasnt used to a 1911.
At round 29, my rear sight fell off and I didnt see where it landed. I looked around for about 10 minutes, but with no luck.
Time for some point shooting!
I brought 200 rounds with me. I was determined to get through them.
I had FTFs at round counts 48, 55, 71, 86, 87, 92, and 98.
At round 78, the round failed to go into battery. Attempted a clearance drill of tap, rack, bang.but the slide was stuck tight. First I hit the rear of the slide with the heel of my hand. The slide didnt move. Attempted to rack the slide, but it didnt budge. The slide was to 3/8 out of battery. Hit the rear of the slide a few more times with my hand, but it still was stuck with a live round in the chamber. Carefully keeping the muzzle pointed down range, did the push/pull and got it loose. The round ejected fine, and would go into the chamber. Reloaded, and finished off the box.
At this point, I gave up for the day and headed back to work. I still had another 100 rounds with me, but I felt the need to tear into this pistol a little and see what is or isnt working.
Luckily, I still have a Glock and a CZ-75SA. They may not look as nice, but the work.
Now to contact CZ-USA to see if the rear sight is covered under warranty, or if I have to purchase another one.
I sent an email to Mike at Dan Wesson, and got a reply back in under 20 minutes that all of these issues are warranty items.
I'll let everyone know what happens.