The great-grandson of D.B. Wesson, co-founder of Smith & Wesson, began a company in 1968 that has since grown outside the wheelhouse of fine revolvers, and has flourished in the market of semi-automatic handguns. Today, Dan Wesson Firearms provides a full suite of M1911-based handguns, and for this week’s review, American Rifleman's David Herman focuses in on a commander-size M1911-variant built around an aluminum frame and chambered for 9 mm Luger. The Vigil Commander pistol aims to protect those who carry every day. This all-businesslike pistol features a rounded butt, a beavertail safety, tritium in the front sight and many other features that put this pistol in the ranks of value without sacrificing quality. For more, watch this week’s NRA Gun of the Week video, and visit danwessonfirearms.com.
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Dan Wesson Firearms
Model: Vigil Commander
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Action Type: recoil-operated, semi-automatic center-fire pistol
Frame: forged aluminum
Slide: stainless steel
Barrel: 4.25"
Finish: black Duty
Sights: single-dot tritium front; serrated, tactical rear
Trigger: 5-lb. pull
Magazine: nine-round detachable box
Weight: 30.5 ozs. (empty)
MSRP: $1,298
Additional Reading:
Dan Wesson’s System
Tested: Dan Wesson Valkyrie Commander Pistol
I Have This Old Gun: Smith & Wesson Model 1
Tested: CZ USA Sharp-Tail Coach Gun
NRA Gun of the Week: Dan Wesson Firearms Vigil Commander Pistol
More like this from around the NRA
Latest
Review: Steyr Scout Mk II
Steyr Arms updated its Scout rifle design with a Mk II version several years back. Faced with heavy competition, is it still the benchmark for the "general-purpose rifle?"
Canadian Law Enforcement Agencies Disregard “Buyback"
The National Post, a Canadian news source, reports that “the majority” of law-enforcement agencies across Canada are disregarding their federal government’s mandated Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP).
Safariland Parent Company Announces Acquisition of Alien Gear Holsters
Following a court-supervised bankruptcy auction, Safariland's parent company, Cadre Holdings, announced it would acquire Alien Gear Holsters and other assets from Tedder Industries in a $10.3 million deal.
I Have This Old Gun: Sauer 38H
During the inter-war years in Germany, domestic makers produced many well-regarded handgun designs, but one of the least-known is the Model 38H from Sauer & Son.
Review: EOTech Vudu 3-9x32 mm SFP
Smaller than most LPVOs, this more traditional riflescope setup is compact enough to be useful for multiple shooting tasks.
Remington Reintroduces .22 Short Loads
Remington Ammunition announced that it is once again producing the versatile, user-friendly .22 Short.
Interests
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
