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
NFA Wait Times Continue to Drop
In early 2021, it took the ATF about 280 days to process a Form 4 NFA transfer. In August 2026, using the recently implemented eForms system, that wait time had dropped to only nine days.
Pelican Air Carry-on Case Review
An industry staple just made air travel more convenient.
The ROSE Program by SIG Sauer: Empowering Women in Shooting Sports Across the Nation
The ROSE Program is a shooting program created specifically for women. It aims to create a community of women in shooting that can learn about shooting and self-defense.
I Have This Old Gun: French MAS-49
Despite being early adopters of several semi-automatic rifles for military use, the French army took several decades to work out a standardized semi-automatic rifle for general service use. The rifle that finally came to being was the MAS-49.
Polite Society Industries Launches with Complete Suppressor Line
"An armed society is a polite society," goes the famous quote, which is also the inspiration behind Polite Society Industries, a new suppressor manufacturer that now has a complete line available to consumers.
NRA-ILA Names Smith & Wesson Official Partner of the 2026 NRA Gun Bus Battleground Tour
Iconic American firearms maker Smith & Wesson will join NRA-ILA on the road as nation's leading firearm group turns out voters ahead of the 2026 midterm.
Interests
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
