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I am going to sell off my 1911s, a Range Officer, a Springfield stainless in 9mm and a Norinco with Wilson Combat barrel, trigger job and Millet adj sights. I am nolonger a 1911 guy but I like'em! I am going to keep my Nighthawk Enforcer and perhaps buy a new Dan Wesson Bruin 6".
I handled a new .45 Auto Bruin at Cabella's that looked nice and very well fit. The trigger was excellent. Fit & finish perfect. The sales guy said it was part of "corporate buy" and unfired. It was unfired but what the heck is a corporate buy?
Cabella's price was $1850.00 which is on the low side of what we find them for on GB.
At the range I have fired 2 different newer Dan Wesson 1911s both were 5". Fit & finish and trigger pull were excellent.
If I get a new Bruin it will be in .45 Auto.
Have any of you examined or own a Dan Wesson BRUIN or Dan Wesson 1911 in .45?
Give us your review.
Thanks Much
VonBark
From the OP.
Ok, I had to have the Bruin. Found a Blemished example on GB for $1529 + 35 shipping + 40 FFL fee that totals $1604.
Before shooting it I took it home for field stripping, close inspection and compare it to other 1911s. This is my first Dan Wesson product and am very pleased. It is very well fit, slide to frame, barrel bushing are not overly tight but fit pefect with no slop. Trigger & trigger bow have very little wobble or slop. Grip safety fits close. Manual or thumb safety is perfect for me. It has a nice audible click and holds enuff to where it could never be inadvertently activated/deactivated.
On every 1911 I have ever owned except the Nighthawk and this DW the thumb safety rubs a little on the frame when activated/deactivated which puts scratches or rub marks on the frame.
Pic below is of my DW Bruin's muzzel & recoil plug. If you look close you can see slight discoloration on the recoil plug. This is the blemish. The white line that looks like a scratch is lint, not a scratch. You can also see where I dont quite have the plug married up to the barrel bushing and I have knocked off some of the finish.
Perhaps I don't yet have the installation mastered.
I don't know where to get Bruin specific parts but when I do I will get and extra R-plug.
It is this recoil plug arrangement that is the only thing I do not like about the DW Bruin. I can't imaging why they would use this problematic design?
http://<a href=http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t412/charliemopic1/DW%20Recoil%20Plug_zpshuaycjnt.jpg</a>" />
Pic below is of my Nighthawk Customs 'Enforcer' muzzel & recoil plug which is beefed up- heavy duty and as easy as any mil-spec 1911 to install.
http://<a href=http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t412/charliemopic1/My%20NH%20Muzzel%20End_zpstj4mny8t.jpg</a>" />
The Rear sights on the Bruin are adjustable Bomar type Trijicon night sights with no sharp edges.
My Springfield Range Officer has the same adjustable rear sights except the sight blade has some very sharp edges that will and have drawn blood.
Bruin front sight I thought was a regular green fiber optic and is as bright in the sun as a fiber sight but it is also a night sight.
The rear Trijicon sight has night sight type tubes but is not or does not function like a fiber sight in sun light.
My Wheeler spring type trigger pull scale indicates a 4 lbs 4 oz. break which clean.
Yesterday I ran 330some hand loads thru it of Federal, 230gr FMJ over 6.0gr of Hodgdon CFE Pistol powder at 1.255" OAL with no hiccups. If i get it out today I will run some Federal 230gr. HST-JHP and some plated 200gr SWC to see how it likes them.
Except for the recoil plug arrangement I am very pleased with the Dan Wessson Bruin.
Thanks For Your Time
VonBark
After the 300+ rounds of 230gr FMJ I cleaned and oiled the Bruin. Next time out shot 160 rounds of Federal 230gr. HST-JHP over 6.0 CFE and 90 rounds of Berry's 200gr. plated SWC over 6.0gr. Universal at 1.240 OAL all rounds ran fine and were fed from the DW supplied 8 round mags and Kimber Pro-Tac 8 round mags. Ive been running the Pro-Tac mags for 10 years.
Later I'll load up some full power loads like 230gr FMJ over 6.7gr CFE and see how they work.
Thanks for your time
VonBark