Description
The Dan Wesson Specialist is a full-size steel 1911 built for duty and serious defensive use, and this version adds a factory optic cut to the slide. It pairs a 5 inch barrel with an accessory rail, ambidextrous safety and tritium sights in a Black Duty finish.
Dan Wesson Specialist 9mm Optics Ready Overview
Dan Wesson, now part of the CZ-USA family, builds its 1911s in Norwich, New York, and the Specialist sits in the middle of the lineup as a working gun rather than a showpiece. The frame is steel, so the pistol weighs about 42.3 ounces empty. That weight is the reason a 9mm 1911 feels so flat and quick to return to the target. Model 01796 is the optics-ready variant, which lets you mount a red dot without sending the slide to a gunsmith for milling.
Design and Features
The slide carries forward and rear cocking serrations and an optic-ready cut, and the frame has an integral light rail for a weapon light. Grips are textured G10 grips that hold well with sweaty or gloved hands. The thumb safety is ambidextrous, which matters for left-handed shooters and for anyone who trains support-hand-only drills. The single-action trigger is the main draw of any good 1911: short, crisp travel with a clean reset.
Sights and Optics
Out of the box the Specialist wears tritium night sights front and rear, so you have a usable aiming reference in low light even before a dot goes on. With an optic installed, the iron sights may or may not co-witness depending on the plate and red dot height, so check compatibility with your chosen optic before ordering. Optic plates and screws should be torqued to spec and secured with thread locker.
Capacity and Magazines
The pistol ships with two 10 round magazines for a 10+1 capacity. That is less than a double-stack polymer 9mm, and it is the honest tradeoff of a single-stack 1911 grip. 9mm 1911 magazines are less forgiving than 45 ACP magazines, so use quality magazines designed for 9mm, keep them clean, and test your carry ammunition before trusting it.
Shooting Experience
With a 5 inch barrel and an all-steel frame, recoil in 9mm is mild and the muzzle stays low, which makes fast follow-up shots easy for new and experienced shooters alike. The weight that helps on the range is a burden on the belt, so plan on a sturdy gun belt and a quality holster cut for a railed 5 inch 1911 with an optic.
Care and Maintenance
A 1911 rewards regular cleaning and proper lubrication of the slide rails and barrel lugs. The Black Duty finish resists wear, but holster wear will eventually show on edges. Replace recoil springs on the maker schedule, and if you shoot hot defensive loads frequently, keep an eye on extractor tension.
State Laws and Ownership
Some states limit magazine capacity or maintain handgun rosters, and a few restrict which pistols dealers may sell. The 10 round magazines help in many capacity-limited states, but always confirm your own state and local rules before you order. Your receiving dealer can tell you what is legal to transfer where you live.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: CZ-USA / Dan Wesson
- Model: Specialist (01796), optics ready
- Caliber: 9mm
- Action: single action 1911
- Barrel length: 5 in.
- Overall length: 8.75 in.
- Weight: 42.3 oz.
- Capacity: 10+1, two magazines included
- Frame: steel with light rail
- Sights: tritium front and rear
- Grips: G10
- Safety: ambidextrous thumb safety
- Finish: Black Duty
- UPC: 806703017969
Before You Buy
Federal law requires handgun buyers to be 21 or older to purchase from a licensed dealer, and every firearm ships to your local FFL for transfer and a background check. Budget for an optic, mounting hardware and a compatible holster, and confirm the pistol is legal in your state before ordering.
Who It Is For
The Dan Wesson Specialist 9mm Optics Ready is a great fit for shooters who want a premium steel 1911 in an affordable caliber, competitors in duty-style divisions, and owners who plan to run a red dot on a full-size pistol.
Buy the Dan Wesson Specialist 9mm Optics Ready at MAG5 Firearms
MAG5 Firearms is a family-owned FFL in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Order the Dan Wesson Specialist 9mm Optics Ready online and ship it to your local FFL dealer, or browse our full selection of firearms for more pistols. For factory details, visit CZ-USA / Dan Wesson.
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