The following article is a translation from the top Czech magazine named Střelecká revue - Shooters Review, October 2011, pp.16 -17.
The magazine is intended for shooting community and all firearms enthusiasts.
DAN WESSON Guardian
In this year’s 5th issue of Střelecká revue (Shooters Review – Czech magazine) we have presented to you in an article from the pen (or rather PC) written by the American author James Tarr the Valor Stainless Steel Commander Bobtail made by Dan Wesson - in short V-Bob. The grip shape “bobtail” modification can be found also on a very similar currently offered Dan Wesson Guardian model.
The Dan Wesson Company established its fame on production of powerful revolvers having “switch barrel” system . The precision and other characteristics of these revolvers predispose these handguns, besides other things, also for target shooting. Already in 2000 the Dan Wesson started work on the development of the range of models based on Colt 1911 with objective to create a firearm having similar properties as those found in revolvers made by Dan Wesson, i.e. maximum of reliability and accuracy of fire. These properties were supposed to be achieved as well for pistols without applying any other adjustments, so in the state as purchased and “taken out of the box”. At the same time they were supposed to be equipped with state-of-the-art features, which belong to the pistol of 21st century. This is the reason why today’s Dan Wesson pistols contain fine tuning features made by Ed Brown, EGW, CMC, Grieder Precision and others. Stated goals were achieved. The Dan Wesson pistols soon earned outstanding reputation, be it for quality, fit and finish and accuracy, while keeping affordable prices. Development and further refining of pistols of course continues. Since 2005 this is done under the auspices of Česká zbrojovka, Uherský Brod, Czech Republic, which has since that time through CZ-USA been the owner of Dan Wesson with production plant in Norwich, NY.
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The current offer of Dan Wesson is made especially of models such as RZ-45 Heritage and Valor in the full-size version of the Government model, with a five inch long barrel and magazine having eight rounds capacity in .45 Auto cal. The Pointman Nine is made in the full-size as well, which corresponds to the name of this pistol chambered in 9 mm Luger, having magazine with nine rounds capacity. In the Commander size of pistols the models offered are already two mentioned models, i.e. V-Bob and Guardian, both have the barrel in the length of 4.3 in. and with overall height conforming to full size (5.5”). The CCO (Concealed Carry Officer) model is also .45 cal., its barrel is 4.3” long but with shortened grip, so its height is reduced to five inches and the magazine can be loaded with one cartridge less, so only seven.
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The Guardian outright captivates your attention by its appearance. Perfect workmanship including all details finalising corresponds with the Dan Wesson brand reputation and small series manufacturing procedures applied in this firm production processes. The frame is made with anodizing “Duty” finish, which provides unified deep black colour and velvet look, which is also applied for the surface treatment of the stainless steel. The grip’s front and back strap are checkered with tiny but sharp “diamonds”. Attractive grip panels are executed from precious wood with a partially solid and partially stippled pattern that includes a circle with embossed Dan Wesson logo in the centre of each panel. The Dan Wesson Guardian sports skeletonized hammer, balanced as well as the trigger blade where this is received by aluminium alloy. Other controls, as are textured magazine release, traditional slide stop and extended manual safety lever are only on the left-hand side.
The Guardian comes with two double-stack magazines made by Check-Mate. The magazines have hard chromium surface treatment and in 9 mm Luger cal. 9 cartridges capacity. This handgun is outfitted with fixed open sights of Trijicon® brand with possibility of slight windage adjustment by drifting the rear sight or front sight in the dovetail. The sights are three dot “night” sights. The rear sight is of Novak low-profile wedge type (for snag-free draw), and the squared front sight feature a tritium inserts in white polymer tubes. » continue
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DAN WESSON GUARDIAN 9mm BOBTAIL COMMANDER
Calibre 9 mm Luger
Magazine capacity 9 + 1
Weight 0,820 kg/1.8 lbs
Barrel length 108 mm/4.3 in
Overall length 201 mm/8 in
Height 135 mm/5.5 in
Width 36 mm/1.5 in
Sights Fixed
Trigger mechanism SA
Trigger pull weight 15 N
Safety features Thumb safety, Grip safety
