Range Report: Dan Wesson Commander Bobtail (CBOB)...round 2. *pics*

[imq707s]

First off, let me say that there is a little bit of history behind this gun.

I'll let this post speak for itself. My first 1911.......3 shots and slide is locked up. HELP!

Ok....back to the range report.

I took my new CBOB down to the range today, also with my XD-40 tactical, and CZ-75B 9mm. I used the factory 7 round DW mags, and also an 8-round Chip McCormick "shooting star" mag. Both worked great.

I've only shot a few 1911's in my life, so this CBOB 1911 was new to me in every aspect. First off let me say that I'm very pleased with this gun after all of the BS I've been through getting it "fixed" (see post above). I ran 200 rounds of cheap Blazer Brass FMJ through it today, and it functioned flawlessly. The Novak night sights on the CBOB worked great, and seemed to be set very well from the factory. From 25 yards, I could hit a pop can with just about every trigger pull. I think my XD-40 tactical may be a little more accurate, but not much (if any).

The bobtailed frame on the CBOB felt great, it didn't dig into my hand like I remember other 1911's doing when I've shot them in the past. I also loved the trigger on it. I've guessing it is around 4-4.5lbs pull, with a very clean let-off with almost no creep. After shooting the CBOB for a little while, I then I switched back to the XD.......WOW! I was amazed at how long the trigger pull was on the XD. The trigger on the CBOB is fantastic.

I was expecting the recoil on the CBOB to be a little sharper than the XD-40 tactical.....but it actually felt a little lighter. I was really surprised at how fast the muzzle would settle after a shot, it allowed me to get a second shot off very fast. The XD-40 really seems to jump up after a shot, the CBOB didn't do that nearly as much. One thing that I did one time was accidentally hit the extended safety lever on the gun when I would get a really high grip on it. The lever may be just a tad looser than I would like it (is there a way to fix this?).

Overall, I'm very happy with the CBOB. It feels great in my hands, has a trigger that is better than any other pistol I own, and after 200+ rounds through it without a problem....I've gained some faith in it. I think it will be a very reliable gun. I think it's reliable enough to start using it as my "carry" gun.

Here are some pics from the range.

CBOB



XD-40, CBOB, CZ75B


After a little over 150 rounds through it. Dirty muzzle, but that's it.

[Grip]

im always amused by how large .45 cartridge's are.

looks good man...i cant wait to have a few handguns top take to the ran ge instead of just one...must be nice to take them all out for a while and let them stretch thier legs.

[jtkratzer]

Sounds good...next step, run a couple hundred rounds of carry ammo through it to make sure those feed reliably enough to call it your carry gun. Glad to hear everything is running smoothly.

[imq707s]

Originally Posted by jtkratzer

Sounds good...next step, run a couple hundred rounds of carry ammo through it to make sure those feed reliably enough to call it your carry gun. Glad to hear everything is running smoothly.

Yep...that's what I was thinking. I wish that stuff wasn't so expensive! I think Bass Pro Shops sells it for around $18 for 20 rounds!! It needs to be done though.....

[jtkratzer]

Originally Posted by imq707s

Yep...that's what I was thinking. I wish that stuff wasn't so expensive! I think Bass Pro Shops sells it for around $18 for 20 rounds!! It needs to be done though.....

What do you plan on carrying? This site has good prices on defensive ammunition. I'd give them a shot. Much better prices than BP and Cabela's and certainly better than the local shops.

[bountyhunter]

Originally Posted by imq707s

Yep...that's what I was thinking. I wish that stuff wasn't so expensive! I think Bass Pro Shops sells it for around $18 for 20 rounds!! It needs to be done though.....

I guess that's why I love my .357 model 66 defense gun: all I had to do was buy a box of 20 defense load and fire two rounds to check that point of impact was where I thought it would be.

Six of the remaining 18 rounds from the box of 20 are in the gun, and the other 12 will give me two reloads.

Love those wheelguns....

[imq707s]

Originally Posted by jtkratzer

What do you plan on carrying? This site has good prices on defensive ammunition. I'd give them a shot. Much better prices than BP and Cabela's and certainly better than the local shops.

What would you suggest for a good SD round? There are a ton to choose from.

[Delija]

Originally Posted by imq707s

What would you suggest for a good SD round? There are a ton to choose from.

Federal and Speer and Hornady are great SD rounds. Any American made round should be more than adequate.

I have a box of 185 grain Gold Dots I was given when I bought the gun. Shot half the rounds to see if they would feed...no suprise, they were fine, just like the other 100% of the 4000+ rounds or so I've put through my SA 1911, but I don't carry the 1911, so I really just shoot target ammo (cheapest ball I can fine - like WWB).

As for needing to get a few hundred rounds through the gun to be sure they are going to be reliable for self defense, I think that's nonsense. Today's 1911s are made to reliably feed hollow points and they do. If you get through a box of 50 (of pretty much anything) without any problems, you should be fine.

Another thing is that 230 grain FMJ ball ammo in .45 acp is also a good SD round. Maybe a hollow point makes a light and fast projectile more effective, but a big heavy slow .45 has plenty of stopping power without needing to be a HP.

Either way, your gun should be reliable with any .45acp cartridge you feed it. And plenty lethal if it comes to that.

I'm more than confident in the effectiveness of my .32 caliber every day carry piece. At the distances I figure I'm likely to ever need it for self defense, any caliber should be very lethal. Even a .22

Peace,
D.