Dan Wesson Guardian 1911 .45 ACP Blue/Black Pistol

Although my Dan Wesson...

Although my Dan Wesson (DW) Specialist 4.25" is a terrific pistol—in fit and finish and having a beautiful crisp trigger. it has three "features" that detract from its desirability as an everyday carry pistol: the rail, the ambi thumb safety, and the extra grip length of the Magwell. The other DW Commander sized 1911's are the alloy framed Guardian and the stainless steel framed Commander Classic. These two 4.25" pistols omit the three unwanted "features" so there's no rail, no ambi thumb safety, no Magwell, and both pistols come with the better Novak style low mount night sights. Nearly ideal, BUT: each pistol has the significant defect of a bobtail mainspring housing (MSH). Bobtailed 1911's don't look right to me, something like a hand with half a finger missing. But since the rest of these pistols were so good I bought one of each,—the Guardian for standard pressure 45ACP ammo, the Stainless steel version for P ammo. Bought both from Bud's—always in stack and very fast delivery to my Arizona FFL dealer. I was hoping that eventually I would overcome my aversion to the bobtail MSH's. But I could not overcome the aversion. In fact, I found that the bobtail MSH not only LOOKS wrong, it IS wrong because it prevents a solid and secure grasp of the pistol. That 1/2 inch extra of missing backstrap turns out to be essential for a solid and secure grasping of a 1911. That bottom 1/2 inch of backstap is needed to push against the heel of your palm. I concluded in disappointment that I would never be satisfied with these otherwise excellent Commander sized pistols. BUT!!!—Evolution Gun Works came to the rescue!. To my great pleasure I discovered that EGW manufactures full length MSH's that are designed and precisely machined to replace the unwanted MSH's on bobtailed 1911's. Available with a smooth backstrap or 25 LPI checkering (my choice). Aptly called: "Bobtail Regrets Mainspring Housings." The retaining pin hole is located higher than normal for precise installation on your frame. Of course you will need to install a shorter Officer's size mainspring and its smaller cap and mainspring retaining pin but what a joy to save these two Dan Wesson's. Along with the addition of Stoner CNC G10 classic Double Diamond grips, these two DW Commanders are now perfect for everyday carry. Especially the 29 oz alloy-framed Guardian, which Hickock45 recently declared was the only 1911 he would carry nowadays.