Dan Wesson is teasing a new and unique design ahead of its 2020 release, the DWX. The DWX is part CZ, part Dan Wesson 1911, and it’s 100 percent race-ready, optimized for USPSA Limited Division and other competitions with similar rules.
“It started as an experiment — a grand melding of Dan Wesson and CZ pistols,” said Dan Wesson. “Borrowing the crisp single action fire control group of a DW 1911 and combining it with the ergonomics and capacity of a CZ, the resulting pistol emerged as something great.”
In fact, Dan Wesson is prepping two DWX models, a full-size that uses P-09/P-10-pattern magazines and a mid-size model that uses CZ 75 Compact and CZ 75 magazines.
This combination gives the DWX the same grip and handling characteristics of a CZ pistol with the action and trigger of a 1911. It also has all the must-have features of a premium semi-custom competition pistol.
The DWX isn’t just a 1911 with a CZ-style grip. The upper also draws from the CZ pool and uses a P-07/P-09-style barrel lockup and takedown system. It has a bushingless bull barrel with a recessed target crown and extended slide release and takedown lever.
Other features on the slide include a dovetailed 1911-pattern fiber optic front sight, fully adjustable CZ Shadow 2 target rear sight, and deep forward and rear slide serrations. The topstrap also has full-length serrations to cut glare.
The grip is true to CZ form and has deep checkering on the frontstrap and mainspring housing. The DWX uses standard CZ grip panels and comes with flush checkered alloy grips common to a lot of CZ’s competition guns.
“With the grip angle and contours that have made the CZ 75 a stand-out in the realm of pistol ergonomics, the DWX is a natural fit to most hands,” said Dan Wesson. “The full-size DWX uses standard CZ 75 grips, while the compact DWX uses those from a 75 Compact. Corresponding magwells for the 75 series are compatible as well.”
The standard grips have a red anodized finish to match the K-style trigger and magazine base pads. Combined with a barrel in the white and the DWX, at least in this configuration, has a very sporty three-tone look that will stand out at any range.
See Also: Dan Wesson’s New Kodiak 10mm 1911 for 2019
Dan Wesson and CZ have worked together for many years but the DWX is something very different — and welcome. The DWX may be intended for gun games but its features and full-length accessory rail mean that this pistol series will appeal to people everywhere, whether they want a range gun or a serious pistol for self-defense.
That will be especially true for future compact models, which, if they’re at all similar in size compared to CZ Compacts, could make for natural everyday carry pistols.
Dan Wesson plans to release the full-size in both 9mm Luger and .40 S&W. In 9mm the DWX has a 19+1-round capacity and in .40 it holds 15+1. We know the price, and it’s $1,799. That’s steep compared to a lot of duty guns but the DWX isn’t that. The DWX competes with high-end 1911s and custom CZs. We suspect Dan Wesson will have no problems selling these.
Visit DanWessonFirearms.com to learn more.
Cocked and locked with no grip safety? Is that as safe as the actual 1911 system? What about a (passive) drop safety? If CZ engineered their way around these back-ups and still maintained the same level of safety – that would be a big part of the story on this new design.
1911 controls and trigger quality with CZ capacity, ergo’s and (assumed) feeding reliability? It’s about time… that took, what, 50 years?
I’ll take mine in 357Sig for the nightstand, with 9mm and .40 drop-in barrels for the range, please?
Not sure if a 9mm barrel would be a drop-in. The case head is smaller on the 9…
But, it works on Glocks, so it might here..
CZ75 and 1911… My two favorite platforms! This last new pistol I got all excited about was the P01 omega, so I bought two. This DWX is starting to give me that same feeling. I need to see more of it! Love that these models take mags that I already have and are available. I’m not a racer so make mine a compact, thank you!
My two favorite platforms too! Now, if they can just manufacture it in my two favorite chamberings – 45ACP amd 38 Super.
I am so super glad that I live in comifornia . It’s awesome that we can’t have all the new cool pistols that come out every year. This place sucks. No new guns in like 7 years because of the BS micro stamp law. This gun has a lot of potential. I would love one from the custom shop. Race gun the shit out of it. This thing is sick. I’m a CZ fan.
Get out of the left coast..my friend. Or soon you end up like Charlton Heston in the Omega Man..LOL
We became Political Refugees from Kalifornie in 2007 and live in Freedom Land AZ…Had a gun shop and was an Airline Pilot out of LAX..Pack your guns and ammo up and move…. Kids and Grand Kids will follow..