danwesson 1911 User Guide
Model and Serial Number Information.................................................................................................2
SAFE OWNERSHIP...................................................................................................................................3
THE NEED FOR INSTRUCTION .........................................................................................................3
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS..................................................................................................................3
THE BASIC RULES OF FIREARM SAFETY.....................................................................................4
YOUR NEW DAN WESSON FIREARMS HANDGUN..........................................................................4
GENERAL DESCRIPTION....................................................................................................................4
Overview…..........................................................................................................................................4
Safety Mechanisms….......................................................................................................................4
BASIC COMPONENTS .........................................................................................................................5
PREPARING TO FIRE...............................................................................................................................6
GUN HANDLING & PREPARATION ..................................................................................................6
LOADING THE MAGAZINE..................................................................................................................6
INSERTING THE MAGAZINE ..............................................................................................................7
LOADING THE CHAMBER...................................................................................................................8
FIRING THE HANDGUN ...........................................................................................................................8
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS..................................................................................................................8
IN CASE OF MALFUNCTION..............................................................................................................8
IN CASE OF MISFIRE ...........................................................................................................................8
CLEARING THE HANDGUN....................................................................................................................9
REMOVING THE MAGAZINE ..............................................................................................................9
CARRY AND TRANSPORT ....................................................................................................................10
STORAGE..................................................................................................................................................10
Before storing or leaving this firearm unattended….................................................................10
HANDGUN MAINTENANCE - DISASSEMBLY..................................................................................10
General preparations… .....................................................................................................................10
Tools and supplies:............................................................................................................................11
Two-piece Outer Guide Rod Removal...........................................................................................11
One-piece Guide Rod Removal.......................................................................................................12
Slide stop removal..............................................................................................................................13
Slide Assembly Removal..................................................................................................................13
Spring and Guide Rod Removal from Slide Assembly.............................................................14
Barrel Removal....................................................................................................................................14
Firing Pin Removal .............................................................................................................................14
Internal Extractor Removal...............................................................................................................14
1. Firmly grasp the back of the slide with the muzzle end towards you and the underside of
the slide facing up. Press firmly against the front of the extractor using a 1/8” punch tool. Push
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Dan Wesson Firearms 1911 Series Users Manual
the tip of the extractor towards the side of the breech while depressing the extractor tip, until
the extractor passes the extractor hold location at the back of the breech face.........................14
2. Turn the slide around so that the rear of the slide faces up, exposing the back end of the
partially removed extractor. Pull the extractor from the back of the slide. Use the punch tool as
required to assist in releasing the extractor from it’s position........................................................14
HANDGUN MAINTENANCE...................................................................................................................15
GENERAL CARE..................................................................................................................................15
CLEANING.............................................................................................................................................15
the chamber. .........................................................................................................................................15
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS..............................................................................................................15
FACTORY SERVICE............................................................................................................................16
Requesting factory service….......................................................................................................16
Model and Serial Number Information
For your convenience, please record the following information.
DAN WESSON FIREARMS Handgun Model: _____________________________
Serial Number: _____________________________________________
Barrel Length: ____________ Caliber: __________________________
Date of Purchase: ___________________________________________
Purchased From: ____________________________________________
Receipt or Invoice Number: ___________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________
City: _____________________________________________________
State: ___________________________ Zip: ______________________
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Dan Wesson Firearms 1911 Series Users Manual
SAFE OWNERSHIP
THE NEED FOR INSTRUCTION
• Possession of this or any firearm indicates your acceptance of responsibility to comply with the law and
prevent consequences of danger, which can result from improper handling.
• DAN WESSON FIREARMS strongly recommends that every person receive complete and thorough
instruction on the safe and proper use of firearms from a competent instructor before handling this or any
other firearm.
• Those unfamiliar with firearms should not remove this DAN WESSON FIREARMS product from its
packaging until successfully completing a full course of instruction by a competent instructor on the safe
use and handling of firearms with an emphasis on semi-automatic type handgun safety.
• Information on qualified instructors in your area may be obtained by consulting your local law
enforcement authorities, a firearms retailer or through local gun clubs.
• Additional sources on firearms safety and instruction can be obtained by writing to national
organizations, such as the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA - 903-A Metcalf Street,
Sedro Woolley, WA 98284, or the National Rifle Association (NRA - 11250 Waples Mill Road,
Washington, DC 22030, (703) 267-1430).
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
• Protect your hearing - Firearms produce high noise levels when discharged. Protect your hearing
from potentially harmful exposure with an adequate sound attenuation product, such as earplugs and/or
earmuffs. Unprotected exposure to loud noises can cause a loss of hearing known to have a cumulative
effect and can cause permanent hearing loss.
• Protect your eyes - Firearms as well as environmental conditions can affect your eyes if not properly
protected. Always protect your eyes with impact-resistant glasses. Use corrective lenses if necessary to
clearly see your firearm and your target. Tinted lenses should only be used under proper lighting
conditions. Eye protection should provide adequate protection against airborne debris, hot gases,
powder blowback, ejected shell cartridges, dust, wind, sun glare, low limbs or any other condition
that could endanger yourself or others nearby.
• Protect your body - Wear adequate clothing to help protect your body from injury. Your body should
be protected from firearm discharge and ejected shell cartridges, which are hot and could cause burns.
Be certain to wear comfortable, well-fit clothing appropriate to the season. Do not wear clothing that
causes discomfort or could impair the safe handling of a firearm.
• Be responsible - Firearm safety depends on you. A responsible owner respects the right and privilege
of gun ownership. A responsible firearms owner learns and obeys all firearm safety practices, and always
considers every firearm to be loaded. Stay aware of the fact that you have a responsibility for your own
safety and the safety of others around the firearm.
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Dan Wesson Firearms 1911 Series Users Manual
THE BASIC RULES OF FIREARM SAFETY
1. Do not rely on your firearm’s safety mechanism. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded, and ready to
fire, at all times.
2. Never point your firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot. Always keep the muzzle pointed away
from other people, and in a safe direction.
3. Always check the barrel for obstructions. Use only ammunition of the proper type for the firearm you
are using.
4. Do not shoot unless you are absolutely sure of your target and what exists beyond it.
5. Never shoot at a hard surface or the surface of the water. Make sure you have a safe backstop.
6. Never drink alcoholic beverages or take drugs before or during shooting.
7. Never leave your firearm unattended until you have unloaded it and secured it from unauthorized
handling and use.
8. Never carry a loaded firearm when you climb a tree, cross a fence, jump over an obstacle, or go
across area where you are likely to trip, slip, stumble or fall.
9. Carry only empty firearms when traveling between destinations.
10. Store firearms and ammunition separately, out of sight of and beyond the reach of children, minors,
and adolescents.
YOUR NEW DAN WESSON FIREARMS HANDGUN
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Overview…
A DAN WESSON FIREARMS handgun functions as a single-action, blowback recoil, automatic loading
firearm - more commonly referred to as ‘semi-automatic.’ A semi-automatic firearm will fire a single
ammunition round and automatically reload another round into the chamber with each pull of the trigger.
DAN WESSON FIREARMS 1911 model handguns will continue this reloading operation until all
ammunition rounds have been emptied from the magazine and there is no remaining supply from which
to chamber a new round. The slide will remain open after the last round has been fired from the
handgun.
Safety Mechanisms…
DAN WESSON FIREARMS handguns have a mechanical Grip Safety and a Thumb Safety device to
assist you in the safe handling of the firearm. These features, when engaged, provide additional
protection against Accidental Discharge by preventing the trigger from releasing the hammer and striking
the firing pin. The Grip Safety assists in preventing the handgun from firing without the Grip Safety being
depressed. The thumb Safety locks the slide and restricts movement. The thumb safety also prevents
the sear from disengaging the hammer allowing the hammer to strike the firing pin. On some DAN
WESSON FIREARMS models, the Thumb Safety can be operated from both sides of the handgun, and
is referred to as an ambidextrous safety. The Thumb Safety can only be engaged with the hammer in the
cocked position ready to fire.
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Dan Wesson Firearms 1911 Series Users Manual
Note: Safety systems provide only a limited amount of protection, and like any mechanical
system – can malfunction unexpectedly. Do not load the DAN WESSON FIREARMS “1911” model
handguns with ammunition before reading all the Safety Instructions and Basic Rules of Firearm
Safety (page tbd of this owner’s manual).
BASIC COMPONENTS
Basic Components (DAN WESSON
FIREARMS Pointman Shown)
1 – Hammer
2 – Rear Sight
3 – Safety (Left Side)
4 – Beavertail Grip Safety
5 – Frame (Magazine Port Area)
6 – Slide (Ejection Port on opposite side)
7 – Slide Stop
8 – Magazine Release
9 – Trigger
10 – Trigger Guard
11 – Front Sight
12 –Barrel (Muzzle End)
Before Loading this Firearm…
• Learn to recognize and identify each of the functional components of this DAN WESSON FIREARMS
firearm.
• Understand how to safely operate this firearm by carefully reading the instructions on the following
pages.
• Follow each step for operating this firearm as described in this manual with the chamber empty, the
magazine removed, and the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
• Practice operating the firearm with it unloaded. Continue your practice until you have become familiar
with the firearm functions and can comfortably handle the firearm in a safe manner.
• Repeat these steps frequently to assure safe shooting conditions.
• Review this manual of operation and safety instructions periodically. If you have not handled this or any
other firearm recently, be certain to review this manual before you load this firearm with live ammunition.
• Check your ammunition to be certain that the caliber matches the caliber of your firearm. Commercially
manufactured ammunition has the caliber number clearly stamped around the rim at each end of the
cartridge. DAN WESSON handguns have the firearm’s caliber (or a generic marking) engraved on the
slide or barrel.
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Dan Wesson Firearms 1911 Series Users Manual
• The use of reloaded, "remanufactured", hand-loaded, or other non-standard ammunition voids all
warranties. Reloading is a science and improperly loade d ammunition can be extremely dangerous.
Severe damage to the firearm and serious i njury to the shooter or to others may result. Always use
ammunition that complies with the industry performance standards est ablished by the Sporting Arms
and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute, Inc. of the United States (SAAMI). For best results, we
recommend the use of jacketed round nose "BALL ' ammunition .
• Always keep ammunition away from heat and flame. DAN WESSON handguns can be safely fired
using factory specification standard velocity ammunition. DAN WESSON FIREARMS accepts no
responsibility for claims brought against the company due to any other loads or any loads, which do not
meet the safety tolerances endorsed, by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute
(SAAMI).
• Do not shoot this firearm if you question the compatibility of the ammunition you are using. Do not use
unmarked or hand-loaded rounds of unknown origin. Use only clean, dry, original high quality
commercially manufactured ammunition in good condition.
• Do not use ammunition with split, crushed, or dented casings or bullets, which show sign of damage.
• Remove unfired ammunition from firearms immediately after use and return to proper storage
containers.
PREPARING TO FIRE
GUN HANDLING & PREPARATION
Do not rely on your firearm’s safety mechanism. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded, and
ready to fire, at all times.
Note: DAN WESSON handguns must be checked by first removing the ammunition magazine
from the firearm to prevent a round from entering the chamber.
Before Shooting any Firearm…
• Check the condition of the firearm. Check the firearm for cleanliness and smooth operation. Do not use
a dirty or wet firearm, or one that has been excessively oiled or greased. An unclean firearm can become
dangerous hazard when fired.
• Check your backstop.
LOADING THE MAGAZINE
Preparing the handgun for firing is composed of three basic steps:
• Loading the magazine
• Inserting the magazine
• Loading the Handgun Chamber.
Load magazines carefully. Avoid dropping the magazine or the ammunition, as damage or an
accidental discharge can occur. Load magazines in a work area where accidentally dropped
round can be found easily, above a work surface that is of a comfortable height and located in an
area free from distractions.
1. Hold the magazine with the feed lips up, and the loading opening pointing outward, as shown below.
2. With your shooting hand, carefully insert a round through the loading relief, pressing down and to the
rear of the magazine until the round is properly positioned. The primer end of the case should be in
contact with the rear wall of the magazine. Repeat until the magazine is full.
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Dan Wesson Firearms 1911 Series Users Manual
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