Dan Wesson Patriot Expert Review

Part 3: Practical Fire

The Pistol: It's the same Dan Wesson Patriot Stainless Expert .45 ACP used in the previous test. I did replace the broken magazine release with one I had at home, but a new one from DW is on the way.

Ammunition: Today, the following types of ammunition were used:

Handload: 200 gr CSWC/5.0 gr Bullseye (For more detailed information on the load, see the original "Range Report."
S&B 230 gr FMJ
Winchester USA 230 gr FMJ
CCI/Speer 230 gr TMJ

Shooting: Today's shooting was more or less what one might see in an "action pistol," IDPA, or "practical" match. Distances ranged from about 6, 10, 25, and 65 yards. The 25 yard shooting amounted to two-hand, slow-fire, shooting for groups to be sure that the sights were "on." The Winchester 230 gr ball was used in doing this.

NOTE: I make NO pretense at being a quick shot. Many of you here can easily beat me at speed shooting. I brought a very knowledgeable fellow along to shoot this pistol as well and to offer his comments. It's just the best I can do to offer you some "insight" into what this pistol might be capable of in hands better than mine.

6-Yard Double-Taps:

Actually, mine were more like controlled pairs. They were timed using my buddy's timer. Ammunition was Sellier & Bellot.

Shooting was 2-handed from a ready position. I used a modified Weaver stance. Eight rounds were fired.

He, too, fired 8 shots and used an Aggressive Isosoles stance.

6-Yard One-Shot Drills:

In this drill, we just started in a ready position and fired one shot at the bullseye. Stances were respectively the same as above. Ammo used was Sellier & Bellot.

2-Shots on 2 Humanoid Targets:

I didn't get any pictures of these, but they're the same man-shaped targets seen above in the report. Shots were all in an area slightly smaller than an 8 1/2 X 10" sheet of paper and centered. Ammo was the Speer 230 gr TMJ.

Falling Plates:

A row of six falling steel plates were shot at a distance of 10 yards. Timer started with shooting in a ready position, but not aiming the gun as was the case for drills shot above. The plates are 6" in diameter. Ammunition was 230 gr S&B.

I shot this drill twice and had no misses: Times were 5.58 seconds to hit the six plates the first time and 5.46, the second. Again, I make no pretence at being a speed shot; I am not, but was pleased with these times.

I also shot at 2 bowling pins from 65 yards, standing w/2-hand hold: Both pins were hit, but I missed one shot so a total of three shots fired. Ammunition was the CSWC/5.0 gr Bullseye handload.

Observations:

First, with the factory rounds and the use of the factory-supplied McCormick 8-round magazine, a Wilson 7-round and a 8-round, as well as an old Colt 7-round magazine, there were zero failures to feed or hold the slide back on the last shot. Frankly, I don't remember exactly how and when some of the magazine changes were made, but I will keep better notes in a more extended range report and included this only because so many of us have many more than one kind of magazine.

Ejection remains positive and as best I can judge, very consistent, dropping rounds in about a 4' circle about 8' from the shooter.

Malfunctions only occurred with the CSWC handload, but the problem was NOT in feeding; this was flawless. The problem was not the pistol, but the ammo! This pistol's chamber is evidently tight and held to minimal tolerances. My CSWC were just a touch long at 1.26". I'll bump some back about 0.03" and see what happens. I suspect it'll work. It might help if I check 'em in that chamber, but the gun's not been cleaned internally since the initial test and will not be until after the next range report in which I get the 25 and 50 yard shooting done.

The sights held true during today's shooting session. This Bomar-like rear sight appears to be the same as on my 9mm and .45 Trojans. The pin on which the sight moves has remained tight and in place.

I asked my buddy, a current LEO and tactical officer and 1911 addict of the first-order, to give his thoughts and observations on the Dan Wesson Patriot Stainless Expert:

Here they are:

1. Fit and finish looks very good and I especially like the radiused edge on the rear of the thumb safety. (He shoots "high-thumb.")

2. The slide release was also radiused well, but my first impression was that by radiusing the outside of the thumb pad it would provide less purchase during speed reloads. This was later determined NOT to be a problem. He had no problems at all with speed reloads w/slide locked back during the change, releasing the slide and making the shots.

3. The contour of the grip safety and undercut triggerguard allowed the hand to sit high on the gun and was comfortable.

4. The trigger was about what's expected on the newer age of production guns in this price range.

5. The big dot on the front sight was easy to pick up, but for ME it was hard to regulate a height relationship with the rear sight. If the dot were smaller I could pick out the top of the front sight or if a dot or dots were added to the rear, it would be easier to use for ME.

6. The gun appeared to be a reliable and effective carry piece for those wanting an accurate pistol w/adj sights. A fine firearm.

I normally shoot and prefer plain black-on-black sights, but my shooting is primarily shooting for groups. My buddy religiously uses night sights which are a form of "dots" on the sighting system. The single dot on the front sight did cause him problems and me little concern! That truly surprised me. I was able to find the top of the front sight easier, but then my times were not so quick at his, either!

In short, the pistol "done good."