[Pablomigraine]

So as some of you know, I've been just GUSHING about my new Dan Wessons; a Valor V-Bob & Specialist Commander, both in stainless.

Specifically related to the Specialist Commander, I had been looking around for someone to do some upgrades, and I have a quote from Dan Wesson custom shop not only to do the work cheaper than anyone else, but they also gave me a price on an entirely new custom pistol with all my requested upgrades which makes it a toss-up between selling my current Specialist and buying the new one or upgrading the one I have.

The primary difference would be getting an all new pistol with the "Custom" rollmark, and the effort and wait times involved.

Anyone faced a similar dillema? Anyone have any experiences with aftersale upgrades they care to share?

The upgrades or custom options in question would be:
- Duty Coat entire pistol incl. barrel and bushing
- Fit a second, Threaded Barrel
- Front Cocking Serrations
- Mill slide to accept Trijicon RMR adaptor and Suppressor Sight
- Install new Trijicon parts and sights

Let me know what you think..... and of course, post pictures of your Dan Wesson Custom Shop pistols or modifications and share your experiences!

Bonus for posting pics of Dan Wessons wearing RMR's / RDS's!!

 

[ZoidMeister]

Yes to both. It's good to have options . . .

 

[Whiten]

I would sell what you have and get a new pistol the way you want it.

 

[cwoods]

Sounds sweet. I'd opt for a naked slide.

 

[Jon C.]

I say don’t do it. If your already thinking about selling it then there’s a good chance you will. Why wait all the time it will take to get it only to off load it one day.

 

[Dwe]

I have 3 custom builds from DW and I have been very happy with the appearance,
accuracy and reliability of all three.
Here is the thing, if you order a custom gun,

you have a better chance of a discount with a dealer.​

If you order it straight from Keith at DW you will pay straight retail for the gun.

I would definitely choose Duty Treat. It is almost bullet proof. If you
use Kroil as a cleaner and a good oil based lube you will be very pleased.
Folks who have made the mistake using solvent based cleaner degreasers like
Gunscrubber, or break cleaner more than likely ruined the finish.
The same goes for any Nitride, or Melonite type of Nitro Carbonizing finish.

Lastly, if you have a gun built, make sure you get it done with all the goodies
you really want, before it is finished in Duty treat. I hear the process makes it
difficult to machine once Duty treat is applied.

Whatever you choose to do I'm sure you will be happy.
Me.... I'm keeping the Specialist and ordering a new build.

Here are my three custom builds.​

Custom Vbob in 10mm

Custom Silverback in 10mm

Custom Vbob in 9mm/38 Super

 

[Pablomigraine]

I have 3 custom builds from DW and I have been very happy with the appearance,
accuracy and reliability of all three.
Here is the thing, if you order a custom gun,

you have a better chance of a discount with a dealer.​

If you order it straight from Keith at DW you will pay straight retail for the gun.

I would definitely choose Duty Treat. It is almost bullet proof. If you
use Kroil as a cleaner and a good oil based lube you will be very pleased.
Folks who have made the mistake using solvent based cleaner degreasers like
Gunscrubber, or break cleaner more than likely ruined the finish.
The same goes for any Nitride, or Melonite type of Nitro Carbonizing finish.

Lastly, if you have a gun built, make sure you get it done with all the goodies
you really want, before it is finished in Duty treat. I hear the process makes it
difficult to machine once Duty treat is applied.

Whatever you choose to do I'm sure you will be happy.
Me.... I'm keeping the Specialist and ordering a new build.

Here are my three custom builds.​

Custom Vbob in 10mm

Custom Silverback in 10mm

Custom Vbob in 9mm/38 Super

Thanks very much for this input man! I've decided on a third, even more expensive and irresponsible option: First - I'm keeping my present Specialist Commander as-is, and will fill the role of "Nightstand Gun" ... where a light rail is a must. Second - I am ordering the custom Specialist Commander new from Dan Wesson...

My Valor V-Bob will remain and, as long as I can keep training hard with it and ignore my feelings of guilt and discomfort over abandoning my long-used EDC SIG P320's, will become my primary EDC.

Final Build Spec for the new DW Specialist CMDR:

• Duty Coat entire pistol incl barrel and small parts
• Slide Milled & Trijicon RMR & Adapter Plate installed
• Trijicon Suppressor-Height Sights installed
• Regular and Threaded Barrels hand-fitted
• Front Serrations
• RMR Slide Cut Adapter plate cover
• Custom Engraving

So, I've heard twice now that I should NOT order this direct from Keith. I have an FFL friend who will order literally anything for me for $50.... the Price Keith gave me seemed SUPER reasonable, but if I can save the customary 20% on this whole deal presuming a normal retail markup is involved...Obviously I wanna do that. In your experience Keith will not offer the better price unless ordered through an FFL?

 

[Dwe]

Thanks very much for this input man! I've decided on a third, even more expensive and irresponsible option: First - I'm keeping my present Specialist Commander as-is, and will fill the role of "Nightstand Gun" ... where a light rail is a must. Second - I am ordering the custom Specialist Commander new from Dan Wesson...

My Valor V-Bob will remain and, as long as I can keep training hard with it and ignore my feelings of guilt and discomfort over abandoning my long-used EDC SIG P320's, will become my primary EDC.

Final Build Spec for the new DW Specialist CMDR:

• Duty Coat entire pistol incl barrel and small parts
• Slide Milled & Trijicon RMR & Adapter Plate installed
• Trijicon Suppressor-Height Sights installed
• Regular and Threaded Barrels hand-fitted
• Front Serrations
• RMR Slide Cut Adapter plate cover
• Custom Engraving

So, I've heard twice now that I should NOT order this direct from Keith. I have an FFL friend who will order literally anything for me for $50.... the Price Keith gave me seemed SUPER reasonable, but if I can save the customary 20% on this whole deal presuming a normal retail markup is involved...Obviously I wanna do that. In your experience Keith will not offer the better price unless ordered through an FFL?

Not all dealers are the same. Keith has always been firm with his price to me.
Keith may sell to your FFL at wholesale pricing, He may not.
This can be a dangerous game.
If he recognizes that the order that your dealer is inquiring about is identical to the quote he gave you, he may call b.s. and refuse you both. So in the end it may be safer to go with Keith from the get go. If however, there is a difference in price favoring you then this is a no brainer... You take the deal.
If however your dealer can't beat the price Keith gave you, then my all means go with Keith. He is a good guy.
Here is another point to ponder. Get your order in while you can. Keith and co have this nasty habit of cutting off custom orders when your not looking to
prepare for the next years offering or to clean up his back log.
So if he is open to custom orders... you best get yours in.
Good luck....

Kenny

 

[Pablomigraine]

Not all dealers are the same. Keith has always been firm with his price to me.
Keith may sell to your FFL at wholesale pricing, He may not.
This can be a dangerous game.
If he recognizes that the order that your dealer is inquiring about is identical to the quote he gave you, he may call b.s. and refuse you both. So in the end it may be safer to go with Keith from the get go. If however, there is a difference in price favoring you then this is a no brainer... You take the deal.
If however your dealer can't beat the price Keith gave you, then my all means go with Keith. He is a good guy.
Here is another point to ponder. Get your order in while you can. Keith and co have this nasty habit of cutting off custom orders when your not looking to
prepare for the next years offering or to clean up his back log.
So if he is open to custom orders... you best get yours in.
Good luck....

Kenny

Kenny,

Again, your input is much appreciated! Sounds kind of capricious... If I can save $400 - $500 on a pistol by going through a Dealer I want to try and do that, but not at the risk of being denied the entire deal... which would seem extremely bad business, as he'd be saying no to either an existing customer or a preferred dealer one way or the other, solely in the name of maximizing profit on a single pistol. However, I guess I'm not really prepared to take the risk, I've put a lot of thought into what exactly I want and he seems enthusiastic to build it, so I guess I'll go direct. Seems a shame, as I will have to have it sent to that same FFL to begin with.

 

[Pablomigraine]

Not all dealers are the same. Keith has always been firm with his price to me.
Keith may sell to your FFL at wholesale pricing, He may not.
This can be a dangerous game.
If he recognizes that the order that your dealer is inquiring about is identical to the quote he gave you, he may call b.s. and refuse you both. So in the end it may be safer to go with Keith from the get go. If however, there is a difference in price favoring you then this is a no brainer... You take the deal.
If however your dealer can't beat the price Keith gave you, then my all means go with Keith. He is a good guy.
Here is another point to ponder. Get your order in while you can. Keith and co have this nasty habit of cutting off custom orders when your not looking to
prepare for the next years offering or to clean up his back log.
So if he is open to custom orders... you best get yours in.
Good luck....

Kenny

Kenny,

Again, your input is much appreciated! Sounds kind of capricious... If I can save $400 - $500 on a pistol by going through a Dealer I want to try and do that, but not at the risk of being denied the entire deal... which would seem extremely bad business, as he'd be saying no to either an existing customer or a preferred dealer one way or the other, solely in the name of maximizing profit on a single pistol. However, I guess I'm not really prepared to take the risk, I've put a lot of thought into what exactly I want and he seems enthusiastic to build it, so I guess I'll go direct. Seems a shame, as I will have to have it sent to that same FFL to begin with.

 

[Dwe]

Kenny,

Again, your input is much appreciated! Sounds kind of capricious... If I can save $400 - $500 on a pistol by going through a Dealer I want to try and do that, but not at the risk of being denied the entire deal... which would seem extremely bad business, as he'd be saying no to either an existing customer or a preferred dealer one way or the other, solely in the name of maximizing profit on a single pistol. However, I guess I'm not really prepared to take the risk, I've put a lot of thought into what exactly I want and he seems enthusiastic to build it, so I guess I'll go direct. Seems a shame, as I will have to have it sent to that same FFL to begin with.

I'm not saying that would happen. Keith just doesn't seem like that kind of guy.
I have done two custom orders and both have turned out just the way I wanted.
So when I decide to order again I'm calling Keith. He's good folk.

Your pistol sounds cool. Have you thought about a flush cut muzzle with a reverse crown? Now is also the time to ask for sights, WC Bullet proof slide stops and thumb safety, extra extractors, stuff like that.

 

[gun_fan111]

Interesting conversation. I was not aware DW now takes custom orders from dealers, I thought it was a direct sale at MSRP option only. Let us know how that goes OP.

 

[Babboonbobo]

Keep them and buy a new one.

 

[Badabing11]

Kenny,

Again, your input is much appreciated! Sounds kind of capricious... If I can save $400 - $500 on a pistol by going through a Dealer I want to try and do that, but not at the risk of being denied the entire deal... which would seem extremely bad business, as he'd be saying no to either an existing customer or a preferred dealer one way or the other, solely in the name of maximizing profit on a single pistol. However, I guess I'm not really prepared to take the risk, I've put a lot of thought into what exactly I want and he seems enthusiastic to build it, so I guess I'll go direct. Seems a shame, as I will have to have it sent to that same FFL to begin with.

I seriously doubt you’ll be denied the build . I went through the same thing when I bought my first Volkmann. Luke had a deal with retailers where they could discount his guns, but direct orders through him were at full retail. I am not sure why unless it was to give dealers incentive to sell his guns.

Both he and George from Michigan Gunslingers knew I was talking to both of them . I ended up going with George for the 10% discount. Any reasonable businessman would understand and expect a customer to shop for the best price.

Going through Keith might ratchet up the priority of your build so you can get it faster. Plus , going direct eliminates any middle man complications that may arise now or in the future..

Btw, the customary mark down I’ve seen is closer to 10-12% than it is 20%. Ymmv