While at the Colt/CZ Media Day at Gunsite Academy, CZ/Dan Wesson announced the release and shipping of the long-awaited DWX as well as other firearms.  I am aware the DWX was announced at 2019 SHOT Show but production was plagued with supply chain issues due to Covid, and all that entails. Yes that whole debacle was a mess and no matter what you think of that SNAFU it affected many of us in all sorts of ways.

The DWX is a bit of a hybrid of the traditional 1911-style pistol and the CZ 75, both proven platforms. The ergonomics are the same at the CZ 75, so much so the stocks are interchangeable. The pistol utilizes the P09/P10 magazines, making additional magazines available and inexpensive. Capacity in 9mm is 19 rounds.

The adjustable rear sight is from the Shadow 2, and the front sight is a standard Dan Wesson front sight.

The trigger functions the same as a 1911 trigger: a sliding trigger with a 1911 hammer and sear. The ambidextrous safety, magazine release, and reversible magazine catch are all similar to the 1911. So if you are familiar with the 1911 pattern pistol or the CZ 75 for that matter you will feel at home with the manual of arms of the DWX. As like all Dan Wesson pistols, there is no MIM parts.

However, the DWX uses a linkless barrel bull barrel, so there is no barrel bushing like the P09. A standard Picatinny Rail is machined into the full-length dust cover. With a MSRP of $2099 I believe that is a lot of gun your are getting for your money.

There were eight to ten examples at the media day, countless thousands of rounds were run through the test guns, and there were no issues throughout the day through scores of shooters. Accuracy was as aspected easily getting hits on twelve-inch steel around twenty-five feet. CZ brought along two pro shooters Jared Fox and Alexis Pena that truly shelled down the corn with the DWX.  I would see this pistol serving well as a carry/defensive gun as well as a stand alone match pistol.

This is a preview of the DWX, and I expect a test sample soon for a more in-depth review.

By Hunter Elliott

I spent much of my youth involved with firearms and felt the call early on to the United States Marine Corps, following in my father's and his brother's footsteps. Just after high school I enlisted and felt most at home on the rifle range, where I qualified expert with several firearms and spent some time as a rifle coach to my fellow Marines. After being honorably discharged I continued teaching firearm safety, rifle and pistol marksmanship, and began teaching metallic cartridge reloading. In the late 1990s I became a life member to the National Rifle Association and worked with the Friends of the NRA. Around that time my father and I became involved with IDPA and competed together up until he passed away. I began reviewing firearms for publications in the mid 2000s and have been fortunate to make many friends in the industry. Continuing to improve my firearms skills and knowledge is a never ending journey in which we should all be committed. I am also credited as weapons master on a few independent films.

One thought on “Dan Wesson DWX, finally shipping.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *