About three months and some 500 rounds ago I received the new Dan Wesson TCP, and I believe I have this pistol figured out. The Tactical Commander Pistol is a new spin on a proven platform. Though not a true four and a quarter, Commander the TCP is a four-inch top end with a full size receiver. With the shorter stainless steel slide it is a bit easier to conceal, but in keeping with the full size receiver ergonomics and capacity are not sacrificed.

Initial Impressions  

The thumb safety is serrated and extended, K style flat trigger broke cleanly at four pounds with just a little take up and minimal overtravel; magazine catch and slide stop are correctly serrated, and a 1913 Picatinny Rail is machined into the forged aluminum receiver.

The upswept grip safety incorporates a palm swell, G10 stock taper slightly toward the top,  incorporated magazine well helps funnel fresh magazines. Bear in mind when running a pistol with a magazine well you want to use magazines with the extended base pads to ensure proper seating.

Skeletonized speed hammer cuts down on lock time just a bit, rear U notch sight is adjustable for windage, measures .156” for quick sight picture, and is serrated on the face to eliminate glare. A similar serrated rail runs between the rear and front sights to also eliminate glare.

Dovetailed front sight wears a brass bead that contrasts against the sight and targets for a clean sight picture.

Slanted rear cocking serrations are deep enough to get a firm grip on the slide without hanging up on a holster.

Upon close inspection after the review, other than being a bit dirty, all the innards look just fine. Though 500 rounds is not a lot of rounds downrange to measure wear if something was bad wrong wear or breakage would show up.

The best group of the day was with the Sig Sauer 147gr V-Crown at an inch and a half.

3 shot groups at 25 yards from a rest.

Conclusions 

The Tactical Commander Pistol is a fine example of Dan Wesson expanding it’s stable to new and different pistols in order to give us viable options for defensive firearms. We ran about 500 rounds of ball and defensive ammunition through this pistol without nary a malfunction. Accuracy averaged two inches at twenty five yards from a rest, which in my opinion, is more than adequate for a defensive sidearm and about as good as I can shoot. It is no secret the 1911 style handguns are an excellent choice for a carry gun as the conceal well, point and shoot well due to the ergonomics and, have excellent triggers. Adding the machined-in rail in the dust cover will allow you to run lights and such without affecting the size of the pistol greatly. Adding enough features to the pistol to make it more user friendly without overdoing it is the line to toe and I believe we are there with the TCP. I am satisfied with Dan Wesson’s new addition for reliability and accuracy, so if you are in the market for a new defensive sidearm the TCP deserves more than a passing glance.

Specifications 

Caliber: 9mm also available in .45 Auto
Magazine Capacity: 10, 8 in .45 Auto
Frame Material: Forged Aluminum
Slide Finish: Duty Finish
Stocks: G10
Overall Length: 7.64 in
Barrel Length: 4″
Height: 5.6 in
Width: 1.25 in
Weight: 32 oz
Trigger Mech: Single Action
Front Sight: Brass front
Rear Sight: U Notch
Safety: Manual thumb safety, grip safety
MSRP: $1,700
Acknowledgments 

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.

10 thoughts on “Dan Wesson TCP Loyal Sidekick.”
  1. Again a nice well written review. Looks like a very nice firearm. $1700 for something you’re going to lug around everyday? I’d rather spend less for those purposes.

  2. I like my 1911’s in a full size but this thing just looks AWESOME!
    Solid review man. Suns out Guns out!

  3. saw your video- great review. One Question, in some scenes , especially when looking at the hammer, it appears to be some finish wear on the frame just below the slide, adjacent to the grip safety on the back. Is it wear or is oil residue & lighting? Same when looking at the bore and what appears to be wear by the recoil plug. Am very interested in the TCP- have a Specialist Commander in 45 and am very impressed. Thanks

  4. Nice review as usual!

    Great looking pistol! My biggest problem is the rail. I just can’t bring myself to buy all new holsters, just to have the ability to MAYBE mount an attachment…

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