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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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What does the alphabet soup of DW 1911 models translate to? What I mean is, there seem to be far more models than what is listed on the CZ/DW site. For example, Pointman Marksman, PM1 thru PM9, PTE-? thru PTE-?, Pointman, Pointman Major, Patriot etc. Are the prefix characters the model designation and the number following the dash a series? Is a PM1 older than a PM7? Just trying to decipher the various models. Also, are there any major differences between say a PM-? and a PTE-? if so, like what?
I just picked up a PTE-B in like new condition with a low serial number, don't really know anything about this gun other than its 45 ACP and its a Patriot. It seemed unusual and in great condition at a good price so I grabbed it. So what is this and how is it different than say a PM7 or a Heritage?
Thanks
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Here's a starting place:
https://www.danwessonforum.com/archive/models-2/1911-pistols/
So my PM-1S is a Pointman Major Stainless
PTE-B is a Patriot with adjustable rear sight in a blued finish. Admittedly, it gets more complicated because some Patriots seem to be Bobtailed and some not, but nothing about DW is an exact science
Heritage is a much newer model just in the past few years, and the Pointman 7 is an older model. Possibly there are many more PM7's out there than any other DW 1911 model.
Shameless plug, if you can ever get your hands on a PM-1S/B, just do it. You won't regret it.
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
Dans Club
October 17, 2008
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Hey Scorpio,
Go to the 1911Forum.com, the Dan Wesson group has a sticky for the 1911 models.
Lots of info there and the place to go for your DW 1911.
Dan Fan
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January 24, 2009
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Scorpio, you left out the PMA-B. PointMan Aussie Blued.
To me, the various unique names that have been given to the various DW 1911's is pretty cool, and makes them more interesting than some of the lame names (or worse, numbers) the competition assigns their guns. From what I've noticed, the differences between any of the models isn't much (fixed sights/adj. sights, bobbed/non-bobbed, etc), but with each slight change, they get to think up another cool name.
Or at least they did in the pre-CZ days, lately they seem to have not been so inventive with new names.
Like mine, for example. The only thing that makes mine an "Aussie" is the unique etching on the slide, otherwise it's a plain 'ol blued PointMan.
I have no idea what the difference is between a PM1 & a PM7. It could be various calibers, or slight outward design variations, one of us may have to contact DW to get the lowdown on that question.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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PM-1 is a Major, built specifically for IDPA Major Competition. Major refers to the "Power Factor" of the cartridge/load used, which needed to meet a required standard for bullet weight and velocity to be "Major" or "Minor".
Any well made handgun could qualify for Major in terms of strength or durability, the big difference in Major/Minor in 1911's had to do with spring weights to cycle ammunition that had to produce specified fps/ftlbs.
Major meant that you were shooting loads that ran with the Big Dogs, not limp wrist sissy wad cutter loads (sorry for the editorial comments there)
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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Thanks Steve, I've always wondered about that Major designation. What is the Aussie designation? Australia? Also, on the Patriot I have PTE-B the E stands for Expert. Expert what? and the B for blued, I get that one. This 1911 stuff is almost as much fun as the Dan Wesson serial number decoding. I can't wait to shoot this gun, Pre CZ, YG003XX serial number. Came with all the factory stuff, DW hard case, manual, wrench, spent shell, paper target, a letter from Bob Serva and the original sales reciept with price and date. Interestingly the gun sold for $800 in 2002. It looks alot like the gun in your sig. pic including the grips. I've got to get some mags, only came with one Chip McCormick, I think I have a few Checkmates around somewhere. I'll post a pic soon as I get a chance.
Thanks for the help guys.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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E=Expert=Adjustable rear sight
I'd sure like to add that S/N to the registry, could you use the link on the right sidebar?
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
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January 24, 2009
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SCORPIO said
What is the Aussie designation? Australia?
Yep, Australia. When I brought my gun home, Steve found a good link that explained the "Brothers in Battle" etching symbol pretty well.
https://www.danwessonforum.com/forum/1911-pistols/my-first-dw-1911/
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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I was planning on adding that serial number to the list Steve, just didn't get to it yet, this weekend for sure.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
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