The Dan Wesson Enhanced Commander Pistol (ECP) in .45 ACP is probably very close to what I would design as my ultimate carry 1911. It’s built on an aluminum frame, so its unloaded weight is just 29 ounces. It feels good in the hand and carries like a dream. It also features a bushing-less, stainless steel, 4-inch bull barrel with a supported chamber. That’s a good selection considering the alloy frame. There’s a full-length recoil spring guide rod, and a flat recoil spring is used.
The stainless steel slide is a tri-top design where the top has been flattened and then serrated to reduce glare. The slide also has a tough, corrosion-resistant finish, and the front is beveled for easy reholstering. The unique slide contours give the ECP an interesting and cosmetically appealing profile.
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As to the frame, the frontstrap has 25-lpi checkering, and Dan Wesson installs a high-swept beavertail grip safety as well as an extended, single-sided thumb safety. For concealed carry, the frame is also “bobtailed,” and the G10 grip panels provide a comfortable feel.
The flat-faced trigger on out test pistol had a crisp 4-pound pull with zero overtravel and a firm reset. It tracked back and forth without any vertical or horizontal play. The sights consist of a stout, one-piece rear sight with a wide and deep U-notch, and the front sight—dovetailed into the slide—has a brass bead for quick acquisitions.
Despite the short sight radius and bushing-less design, the ECP sacrifices nothing in the accuracy department. With the Aguila, Black Hills and Hornady ammo, my best five-shot groups came in at 0.98, 0.77 and 1.15 inches, respectively, for an average of 0.97 inches at 25 yards. With an MSRP of $1,600, the Dan Wesson ECP is the epitome of a custom production gun, and in my opinion, it’s worth every dime.
