Hello Dan Wesson Forum friends

This one six-gun, of many I have been blessed with, has provided me the 'most' in Police Dept. Service Match contest. I will never forget the first match I used this same pictured Model 11 in. This was early 1998, as I had just purchased this DW the past November 1997, and had already experienced some jaw-dropping groups at practice. Once I secured the right round to use (.38 Spl., 158-gr.LRN) I felt pretty confident that first time out. What I wasn't prepared for was the 'reaction' to my Model 11's profile. In 1998 there were still a lot of revolvers being used for duty use, as the semi-auto pistol had not completely replaced the service revolver yet.  My biggest adversary in 98 was the S&W 4586 Pistol along with a few S&W Model 66 .357 Service Revolvers. Those 66's were some darn good revolvers and a formidable adversary in trained hands. That was the back-drop in early 1998, that first Sunday Service Pistol Match that I took my first Dan Wesson to. Most of the shooters then have retired or moved on to other jobs and as time has marched on there has been many who took up the call to compete. There are but three old timers still competing, counting myself. I was using the original walnut finger-groove combat grips that DW put on the first models (he got it right the first time!) and as I walked up to get signed in one of the competing officers spotted my nice looking DW Grips. He requested to get a close look-see and the gig was up. When he pulled my Model 11 out of the holster I noticed his eyes narrowing as he checked it for live rounds present. Several other officers noticed this and walked over for a closer look. Oh boy, none had ever seen a Dan Wesson, except maybe in a gun magazine, but none familiar with the DW at all. "What's that on the end of the barrel, David?" Barrel nut, I said, now gimme that back! It's way to deep for ya'll to understand! Man, I caught some good natured kidding about my 11's profile up unto we got started. Now for me, I had already acclimated myself to its profile and found nothing wrong. Especially after a few practice runs at the firing range by myself. I wish I could say I swept up-the-house that first service pistol match. But I placed high enough (2nd Place B-Class) with a 448 out of a possible 480 with 15-rounds in the X-ring. My DW Model 11, serial number 1131, forged some well-earned respect from some very good shooters that first time out. As the years have passed and the semi-auto pistol transition has completely taken over in law enforcement, save one, I still line up with that Model 11 on those given Sunday afternoons and "sometimes" a 62-year old lawman can get lucky and shoot high enough to 'place' in A or B Class. I do shoot other six-guns, as I am a collector/shooter of old cop six-shooters. But when the chips are down and I need to 'dust' that particular loud mouth rookie with his Glock, I reach for my Dan Wesson Model 11. If I do my part, it will "definitely" do its part, and shut the rook's mouth up. I should retire, but I still enjoy serving and protecting, even at 62. Thank you my friends and sorry for the length here.

David

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