The Dan Wesson Guardian is a compact .45 ACP SAO 1911 built on a forged aluminum frame with a stainless steel slide, black duty finish, fixed Tritium night sights, wood grips, and ambidextrous thumb safety plus grip safety. Barrel is 4.25 inches; overall length 8 inches; weight 28.5 oz. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Dan Wesson 
• Model: Guardian 
• Caliber: .45 ACP 
• Action: SAO (Single Action Only) 
• Capacity: 8+1 rounds 
• Barrel Length: 4.25 inches 
• Overall Length: 8 inches 
• Weight: 28.5 oz (1.78 lbs) 
• Finish: Black Duty Finish with Stainless Steel Slide 
• Grip Material: Wood 
• Sights Configuration: Fixed Tritium Night Sights 
• Safety Features: Ambidextrous Manual Thumb Safety & Grip Safety 
   

Features 

The forged aluminum frame drops weight substantially compared to full-steel 1911s while the stainless steel slide maintains a hard-wearing surface. Fixed Tritium night sights are functional in low light without requiring battery changes. Wood grips offer good hand feel for extended range use. At 28.5 oz, the Guardian is among the lighter .45 ACP 1911s in this barrel-length class. Ambidextrous thumb safety works without adjusting grip.

Owners of the Dan Wesson Guardian .45 ACP consistently mention build quality as a standout. The fit and finish draw favorable comparisons to much pricier 1911s. Feeding and ejection are reported as reliable across various loads. Wood grips get credit for both comfort and aesthetics, and the Tritium sights are well-regarded for defensive use. Price comes up in nearly every discussion: most owners feel the quality justifies it, but the Guardian does sit at the higher end of the compact 1911 market, which gives some buyers pause.