Operation Wideload: PSA Dagger Full-Size "Race" Pistol. I'm kidding about the "Race" descriptor but I did build it to compete in a steel plate shoot once a month. So I want it to be comfortable for my big hands and somewhat accurate and reliable for 150-175 hard rounds during a match.
I also built a VERY low-buck TEMU holster "race rig" for it detailed at another forum "members area" that you will have to join to view. One of my friends there makes kydex holsters so it was to amuse him. PM if you want more info.
This pistol began as a complete "PALMETTO DAGGER FULLSIZE-S" FDE frame bought around the end of June, 2023. After S/H, sales tax, FFL fee I figure I paid about $70 for it. It was bought with other frames so the S/H and FFL fees were less. It could compare to a Glock 19x with G17-sized grip frame that takes G19-sized slides. The Dagger is Gen3-ish with no lanyard loop.
Near the beginning of June, I had bought a complete PSA FDE RMR slide/threaded-barrel/RSA as a package with a Holosun 507C X2 Red Dot Sight (RDS). That was about $450 to my door. The slide came with a cover plate for the optics cut, a thread protector for the barrel and 1/3 RDS co-witness all black steel sights.
I had to warranty return the first FDE slide because the RSA tab was bent. The RSA would just about "fall out" when the slide was removed. You can read about that issue and see more pictures of the old slide HERE.
An issue with the "new" slide (and maybe the old) were the mounting hole threads for the optic that I had to tap slightly deeper. You can read about that issue and see more pictures of the slide HERE.
Otherwise, the replacement slide appears to function well, the internal parts look good, the cerakote is well-matched to the frame and well-applied. The machining is well-done and bore holes and other parts appear to be accurate and smooth. Initial inspection revealed a fairly clean (ie: no grit inside), properly operating slide and parts. The only current issue is I still have to sight in the optic since the holes were tapped and RDS re-mounted.
I swapped the skyscraper front sight with a shorter regular dot steel sight from PSA ($3). I prefer it not be in the way and it helps me pick up the optic red dot if I'm aiming too high. Of note is that the new front dot has a slight reddish tint on one side that doesn't affect function and I'm not worried enough about it to get another.
There is slight finish wear on the hood of the black barrel where it tucks into the slide and slight cerakote wear from the trigger drop safety hump rubbing against it.
I'll update if I find the slide to be less than accurate. The rest of this post will deal with the frame.
PALMETTO DAGGER FULLSIZE-S FDE frame:
First impressions of the frame were positive. It seemed to fit my large hands just about perfectly. And has a nice texture and palm-swell design. But the first trip to the range determined work needed to be done...
Since it was about 95^ with no breeze my hands were sweaty. And gripping the Dagger was like trying to hold onto a wet eel. Stippling/engraving will need to be done. As a temporary measure, I put on a FREE gift rubber sleeve from TEMU. It is a few bucks there but I found an identical grip on zamazom for $12! The last steel match I went to the sleeve worked well although it twisted a little bit by the end of the match. But the sleeve increased the grip circumference hence the "Wide Load" moniker... It is a fat gat!
I also went and smoothed most of the molding seams with a couple jeweler's files and rolls of 120 grit sandpaper. I worked the middle finger groove on the grip down to the level of the other fingers as it was about 1/16" proud to begin with. Doing so smoothed the "texture" in that area not that it was doing anything. I also worked some of the "hot" spots on both sides of the trigger guard with the sandpaper roll. You really couldn't tell by looking but I can certainly feel the difference.
The next issue was the mag release was extremely hard to press. I'll update and add another post with pics of the fix at a later date.
Speaking of mags, the only 17rd Glock mag I have does NOT easily lock into this gun. The base hits the bottom of the mag well. It WILL lock in if I push hard enough but das ist nicht richtig... It is a Gen3 or prior mag (only one release cut out) so I don't know if that is the issue. MagPul 17rd-ers fit fine and I have at least ten of those. I'll update and add another post with pics of the fix at a later date.
I like pistols with extended slide releases, not so much to release the slide but to make it easier to hold it open. The Dagger does not come with an extended release. The stock release is pointy and uncomfortable. So I made one out of a surplus P80 release. I'll update and add another post with pics of the fix at a later date. I spent 20min making a part I could buy for $10...
I added a 3D printed mag well bought off debay. You can read about that modification and see more pictures HERE.
The most recent issue was the firing pin safety "hump" was not in the correct place and rubbing the slide. I'll update and add another post with pics of the fix at a later date. You CAN fix trigger bars and I did...
(to be continued...)
I also built a VERY low-buck TEMU holster "race rig" for it detailed at another forum "members area" that you will have to join to view. One of my friends there makes kydex holsters so it was to amuse him. PM if you want more info.
This pistol began as a complete "PALMETTO DAGGER FULLSIZE-S" FDE frame bought around the end of June, 2023. After S/H, sales tax, FFL fee I figure I paid about $70 for it. It was bought with other frames so the S/H and FFL fees were less. It could compare to a Glock 19x with G17-sized grip frame that takes G19-sized slides. The Dagger is Gen3-ish with no lanyard loop.
Near the beginning of June, I had bought a complete PSA FDE RMR slide/threaded-barrel/RSA as a package with a Holosun 507C X2 Red Dot Sight (RDS). That was about $450 to my door. The slide came with a cover plate for the optics cut, a thread protector for the barrel and 1/3 RDS co-witness all black steel sights.
I had to warranty return the first FDE slide because the RSA tab was bent. The RSA would just about "fall out" when the slide was removed. You can read about that issue and see more pictures of the old slide HERE.
An issue with the "new" slide (and maybe the old) were the mounting hole threads for the optic that I had to tap slightly deeper. You can read about that issue and see more pictures of the slide HERE.
Otherwise, the replacement slide appears to function well, the internal parts look good, the cerakote is well-matched to the frame and well-applied. The machining is well-done and bore holes and other parts appear to be accurate and smooth. Initial inspection revealed a fairly clean (ie: no grit inside), properly operating slide and parts. The only current issue is I still have to sight in the optic since the holes were tapped and RDS re-mounted.
I swapped the skyscraper front sight with a shorter regular dot steel sight from PSA ($3). I prefer it not be in the way and it helps me pick up the optic red dot if I'm aiming too high. Of note is that the new front dot has a slight reddish tint on one side that doesn't affect function and I'm not worried enough about it to get another.
There is slight finish wear on the hood of the black barrel where it tucks into the slide and slight cerakote wear from the trigger drop safety hump rubbing against it.
I'll update if I find the slide to be less than accurate. The rest of this post will deal with the frame.
PALMETTO DAGGER FULLSIZE-S FDE frame:
First impressions of the frame were positive. It seemed to fit my large hands just about perfectly. And has a nice texture and palm-swell design. But the first trip to the range determined work needed to be done...
Since it was about 95^ with no breeze my hands were sweaty. And gripping the Dagger was like trying to hold onto a wet eel. Stippling/engraving will need to be done. As a temporary measure, I put on a FREE gift rubber sleeve from TEMU. It is a few bucks there but I found an identical grip on zamazom for $12! The last steel match I went to the sleeve worked well although it twisted a little bit by the end of the match. But the sleeve increased the grip circumference hence the "Wide Load" moniker... It is a fat gat!
I also went and smoothed most of the molding seams with a couple jeweler's files and rolls of 120 grit sandpaper. I worked the middle finger groove on the grip down to the level of the other fingers as it was about 1/16" proud to begin with. Doing so smoothed the "texture" in that area not that it was doing anything. I also worked some of the "hot" spots on both sides of the trigger guard with the sandpaper roll. You really couldn't tell by looking but I can certainly feel the difference.
The next issue was the mag release was extremely hard to press. I'll update and add another post with pics of the fix at a later date.
Speaking of mags, the only 17rd Glock mag I have does NOT easily lock into this gun. The base hits the bottom of the mag well. It WILL lock in if I push hard enough but das ist nicht richtig... It is a Gen3 or prior mag (only one release cut out) so I don't know if that is the issue. MagPul 17rd-ers fit fine and I have at least ten of those. I'll update and add another post with pics of the fix at a later date.
I like pistols with extended slide releases, not so much to release the slide but to make it easier to hold it open. The Dagger does not come with an extended release. The stock release is pointy and uncomfortable. So I made one out of a surplus P80 release. I'll update and add another post with pics of the fix at a later date. I spent 20min making a part I could buy for $10...
I added a 3D printed mag well bought off debay. You can read about that modification and see more pictures HERE.
The most recent issue was the firing pin safety "hump" was not in the correct place and rubbing the slide. I'll update and add another post with pics of the fix at a later date. You CAN fix trigger bars and I did...
(to be continued...)
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