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What Others Say About D&L Sports™, Inc. |
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Dave,
Conservatively, we put over 6000 rounds through your AR-15 extreme duty magazine in temperatures from 28° - 98°, and in 60 mph desert winds. Absolutely zero problems. Excellent! |
| Pat Rogers |
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| Thanks to Dave Lauck. Dave is a master gunsmith and police officer. I used his extreme duty AR-15 magazines to win 2nd place in the National Patrol Rifle Championships. Absolutely best quality with true anti-tip followers. Much recommended. |
| Chief of Police |
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D&L Custom Carbine:
From Dave Lauck, a true pioneer of custom rifles comes this AR system that is a sight to behold. Dave individually handcrafts each of these rifles himself. There are no apprentices or even journeyman gun cranks turning wrenches in his shop, only the master craftsman himself. This gun is not a fragile, finicky, competition piece build with frail parts. If a part fails in competition, you might lose a match. Failure is not an option when lives are on the line. That's what this gun is built for -- business. This is a rifle any cop would be proud to own. It's a precision instrument with the constitution of a sledgehammer. The balance is exceptional and it delivers sniper rifle accuracy with a first-man-through-the-door attitude. |
| American Cop Magazine |
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RE: Dave Lauck
It has been my pleasure to know Dave Lauck for the past 5 years. In that time frame, I was a Range Officer at the International Tactical Rifleman's Championship for 1 year. I was a competitor for 3 years. I have taken 2 training courses instructed by Dave Lauck and have purchased 3 firearms that Dave made for me. With regards to the quality of the firearms, I believe they are second to none, and I have several firearms from other high-end custom manufacturers. With regards to the training, as a former member of the Military and a graduate of other training courses such as the Gunsite 250 Handgun Course, I can say that his training is topnotch. A student who does not have their educational objectives met just isn't putting in the effort. With regards to the match management, the International Tactical Rifleman's Championship is one of the few matches that I consider a must shoot match. It is one of the funnest and best run matches I have competed in, and is thoroughly challenging. In all of my dealings with Dave Lauck, he has been thoroughly professional, tremendously knowledgeable. His reliability and promptness have been extraordinary, including one-day turn around on a broken firearm in order to get it ready for a match. This, even though it was not one of the firearms that Dave had made for me. I recommend Dave without reservations for gunsmithing, training, and match management, reliability enhancement and innovation.
Sincerely, |
| J.D. M.D. |
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RE: Dave Lauck
Dave Lauck has my highest respect; he is a professional in every sense of the word. Whatever Dave sets out to accomplish he finishes the task with flying colors and does a better job than could ever be imagined. I have watched over the years as Dave has solved complex problems with simple and down to Earth solutions. Many times I have seen folks stand in the wings and say there is no solution but Dave gets out there and simply goes to work on the problem; in no time at all he will have it figured out. When Dave conducts a training class or competition you can be sure it will be handled in a well thought out and professional manner. His ITRC competition was designed to test real world skills against well thought out and realistic targets. He has made it challenging but at the same time he has planned for any safety related incidents that could arise due to the nature of the business. When entering any training or competition held by Dave I can be assured that I will learn much about myself and continue to pickup new life saving skills that will be applicable in the real world. His abililty to think outside the box has allowed Dave to create firearms that can best be described as rugged beauty meets incredible accuracy. I cannot emphasize enough how accurate my MR30-PG rifle is - it is one of Dave's outside the box creations. It was built in a very timely manner and I have shot groups with it that are uncanny, especially for a magnum caliber. Most of all I would consider Dave's no-nonsense, honest attitude and ability to communicate his ideas to others his strongest attributes. He has been able to explain many concepts to me over the telephone, not an easy thing to do without a pie chart or graph or holding the device in my hands. If I have a problem with anything firearms related I can be assured that if I call Dave he will have a simple solution and most likely it is already sitting on his shelf. Dave receives my highest recommendation, he is in the truest sense a person who has "been there and done that" but he doesn't have to tell folks about it.
Sincerely, |
| T.V. |
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Gun Test: D&L Service Model 1911
Super reliable and super accurate, a 1911 that is no nonsense. This 1911 is precisely fitted together for the finest accuracy, first time and every time. The barrel bushing was precisely fitted to the slide, and the muzzle had a protected 11 degree crown. The pistol had a major carry bevel treatment with no resemblance of any sharp corners whatever. One could describe it as the last word in melting or carry bevel treatments. The pistol had 1800 rounds through it and had never been cleaned, but merely lubricated every 500 rounds. We fired about 200 more rounds. There was no trouble hitting 12" steel plates at 75 yards with a two hand hold. There were no manlfuctions of any kind, and the trigger pull was very good. Hand held 5 shot group accuracy at 25 yards was 1.3" with 230 grain FMJ Ball ammo. |
| Custom Combat Handguns Magazine |
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RE: Dave Lauck / DLSATA / ITRC
I would like to highly recommend Dave Lauck and his S.A.T.A training facility. I have 19 years experience with military sniper operations; 13 of which are with 5th Special Forces Group. I have graduated four different military sniper schools and numerous civilian shooting courses. During the summer of 2005, myself and three other Green Berets stayed at Dave's S.A.T.A., attended his Precision Rifleman Course, and competed in the I.T.R.C. The I.T.R.C. is called "The Proving Ground" for a reason. It was an excellent match that tested both shooter and equipment. It provided a great opportunity for my snipers to test their skills just prior to deploying to Iraq. I can not do the I.T.R.C. justice by just writing here; you'll have to watch Dave's videos and read the write-ups on his website. Just understand that no matter how good it looks on the screen, it will not compare to what you will get out of it in person. It was easily the best competition that I have ever had the honor of being in. I highly recommend attending the I.T.R.C. Often in Special Operations, we have a hard time finding good facilities to train at. Dave's S.A.T.A. checks the block for every aspect of SOF sniper training. First is the 1-Mile Known Distance Range. Most military bases only offer a 900 meter KD range to gather ballistic data on guns. This sells Snipers short for using the 300Win Mags, 338Laps, or 50 Cals. Most of our Global War on Terrorism is being fought in terrain that lends itself to extreme-range shots in high winds. Dave's compound provides this and more. Besides his Shoot House and Flat-Range, there are several Unknown-Distance courses of fire that are very challenging. We are talking about multiple kilometer movements filled with literally hundreds of steel targets. These ranged from Pistol out to 50 meters and Carbine/Rifle out to well past the limits of the shooter. On some runs we ran out of ammo before we did targets. Very fun with a great learning curve. The S.A.T.A. has several cabins to house teams, along with a secure ammo/weapon holding area. When we ran out of ammo, Dave special-ordered the exact match ammo we needed. Over night, we were back ready to continue training. The nearest town, Gillette, has a Wal-Mart, airport, and all the food groups. S.A.T.A. even has fields large enough to HALO into. As far as instruction; I consider Dave Lauck the foremost authority on the 1911 pistol. One thing that I have learned throughout my military career, is that you never know everything. Most military sniper schools teach the same techniques with the same point of view. Dave Lauck has a different view of Long-Range Shooting, which was a fresh change from the same old military view. They are extra tools added to your bag of tricks. Facilities and instruction were top notch. Maintenance problems are not an issue, as Dave is a Master Gunsmith. He gladly repaired all weapon problems we had and also helped with ways to prevent future malfunctions. His shop turns out some of the best pistols and rifles available today. The S.A.T.A. is an awesome place to re-sharpen skills; but if you think you're good, you've got to try the I.T.R.C. Proving Grounds. |
| MSG 5th Special Forces Group |
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D&L's Service Model for the Sandbox;
10,000 Round Torture Test!
John M. Browning's Model 1911 pistol and its variants have served the American soldier, citizen, and civilian armed professional with distinction for nearly a century. Thanks to the pistol's excellent terminal ballistics, handiness and reliability, it remains one of the best tools in our tactical toolbox today. Since the birth of modern pistol craft following World War II, we've seen a rapid evolution of tactical doctrine, gunsmithing, aftermarket accessories, and production models based upon the 1911. After half a century of impressive innovation, is it still possible to bring something new to the table for the armed professional? You bet. D&L's new Service Model pistol introduces a number of patent-pending innovations that make this 1911 variant a compelling choice for the armed professional serving in the Sandbox, as well as anyone else who would be served well by an outstanding pistol chambered in .45 ACP. The proverbial frosting on the cake is that most shooters will be able to afford this pistol. The Service Model is part of Dave Lauck's new Signature Series of pistols and tactical carbines based upon D&L's own frames and receivers. The feature-rich Service Model is about half the price of the Professional Model, making it affordable by the average Joe. In fact, D&L's Service Model costs about what I paid for my custom carry gun 14 years ago. Lauck earns bonus points for the simple, business-like name for a pistol designed for the worst conditions an armed professional might face. This is not a pistol with a dandified or sword-and-sorcery name, festooned with lots of flashy gewgaws designed to attract the newbie. While the uninitiated might view D&L's Service Model as just another Model 1911, the seasoned observer will find compelling technological innovation. Based upon D&L's own matched frame and slide designed to provide an appropriate blending of reliability and accuracy for the armed professional, the pistol incorporates a host of useful features useful such as high visibility, snag-free low-profile sights, bar-dot tritium night sight inserts, fitted beavertail grip safety with speed bump, integral frame rail for accessories such as tac lights, and radiused primary corners and edges that maximize handling comfort. See the accompanying table for a complete list of features. The particular pistol I used for this study was built specifically for a soldier in the Sandbox. It incorporates several noteworthy options. The pistol is specifically chambered, throated, tuned for ball ammunition, which is mandated for military combat by the Hague Accords of 1899. But the big story is Dave Lauck's incorporation of sand cuts in the barrel, frame and slide that keep the pistol operational in extremely sandy or muddy conditions. I cannot overstate how much I like these sand cuts. While we all recognize the need to keep our weapons clean and properly lubricated, this isn't always possible in the real world. The Sandbox is a particularly harsh environment for firearms. Weapon reliability is paramount in the tactical environment. Accuracy, handiness, and other performance characteristics are irrelevant if a weapon does not function at crunch time. Sand is a greater threat to pistol reliability than mud because of mud's ultra-small grain size, more rounded grain shape, and the lubricity provided by its water content. The 1911 tends to be reasonably tolerant of mud, which is typically expelled from the slide and frame rail interface during the action cycle. Sand's greater particle size and angularity can increase wear significantly. Sand is also harder to expel, so it tends to accumulate. More important during tactical operations, sand can slow or stop slide function. A good way to reduce the wear from abrasive lapping of components is to treat the pistol with hard chrome. Chrome comes standard on the Service Model. The chrome is then coated with a highly durable OD green polymer finish. A good way to improve the pistol's reliability is to structurally change the system to better cope with grit and grime. Lauck developed two complementary solutions to cope with gritty gunk in the frame/rail and barrel hood areas. The barrel hood seems to be a primary location for the accumulation of sand or mud when the pistol is fired or the slide is racked manually. This is a common problem area because there just isn't much space available between the barrel and hood for the accumulation of sand or mud. Lauck machines flutes on the outside of the barrel hood and recesses inside the slide that are designed to collect grit that could otherwise inhibit reliability. The slide rails also tend to accumulate grit and grime, causing the same sort of problems described for the barrel hood area of the pistol. Lauck machines channels in the slide rails and frame to mitigate this problem. These recesses accumulate grit from the rails that would otherwise increase friction between the sliding contact surfaces. This, in turn, provides smoother and more reliable function, and generates much less wear from abrasive contaminants. I'd heartily recommend both of these options to the armed professional and to the private citizen who carries the pistol afield. Another area affected by grit and grime is the firing mechanism. Trigger and striker function seem to be the first areas affected by extreme fouling from mud or sand. Gunk can impede or even block trigger movement. Lauck mitigates this problem by providing a tactical trigger for the M1911 that functions like the aforementioned sand cuts by accumulating environmental contaminants that would otherwise generate drag affecting the trigger. Trigger break is crisp with no overtravel. Serrations on the trigger provided an exceptional interface for the trigger finger during rapid action drills, and when the operator is cold, wet or tired. Trigger pull was outstanding despite the fact that the D&L pistol uses Series 80 style trigger components. Many of my contemporaries may find this surprising. Many pundits and gunsmiths have criticized the Series 80 style trigger system as a lawyer-imposed, plumber's nightmare of moving parts that not only produced a disappointing factory trigger, but a trigger that was ill-suited to tuning by a gunsmith. This view is still held by a lot of folks today. D&L's Service Model pistol shoots down that mythology. The reality is that a competent gunsmith or OEM can produce a crisp, user-friendly tactical trigger despite the presence of a Series 80-type firing pin block safety. Boarding ships or conducting an entry can cause some peculiar problems not encountered by the average individual. Here's a real world example. Consider an operator engaging a target from behind cover. When presenting a pistol with John Browning's short guide rod, the operator can catch the bottom of the slide with enough force to eject the chambered round without pushing the slide back far enough to chamber a new cartridge. Such a malfunction can be fatal. A full length guide rod prevents this particular problem. Yet a lot of folks really dislike a long spring guide rod claiming it makes the 1911 slightly more difficult to field strip without a bushing wrench. All it really takes is more operator education and a slightly different disassembly technique, then a pistol with a FLGR can also be easily field stripped without a bushing wrench. The key is in the correct initial pistol set up, then proper training of personnel. Dave Lauck has been training and consulting with special operations personnel to get the armed forces updated to a new level of performance shooting. Field practical weapons maintenance is just one part of a bigger overall performance picture. Others cite several tactical advantages: being able to press check the pistol with the thumb and finger to confirm that a round is chambered; and being able to chamber a round by pushing the lower front of the slide if one hand is out of action. Proponents of the long guide rod point out that a full length rod provides smoother spring compression and extension, which makes cycling smoother. Moreover, the short guide rod stimulates uneven wear of the frame rails, while long guide rod mitigates this problem and can increase the pistol's useful life significantly. Furthermore, a pistol with a long guide rod can still be press checked by grasping the slide with the outside four fingers and hooking the thumb in the trigger guard. This technique can actually be safer as there is less chance of finger slippage, and the operator's finger is away from the muzzle. D&L also designed a barrel hood observation port which allows visual chamber condition inspection, at least in lighted conditions, without even requiring the shooter to move his hands out of a primary firing grip position. This is a very popular option for experienced operators who know what field practical features to look for when selecting a 1911. What's the best guide rod length for you? That is a very personal decision. Dave Lauck will fit his pistols with whichever option you prefer, although he prefers the full length rod. I personally favor a long guide rod as well. So did the client who commissioned D&L to build this pistol for the Sandbox.
The 1911's Achilles Heel
In my experience, the extractor is the Achilles heel of the M1911. Yet extractors don't generate much copy. That's a shame because most mechanical failures of the M1911 that I've seen relate to a damaged or broken extractor. It is worth noting that most of these failures were ultimately caused by operator error. Why? Because extractors are one of the most misunderstood aspects of small arms design. I've watched soldiers, law enforcement officers, practical pistol shooters, and newbies manipulate the M1911 in ways that jeopardize the structural integrity of the gun. This is such a chronic problem that it merits some discussion. One of the most egregious examples of operator error is locking the slide back, dropping a round in the chamber snapping the slide closed, and then inserting a full magazine. We've all witnessed this practice, even by instructors. So what's the problem? A damaged or broken extractor can spawn a number of reliability issues. These problems occur because the Model 1911 and its variants operate by the "controlled feed" method. This means that the extractor captures the cartridge as it slides under the extractor hook after it's released from the magazine's feed lips. The extractor then controls the cartridge for much of the feeding process. Contrary to popular myth, however, the extractor hook does not routinely snap over the cartridge base. Dropping the slide on a chambered round forces the leading edge of the extractor to slam into the rear of the cartridge at high speed. Doing this repeatedly will produce one of two events: force the hook outward out of proper alignment (which can produce a failure to extract); or generate sufficient metal fatigue so the extractor hook breaks off. A bent extractor can also produce stovepipes and other failures to feed. There is a Big Rule here. Always chamber a round from a loaded magazine. Consider the value of having additional insurance. D&L's new Tanto extractor significantly reduces the risk of bending or breaking the extractor hook when a stuck case must be cleared by forcing the extractor hook over the base of the case. The leading edge of Lauck's redesigned extractor hook looks like a Tanto knife blade. The new shape slides more smoothly and reliably over the cartridge base as it snaps into place. Made from heat-treated spring steel, the Tanto extractor will improve both reliability and service life. What's the bottom line of the Tanto extractor? It is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to significantly improve the reliability of the M1911. I can recommend the Tanto extractor with considerable enthusiasm
Shooting Impressions
My goal was to evaluate D&L's Service Model pistol in terms of reliability, handiness (as measured by overall fit to the hand, and the speed of target acquisition), and practical accuracy. I was impressed by the user-friendliness of this pistol. Friendly comportment begins with the yin and yang of its softened edges, versus its moderately aggressive grip strip, tough checkered grips, and serrated trigger that provide a dependable interface between the pistol and the hand. Felt recoil is mitigated by the relatively high hand position provided by the beavertail grip safety, which never precipitated a failure to disengage thanks to its speed bump. I fired D&L's Service Model with 230 grain .45 ACP from Black Hills Ammunition, UMC, Winchester, and Fiocchi. I also fired a hodgepodge of FMJ range leftovers and floor sweepings that I've accumulated over the last 40 years. Some ammunition was cannelured to prevent bullet push back during the somewhat violent feed cycle a semi auto pistol delivers to the ammunition. Bullet push back, all at once or in increments, can cause a pistol to experience a stoppage, so cannelured cartridge cases are a wise investment. It is worth noting that individuals and departments can buy Black Hills ammunition factory direct, if it is not available locally. By the time I'd concluded my evaluation of this pistol, it had digested more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition without a stoppage or malfunction of any kind. My middle-aged Government Model, on the other hand, has experienced at least one stoppage per 500-round case of ammunition over the years. That makes D&L's Service Model at least twenty times more reliable than my Government Model. I've never seen a 1911 deliver this level of reliability. It was safe to say I was impressed. D&L's low-profile sights proved user-friendly during concealed carry, and provided rapid target acquisition and excellent shot placement. I shot the D&L pistol side by side with my unmodified Government Model. Using a PACT timer/chronograph to keep track, D&L's Service Model provided roughly 40 percent faster target acquisition and follow-up shots. It was as handy as any 1911 I've ever used. In terms of accuracy, my unmodified Government Model exhibited an effective range of 80 yards in my hands (measured as an 80 percent hit probability on a Pepper Popper fired from the standing modified-Weaver position). D&L's Service Model delivered an effective range of 10 yards. That's nearly 40 percent better practical accuracy during rapid-action drills. So what's the bottom line on D&L's Service Model pistol? It delivers truly outstanding reliability, which is Job Number 1 for a defensive pistol. It fits the hand very well indeed, and it presents gracefully and securely even with cold or wet hands. The Service Model delivers excellent practical accuracy, good penetration, efficacious terminal ballistics thanks to the .45 ACP cartridge, and fast target acquisition thanks to its superb human engineering. This pistol provides an outstanding blend of accuracy, power, and speed. These are the three cornerstones of effective pistolcraft, which are known by the Latin terms Diligencia, Vis, and Celeritas among pistolcraft cognoscenti. I can recommend D&L's Service Model with enthusiasm. |
| A.P Harris Publications |
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RE: Dave Lauck
I was on a quest to search for the best home defense 1911 money could buy. I was referred to Dave by Mas Ayoob. I received the custom firearm that Dave personally built to my specification. The fit and finish on the weapon was perfect. My initial reliability test received a perfect score when I shot 200 rounds of hardball and 200 rounds of hollow point ammo. Furthermore, the spent cases ejected consistently and solidly to the same location to the right of my pistol. Accuracy was a one-inch group at fifteen yards while shooting from a modified isosceles stance. After examining the targets and disassembled pistol, I must admit that Dave Lauck is a very exceptional gunsmith. Reliability and accuracy are great, but what I liked the most about Dave was his prompt communication and work schedule. Dave was able to respond to all of my emails within the day. Also, I've worked with several other famous custom gunsmiths before in the past and none of them were able to deliver a gun on time. Dave surprised me when he delivered my weapon a week ahead of schedule. Whatever the job might be, I believe that Dave's creativity, passion for perfection, and communication skills would make him a stellar candidate.
Sincerely, |
| L.T.L., CEO, Worldwide |
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Dave,
I just received the D&L signature 1911. Just one word: "WOW!" |
| Satisfied Customer |
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RE: David Lauck
Mr. Lauck has expressed a wondrous compilation of skills mixed with art in his craft. His gunsmithing and weapons systems are incomparable. Dave has an incredible degree of genius and creativity. His skills in creating modern forms of firearms are combined with history and modern technological design. As a former law enforcement professional, I was never concerned when I went on duty because the weapons that I carried were built by Dave. This man also has the ability to communicate. His classroom skills are to the point and oriented to modern tactical problems. There is nothing in his literature and/or his lectures that is wasted. His information can save your life. Without reservation, I can recommend this man as an international consultant, and as a recognized developer in modern firearms and tactical weapons. |
| B.M., D.O. |
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Dave,
Put 150 rds of federal match ball through new .45. Functioned flawlessly, fits great. At 15 yards, 7 rounds in one ragged hole. Worked on 75 yard plate - 8 inches - until I got 8 for 8 hits. Thanks again! Gun looks great. Leather works great. Perfect gear.
Thanks a million. |
| U.S. Attorney |
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| When thinking of firearms experts, keep Dave Lauck in mind. He's as good as it gets. |
| U.S. Attorney |
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| Thanks again for making an obviously outstanding AR-15/M-16 magazine. |
| MGYSGT, USMC |
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Dave,
Just got the 1911, and it looks great! I surely appreciate it. Flawless, awesome work as usual. Thanks again. |
| Iraq Contractor |
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Dave,
No problems with the D&L magazine in my JP rifles, even with the low mass operating system. |
| John Paul / JP Rifles |
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Dave,
We tried out the D&L extreme duty AR-15 magazine today at our Police rifle qualifications. Only one word: FLAWLESS. |
| Police Officer |
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| The ITRC is the brainchild of Dave Lauck, hunter, match winner, law enforcement officer, and consummate gunsmith of precision combat arms. During modern conflicts it is hard to imagine a more appropriate testing ground than the ITRC. The ITRC has been credited as the training event which was the essential ingredient in the successful outcome of live fire fights in Afghanistan. It is no surprise that this match has become very popular among duty personnel from both military and law enforcement, as well as qualified civilians. The ITRC is a fabulous match. |
| SWAT Magazine 2006 |
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Dave,
I have used the D&L extreme duty AR-15 magazine for ammo testing and had flawless reliability. |
Jeff Hoffman
Black Hills Ammo |
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I have had the opportunity to deal with many people within the Firearms Industry during my 58 years. Like myself, I am sure you have had experiences that left you feeling good, bad, or indifferent. My feelings are always based on my sense of the product or training meeting my expectations. Once in a great while I have an experience, which I consider memorable. Those are experiences in which the person I am buying a good or service from, exceeds my expectations of reliability, promptness, professionalism, quality, and trust. I consider my experiences with Mr. Lauck to be in the Memorable category.
Sincerely, |
| AP |
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