Dan Wesson 1911s are interestingly priced compared to other production guns and semi custom guns, and seem to be of a higher quality. However you don't see just a ton about them review wise or mainstream use wise.
The DW Specialist looks like a good option, but you can get a TRP for less I believe.
What are your thoughts and experiences with the brand?
Make sure you shoot both. I really really like how the Valor is put together, but found myself surprised by how much I didn't get along with the curve of the Dan Wesson's beavertail, rather happier with the Springfield. Had no idea until I actually fired the guns, holding didn't inform me of this.
6 of one half dozen of another. Slide to frame fit and barrel fit seem tighter on the Dan Wesson in my opinion.
Dan Wesson uses more machined steel parts in their guns than Springfield who uses cast or MIM parts.
Fit and finish is also nicer on the Dan Wesson. Both of them have been proven reliable if that is what you are looking for.
-Seconds Count. Misses Don't-
I carry their CCO every day, more or less. The thumb safety needed radiused at the axle and the included Checkmate mags didn't run. Once they went over the berm the gun has been completely reliable. Excellent trigger. Very well executed pistol for the money.
Ignore Alien Orders
I absolutely love my Valor and the Specialist is a damn fine 1911. Between that and the TRP I would go with DW every day. The fit and finish and parts quality is extremely nice for the money, even after they raised their prices (appropriately).
Depending on what features your looking for, you can also get a MC Operator for considerably less. Price difference can be used towards training, ammo, better sights, etc...Originally Posted by TheNewbie
FWIW: I never liked the way the rail was done on the specialist... how it has that cutout where it meets the slide.
Thanks for al the replies.
I am actually getting a second job to have a little more money coming in just because I have the free time. Figured there was no more wise an investment than an expensive 1911......kidding of course.
The 1911 platform is new to me, and I actually took a 1 on 1 training course with Randy Dehay from Craft International (who is an amazing instructor). In the course I decided to use my Ruger SR1911, and it actually performed very well and the platform worked great for me.
Now I am trying to decide if I want to send the Ruger off for custom work or just go ahead and get something like the DW, TRP, or as DGI said the MC Operator.
As someone with a Dan Wesson planning to buy a SA TRP down the road.
I'd vote TRP.
Just my .02$
There's a lot of bogus warranty stipulations for a pistol over a $1,000.
A TRP grouped 4" for an end user after 700 rounds, he called SA, they replaced the bushing, barrel and slide.
I broke portion of the spurred portion of a hammer on my CBOB. I bought it LNIB and they did me a favor by replacing the hammer.
I wasn't the original purchaser. That seemed to be a big deal. It's also a 5 year warranty. TRP? Lifetime warranty.
Here's an example of their CS.
http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.p...-SA-TRP-barrel
I can search for the thread I cited above.
I'm very underwhelmed with DW support.
Perhaps that's changed, but that's been my experience.
+1 from my experience. But my DW CBOB is about 6 years old, made before they increased the asking price for their pistols by about 50%. Maybe the extra cost allowed them to actually spend time fitting parts to the pistol somewhat carefully. Mine needed a replacement barrel bushing, mag release, and a chamber reaming out of the box.
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