Dan Wesson Guardian or Valkyrie Commander.

[rob_s]

The Valkerie non-commander model appears to be a truncated grip (7 rounds?) with a 4.25" barrel, is that correct? FLGR or standard? appears to be FLGR but I'm assuming it could be swapped?

Is there a fullsize .45 that Dan Wesson sells that would be a straight match for the Valkerie in terms of fit and small parts?

[TC215]

The Valkerie non-commander model appears to be a truncated grip (7 rounds?) with a 4.25" barrel, is that correct? FLGR or standard? appears to be FLGR but I'm assuming it could be swapped?

Is there a fullsize .45 that Dan Wesson sells that would be a straight match for the Valkerie in terms of fit and small parts?

Yes, it's an officer frame with a commander slide (CCO configuration). Standard guide rod.

As far as fit and small parts, they all have various amounts of hand fitting and use tool-steel small parts.

[rob_s]

Yes, it's an officer frame with a commander slide (CCO configuration). Standard guide rod.

As far as fit and small parts, they all have various amounts of hand fitting and use tool-steel small parts.

Thanks.

what I'm driving at is, something that's going to feel the same in the hand, oviously excluding the shortened grip.

I've always wanted a "matched" set of 1911s with a CCO in .45, a railed fullsize in .45, and a non-railed fullsize in 9mm.

[SecondsCount]

For those considering a CCO package-

Mrs. SecondsCount carries a "CCO" 9mm that is based on a Caspian slide and frame, and was built before DW was doing their version. I have to say that it is sweet shooting and easy to carry. Very reliable little package as well.

She uses the Metalform Officer length and the Chip McCormick full length mags without an issue. The full length mags don't protrude as far as I thought they would.

[TC215]

Thanks.

what I'm driving at is, something that's going to feel the same in the hand, oviously excluding the shortened grip.

I've always wanted a "matched" set of 1911s with a CCO in .45, a railed fullsize in .45, and a non-railed fullsize in 9mm.

My DW Specialist (railed full-size) feels the same in my hand as my CCO, mainly because they have the same, standard-thickness grips. Some of the DW's (Valkyries, Valors, Guardians, etc) have slim grips, which of course feel pretty different than the standard thickness, like what's on a CCO.

[gskip]

The Valkerie non-commander model appears to be a truncated grip (7 rounds?) with a 4.25" barrel, is that correct? FLGR or standard? appears to be FLGR but I'm assuming it could be swapped?

There are two Valkyries. One is the commander (4.25 in barrel and full size frame) and the other is the CCO (4.25 commander slide and a compact/officer frame). Officer framed 1911's typically will carry one less round, but it depends on the magazine. The Valkyrie does not use a full length guide rod. It has a standard GI recoil spring set up. Those are very easy to swap depending on what you prefer. I personally am a fan of the GI recoil spring but I have no issues with the FLGR (unless it requires tools which is dumb).

Is there a fullsize .45 that Dan Wesson sells that would be a straight match for the Valkerie in terms of fit and small parts?

If by fit you mean general fit, I would recommend the Valor. From what I understand, the Valor is the flagship model and receives extra love at the factory. The Valkyrie also receives the extra fit from what I have read over on the 1911 forums. I do not believe DW sells a full size 1911 with hi power cuts. Most DW guns are built for specific niches and a full size Valkyrie would necessary (most full size firearms do not need the smaller thumb safety or slide stop).
I would just recommend going to their website and looking around. If you want a full size general use gun, get the Valor. If you want a gun with a rail get the Specialist. If you want a CCW gun you have many options, but for me the best they offer is the CCO Valkyrie. If you want a target gun get the PM-9. They also just announced a carry version of the PM-9 that sounds really good (CCO with fiber optic and all stainless, therefore much cheaper than the Valkyrie).

I do not recommend swapping small parts on 1911's unless you know how to properly fit them, but for the most part most Dan Wesson small parts should work with other DW's as long as the caliber and frame size are the same.

[Doge]

I like the Valkyrie Commander. I really wanted a Guardian but after handling one I didn't care for the bobtail and I like the extra bit of surface to grab onto for strong hand only or weak hand only shooting. I ended up getting a WC CQB9mm but still some days I want to get a Valkyrie Commander. Out of the box it's good to go and a nice gun.

[fatdog]

My 9mm Guardian was dead reliable out of the box and I am well over 2K rounds a this point with maybe 2-3 malfunctions I can remember, which may have been mag related. I have had no problems with the two DW factory mags that came with mine.

I replaced the sight with a Warren Tactical rear and kept the front, with no serious POA/POI issues for my preffered 147gr practice and street rounds. I replaced the safety with an Ed Brown Ambi, and I found the slide stop lever to be objectionably large, but that was fixed with a grinder, just reduced the width of the wide part and refinished it. I wanted full checkering on the backstrap so I replaced the factory smooth one with an Ed Brown version with full checkering and it was a drop in. I disliked the grip surface and replaced them with a set of VZ thin grips with the rough diamond texture which I prefer.

The whole 1911 bobtail thing is a love it or hate it thing I think. I am quite fond of it.

I trust the gun, I carry the gun, it has exceeded my expectations for a gun in this price range.

[fatdog]

My old summer special was starting to stink so I bought the Guardian a new one...Attachment 12404Attachment 12405

[MVS]

Thanks for the input everyone. Part of me really wants a nice 9mm 1911, and part of me says, "why, you can buy 3 Glocks or 2 Glocks and another RMR for that".