Dan Wesson Valor makes a comeback

[Balisong]

I'm surprised they don't have a 9mm option.

[TC215]

What changes have they made on the new version?

BOLD style front sight (like)
U-notch rear sight (dislike)
Trigger (strongly dislike)
Slide stop (dislike— i loved the old Valor slide stop)
Recessed slide stop hole (like)
Grips
Ambi safety (dislike)
Magwell (like)

I also believe that they have changed suppliers for their slides and frames.

Forgot to mention that the top of the slide is serrated, and the RCS are different.

[Cory]

I love my Valor. The duty treat on mine is pretty awesome.

Those sights are a seriously great addition. Mine has knock off heinie straight 8s. I'm not sure if the flat milled top is to my liking... I've never shot a 1911 with that. I have held a DW with it and it was well done.


-Cory

[Jakus]

Forgot to mention that the top of the slide is serrated, and the RCS are different.

With the exception of the trigger I happen to think the changes are all for the better. I do think the slide release on the old valor sticks out a little too far, but that’s a very personal thing.

The trigger is a head scratcher to me. I don’t hate it and it wouldn’t keep me from getting one when they eventually have them in 9mm, but it’s such a divisive look I’m not sure why they went away from the solid style trigger.

[Seven_Sicks_Two]

I thought I'd necro this thread and ask... has anyone purchased one of the 2020 Valors yet?

I'm curious if the "new" Valor lives up to the discontinued model's reputation.

[Trooper224]

I'm back to carrying my old school Valor for a while. Aesthetically, I really appreciate the stripped down, no nonsense fighting gun look of the original. I'm ambivalent on the new versions features. I can take or leave the mag well. I've used 1911s with and without them and it's not a big difference for me. The serrations on the top of the slide are strictly for looks, just like the top strap checkering on an S&W M27, or the vent rib barrel on a Colt Python. Any functional claims are just a loose excuse for their inclusion. In realty, they're just a place for crud to accumulate. I prefer a solid trigger to a skeletonized one. However, I suspect the main feature is the straight trigger face rather than the traditional curved, another thing I can take or leave. The sights are still the same so that's good, as I like them. I prefer a single-sided thumb safety on a 1911, but that isn't a deal breaker. Don't have a problem with the old slide stop. The new grips are cool. They didn't add anything I need, but none of the new stuff would keep me from buying the 2.0 version.

[Seven_Sicks_Two]

I'm back to carrying my old school Valor for a while. Aesthetically, I really appreciate the stripped down, no nonsense fighting gun look of the original. I'm ambivalent on the new versions features. I can take or leave the mag well. I've used 1911s with and without them and it's not a big difference for me. The serrations on the top of the slide are strictly for looks, just like the top strap checkering on an S&W M27, or the vent rib barrel on a Colt Python. Any functional claims are just a loose excuse for their inclusion. In realty, they're just a place for crud to accumulate. I prefer a solid trigger to a skeletonized one. However, I suspect the main feature is the straight trigger face rather than the traditional curved, another thing I can take or leave. The sights are still the same so that's good, as I like them. I prefer a single-sided thumb safety on a 1911, but that isn't a deal breaker. Don't have a problem with the old slide stop. The new grips are cool. They didn't add anything I need, but none of the new stuff would keep me from buying the 2.0 version.

If I picked one up I'd likely swap the ambi out for a single side thumb safety and replace the trigger with a solid, medium-length curved Harrison.

With street prices of the Duty Coat version hovering around $2k, it's pretty much a coin flip between the new Valor and a Les Baer UTC for me.