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Thread: Dan Wesson Specialist vs Springfield Armory TRP Operator?

  1. #1

    Dan Wesson Specialist vs Springfield Armory TRP Operator?

    If a guy was willing to spend $1700 on a 1911, how do these 2 stack up? If I am reading correctly the DW has a forged slide and forged frame while the SA TRP has forged frame and slide. The DW is stainless steel while the SA is carbon steel. Would be interested in thoughts. Here is $1700, which would you get assuming this is your first 1911 and you plan on only owning 1. Thanks

  2. #2
    You may want to check out s couple of the dedicated 1911 forums where this question and many versions of it have been hashed out several times over. Informative reading.

    Through line is the tilt will be toward Dan Wesson as the overall better production 1911 builder for parts, fitting, etc.; the TRP, however, is quality and does have its faithful. You will likely be equally well served by either and I'd argue whichever one is stock configured most to your liking is the way to go.

    One thing to be aware of on the TRP is its checkering is 20lpi and at least in the example I've handled (and by the reports of others) is very sharp and uncomfortable for some. DWs are 25lpi and grippy but very forgiving of bare hands.
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  3. #3
    Site Supporter donlapalma's Avatar
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    I've owned both. You'll be happy with either one, but I will say that the DW did seem to be just a hair higher in quality. Totally subjective of course. Oh, and this notion of owning just one out the window. Been there. Believed that. Now I have a Springfield Pro and telling myself this is the last one. Riiiight.

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  4. #4
    Site Supporter MGW's Avatar
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    I assume you are buying new for $1700 but that money puts you in reach of some really great 1911’s. Even though the gun market is crazy right now the used 1911 market hasn’t really followed that trend. I’m a big Springfield fan and their warranty can’t be beat. That being said I would probably not spend $1700 on a new TRP.

    Get cozy with 1911 addicts or ask around here for something used. If you look long enough you’ll find a bargain. If you are dead set on new I think the DW and TRP are both great options.
    “If you know the way broadly you will see it in everything." - Miyamoto Musashi

  5. #5
    Are the other options used? Any new I’m not mentioning? Are you implying someone might pick up a used 1911 that was a good bit more expensive and higher quality that the current owner is wanting to sell even though nothing wrong with it?

  6. #6
    Site Supporter JSGlock34's Avatar
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    I'll offer that I was all set on a TRP right up until I held one. The 20LPI front strap is very aggressive and wasn't my cup of tea. I've discovered that I'm not a particular fan of ambi-safeties on 1911s. I'd recommend picking up a few 1911 models and getting a sense of grips, sights, safeties, front strap treatment, etc.

    At your price point I'd also consider the new Springfield Armory Vickers Tactical Master Class (if you can find one at MSRP - they're currently selling for a premium but should come back down as more are produced).
    Last edited by JSGlock34; 12-26-2020 at 11:06 AM.
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  7. #7
    Member L-2's Avatar
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    https://www.springfield-armory.com/1...gun-stainless/
    Note, this referenced Springfield-Armory TRP is a stainless version.
    It'll help if the OP can decide upon which factors are important (to him) and not what I'd buy.

    Some people won't buy any products from Springfield-Armory at all due to its prior political dealings within Illinois (I think it was there); and some folks don't feel comfortable with prior stories of Dan Wesson 1911s locking up due to slide-to-frame galling or some such reasons.

    Some factors are:
    -steel type, stainless or carbon; and finish
    -barrel length
    -barrel bushing or not
    -accessory rail or not
    -beavertail type or classic "rat-tail" grip safety (mil-spec look or not)
    -frame size; rounded/bobbed butt or not
    -caliber (9mm or .45, typically)

    Other things a 1911 model will come with but are more easily changed later to the owner's preference (ROM est. $100 each change, could be more or less and depending on gunsmith or not):
    -sights
    -grips
    -thumb safety (e.g. single-sided or ambi)
    -trigger look & length, type
    -magazines, brand, basepad, number which come with initial gun purchase

    Then there are just other things people might want or others don't care:
    -front strap checkering or checkering on other places
    -initial sight type (adjustable or fixed; as some adjustable sights need the slide cut)
    -front serrations or not, on slide
    -brand name
    -warranty, after purchase customer service
    -top of slide treatment/machining

    I don't have either brand but both would seem good to have. I just never got around to owning these 1911 brands but do have two Springfield-Armory rifles. S-A's customer service was good. It just takes time (again, ~6 weeks). Any 1911 new-out-of-the-box may have problems. How much is spent initially "might" help. Conversely, any new-out-of-the-box 1911 may work 100%. It can take some knowledge as to what the owner knows how to tweak, rather than having to send the entire gun back to customer service immediately.

    Just know this ahead of time should you need to send it back for an estimated 6 weeks after its first magazine. Some companies will tell the owner to fire (name your quantity but let's estimate) 200 rounds before calling back to determine if any problem goes away before they'll OK a return shipment for warranty. In today's market, that could be another $200 in ammo. So many times people will say "but this shouldn't have happened on a $1700 1911". All I can think of is, maybe if the owner had spent $1701 instead of only $1700. As I previously said "any" 1911 may have problems and this is regardless of price paid. I generally don't recommend a 1911 to anybody anymore. Yet, if the buyer wants one and understands what may be involved ahead of time, go for it. It is a classic design and can feel and shoot well.

    OP, let us know what eventually gets bought. I understand some guns are hard to get/find right now. Both brands have good reputations and I can't fault either. Another thought might be, if you can't afford both, perhaps don't buy either as I think having two 1911s is better than just having one (but folks here often have more than one handgun whether it's a 1911 or other). I'm still keeping three 1911s after having several more.

  8. #8
    I’ve had Springfield and DW, my vote is for the Specialist.

    The only Springfield 1911 I’d care for at this point, other than maybe another Pro, would be the Lightweight Operator. I shot one once and thought it was a cool gun.


  9. #9
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    Never dealt with Wesson but I have had multiple Springfields and other 1911s with 20, 25, and 30lpi. I can say that my TRP does everything my others do at a smaller price point. 1700 is a bit strong for a TRP in my humble opinion and I agree that it puts you in the realm of other nice 1911s.

    I love the 20lpi, don't mind the ambi safety. I may have gotten a "Wednesday" gun. My 20lpi is almost as "soft" as my professional. And I wanted the ambi safety for a carry gun. Again, it's another Wednesday feature because it is actually fit better than my others.

  10. #10
    Site Supporter JSGlock34's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JohnK View Post
    I love the 20lpi, don't mind the ambi safety. I may have gotten a "Wednesday" gun. My 20lpi is almost as "soft" as my professional. And I wanted the ambi safety for a carry gun. Again, it's another Wednesday feature because it is actually fit better than my others.
    And this is exactly my point; pick up a few 1911s and see which features appeal to you and which do not. Some like 20LPI front straps, some don't. Some like ambi-safeties, some don't. Some like adjustable rear sights, and some don't. People debate the merits of the various grip safety designs and lengths of trigger shoes. There's a reason there are so many manufacturers producing 1911 variants and still room for high end custom work.

    That's not to say you need to buy a full boat custom gun, but when spending $1700 you'll want to get it pretty close to "your way". Certain things are easy to swap out (e.g. grips), whereas others are more involved, require a gunsmith, and will be expensive (safeties), and others you'll be stuck with (front strap treatment).

    Choosing a quality manufacturer is a good start; I think DW and Springfield are the best choices at your price point. My personal experience with Springfield Armory's warranty service was superior, and I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a SA product. If you have an issue, I'm confident they will make it right on their dime.
    Last edited by JSGlock34; 12-26-2020 at 12:46 PM.
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