$1700 puts you in company of many great choices whether stock or semi-custom. I can see where you would have a hard time choosing a firearm. I have owned a DW A2 for about 18 months now. Solidly built. 100% function. The only thing I would add to it would be front strap checkering. My next 1911 will have it.
I own six Dan Wesson’s, four are all stainless and no hint of galling. My only concern nowadays is the lack of support and overall technical support presence of Dan Wesson. The company has taken a huge hit being in NY and all of the key members of the Norwich operations were whacked. Customer Service is now being handled by CZ-USA which is concerning to me, given how they are not 1911 smiths by and large.
I'm looking in the $1500-2000 price range for my next one and paralysis by analysis is absolutely a thing...Originally Posted by JAH 3rd
Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits - Mark Twain
Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy / Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
If Keith Lawson is still there it will be fine. If not, I’d like to know.
Ignore Alien Orders
Well I have held a DW with 25 LPI checkering and I like the feel. The 20 LPI spec on the SA got my attention and I was wondering what that would feel like. I have always like a 1911 design as I hold John Browning in high esteem. When I visited the FBI building in DC I toured the gun museum And it was a resume for Browning including BARs, machine guns on Tripods, the works. He was a gifted thinker for sure. Anyway, I own and love my Beretta 92A1 and can completely disassemble it and reassemble it and pretty much fix anything if it breaks which never happens. I want a 1911 full size (preferably 9mm) and be able to become as familiar with it as I am my 92. I love cleaning my guns and taking care of them so maintenance is not a problem; I enjoy it. My only dilemma is I don’t want to spend an insignificant amount of money and then be disappointed. It seems to me the stainless vs carbon is a big decision point. I have read about the SS galling issue (rare) and it bugs me but I have read about carbon steel pistols galling as well. Seems like if the relative hardness of the slide vs frame material is specified correctly the other reasons for galling would be machining (burrs) or out of spec dimensions. If I could find a DW Specialist (SS) and examine it I might buy it. Somewhat pulled toward the PM 9 as well. But both are SS. I have heard Bill Wilson say the reliability of a 9mm today is on par with 45s. If Dan Wesson has a good run going and then lost many employees at the NY facility (during Covid) that could change quality. Also if they changed suppliers of frames and slides, if they don’t make their own, that could change quality. So that’s kind of where I am. I will use the 1911 for home defense, range time and in my Tacoma traveling with wife or to my farm for hunting; everything but a daily carry gun for which my 92 serves that purpose. My interests in 1911s was peaked shooting my friends in 45ACP. It was a Remington of all pistols and I put 3 shots within 3” at 25 yards first time I shot it (Standing, not rested on a bag) which is much better than I shoot my 92. Don’t ask me to explain it because I can’t. Something about the grip angle, thinner profile, sight picture and crisp trigger just worked for me. Ever since then I can’t quit thinking about it. Nothing against the Remington but I am retired now and don’t see me getting another 1911 (I’ll probably regret saying that) but I want a “ nicer pistol” in case I don’t get another. Can someone confirm DW makes their own frames and slides or if not, have they changed suppliers? And if so, how is it working? Would also be interested in thoughts on PM9 vs Specialist. When I called the NY facility recently they said still making the PM9
Let us know how you proceed w.r.t. deciding what pistol to buy. I can relate to your post
Keith Lawton is still there. I’m not sure “all their key members” getting whacked is an accurate representation. Endre Toth, one of the ‘smiths isn’t there anymore. Shawn, who would handle return work and parts orders, is gone and now that’s being handled by a lady named Genny, I believe.
From Keith:
About two months ago DW was allowed to come back to work during the Phase 1 re-opening phase in upstate NY. We slowly brought our people back and are building an shipping guns to KC for distribution as before though with some changes due to Covid.
The gun smiths in the KC service Dept. are actually trained Gunsmith's with degree's. They work on all of the CZ guns as well as assist with New product development and now DW 1911 services. There may be a slight learning curve to learn the Dan Wesson nuances but believe me, they are more than capable. Any other smith I have had in the past, I have had to train from the ground up.
I will but I’ll say @TC215 is making a darn compelling case and pushing a DW ahead of a couple of others I’ve been strongly considering.
Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits - Mark Twain
Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy / Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
Take this for what it’s worth as someone who owns way too many 1911s for someone who can’t carry one at work.
While a couple of my favorite 1911s are Springfield, Springfield has also been the source of some of my worst 1911 experiences.
Springfield is known for their excellent customer service and warranty but the best customer service is the one you don’t need to use. Unfortunately my experience with Springfield over the years has been that they are a crapshoot. You may get a great gun or you may get a lemon.
I would recommend a Dan Wesson simply because of their consistent quality, Your odds of getting a good gun out of the box and not having to use customer service are much better with Dan Wesson.
"Endre Toth, one of the ‘smiths isn’t there anymore".
Sorry to hear that. I've had very good experiences with both Endre and Keith in the past. POI of sights for DW 1911 "Commanders" were was the subject in both cases.
In late 2019, Endre was a huge help is assisting me in getting a proper height front sight with a brass bead installed on my carry DW Guardian .45 ACP pistol.
But my experience in attempting to communicate with anyone at DW except those two men has been less than enjoyable.
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