Dan Wesson Specialist vs Springfield Armory TRP Operator?

[TC215]

"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.

Yeah, I always go straight to Keith. We’ve met a few times, and I’ve communicated with him for years. He built my first custom from them, and it was awesome.

I’m friends with Endre on Facebook, but he doesn’t post much and hasn’t mentioned anything about his job change.

[JTQ]

I own neither, so take this for what it's worth - I've been primarily a 1911 shooter since the late 1980's and an active member on a couple of 1911 forums for 10 - 15 years.

I would have bet a bunch of money that "galling" on stainless steel firearms was something that gun manufacturers figured how to avoid back in the 1980's. I hadn't heard or read about galling other than comments saying they figured out the metallurgy back in the 1980's and it was a thing of the past. That was until a few years ago when it popped up on the Dan Wesson sub-forums.

I have a hard time believing every gun maker on the planet got the memo on how to avoid galling on stainless firearms, except for Dan Wesson, but I guess it is possible.

Another issue to read up on is issues with the Dan Wesson Duty Finish and using Break Free CLP, or other cleaners.

While these certainly may be issues with Dan Wesson's, it may also be forums/threads like this where knowledgable gun folks, that don't know much about 1911's are looking for their first 1911, and end up with a Dan Wesson, and use their polymer gun care procedures on their 1911, and are surprised when something goes awry.

[JAH 3rd]

I'm looking in the $1500-2000 price range for my next one and paralysis by analysis is absolutely a thing...

Let us know what you finally decide on

[awp_101]

Let us know what you finally decide on

Will do. I made a trip to handle a used Wilson Professional this afternoon. It was clean with a little wear on the barrel hood and top of the muzzle (and missing a grip screw which the store didn't seem to concerned about for some reason) and comes with the Wilson bag/soft case. Looks good, feels good but I simply can't see $2175 OTD for it which is too bad because I really wanted to be blown away and chomping at the bit to put it on layawake for a couple of months. I'm starting to think that despite my desire to splurge and move into the $1500-2000 bracket, I'm really more at home in the $1200-1500 range.

Since I've jumped in and slightly hijacked @Rmiked's thread, I should at least say I've got 2 TRPs I purchased used. I find them to be nice and in the couple of range trips they've been on they've not given me any issues that weren't related to a loose trigger nut but I would be hard pressed to justify $1700 for a new one. Maybe if it was going to be my only pistol and it had to pull the triple duty of carry/HD/range fun I could see the extra cost.

[foxj66]

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 wouldn't be concerned. The primary smith for Dan Wesson stuff at CZ is good.

[Bill]

Owned both: I had good experiences with both. As others have mentioned, feature set is probably the primary driver in your decision.

I shot my TRP better because it had adjustable sights and I could really dial it in - and as a result had more confidence with it.

The fixed sights on the Specialist were arguably "more durable" but the hold was never as just right as it was with the adjustables.

For the extra money you'll pay for the Specialist, you just get a little more refinement: thumb safety, slide stop and beavertail will be billet instead of MIM. The Duty black finish is objectively nicer than the baked on Black T.

Ultimately, I liked the adjustable sights, front serrations and slightly heavier trigger on the TRP better because I shot it better. It stayed around and the DW got sold on. YMMV.

[rob_s]

I googled “Dan Wesson Specialist” and had two reactions to what I found. (1) “discontinued 2019”! Oh teh noes! and (2) wtf? Does nobody do high cut front straps anymore?



Then I clicked around their site and found that (1) there is a new for 2020 version! and (2) it has a high cut front strap! and (3) goddamnit they added front cocking serrations! I guess I want a 2019 slide on a 2020 frame.

[Rmiked]

I don’t see any difference in front strap between the two? BTW: Hyatt Gun shop (Charlotte, NC) had a new Specialist with no forward slide serrations this past Wednesday, $1350. It was not on their website but I saw it in the store.

[Artemas2]

I wish I kept my Specialist(9mm) . I like the more aggressive looking dust cover cut over the new one. The gun ran great with ammo it liked (not so much with my reloads), HSTs felt like .22LR. I suspect I will end up with another one when the world calms down again.

[TC215]

I guess I want a 2019 slide on a 2020 frame.

There are some of those out there that were made during the transition.