Talk to me about your Dan Wesson 1911s

[TGO David]

I am thinking about picking up a Dan Wesson Specialist as a carry 1911 to perhaps replace my Colt, or at least allow me a backup if I send my Colt off to have it completely worked over.

 

I'd like to hear from those of you who own a DW 1911. Pros?  Cons?  Satisfied?

[Jct1911]

Solid guns, great finish, well fit. Top of the heap until you get to Baer money. I love Springfields, but my Valor with melonite is a much better fit gun than the higher end Springfields I've owned(MC operator and current TRP operator). For the $400 difference, you get what you pay for.

A specialist is on my short list, eventually.

[Monkeyman2500]

Don't have one but really want one. I've heard nothing but good about them.

[TGO David]

Solid guns, great finish, well fit. Top of the heap until you get to Baer money. I love Springfields, but my Valor with melonite is a much better fit gun than the higher end Springfields I've owned(MC operator and current TRP operator). For the $400 difference, you get what you pay for.

A specialist is on my short list, eventually.

 

Do you have the standard grip Valor or the Valor Bobtail?

[13brv3]

I have a Specialist in the duty finish, and it's really nice.  I would have been OK with the Valor, but I'm left handed and like the standard ambi safeties on the Specialist.  Truth be told, I'm more of a Glock guy, but there's just something about a 1911.  After owning a few misc 1911s, I decided that I wanted one really nice 1911, without getting into the super high dollar models.  After a bunch of research, the Dan Wesson pistols seemed like just what I was looking for.  It's really amazing how smooth the action of the slide feels compared to other 1911s I've owned.  Sweet pistol!

 

Cheers,

Rusty

Edited July 3, 2015 by 13brv3

[TGO David]

Nice to hear, Rusty.  Thanks.  I just "pulled the trigger" on a Specialist myself so it's all over but the waiting now.  Hopefully I'll have it in hand before next weekend and can take it out to the range for some grouping therapy.

[jh225]

I know you already ordered one, but I would just add this......... As someone who has owned many 1911's for many years, there is no better value in the high end production arena, period.
 

Are they as good as Wilson or Guncrafter? No, but they also don't sell for $3K+

Are they as nice as the lower end semi customs(ie:Baer)? If you compare the Valor to any Baer or Brown, I would absolutely take the Valor. I actually picked up a Vbob Duty Coat couple weeks ago for a good price with the intention of it being a catch and release. Guess what? It's not getting released, it's a keeper.

 

Are the "standard" level DW's better than anything Colt or Springfield puts out? Absolfreakinlutely.

 

You will love it.

 

And BTW, name me one other major brand manufacturer that if you have an issue or concern, you can call or email the VP of the company and get very quick (most times instant) answer right from the source?

[Monkeyman2500]

I've always wanted a V-Bob or Guardian to go with my Bear. I just don't have the heart to bob my Les.

[runco]

I don't want to see posts like this, the Valor is on my short list.  I want one myself.

[JPR1959]

The Dan Wesson Heritage was at the top of my budget when I was looking.  I noticed a lot of posts at 1911forum.com with complaints on galling of their new pistols.  I know it's probably too late, but I'd still check that forum.  Lots of good info there.  Good luck with your new pistol, I'm sure it'll be a great 1911.

[R1100R]

I have CBOB's in .45 and 10MM. Love them both. I got mine in 2008 when they were a tremendous value compared to now.

[Bad_Bowtie]

Picked up a Valor VBob back in the spring. I've only got about 500 rounds thru it but it's been flawless. I had only owned Kimbers and Springfields till then but the DW blows them away in for and finish. Edited July 4, 2015 by Bad_Bowtie

[jh225]

I don't want to see posts like this, the Valor is on my short list.  I want one myself.

 

Having had several DW already, I picked up the Vbob with the expectation of it being a very nice fit and finish, smooth action pistol just like my other models. What I received was a super high fit and finish pistol that is easily on par with Baer or Brown, as I said before. The extra $400 over a "normal" model is well worth the price of admission.

 

 

The Dan Wesson Heritage was at the top of my budget when I was looking.  I noticed a lot of posts at 1911forum.com with complaints on galling of their new pistols.  I know it's probably too late, but I'd still check that forum.  Lots of good info there.  Good luck with your new pistol, I'm sure it'll be a great 1911.

 

There have been issues with some SS versions. I imagine that DW is doing their research to figure out why. Personally, I think it could be the source of the metal is doing something a bit different in their metal mixture than other mfg's are. So when the material gets hot, it wants to re-attach itself to the part it rubs against. There is also talk of the cause being using improper lubrication such as Hoppes, Break Free CLP and the like. Note that there are NO issues whatsoever with guns treated with the duty coat.

 

 

I have CBOB's in .45 and 10MM. Love them both. I got mine in 2008 when they were a tremendous value compared to now.

 

Yes, BUT, the quality it leap years ahead of Pre-CZ guns. Even more so since they had a huge fire a couple years ago. All machinery is new and state of the art, and all parts are now made in house and there are NO cast pieces used. Even the semi custom guys can't make that claim.
 

Edited July 4, 2015 by jh225

[Erik88]

This is the gun I routinely drool over...

 

[jh225]

That's the exact Valor I just picked up. SERIOUSLY thinking about having DW build me the same gun, but this time in 38 Super!

 

BTW, for a steel framed gun, it's balance is superb. Doesn't feel like it weighs 35 ounces.

Edited July 4, 2015 by jh225

[Jct1911]

Do you have the standard grip Valor or the Valor Bobtail?

Standard 5" gun. Don't carry a 1911 anymore , no need for reduced size. If I did, it's be alloy frame.

[JPR1959]

Now this is a sweet looking pistol. I hope it shoots like it looks. Congrats!!!

Edited July 4, 2015 by JPR1959

[TGO David]

Thanks all.  I am looking forward to sending some lead downrange with it.  I have a Wilson Combat Professional bobtail that I never carry as it has sentimental value.  Call me silly, but I wore that to my wedding and as a result it's sort of sacred to me now.  I do take it to the range periodically and run some rounds through it, though.   :)

 

I was able to pick the Specialist up as a slightly used firearm from an individual seller out of state for about $300 off of retail, which seemed like too good of a deal to pass up.  That said, Daniel at Guns & Leather said that Dan Wesson 1911s are probably the best non-custom 1911s you can buy right now.  Without spending Wilson Combat, Nighthawk, Republic Forge money, this was the best 1911 I felt that I could buy at the moment.

 

More to come!

[Monkeyman2500]

I think your really gonna like it. DW will definitely be my next 1911.

[MphsTiger1981]

My brother in law bought a DW Valor back in March. He could barely hit the broadsides of a barn when he was shooting his striker fired pistols, and while he's no "operator" now, this pistol has made him a much more confident shooter. Compared to my entry level Colt, his is a much nicer gun. Good luck with your new purchase.


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[tnhawk]

I haven't owned a Dan Wesson yet, but it will be one of those considered for my next pistol.

[TGO David]

If the Specialist turns out to be as nice as I've read and everyone says they are, I could see a Valor bobtail in 10mm adding itself to the stable at some point.

[9teeneleven]

I bought a specialist a few weeks ago. Got it delivered and had to turn around and send it right back to DW because the Ambi safety was so poorly fitted that it wouldn't even function. I'd read about poorly fitted ambi safeties on the web particularly with this model but figured that with DW's reputation for fit and finish that surely these were rare occurrences. Nope. Other than that, the gun appears to be ok. The finish work is a little overrated at least on mine. It's good, but nothing to write home about. 

[SonnyCrockett]

I own a DW Valor.  It rocks...

 

DW is better than some bigger name custom guns,in accuracy tests and 

build quality DW has ranked up there with some big names.. If you are thinking

of trying one you will not regret it..They are super tight,have sweet triggers and all tool steel 

 

Mine is not for sale

[TGO David]

Received mine today.  Immaculate!  Fit and finish is superb.  No problems with the ambidextrous safety.  The seller included an extra recoil spring and a few mags as well.

 

It reportedly has had a hundred or so rounds through it.  You can't tell it ever had one.  :)

 

I hope to shoot it tomorrow and will take some photos later this weekend.  I'm thoroughly impressed with it.