S&W Performance Center 1911, Dan Wesson, or Springfield TRP?

[WeagleMCvet]

looking to upgrade to a higher end 1911, I've looked at the TRP, Dan Wesson Specialist, and the S&W performance center 1911.  All three felt great, but I haven't shot any of the three. any help on recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[nightrunner]

TRP or Dan Wesson IMO. I won't buy a S&W 1911 for 2 reasons, may be a non issue to you but it's my opinion. 1 is that it has an external extractor, the original worked fine with an internal, why change? The second is those fish gill looking wavy slide serrations, I can't stand them.

Both the TRP and any Dan Wesson are recognized as very high quality 1911s. I would probably lean towards the TRP for no particular reason.

[Erik88]

Dan wesson

[Bad_Bowtie]

Dan wesson

X2

My Valor Vbob is a beauty and a joy to shoot, eats anything you feed it.

[tnhawk]

My TRP and Dan Wesson Guardian are both nice pistols with excellent workmanship for the price.  I think you would be happy with either of them ( or both).

[DaveTN]

looking to upgrade to a higher end 1911

What do you have now, and what is wrong with it? I would suggest (if possible) you try them all. If you want to shoot in Murfreesboro I’ll make a SW1911 Target available, maybe someone else can make a Dan Wesson and a Springfield available. Mine isn’t even a performance center gun, but I think it will hold its own. I’ll also make a Ruger SR1911 available; it might surprise you.

Of course if you are buying for looks that’s a much easier choice and takes less time.

[WeagleMCvet]

I currently own the Ruger SR1911, I've had several malfunctions with it, the trigger is significantly heavier than the TRP and Smith. I've called Ruger and their customer service was subpar to say the least.  I've changed recoil springs to try to solve at least one of the problems, didn't work. When clearing the gun of a chambered round, always jams between slide and chamber wall. I've tried reloading shorter rounds, still same problem. That's basically why I'm looking for a new 1911.  I own a Springfield RO in 9mm and never had an issue with it.

[Grayfox54]

I'm a big fan of Springfields. I own four of 'em and couldn't be happier.  :up:

But I also believe that spending more money doesn't necessarily mean you have a better gun. The real difference between a good gun and a bad one is often the shooter. 

 

I do love the 1911, but never cared for the Ruger. I'm not even sure why, but something about these never quite seemed right to me.   OTOH, your's if the first one I've heard of problems with. So maybe its just me.  :shrug:

Most 1911 problems are pretty simple. Often a slight adjustment or tweak here or there fixes 'em right up. Unless you just want to get rid of the Ruger, I'd suggest you let a good gunsmith have a look at it first. Who knows, you might just come to love it. 

[R1100R]

Dan Wesson

[MemHeli]

I have a Springfield Operator model and love it.  No malfunctions.  Everyone I let shoot the gun tells me that it's the best trigger they've ever felt on a pistol.  I concur.

[JPR1959]

I don't like stainless steel 1911s, but to each his own.  I'd consider one of these too.  What's your budget?

 

Edited November 5, 2015 by JPR1959

[Jct1911]

Dan Wesson. Duty coat of DW easily trumps armorykote of SA. Both good guns, DW is better

Now the only caveat is if you can find a full rail TRP operator, that would be a tough one to pass up.

[CommsNBombs]

I currently own the Ruger SR1911, I've had several malfunctions with it, the trigger is significantly heavier than the TRP and Smith. I've called Ruger and their customer service was subpar to say the least. I've changed recoil springs to try to solve at least one of the problems, didn't work. When clearing the gun of a chambered round, always jams between slide and chamber wall. I've tried reloading shorter rounds, still same problem. That's basically why I'm looking for a new 1911. I own a Springfield RO in 9mm and never had an issue with it.

My wife had a SR1911 and the thing is a champ - I am sorry that you are having so much problems with it man.

And Ruger has been super courteous to us in the past.

However, if you are in the market for a new one without a doubt I would go with the Dan Wesson.

Superb fit and finish, the coating is top of the line and unbelieveable accuracy. Got to fire one of my uncle's and we fed it all sorts of trash ammo - TulAmmo hard ball, milsurp crap, corrosive chicom spam can, all sorts of lead, coated, and plated reloads and it put them in nice tight groups at 15 and 25 yards.

Amazing weapon system

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

[Fourtyfive]

I love my Smith scandium ....

[tercel89]

I say the Springfield TRP . I have a Springfield 1911 and love it. It is a Series 70 , forged frame and slide and just reliable . Watch this 5 minute video by Colion Noir about the TRP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_R94LstfZg

[Jct1911]

Oh yeah, forgot, NO MIM on DW either. Not a big deal for some, love my springfields but until you get to the SA Custom Shop, they don't compare

[Karnage]

Dan Wesson without a doubt.

[tercel89]

My thoughts are if you are gonna get a nice 1911 then get one in a series 70 style , full size 5 inch , and an internal extractor just like the orginal 1911's had . That's why I say to choose the Springfield.

Edited November 7, 2015 by tercel89

[chances R]

I have the DW Specialist. No regrets. Couldn't imagine anything smoother or more accurate.

[TGO David]

Among my 1911's I have a Springfield Operator Long Beach, the same Colt Rail Gun that was mentioned above, and a Dan Wesson Specialist.  Of the bunch, the Dan Wesson is the best by a pretty good margin.  I would choose it if I could only have one of those three.

[Jct1911]

My thoughts are if you are gonna get a nice 1911 then get one in a series 70 style , full size 5 inch , and an internal extractor just like the orginal 1911's had . That's why I say to choose the Springfield.

Dan Wesson is 70 series and internal extractor. For the record, Springfield actually has an extra "safety" with the ILS(internal locking system) in the mainspring housing which actually has specific springs not standard to the 1911, also the mainspring is sprung heavier in Springfields due to this. No hate for Springfield though, I love the ones I have.

[tercel89]

Dan Wesson is 70 series and internal extractor. For the record, Springfield actually has an extra "safety" with the ILS(internal locking system) in the mainspring housing which actually has specific springs not standard to the 1911, also the mainspring is sprung heavier in Springfields due to this. No hate for Springfield though, I love the ones I have.

 

 Yeah , I took my MSH out and replaced it with one from Wilson Combat and removed the ILS. I brought my recoil spring and main spring back to 16lbs and 23 lbs. It's been running great since I bought it new in 2004 . I got one for my son last year and did the same to his. This is the only negative about the Springfields but it is not really hard at all to do this. It only takes about 5 minutes .

 I just didnt mention this when I posted about the Springfield because most Springfield owners I know do this first thing when they get theirs. Kinda like buying a new car in the 70's and the first thing you did was take off those darn restrictive Cat Converters.

Edited November 7, 2015 by tercel89

[Wicked1911]

Love my Sig 1911 TTT...just saying.




With black WC grips:

[WeagleMCvet]

Thanks for all the advice, after handling numerous 1911's, I went with the S&W performance center full size, I liked the looks the most, and surprisingly the trigger felt more clean, crisp, and lighter than the TRP and DW Specialist. My only complaint is I like a fiber optic front, which is an easy fix

[JPR1959]

Congrats, but where are the pics?