Dan Wesson 1911's

[*Klutch*]

So I've been dreaming of a new pistol and I want something nice, so naturally a 1911 is what it's gonna be. I went on the 1911 forum and started oogling pics and the DW's are beautiful. I don't know anything about them other than they cost about $1200-1500, Are they worth the price? How do they stack up to other brands of 1911's? It's gonna be a range toy as well as a carry pistol/fighting gun so reliability is top quality, but lets not forget how nice these are either...

[stainless]

No info from me. I'm just tagging along cuz I have considered one.

[sprrdhawk44]

Which one are you looking at?

They (2011+ Valor/VBOB) are, in my opinion, the best 'production" 1911 that money can buy. It has a forged frame and slide, and all tool steel small parts. The fit and execution is flawless. These guns have, in my opinion, obviated the need for the lower-end Baers. They are everything a PII is, for less money. I say that having both. From beneath, the only other 1911 that comes close is the SA TRP. Having the opportunity to handle a TRP extensively and compare it to my VBOB and Baer, it fell noticeably short of both, in fit and finish. The TRP is still a GREAT gun though, and I would not hesitate to recommend it. It's just not a Valor, and if I'm not mistaken, has a glued ejector, which is pretty lame for the money it costs.


I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 7,000 rounds through my main carry gun, a stainless VBOB. It has never had a problem. I've had a few bad reloads and couple bad mags that I threw out, but the gun has never once failed on any level with 47Ds and good ammunition. I did have some rust issues under the grip panels, but that was taken care of with a trip to Robar. I cannot speak highly enough of them. You will NOT be disappointed.

Some pics:













ETA: The only thing that Baer does that is better (for me) is the checkering on the front strap. Because they file it by hand, Baer cuts their front straps at 30 LPI, compared to the CNC-cut 25 LPI that DW 1911s have. This makes it a little smoother, while still remaining grippy. DW 1911s are just SUPER grippy. That's just me, though. It's hard to complain about have TOO good of a grip on a pistol.

[Galactic]

Which one are you looking at?

They (2011+ Valor/VBOB) are, in my opinion, the best 'production" 1911 that money can buy.

Can't agree more. I have the Patriot V-bob and the Guardian 9 and 45's. They will quickly be your safe queens because you will realize the quality is bar none.

Every time I look at a Ed Brown/Wilson, I have a hard time justifying the extra grand over a DW.

[*Klutch*]

Which one are you looking at?

I've looked at a few of them but only online, the Valor is one of the top choices as well as the Guardian . I only want a .45 and want this to be able to take some good amount of rounds as I expect it will do without issues.
I like the CCO and the ECO as well but not sure if I want a 4" barrel or not, I do intend to carry it so it wouldn't be a bad idea...

[sprrdhawk44]

I've looked at a few of them but only online, the Valor is one of the top choices as well as the Guardian . I only want a .45 and want this to be able to take some good amount of rounds as I expect it will do without issues.
I like the CCO and the ECO as well but not sure if I want a 4" barrel or not, I do intend to carry it so it wouldn't be a bad idea...

If you want the best of all worlds, get the VBOB.

[TheRealDonJohnson]

If you want the best of all worlds, get the VBOB.

Sweet 1911 I really like it, but the bobtail nearly killed it for me

[sprrdhawk44]

Sweet 1911 I really like it, but the bobtail nearly killed it for me

Thanks!

A bobtail is one of those things that either you love or hate. I have pixie hands, so as far as handling is concerned, it's perfect for me. I actually prefer it over an unmodified frame. The looks bother some, but I'm fine with it. I do prefer the looks of a Government sized pistol, though.

[IronButt]

The only bad reviews I've read about the DW's were on the Specialist. Everyone on the errornet seems to say that the fit & finish is pretty raggety & doesn't even come close to that of the Valor or TRP. I've never handled a Specialist, so I have no personal experience.

If I didn't have a TRP, I wouldn't hesitate buying a Valor if I wanted a mid-range 1911.

[*Klutch*]

The rail on a 1911 is the last feature I want, I prefer my pistols not to have them. Of course the 5" government model is the purist in me but the commander size is nice as well as the officeror CCO. I'm not limiting myself to anything in particular but whatever I find to best fit the bill...