The past several months I have been spending more time with my 1911 guns, they are all government length (5- inch) in 10 mm and 45 ACP.

I was looking at the mid-tier 1911's as a next purchase. The ads for the Springfield Armory TRP Classic put this quest into a higher gear.

Over the years I have owned 1911's from Ed Brown, Wilson Combat, Rock River, and several custom 1911's; these include a MEUSOC clone built by a friend @ PWS, and a Wilson tuned Colt Combat Elite & Colt Series 70 Gold Cup. In looking at current prices I really don't want to spend $3K plus for a new 1911. I have heard many positive things about Dan Wesson 1911's and after shooting a few (Valor, V-Bob and Guardian) here the past several months I am impressed.

Question for Dan Wesson 1911 owners. What's your take on Dan Wesson products, any issues or concerns? Are they worth the money?

I have a line on a gently used Valor in 45 ACP and if that falls through, I will take the plunge and get a new one.

Thanks

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I’ve got a specialist in 10mm. Very nice for the money.

I was out shooting my PM-45 last week. It has been dead reliable and extremely accurate. Just a really well assembled piece. I gave $1200 for it a couple of years ago and would call it an absolute bargain.

Yep, as mentioned above, great pistols, i have a DW Razorback 10mm, it has ate everything from 140gr penetrators to 200gr XTP/Nosler hp's to 200gr flat nosed hard cast, never any sort of failure even when running it dry and dirty, a great pistol that's more accurate than i'll ever be.

BTW, a couple 10 round Chip McCormick spare mags sit nice and flat in a rear pocket, great extra fire power for woods carrying 45 ACP.

Make mine commander length, and bobbed....

I have a few 1911's but only one DW, a Guardian that I picked up a few years ago.

The fit & finish everywhere is perfect, the gun is smooth, accurate & probably has the best stock trigger on any 1911 that I've seen...........& I have a couple of high end customs.

I don't think that anyone could ever go wrong buying a DW 1911.

MM

Vigil Lwt. Commander. The Dan Wesson 1911's are very well-made handguns. DW recommends a 400-round break-in period; my experience with this Vigil proved that advice to be spot on. After getting it home from the gun store, I thoroughly cleaned and lubed this pistol. I shot 200 rounds of assorted 230 gr. FMJ with a half dozen malfunctions. I again cleaned and lubed the gun and next fired 200 more 230 gr. ball rounds through it with a handful of chokes and pukes. All the malfunctions were the same, the slide failing to close fully when chambering a fresh round. I cleaned and lubed the pistol and fired another 200 rds. and had one choke early on and the rest fired flawlessly. Now, a mix of 230 gr. FMJ, Gold Dot hollowpoints and a 200 gr. SWC handload numbering around 550 shots with no issues.

I have had a DW Silverback 10mm for several years, absolutely love it. These were discontinued a few years back, reputed to be of same quality as the Valor line. Mine has been 100 % reliable and quite accurate. I feel no need to break into the custom line of 1911s, as I can’t imagine a 1911 significantly better.

I have had three DW's, still have one and they all were fantastic.

They make one good modern 1911 pistol (optics ready plus light/laser compatible) called Specialist Black ops. I would be willing to try that. Obviously used one in top shape would be preferred, just like with all more expensive 1911s.

I’ve got a Valor V bob in stainless, no complaints. Great trigger and the overall fit is spot on. It’s not a Nighthawk or a Baer, but for the money it’s a buy.

I own a Dan Wesson Valor stainless 45acp. It is my only 1911 that I have owned or shot so I am no 1911 expert. When I decided I wanted a 1911 my research told me that they're seemed to be issues with various makes of these guns. One exception was the Dan Wesson. They appeared from reviews to have little to no issues from the factory and being somewhat of a 1911 novice I did not want a problem gun.

From what I have read, and what I expect the OP knows from his previous ownership, you have to go to the boutique guns from Wilson, Ed Brown etc.

I highly recommend them based on the one I got.

Having a problem with a 1911 depends on what kind of shooting you do.

A bullseye competitor has a whole level of problems different than a range gun, a run and shoot different than either of them. A carry guy different than all of them.
Also accuracy is defined differently for each group. When making adjustments, decide what your goals are before, adjustments.

For high volume shooter should one pick used Les Baer or a Dan Wesson?

the 1911 market has become very competitive in last 10/15 years and the quality in the less expensive models is better than some early Colt 80s. so like most things you pay your money and take your chances. I would pick the one that feels better in my hands, they know. Replacing worn or broken parts with the aftermarket stuff available now days makes a black and white decision go away

Really nice guns, I had a Specialist for several years. I sold it to a friend to fund a Baer, which I prefer. I do hope to add another DW at some point.

I have a DW C-Bob. It has performed flawlessly and looks equally great. In comparisons to my Kimbers the DW has a much smoother slide and trigger pull. I have an older colt commander and the DW is much nicer but I did have a model 70 gold cup that was gone through by Terry Tussey and it felt a touch nicer than the DW but the gold cup ended up costing more so to answer your question, I personally think the DW 1911s are a great value.

My CCO .45auto has been a great gun. I bought it along with a guardian in .38Super. Which was also fantastic but I didn't love it enough to keep.

I've probably got 1,000 rounds through it. Had 3 malfunctions around the 2-300 round mark. They were back to back to back. WW 230g ball. Haven't had one since.

A Guardian in .38 Super …

Oh my.

I'd like to thank everyone for the feedback on the Dan Wesson 1911's.

I did take the plunge and pick up the Valor with the Duty Coat finish and I am more than happy with it. I have put almost 500 rounds off GI Spec. Ball through it in the past three weeks and other than a couple of magazine related FTF's in the first 50 rounds it has run flawlessly.
I'm now testing Ranger and HST 230 gr. HP's to see what it likes best.

One very nice pistol.

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