Dan Wesson vs. Kimber

[nick]

I'm considering getting a 1911 in 10mm, and I'm looking at getting either a Dan Wesson, or a Kimber. Does anyone here own both of those, and if so, what's your experience with them? Which one would you recommend, and why? What problems should I expect from either?

I'm specifically looking for a 10mm one with a 5" barrel. My concerns are the usual ones: accuracy, reliability, customer service, quality of warranty, overall quality.

Also, there's a couple of 10mm Kimbers on the list, and no Dan Wessons, but I'll likely buy it from a private party, anyway.

[Black Majik]

If you can get a 10mm DW, definitely get it over a Kimber.

DW: No FPS, no MIM, and cool non-roster gun
Kimber: Swartz safety, MIM, and on the roster

[zman]

I'm with Black Magik, dollar-for-dollar DW wins everytime

[nick]

Damn, I was afraid you'd say that.

[Buck'emDown78]

Even though I have a Kimber, I'd say between the two, get a DW. To the human eye and touch, probably can't tell the difference but DW is metallurgically a much stronger steel and better quality. So if you had the choice, go DW. It makes alot of people feel better to have non-MIM parts in their 1911.

In my time taking high 1000 round count pistol classes, I've seen Kimbers fail 3 seperate times, usually the slide stop or ambi safety breaks in half and that definitely comes from a weaker MIM part I think.

[bigcalidave]

metallurgically a much stronger steel and better quality.

I've seen Kimbers fail 3 seperate times, usually the slide stop or ambi safety breaks in half and that definitely comes from a weaker MIM part I think.

Are you a metallurgist ?

nm.

Here's a good article about the reliability of kimber.

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/KimberProCarry.htm

No matter what, some people will always chime in about every kimber post with the same crap. Same as some people do with every brand of ANYTHING... Point is, you can buy a kimber now, and they have incredible customer service. If something were to ever break, fade, tarnish, ETC they will fix it.

[bigcalidave]

You also have threads like this

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=241898

With multiple people who have 20+thousand rounds in 10mm kimbers without failures, just to be specific.

[dodge]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showpost.php?p=3380913&postcount=1012

i've been extremely pleased w/my stainless colt delta elite in 10mm (pics @ link)
might be another for your consideration

regarding kimber vs. wesson
i'd probably go w/wesson as they aren't as common & very nice kit
both companies are probably close to equal, qualitywise; in their upper tier 1911s

[7x57]

Which one would you recommend, and why?

A strong revolver in .44 mag.

7x57

[asgalindez]

I have a Kimber Eclipse Custom II and a blued Colt Delta Elite. I would get the DW if you can get your hands on one. Nothing wrong with the Kimber. But if I could've gotten my hands on a DW Razorback, I would've chosen it over the Kimber. I still would've ended up buying the Kimber, though.

If you can get a DW...get one for me, too!

[Buck'emDown78]

Are you a metallurgist ?

No matter what, some people will always chime in about every kimber post with the same crap. Same as some people do with every brand of ANYTHING... Point is, you can buy a kimber now, and they have incredible customer service. If something were to ever break, fade, tarnish, ETC they will fix it.

Nope, not a metallurgist but ask anyone in the gun industry, who has a stronger forged steel frame and who uses better quality steel, DW or Kimber? DW is much better, thats why its a bit more expensive and hard to get. Like I said before, no human eye or touch can notice the difference but inherently, all characteristics of the steel used is much stronger. Non-MIM vs. MIM parts, same thing too. Probably cant tell but everyone knows inherently, non-MIM parts are much stronger and durable. And I own a Kimber, so I am in no way crapping on Kimbers.

You are already off the topic of the post...OP was asking if you had a choice between the two, which one would you get and the reasons why. Something that might not sound valid to you, doesnt mean its wrong, its still a valid answer to what the OP was asking.

People on forums can tell you what they want and how many rounds they put thru their firearms, but is that really concrete proof and evidence. Thats more than just hearsay to me. Real proof is in tactical instructors. Ask any tactical instructor, who day in day out, see more firearms being shot in the thousands of rounds by more people than any civilian or police would ever see, what gun fails most often? Every instructor will always say its the 1911. I'm not crapping on 1911s because that is all I shoot myself. But they see everything break in guns on a daily or weekly basis, but more than often, its internal parts inside the 1911. It can never be attributed to a brand name or caliber, thats why if you had to choose a 1911 and havent bought one yet, why not go with the stronger one. OP asked, so I'm more than sure he has the money for it. So if money is not the problem, why not?