Calling Dan Wesson 1911 Owners

[trigger945]

For those who own a Dan Wesson 1911 AND also own another semi-custom 1911 (Baer, NHC, WC, GI):

1) How does a Dan Wesson compare to your semi-custom(s)?

2) If you were to start over, knowing what you know now, would you still get a Dan Wesson after getting a semi-custom? Why?

3) If you were to start over, knowing what you know now, would you still get a semi-custom after getting a Dan Wesson? Why?

My funds are kind of limited at the moment but feel that I might need to take an action with SSE ending soon (I know, one of those threads again, sorry!) so I am hoping to get the thoughts of the population I identified above. I have only shot a DW CBOB rental before so my actual experience with Dan Wessons is really limited.

Thanks in advance!

[AP2]

I've owned 4 1911's. Currently I have a Dan Wesson Specialist and a Wilson Combat CQB Elite I put in jail today.

Ive owned a Springfield Range Officer, Sig TACOPS, and RIA 1911 prior and I can assure you that you will notice the difference in quality, fit, and finish. You notice the little things on "higher end" models that make you appreciate spending a little more.

I have no regrets with my DW. I love it and it was worth the money. I just hope my Wilson Combat doesn't take over.

[JackRydden224]

For those who own a Dan Wesson 1911, AND own another semi-custom 1911 (Baer, NHC, WC, GI):

1) How does a Dan Wesson compare to your semi-custom(s)?

The fitment on my Les Baer TRS is tighter but I think that's unnecessarily tight. I still can't take the barrel bushing off after nearly 2,000 rounds. My DW Guardian is just about right out of the box. The slide is butter smooth, zero slop.

2) If you were to start over, knowing what you know now, would you still get a Dan Wesson after getting a semi-custom? Why?

I would, DW is a lot of gun for the money. It has zero break in period really. I got 400 rds through my DW without a single failure where as my Les Baer still requires more powerful loads to fully cycle the slide. Again, the Les Baer is unnecessarily tight.

3) If you were to start over, knowing what you know now, would you still get a semi-custom after getting a Dan Wesson? Why?

I'd get a Dan Wesson all the way and forget the Les Baer. For me, it's good enough for what I do, range duty and such. I'm never going to shoot 3" or 1.5" with my Les Baer and I hate that break in period, it's just ridiculous. Also not to say Les Baer has bad CS since I never had the need for it but DW is willing to replace my front sight for free so I can shoot POI instead of a 6 o'clock hold.

Overall money is an issue for everybody and DW does give you a lot of gun for the money in a very nice way.

[trigger945]

AP2: On another thread, you just rated Dan Wesson > Wilson Combat. Why then did you get a Wilsom Combat that costs more than a Dan Wesson?

Also, I get the nicer touch. But comparing a Dan Wesson against a Springfield RO, a Sig TacOps and a Rock Island, the nicer touch should be expected right? I would like to get your thoughts after you have picked up and shot your Wilson Combat CQB Elite and compared it against your DW Specialist please.

Jack: Very good thoughts, especially your response to #3 question!

Thanks fellas!

[davidwow]

Trigger do yourself a favor and buy a Dan Wesson pm-9 (well if you want a great 1911 9mm )The only thing I usually hear people.complaining about on the Dan Wesson forum are frame galling on their stainless pistols due to either not the right lube, or not cleaning off the pistol from factory before shooting.

I have only handled a Dan Wesson but I would choose that for handguns under 2000 if I had the choice. The specialist is a hot gun (built like a valor but more options and cheaper for now) talk to dave at Severn's custom about his review -post on the forum about the shoot out. http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=321236

[HPGunner]

I've got three Dan Wessons (PM7, CBOB, and VBOB). I also have a Les Baer TRS. I believe the DW PM7 fit and finish is as good as the Les Baer. Although I've always wanted the TRS - The DW 1911's are the best bang for the buck.

[BEE]

Due to SSE time and funds I got a CBOB, Valor in Stainless, and Razorback in 10mm. I personally think they are exceptional 1911's at their price points. I could of got 1 really nice WC, but rather have a variety of 3 DW's.

What really drew me into DW 1911's are the clean simple aesthetics, everything about them just flows. The major factor would be the quality parts used with some level of hand fitting. Me being a CZ fan, DW was a no brainer

I owned a SA Loaded before, but wasn't satisfied so I sold it. I have no personal experience with any semi-customs other than just handling them at lgs. If SSE and money wasn't a problem at the moment I'd definitely get a WC done to my specifications.

[trigger945]

davidwow: Knowing what you know now, would you get the PM9 over your T3? Would you get a .45 ACP DW over your GRP? Hypothetically speaking, would you still get a Nighthawk Custom even after owning a Dan Wesson?

HP: So even after owning a TRS, you will still get a Dan Wesson?

[trigger945]

BEE: Is it typical for CZ owners to like and own Dan Wessons due to brand loyalty? I seem to see a few of those people. I like CZ's myself and believe in the brand.

[HPGunner]

Trigger - I actually owned the Dan Wesson PM7 first. Then I got the CBOB. Then finally got the TRS, because that was one of my dream 1911's. But in comparing it to the CBOB and PM7 it was just as nice and it wasn't miles above the Dan Wesson. I would love to compare it to the upper tier 1911's like a Wilson or an Ed Brown, but there are other guns I need to allocate my gun budget to.

[BEE]

BEE: Is it typical for CZ owners to like and own Dan Wessons due to brand loyalty? I seem to see a few of those people. I like CZ's myself and believe in the brand.

Good question. Typical? I would say no, mainly because of the price difference between actual CZ handguns and DW handguns is significant and also preferences in other platforms. I like to think there's probably good number of calgunners who are CZ/DW fans and just been keeping a low profile.

[JackRydden224]

I prefer to use a ranch for take down because I have dainty princess hands. With the DW I really do not need it. I own a CZ but I did not buy the DW because of brand loyalty, in fact I consider them to be two completely different brands just one owns the other. I bought a DW because I like what I felt at my LGS and the price point. I was thinking about a Kimber Aegis in commander size but when I only need to pay $1500 OTD for my Guardian it was a no brainer.

[hunterb]

I am a CZ/DW fan. Bang for the buck.

[davidwow]

davidwow: Knowing what you know now, would you get the PM9 over your T3? Would you get a .45 ACP DW over your GRP? Hypothetically speaking, would you still get a Nighthawk Custom even after owning a Dan Wesson?

HP: So even after owning a TRS, you will still get a Dan Wesson?

I have not shot a Dan Wesson yet, I have only handled few at gun shops. So it is hard for me to say. But the pm-9 I did handle felt very smooth to rack with a nice trigger. The slide to frame fit from the rookie point of view seemed great. Awesome sight picture with that fiber optic too.

The Dan Wesson valor and specialist also aesthetically looked perfect and had crisp trigger pulls.

That being said, if I could do it all over again and money was not an object, I would still get the NHC pistols. They just make me really happy when I handle them.

However if I had say a budget of near 3,300.00, a part of me would really consider going a Dan Wesson PM-9 AND a Dan Wesson valor with the melonite (black nitride). I would probably do that over getting the T3 since I don't have a ccw yet. Even though the T3 is a hoot to shoot, the pm-9 would be a more practically range toy for me. Plus a Dan Wesson Valor? Count me in.

Same with the nighthawk GRP vs being able to buy a Dan Wesson Specialist AND Valor scenario.


Nighthawk t3 9mm is around 3700-3800 depending on SSE costs and tax. Then you get the mags and any extra stuff, you are in the 4,000.00 ... GRP is roughly same boat

All I can definitely say is that Dan Wesson is no slouch in the game of high end 1911. And I love my hawks.

[cc426]

I have a DW specialist. Used to have a Baer Pii.

No regrets. I actually think the DW is better than the Baer in almost every way except that the Baer was tighter fit. However, the DW is more accurate for me. I didn't test from a random rest, just bench rest and in general in my hands. Likely due to the trigger on the DW being significantly better than the Baer. Maybe I got a bad example of a Baer but other than just being super tight, I think my TRP was better than my Pii

Can't speak to wc/brown/nh etc. But I'm extremely pleased with my DW