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05-27-2020, 11:07 PM
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Speaking opinions on Dan Wesson 1911
Howdy,
Looking to get into another .45 something very accurate in the comander size, wondering if anyone has anything good or bad to say about them... looking at the commander specialist, or a Valor v Bob type...
Do I need to be looking else where ?
Thoughts and opinions greatly appreciated!
Thanks
ERIK
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05-27-2020, 11:19 PM
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I predict an outpouring of praise for DW 1911's. I have a PM7-45 full size and it is amazing. Tight, beautifully made, accurate, and shoots very well.
I would have no hesitation to recommend one to you. Mine has ended up being hand engraved and I still carry it from time to time.
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05-27-2020, 11:19 PM
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I have a 9mm Vigil Lightweight Commander and a Govt size PM9 Pointman in stainless steel. The Vigil is a more price conscious purchase. Both are awesome values in my opinion. There are equivalents in .45acp available. Quality on both is great. I shoot the 9mm guns more than my .45’s. I think some notables like Bill Wilson and Ken Hagethorn are shooting 9’s, so that’s OK for me. I don’t think you can go wrong with the Wesson 1911 in any variety.
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05-27-2020, 11:23 PM
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Love them. The only commander sized Dan Wesson I have is a Guardian in .45. Awesome fit, finish, and performance. Also carries great (aluminum bobtail frame).
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05-28-2020, 03:44 AM
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It's still just a 1911
Seems to be a good value for the money, from what I've experienced so far.
Fairly tight fit out-of-the-box. Lubed it well & broke it in slow. Then CV19 stopped the fun, for now.
I wanted a Pointman 38 Super but settled for a Pointman 9mm which I converted to 38 Super by fitting a new barrel to.
All of the dimensions & clearances I encountered in it were right on & upgrade/custom parts fit right in it.
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Last edited by BLUEDOT37; 05-28-2020 at 03:48 AM.
Reason: .
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05-28-2020, 06:04 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BLUEDOT37
Seems to be a good value for the money, from what I've experienced so far.
Fairly tight fit out-of-the-box. Lubed it well & broke it in slow. Then CV19 stopped the fun, for now.
I wanted a Pointman 38 Super but settled for a Pointman 9mm which I converted to 38 Super by fitting a new barrel to.
All of the dimensions & clearances I encountered in it were right on & upgrade/custom parts fit right in it.
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Did you feel like you had to upgrade the gun right out of the box?
I've got a couple of 945s and maybe I've been spoiled in the fit and finish area... are the DWs really that tight ? Or are they more of a combat gun ?
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05-28-2020, 06:32 AM
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I have become a big Dan Wesson fan
IMHO, the best value, dollar for dollar
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05-28-2020, 06:56 AM
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Superb gun for the money! No mim parts either if that is a concern. I have a few.
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05-28-2020, 08:17 AM
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I have a A2 in 45 and a silverback in 9mm. Those are my best guns I have accuracy wise, fit finish, trigger etc. They are at least equal, mostly better than guns 3x the price. They do not need anything, no upgrade I can think of would make them better and they are just beautifully made. Looking to add a pointman 9 at some point as it is the prettiest 1911 out there.
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05-28-2020, 08:53 AM
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You won't here anything negative on the Dan's, they get high praises on any board.
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05-28-2020, 08:53 AM
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I bought a Vigil 9mm as a Christmas present to myself in 2019. Back in the day, I carried a LW Commander on the undercover job but as years and assignments passed, the Commander was not utilized and therefore traded off. After shooting a buddy’s LW Wilson at the 2019 retired qualifying event, I decided I would research and treat myself to another 1911. Many high end 1911’s were reviewed but I just kept coming back to the Dan Wesson. The Vigil has everything I wanted with accuracy, excellent workmanship and good for daily carry.
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05-28-2020, 09:20 AM
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I bought a used 9mm Valor V-Bob back in January. It had been fired very little by the previous owner and I did experience several feeding issues early on. The problems disappeared once I put a few hundred rounds through the gun and it's been flawless ever since. The slide to frame fit is almost as tight as my S&W 945 and that's saying something!
I love it! It's accurate, has a great trigger and the fit and finish is superb.
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05-28-2020, 09:38 AM
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My biggest regret in my collection was the day I sold a PM7. I have been looking for another since then. If you see one buy it.
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05-28-2020, 10:37 AM
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Extremely accurate in a production gun not likely . I have only 1 DW . A Valor in 45acp 5" . Fit & finish & quality of parts all VG+ to Exc . Valor was their leading model & were built by one 'smith . Good crisp trigger , classic no frills styling . Fit a good barrel / bushing & it'd be excellent . As is it's not bad for a production gun but it's not hard fit . Tighter bushing would be a definate improvement accuracy wise . At the price they sold for they were a better value than a Baer , any of the top line Kimbers , etc . They're a fine pistol for what they are , but I wouldn't say they're exceptionally accurate .
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05-28-2020, 10:54 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by s&wchad
I bought a used 9mm Valor V-Bob back in January. It had been fired very little by the previous owner and I did experience several feeding issues early on. The problems disappeared once I put a few hundred rounds through the gun and it's been flawless ever since. The slide to frame fit is almost as tight as my S&W 945 and that's saying something!
I love it! It's accurate, has a great trigger and the fit and finish is superb.
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So like a kimber they have a break in period?
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05-28-2020, 11:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boatbum101
it's not hard fit
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Hard fit is a way of saying that you did not finish the fitting process all the way to the end. Something is canting where it is not supposed to. My 1.5 guarantee Baer is smoother and less hard fit than my 3'' Baer and that is commonly report from owners of the 1.5'' guns.
Anyway, my DW are in no way inferior to the Baers, accuracy wise and in some ways they are superior.
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05-28-2020, 11:07 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Erocksmash
So like a kimber they have a break in period?
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Eric-My Pointman in stainless was very tight. The instructions say to clean and lube after every 50 rounds for the first 500 rounds. I never had a fail to fire. It seemed sluggish. No more. I put a set of Kurac’s maple grips on mine. Enjoy
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05-28-2020, 12:12 PM
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I'm really liking the V-BOB with the duty finish... i have lustted after DAN Wesson ever since I was a kid....
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05-28-2020, 12:49 PM
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As someone in the 1911 manufacturing business and owner of several DWs, I’d assert that they are a great value when compared to 1911s costing twice as much. I’d still like to find a Guardian in .38 Super.
Specialist 9mm/.38s
ECO .45
CCO .45
Razorback 10mm
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Last edited by CH4; 05-28-2020 at 12:53 PM.
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05-28-2020, 02:58 PM
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These cell phone photos are pretty lame, but the best I can do right now.
IMG_1104.jpg
IMG_1105.jpg
I have a young friend who currently owns a jewelry store as the third generation to do so. He has become a pretty good engraver and did this DW for me.
My connection to his family goes way back, as his mother was in the Fifth Grade when I did my student teaching. Talk about something that makes one feel old!
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05-28-2020, 08:59 PM
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I’ve had this Heritage for several years now. They have gone up in price since but still an outstanding value. You simply cannot find a better production 1911.
[IMG
The fit and finish is excellent. The trigger out of the box is more than adequate. And accuracy is what it should be.
All parts are machined. No MIM parts at all.
I plan on passing this down to my grandson someday.
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Last edited by Kanewpadle; 05-28-2020 at 09:02 PM.
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05-28-2020, 09:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Erocksmash
So like a kimber they have a break in period?
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Not necessarily a break in period. But they are tight out of the box. It will go away after the first or second magazine.
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05-29-2020, 05:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Erocksmash
So like a kimber they have a break in period?
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Mine apparently did. The vast majority of my guns were purchased used, so I’ve never had to break a pistol in before. I cleaned and lubed it before I first shot it and was a little miffed with the feeding issues. The V-Bob has since smoothed out and become one of my favorite range guns.
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05-29-2020, 08:49 AM
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the best 1911 made at any price. Get a Valor
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05-29-2020, 05:04 PM
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Ok so I've nailed it down to 2 models (PICTURES BELOW) I'm leaning towards the more traditional aspect of the non railed model.... thoughts?
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05-29-2020, 05:18 PM
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I have no personal experience with Dan Wesson, but my friend and 1911 mentor sold me two Colt Commanders in .38 Super and bought a DW.
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05-29-2020, 06:58 PM
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It may be a factor of age, but I would come down on the side of "no rail" for sure. The look of rails on pistols just puts my teeth on edge from an aesthetic point of view.
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05-29-2020, 07:20 PM
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Valor without the rail is a great choice Erocksmash, definitely be my pick of the two you're considering.
Dollar for dollar DW makes a helluva gun, have a few of their guns and the value is there IMO.
Last edited by GuyMontag; 05-29-2020 at 07:23 PM.
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05-29-2020, 07:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bro. Dave
It may be a factor of age, but I would come down on the side of "no rail" for sure. The look of rails on pistols just puts my teeth on edge from an aesthetic point of view.
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They have a purpose IMO, but some should be left alone...
The more traditional deffinatly looks better...
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05-29-2020, 08:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Erocksmash
They have a purpose IMO, but some should be left alone...
The more traditional deffinatly looks better...
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None of my 1911 holsters will accommodate a gun light so the rail is of no value to me. I got fired up and shot 100 rounds through my Vigil today.
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05-29-2020, 10:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Erocksmash
Ok so I've nailed it down to 2 models (PICTURES BELOW) I'm leaning towards the more traditional aspect of the non railed model.... thoughts?
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Can’t go wrong with either. I had a DW bobtail years ago and sold it like a dumb .......
If it’s for the pure pleasure of shooting a high quality 1911, get the full size. For carry get the bobtail.
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05-29-2020, 11:12 PM
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US Veteran SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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I have a CCO in 45acp and agree with all the comments above. You can pick it up for the first time, rack the slide and you just know.
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05-30-2020, 12:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Erocksmash
Did you feel like you had to upgrade the gun right out of the box?
...are the DWs really that tight ? Or are they more of a combat gun ?
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New, out-of-the-box, it was pretty tight. I hand cycled it & lubed it repeatedly before I shoot it first with mild 9s.
The 38 Super mags don't sit flush like the factory 9mm mags do so the magwell was functional & cosmetic & since I prefer the feel of an arched housing they went together.
The factory wood grips are pretty but I though I'd try something a little different & durable & tried the G-10 grips.
The new barrel bushing was mainly for the thicker/beveled look & to be able to fit it to the 38 Super barrel.
The FLGR/plug was just to see how I like it & if it made things better or worse.
Really all items were for personalizing than necessity.
.
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05-30-2020, 03:06 PM
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I have the Specialist in 9mm and it’s simply awesome out of the box. I’d have no hesitation at another DW in 45 or 10mm.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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05-30-2020, 04:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bro. Dave
I predict an outpouring of praise for DW 1911's. I have a PM7-45 full size and it is amazing. Tight, beautifully made, accurate, and shoots very well.
I would have no hesitation to recommend one to you. Mine has ended up being hand engraved and I still carry it from time to time.
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I looked at a pm7 full sized once and decided to get something else that wasn't a 1911. But if someone had the right kind of camera equipment they could pick up little hearts popping over my head while I was looking the DW over. For the price it seemed amazing.
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05-30-2020, 05:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmodde
I have the Specialist in 9mm and it’s simply awesome out of the box. I’d have no hesitation at another DW in 45 or 10mm.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I was thinking hard on one with a rail in .45(I have to many 9mm) but the rail just means it turns into a house gun for me or an extreme purpose built weapon... the one with out gives me more options
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05-30-2020, 05:58 PM
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Are the Dws 70 or 80 series?
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05-30-2020, 06:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Erocksmash
Are the Dws 70 or 80 series?
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70s of course...best triggers out there
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05-31-2020, 08:23 AM
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I can't say much more than the previous posters regarding Dan Wesson 1911's. IMO, the best value for the $$ spent out there. I own 4 ( Vigil 9 commander, Valkyrie 9 commander, and (2) Valor blue Government in 9 & 45) and looking for number 5 & 6, probably an A2 Commander or...……
Get ya one, you won't regret it.
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05-31-2020, 08:57 AM
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I do not own a DW 1911, but I handled (fondled) a few at gunshows when they were first introduced. Overall, they seemed to be well fitted 1911's with nice features. Based on my observations, I would have to say they are high quality firearms.
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05-31-2020, 09:10 AM
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Only shot 50 rds.. thru it but a tack driver and would be a great carry gun.
1.jpg but poor photography....
Last edited by mgriffin; 05-31-2020 at 09:13 AM.
Reason: add pic
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06-02-2020, 05:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mgriffin
Only shot 50 rds.. thru it but a tack driver and would be a great carry gun.
Attachment 453193 but poor photography....
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I saw your add sir, problem is i'm not fond of the aluminum frame guns, would like something that is a little more hefty...
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06-02-2020, 06:20 PM
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Understand.....aluminum frame....but metal feed ramp...
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