Why no love for Dan Wesson?

71velle

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I love the Dans, the guy I shoot with regular has 8 or so of them its my go to recommendation. When I bought my 1911 I could not swing a Dan at the time so I bought the next best thing. A CZ 1911 A1, doesnt have Dans name on it but they were fitted by the Dan smiths. At the time Dan did not have a milspec type of pistol and the CZ was a "limited" run.

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redtail

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After a long search much debate and research I decided to go with the A2 commander to compliment my full size R1 carry.
Auction price of 1036. to my ffl.
I have never heard a bad word or review of the DW line on any forum, figured I would spend the extra and find out.
 
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Cooolone

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I'd buy a DW without hesitation as its a custom fit mass produced firearm and just a notch above. Please don't compare a Kimber to DW, that's just laughable. You do "get what you pay for"...

That said, I'm not sure if I would not want to make the jump to a Brown, or a Wilson Combat. But a DW is a great entry level to those firearms considered a step above.

Notice I didn't enter cost into the thought? Because if cost is your primary concern, you aren't buying any of those, lol. But then, if I don't get a Brown or Wilson, I could buy a Colt Python! Hahahahaha...

Anyways, to each his own! And I don't know many who're unhappy with their DW! Just sayin... ;)

My $.02
 
Different Drummer

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Cooolone said:
I'd buy a DW without hesitation as its a custom fit mass produced firearm and just a notch above. Please don't compare a Kimber to DW, that's just laughable. You do "get what you pay for"...

That said, I'm not sure if I would not want to make the jump to a Brown, or a Wilson Combat. But a DW is a great entry level to those firearms considered a step above.

Notice I didn't enter cost into the thought? Because if cost is your primary concern, you aren't buying any of those, lol. But then, if I don't get a Brown or Wilson, I could buy a Colt Python! Hahahahaha...

Anyways, to each his own! And I don't know many who're unhappy with their DW! Just sayin... ;)

My $.02
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Cooolone said:
I'd buy a DW without hesitation as its a custom fit mass produced firearm and just a notch above. Please don't compare a Kimber to DW, that's just laughable. You do "get what you pay for"...

That said, I'm not sure if I would not want to make the jump to a Brown, or a Wilson Combat. But a DW is a great entry level to those firearms considered a step above.

Notice I didn't enter cost into the thought? Because if cost is your primary concern, you aren't buying any of those, lol. But then, if I don't get a Brown or Wilson, I could buy a Colt Python! Hahahahaha...

Anyways, to each his own! And I don't know many who're unhappy with their DW! Just sayin... ;)

My $.02
Click to expand...
I would agree with everything said here. Especially the part about comparing a Kimber to a DW. Come on, find reality! They are at the top when it comes to a production 1911.
I would also say that when it comes to a .357 Mag. revolver I will take my Monson manufactured DW's over a S&W and especially over that Prima donna with the snake name.
There!! That should ruffle some snake scales. ;)
 
Podmonkey

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CZ bought the Dan Wesson name FYI. DW 1911s are are made by a CZ USA subsidiary right there in NYS. Most parts are made in house via CNC and then hand fitted, the idea being that modern manufacturing methods allow for precision and tolerances that drastically reduce the labor of tradtional hand fitting over what you'd see in ssometging from Ed Brown or Wilson Combat, ect. thus reducing costs. Some of the small parts are externally sourced from high end suppliers like Ed Brown as well.

What the CZ/Dan Wesson 1911s offer, as I understand, is a very high end factory production quality that approaches custom shop quality but forgoes the typical hard fit headaches of a true custom gun.
I certainly appreciate the simple old school, non tacticool charm ofnthe Caloir model. I'm not into "tactical" 1911s, the design is out of date and has been surpassed for a practical use gun. I want one for the feel, the accuracy, and the nostalgia.
 
GuyMontag

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Prudii said:
I think DW is stuck between production and custom, for most people $1400 (A2) on a hand gun is a lot. Like the entire years gun budget in one gun and for what? Fit and finish, guns that cost less than half cost less than half what a DW cost function just as well.
And for those people out there who money is no object why would they buy a DW when for a few thousand more they could get a full custom.
Click to expand...

Prudii, an A2 isn't $1400, and you might as well have said your Chevette is as good as a Vette.

If you think there's an abundance of $500-$600 1911s that are on par with a DW, please name them.
 
Prudii

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GuyMontag said:
Prudii, an A2 isn't $1400, and you might as well have said your Chevette is as good as a Vette.

If you think there's an abundance of $500-$600 1911s that are on par with a DW, please name them.
Click to expand...

I was going off the MSRP on the DW website. And I don't think they are on par with a DW just that they fit the same niche for people who just want a 1911 and don't want to spend several thousand dollars+ on a mid tech or full custom gun.
 
redtail

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Prudii said:
I think DW is stuck between production and custom, for most people $1400 (A2) on a hand gun is a lot. Like the entire years gun budget in one gun and for what? Fit and finish, guns that cost less than half cost less than half what a DW cost function just as well.
And for those people out there who money is no object why would they buy a DW when for a few thousand more they could get a full custom.
Click to expand...


12 & change @ Buds, 11+@ GAG. I am partial to the old school minimalist flavor right now , and the all steel frame on the A2 is a plus imo.
 
Podmonkey

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redtail said:
12 & change @ Buds, 11+@ GAG. I am partial to the old school minimalist flavor right now , and the all steel frame on the A2 is a plus imo.
Click to expand...
Isn't the Valor all steel as well? What is the difference between the two models?
 
redtail

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GuyMontag said:
Prudii, an A2 isn't $1400, and you might as well have said your Chevette is as good as a Vette.

If you think there's an abundance of $500-$600 1911s that are on par with a DW, please name them.
Click to expand...

Would venture to say the Rem R1 Carry would be the only production 1911s close in tolerances with the 5-600
$ tag. Not sure if they are made with mim parts though. Looked at quite a few 1911s over the last few months. The springers, colts, rugers and the kimbers , all seemed less tight in the fit n finish than the rem carrys to me. And all less tight than the DW. The price ceiling ends with the 1100-1500 range for me, can't do the 2K +browns and wilsons.
 
Podmonkey

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redtail said:
Valor is the flagship top line of the DW, supposed to be hand built by one smith start to finish. and 500.
$ or so
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I wanna get that one! The blued model, no firearms finnish is as beautiful as blied carbob steel. I just read that the blued Valors are a limited production run of 200 units though. That sucks!
 
wizrd

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Had the chance to look at & examine a new Dan Wesson Valkyrie just recently at our club - didn't get a chance to shoot it that night, a friend just bought it, brand new. I will get a chance to shoot it though. -- initial impression? - the absolute best new pistol I have ever had the opportunity to handle. All custom, upscale 1911's included. My Dan Wesson Razorback in 10mm, their first edition, is IMHO one of the best firearms on the market today....just saying.
 
Podmonkey

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Y'know, I want a 1911, I want a 10mm. I often wonder if I shouldn't just kill two birds with one stone. But I also wonder if the 1911 is pehaps not the best platform for 10mm. I also want a SIG P220, they come in 10mm now too.
 
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