Why no love for Dan Wesson?

[GuyMontag]

It's a pretty well held view among 1911 fans that Dan Wesson is arguably the best bang for your buck in a semi-custom 1911, by hundreds of dollars for what their guns deliver. That's got me thinking about why there's so little talk about their guns from NY gun owners. Maybe I'm mistaken, but the lack of love for Dan Wesson among the forum seems a little odd given they're here in NY and would expect a closer following.

They're not the best at marketing themselves from my perspective, yet their reputation is a good one, and wondered what you guys think about their pistols. I don't think they've a factory store, or any type of outlet in Norwich, which doesn't help the matter, but perhaps someone local or who's a DW fan could chime in if they know any different.

So what say you, do you like Dan Wesson, and can you think of a better 1911 for the price?

A2 - Dan Wesson

 

[Tinman]

Personally I think that they are overpriced. I think they make a great pistol, but I will keep my Kimbers.

 

[GOPerfect]

I do not either love them or hate them. I do have no use for their price tags.

A gun owner can own two maybe three other good 1911's for the same as one Wesson.

I have shot a couple of different ones, too be honest, for the couple extra grand more, did not notice that much of a difference.

Maybe it's just me.

 

[Criticalt]

In my opinion alot of the custom shops make "cooler" guns of equal or better quality for the same price.
STI
Cabot
Ed Brown
Ned Christianson
Ted Yost
Terry Tussey
Chuck Rogers
Ross Carter
Single
CT Brian
Jesse James

And many, many, many more

 

[GuyMontag]

In my opinion alot of the custom shops make "cooler" guns of equal or better quality for the same price.
STI
Cabot
Ed Brown
Ned Christianson
Ted Yost
Terry Tussey
Chuck Rogers
Ross Carter
Single
CT Brian
Jesse James

And many, many, many more

Criticalt, EVERY one of those guns costs THOUSANDS more than a Dan Wesson??

Please don't include Jesse James with guys like Chuck Rogers for the sake of humanity!!!

 

[Criticalt]

Criticalt, EVERY one of those guns costs THOUSANDS more than a Dan Wesson??

Please don't include Jesse James with guys like Chuck Rogers for the sake of humanity!!!

A couple of them have options in the 1500 range.
My thought is that if you can spend 1400 on a DW, you are willing to spend more for a better gun.
STI are great guns well in the range of DW for a superior gun.

And I know about JJ but he has alot of very satisfied fans.

 

[dsdmmat]

I have a Dan Wesson 714 pistol pack, .357 Magnum. Mighty fine revolver, never really looked at their auto loaders.

 

[GuyMontag]

Crticalt, other than an entry level STI which is still several hundred more than the DW and not truly a full in house STI build, over half of your list are making guns that start well in excess of $4k, IF you even can get a place on their waiting list. Yost, Joe Chambers, Chuck Rogers, Burton...these are top of the food chain builders with big ticket prices, who're truly in a whole other universe.

Jesse is a pop culture phenomenon, though he fancies himself as a gun builder. Just do a little reading how badly he got called out by industry pros on his bullshit suppressor, it's embarrassingly sad. To each his own, and if you like his guns fair enough, but he's not a serious gun builder by any objective standard. There's all kinds of trash around America that idolize Jesse and have no idea what makes a good 1911, and while he's a master bike builder, he's punchline as a "gun builder."

While my tastes have grown to appreciate the more custom end of the scale, I still think an DW A2 is the pound for pound champ, and would be my choice if I were going to spend $1000 or so on a 1911. Range Officer would be in the running for sure, but the A2 sure is nice.

 

[freddy]

The Dan Wesson 1911's (Valor and V-bob) are perfect for my tastes. Reliable, very well made and finished. Reasonably priced. Unlike a lot of 1911's these days the Valor and V-bob have no gaudy over-the-top design or engraving shouting in 72pt font "DAN WESSON" down the entire length of the slide. Just simple, reliable, understated elegance in design. They are my favorite handguns to shoot. What the pistol was meant to be.

I have not personally seen an A2 but I suspect it is on par with the Valor and V-bob. The only change I made to my Wessons are Wilson mags and wood stocks like the A2.

I wanted the turn-key reliablity of properly hand fit parts without paying the premium of Wilson or Brown prices. I think spending more than the Wessons cost is likely past the point of diminishing returns. That being said, who wouldn't want a $6k+ Brown or Wilson?

I have no regrets about my Wessons and wholeheartedly recommend them.

 

[Deplorable Me]

In the process of ordering Springfield Armory #4. Good pricing, good performance. No problems.

 

[dsdmmat]

I will typically build my own 1911s, Although I have/ have had one from quite a few of the major manufacturers Para Ord, Kimber, Springfield, Colt, Ruger, Auto Ord, Sig, Star.

I just prefer to build my own now.

 

[GuyMontag]

that's a good enough reason dsdm, lots of guys enjoy putting one together with excellent results.

 

[dsdmmat]

that's a good enough reason dsdm, lots of guys enjoy putting one together with excellent results.

have built 7 so far, it is kind of fun.

 

[thegatman]

have built 7 so far, it is kind of fun.

Do you use kits? I heard Sarco has some 1911 kits.

 

[Podmonkey]

Hey I like Dan Wesson! I hope to have a Valour one day, blued model. I think Dan Wesson 1911s sit atop the production class market, and I think that may their problem. For guy that's willing to drop $1500+ may also be willing to blow $3000+ on a "custom" whereas the factory 1911 fan may scoff at DW prices.
But again, when I'm ready for a 1911 it'll be a DW I'm looking for.

 

[dsdmmat]

Do you use kits? I heard Sarco has some 1911 kits.

I usually buy a slide and frame (not always the same manufacturer and then buy the parts. I like cylinder and slide 5 part 4.5 pound trigger pull kits, smith and alexander grip safeties, WC Ambi Thumb safeties. Other than that I usually pick up a match barrel and full length guide rod. I have used the Briley barrel bushings in the past and I really like the way they work.

building one is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[freddy]

I usually buy a slide and frame (not always the same manufacturer and then buy the parts. I like cylinder and slide 5 part 4.5 pound trigger pull kits, smith and alexander grip safeties, WC Ambi Thumb safeties. Other than that I usually pick up a match barrel and full length guide rod. I have used the Briley barrel bushings in the past and I really like the way they work.

building one is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination.

About how many hours for fitting?

 

[dsdmmat]

About how many hours for fitting?

some frame slide combos fit within minutes some take an hour or so. I use gun oil and jewelers rouge for fitting the slide and frame. The grip safeties only a couple of minutes, the thumb safety takes the longest most of the time.

 

[freddy]

some frame slide combos fit within minutes some take an hour or so. I use gun oil and jewelers rouge for fitting the slide and frame. The grip safeties only a couple of minutes, the thumb safety takes the longest most of the time.

Using jigs/fixtures or any other special tools?

 

[freddy]

Hey I like Dan Wesson! I hope to have a Valour one day, blued model. I think Dan Wesson 1911s sit atop the production class market, and I think that may their problem. For guy that's willing to drop $1500+ may also be willing to blow $3000+ on a "custom" whereas the factory 1911 fan may scoff at DW prices.
But again, when I'm ready for a 1911 it'll be a DW I'm looking for.

Man, that blued Valor is SWEET! Just needs rosewood stocks to be perfect.

 

[dsdmmat]

Using jigs/fixtures or any other special tools?

MARVEL 1911 SLIDE LAPPING TOOL | Brownells
ED BROWN 1911 BEAVERTAIL INSTALLATION JIG | Brownells
BROWNELLS BOB MARVEL 1911 AUTO SEAR & HAMMER JIG | Brownells
BROWNELLS 1911 MAGAZINE WELL FILLER | Brownells

and a good set of files, punches and a brass hammer.

 

[freddy]

MARVEL 1911 SLIDE LAPPING TOOL | Brownells
ED BROWN 1911 BEAVERTAIL INSTALLATION JIG | Brownells
BROWNELLS BOB MARVEL 1911 AUTO SEAR & HAMMER JIG | Brownells
BROWNELLS 1911 MAGAZINE WELL FILLER | Brownells

and a good set of files, punches and a brass hammer.

Thank you! Much appreciated.

 

[freddy]

Some Dan Wesson porn:

 

[Prudii]

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.

 

[freddy]

I usually buy a slide and frame (not always the same manufacturer and then buy the parts. I like cylinder and slide 5 part 4.5 pound trigger pull kits, smith and alexander grip safeties, WC Ambi Thumb safeties. Other than that I usually pick up a match barrel and full length guide rod. I have used the Briley barrel bushings in the past and I really like the way they work.

building one is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination.

Ever try 1911 parts from Metro Arms or Stealth Arms?

 

[dsdmmat]

Ever try 1911 parts from Metro Arms or Stealth Arms?

No, I normally stick to what I know.

 

[Criticalt]

Crticalt, other than an entry level STI which is still several hundred more than the DW and not truly a full in house STI build, over half of your list are making guns that start well in excess of $4k, IF you even can get a place on their waiting list. Yost, Joe Chambers, Chuck Rogers, Burton...these are top of the food chain builders with big ticket prices, who're truly in a whole other universe.

Jesse is a pop culture phenomenon, though he fancies himself as a gun builder. Just do a little reading how badly he got called out by industry pros on his bullshit suppressor, it's embarrassingly sad. To each his own, and if you like his guns fair enough, but he's not a serious gun builder by any objective standard. There's all kinds of trash around America that idolize Jesse and have no idea what makes a good 1911, and while he's a master bike builder, he's punchline as a "gun builder."

While my tastes have grown to appreciate the more custom end of the scale, I still think an DW A2 is the pound for pound champ, and would be my choice if I were going to spend $1000 or so on a 1911. Range Officer would be in the running for sure, but the A2 sure is nice.

No doubt, I know everything you are saying, ive done my research.
You asked why DW wasn't more popular and I know for a fact, "I have many friends that are hardcore custom collectors", that many people going for a dream 1911 go for the more expensive custom makers, hence the waiting lists.
Youve got the guys looking for a decent 1911 for CC and plinking that go for the factory guns, SR1911, Rock Island, Remington.......
Then you have the guys that want a "premium" gun, Kimber, Colt, Dan Wesson.....
Then the high end custom guys.
With all the hype around Kimber they take alot of the $1000-$2000 dollar tactical guys that like the tactical look and feel.
Then the "the only 1911 is a Colt" guys who are willing to pay for the name.
I think DW just gets overlooked alot because of the straight forward, classic look of alot of his guns.
I think my $800 SR1911 is better looking than that Wesson you posted. My Ruger may not be the end all 1911 but its a damn good gun with zero issues for the years ive had it. Im not a huge 1911 fan but I wanted one so I went with the decent factory gun.
If I were going to spend over a grand, id go way over a grand. If I only had $1500, id go with the $800 Ruger.
I believe DW is just in that tough middle grade where all products suffer....cars, motorcycles, toasters...........etc.
Im not trying to be a dick, but....
Before anyone says well DW is a far superior gun than a SR1911, come prove it. Just saying

 

[MilesTeg]

This just popped up on slick guns. IDK anything about the kit but looks interesting.

1911 TACTICAL 80% BUILDERS KIT BLACK YOUR CHOICE .45 ACP OR 9MM

 

[Bananabandit]

They are pricey. Iff I was buying a handgun for that much, it wouldnt be a 1911 or a 45. Shit, my AOWs each didnt even cost that much. But to each their own.

 

[Darth]

It's a pretty well held view among 1911 fans that Dan Wesson is arguably the best bang for your buck in a semi-custom 1911, by hundreds of dollars for what their guns deliver. That's got me thinking about why there's so little talk about their guns from NY gun owners. Maybe I'm mistaken, but the lack of love for Dan Wesson among the forum seems a little odd given they're here in NY and would expect a closer following.

They're not the best at marketing themselves from my perspective, yet their reputation is a good one, and wondered what you guys think about their pistols. I don't think they've a factory store, or any type of outlet in Norwich, which doesn't help the matter, but perhaps someone local or who's a DW fan could chime in if they know any different.

So what say you, do you like Dan Wesson, and can you think of a better 1911 for the price?

A2 - Dan Wesson

If Smith and Wesson evolved from Dan Wesson, why is there still Dan Wesson?