Would You Go Dan Wesson or Colt In A New 1911?

J

Joe_Pike

New member
Both are storied names in the firearms world, even though Dan Wesson is fairly new to 1911s compared to Colt. With that being said, Dan Wesson certainly has made a big name for themselves among 1911 enthusiasts with the beautiful guns that they produce. And, Colt...well, Colt is Colt. That little pony on the side means something to a lot of people...me included.

Anyway, if money were no object (and it most certainly is to me) would you opt for a Dan Wesson for a few hundred more than a Colt, even if the Colt was enough to make you happy? I know that sounds like a strange question, but here is why I ask. I've noticed that the Dan Wesson Valkyrie Commander can be had for about $1,299 right now (that's $350 below cost) compared to a Colt Lightweight Commander for roughly $900. I've really been wanting a Lightweight Commander in 9mm for a while but have never run across one at the same time that I had any money to get one. The Dan Wesson is decked out pretty nicely, but again, Colt is Colt. I've read and heard lots of great things about the Dan Wessons, but I also know that Colt is turning out some pretty good stuff at the moment too.

Of course, this is all hypothetical for me since I can't afford either one at the moment.
 
I very much like Colt's firing pin lock design. I own three Colt 1911s right now and I've owned others. The Series 80 and 90s are 100 percent.

And that kind of biases me.

Deaf
 
For me, the choice would be easy, Dan Wesson would get my dollars.

Not sure what the deal is with the Valkyrie right now, but I was able to pick up a 9mm Commander locally for $1300 OTD, including sales tax which is a great deal.
 
Since I have 2 Colts (full size and Lightweight Commander), I would (and am) tempted by the DW Commander Valkyrie. The only issue is the rounded grip. I had a Sig Nightmare Carry Fastback, and found I do not like the bobtail frames. A lightweight commander sized DW with straight grip would be high on my list.

YMMV.
 
Joe, I have both Dan Wesson and Colts. I understand and appreciate the nostalgia associated with the Colt name. I'm a fan of the prancing pony too;) But, if you are interested in a 1911 type pistol recognized for superior build quality, I recommend the DW. If the main thing is paying less and/or the pony on the slide, go with the Colt. You'll have a good, serviceable, "name brand" pistol with good resale value, but without the more precise build quality of the DW.
 
I know how well my own Dan Wesson Valor shoots and I got mine used for around a grand a few years back. I've had it worked on & test-fired by a really good 1911 gunsmith back east so I know what I have and it's a great gun.

So if you can find a Colt 1911 that works as good as this DW Valor, for what I paid for it, just go buy it!
 
I have a bunch of Colts, new ones and several from the 70's. I have two Dan Wessons, a 9mm Guardian and a .45 CCO. Every Colt I have, I have had custom work done on to reach the level of a Dan Wesson. Custom work is costly and time consuming. Get the Dan Wesson. I have not been tempted to do any mods on my DW's, not even change the grips. It's ready to go right out of the box. If you're not familiar with the DW line, when shopping online, make sure that you know what a "blem" is.
 
Colt.

For one thing, Dan Wessons are very expensive firearms. They also do not offer the Valor in a black finish anymore. They are stainless only from what I understand, and I do not like stainless 1911s.

I think Colt gives you an excellent 1911 for the money. They kind of have it down, at this point. Many say Colts are among the most reliable new 1911s out there. They aren't quite as "tight" as some other brands and this serves to help with reliability.

I vote pony gun.
 
^^^^^ The DW Valor is offered in Duty Finish (Black), Stainless Steel and for the year, Blued.

Not sure where you are getting you information from.

While the Valor is more expensive than a basic Colt, as it should be, as it is the flagship model of DW, it also has more features than the basic Colt. More along the lines of a Custom Shop Colt, and priced very similar.

While I am far from a DW fanboy, I also am very realistic. Dollar for Dollar, the DW is the better firearm. If you should be ever need warranty work, would rather send to DW and get it back in weeks rather than months if sending back to Colt.
 
If I wanted a highest possible quality 1911, I would get a Dan Wesson.

If I wanted a Colt 1911, I would get that.


Im a little weird in that I think a Dan Wesson competes favorably with a Les Baer and Wilson 1911. I buy according to what I can see value in. Other 's see value differently, obviously.

I have a Dan Wesson CCO and a Dan Wesson custom Specialist both in duty treat. I feel absolutely spoiled to own those 2 fine pistols. I also own a Colt Wiley Clapp Government. Also, a fine 1911.
 
I've bought two new full size Colts in the last year and a half or so.

The first in stainless for my oldest son's 21st birthday.
The second in blue for myself just because, but what Colt calls blue these days is more blah than anything else.

In addition to the MIM parts, you're looking at a plastic main spring housing as are on many other manufacturers' offerings, and aluminum triggers.
I swapped the housings out for steel on both and changed out (and tweaked) the trigger on my son's before giving it to him, as the factory one was horrible.
The trigger on my own was pretty decent out of the box and is better now with use.

Neither have had any issues with function and both are great shooting guns, but in my honest opinion I'm thinking that Colt is not who they used to be.

My money would go toward the Dan Wesson without a thought.
 
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