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

Once in awhile there are deals on Dan Wessons. I got a two tone heritage just like this for $922 shipped earlier this year. Really nice well fitted gun.

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I own Colts and I own DWs. All are fine guns but I find the DWs to be tighter and better built. Depends what you're willing to pay.
 
If I had $1500+ to spend on a pistol, I'd probably go with a Wesson.

I've never paid more than $800 for a gun, so Wesson is outside of my price range.
 
Wow. I know little about handguns but this thread makes me feel all warm and fuzzy about my Dan Wesson. :) I bought it from a friend for cheap and it was near new.
 
New to the forum, but not to guns. While Dan Wesson IMO offers better value for features at a given price point and is a quality build, Colt probably would have better collectors value in the end. If they go bankrupt, and they just might, you can expect anything with a prancing pony to jump in value. Look at the Python- Colt no longer manufactures it and they can fetch quite a price on the used market. IMO, SW made better quality revolvers from the 70-80's.
 
I have several 1911 and 1911a1. My Colt made in 1914 still shoots great, just not very often. So do what you want but what other company has that long of a track record.
 
That's an easy question for me, I have two Colts and three DW's, the DW is a far better made gun, and has zero MIM or plastic, not even a close comparison.
 
Wheelgun said:
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.
Click to expand...

Is it possible you are thinking of rhe Guardian (alloy bobtail)? I believe the Valkyrie is the full grip alloy offering.

I'd go Wesson myself, Ive owned most of the major 1911 production brands and find Dan Wesson to be my favorite. You pay more, but it is in quality parts, not a picture of a horse.

Yes, I think most Colt offerings are overpriced for what you get.
 
My problem with buying a DW is when you start getting up to the Valor level you're much better off looking at a Les Baer. The Valor was a great $1200-1300 1911, when they started getting up above $1700, not so great.
 
Colt is still the American original. Anything by DW is a foreign-made clone. :eek:

A cloney will never wear the Pony, ... Just sayin' :rolleyes:
 
If you want a gun to shoot and use for home defense buy a Colt. DW are nice guns but overpriced to use for the range and HD.

The only 1911 I thought was worth it was my Wilson combat I purchased in the 70's. Great gun!
 
The question will really come down to, which one do you really WANT?

Right now I have 2 1911s, both Colts, and have been 100% satisfied with how each performs. There are pistols that cost less, there are pistols that cost more, but I WANTED a gen-u-wine COLT, so that's where my money went. And I have my eyes on at least one, maybe 2 more already, as long as Colt can hang on and keep making new pistols. (Plus maybe an AR-15A4 and an SAA.)

To be fair, Colt uses the least amount of MIM of all of the mass-produced 1911s. The nylon/polymer mainspring house doesn't bother me in the least, as it's a low stress part and if it saves a little weight, even better! ;) While a Dan Wesson may be a "better" built gun, it will never have the Prancing Pony on the side.

Now my answer to the question posed in the original post, I'd buy a Colt LW Commander in 9mm, a good holster, a bunch of different magazines, a couple cases of 9mm and go run the snot out of the pistol.
 
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