SA TRP VS DW Valor

[oneloudvous]

Hello,

Im currently saving up, slowly, for a nice-ish 1911.

At first I was set on a SS TRP because my favorite shop has one and I have handled several different ones and liked them. They did have one for $1350 OTD but now the price is up to $1475 OTD (which Im not sure Im willing to pay for just a TRP)

But now I keep reading about the DW Valor (SS). My LGS doesn't carry DW but there is a small chance they could order one. If not Buds price is $1500 after transfer. The $150 (vs a $1350 TRP assuming they go back to that price) isn't that big of a deal but I wouldn't get the chance to handle a valor before ordering.

I will probably do layaway no matter where I buy it.
I prefer to support my LGS.
I haven't heard much about DW's warranty; while SA's is supposed to be amazing?


So what do y'all think? Im still saving so Im in no hurry to make a decision.

[Valerko]

http://youtu.be/v-cugu6I1BI

Got my eye on Valor as well. Handled one in LGS and I'd say they are on par.
Mostly just personal preference I think

[lamarw]

I believe you are the only one who can select the right pistol for you. At the prices you are mentioning, I am sure both should be quality firearms.

With this said, I would recommend you save your money as opposed to a lay-a-way. This way you have the use of your money vs. a store having your money. You will not get the pistol any quicker either way. In case their is a personal emergency, you still have your money as opposed to a forfeit to the store. Bad things do happen in life.

The only way I can see a lay-a-way working to a buyer's advantage is if it is a one of a kind or rare item you will have a slim chance of finding again.

[LockedBreech]

This is a really hard one. I can't recall hearing a bad word about either.

For me, the Valor, simply based on aesthetics.

[5RWill]

I was just thinking about this discussion today hehe. I would personally go DW made in the US, no MIM, high quality parts, hand-fitted IIRC (though so is the TRP again IIRC), and i honestly just prefer it aesthetically speaking over the TRP. I just am not a fan of front slide cocking serrations. Don't like FL guide rod as well. Valor has less roll mark which i'm a fan of but SA's roll marking doesn't bother me much at all. Also i have read several times the checkering on the front strap of the TRP is seriously aggressive, can't speak from personal experience but many have compared it to a cheese grader so might want to go out and hold the two side by side if you can find them.

The problem is i'm not sure they're comparable price wise anymore. DW has shot straight up. I mean a duty coat Valor is 1700-2000$ in which your entering Les Baer range for a TRS. I actually think you can find the DW Specialist for around 1600$ which is more around the TRP price range. Back when i was looking at them it was 1600$ for a valor. Which i'm still not sure why the Specialist is less than the Valor.

Not sure about DW's warranty but SA is phenomenal. While i want a DW very bad it spans that price range of "couple more hundred could be a true semi-custom" which would bother me to some degree. I would like to see DW Duty Coat valors at 1500$ and Stainless at 1300-1400$ but that is wishful thinking.

Both are phenomenal guns, though i obviously have a preference for the Valor. That said i would give a kidney for an SA professional. That is probably my favorite 1911 hands down. It's just a gorgeous firearm.

[Uncle Malice]

I had the TRP and really liked it. After the first 300-400 rounds it was 100% reliable - it was super tight when brand new.

If I were doing it again, I would go with the Dan Wesson for one reason: the front strap checkering. It's so aggressive, it gets downright painful. The gun was designed to be shot with gloved hands. It's not really something I noticed until I shot it a bit but it would really chew up my fingers.

Maybe I just have supple girly fingers though. If you're hands are all calloused from years of working in the saw mills or something, it's probably fine.

[kutz]

TRP !!!

[UncleEd]

Ah, no one ever thinks of Colt.

[Mrgunsngear]

Very tough call. I have a TRP and it's simply awesome. 100% reliable and more accurate than me. FWIW I really like the checkering but I like aggressive grips.

Unfortunately I haven't shot a Valor yet but I'm looking to change that...

[Fishbed77]

Ah, no one ever thinks of Colt.

Yeah - I would be looking at the Special Combat Government in this price range as well.

[NOLAB]

New here and appreciate all the good info. I'm going thru the same thought process as well and did nit realize about the front strap - will have to handle a TRP again.

FYI Kentucky gun co has the TRP for $1179 and Bud's has the DW SS Valor for $1479. So it's about a $300 diff - until I read this thread I was leaning toward the TRP because of the price difference. $1500 is the very top of my price range.

Thanks for the good info here!

[Venom1956]

All three of the mentioned Pistols are quite nice.

I own the Valor.
I've had a TRP for a few days, Shot it a bunch great gun.
Sadly I haven't had the privilege of shooting any nice colts.

you can't go wrong with any of them.

[loose_holster_dan]

i think i'd go trp over the valor. it'd be close. if it was trp vs a different dw, the answer would be very different.

::edit::
i was thinking of the heritage. i would take the valor over the trp for sure.

[NJgunowner]

I agree with Uncle M there, the front strap on the TRP is very sharp and aggressive... to sharp.

I'd go with Dan Wesson myself, even the Heritage over the TRP.

[5RWill]

Colt should be thrown in the mix but the only feature set competitor that colt has comparable to these two is the special combat government and it's a 2000$ handgun. As much as I would like one. I can't honestly say id pay 2000$ for a colt. I'd go get a baer in a heartbeat. But the special combat government is a fine handgun.

If 1500$ is the top end of the budget and you don't want stainless the TRP is the way to go IMO. If stainless doesn't bother you id go with the valor and maybe get it finished down the road.

Check out 10-8 performance articles hilton yam and CO. have extensive knowledge on the 1911.

http://modernserviceweapons.com/?p=3948
Here is one on colts reliability. Apparently they have a phenomenal track record out of the box.

[Nathan]

Valor: Grabagun

[UncleEd]

Lower your sights a bit, so to speak, and consider the Colt
National Match/Gold Cup Trophy models or the Springfield
Armory Range Officer. You might be surprised that they'll
do you fine and save you some money.

A lot of the 1911 mystique has come to be a lot of geejaws
such as sharp stippled front straps, fancier grips, skeletonized
triggers, etc.

Heck, you might even find you're satisfied with a Colt
Government or a Springfield A1 or consider the Kimber (gulp )
LE, the same model the LAPD SWAT uses.

[oneloudvous]

I was considering a Colt XSE but didn't like the sharp edges.

I definitely prefer a textured front strap and would prefer to buy a gun with it vs sending it out.

I like slim grips on a 1911 as my hands aren't huge.

Y'all are making this choice rather difficult. The TRPs Ive handled have all been nice. I like the overall features (front strap checkering albeit sharp, magwell, skeletonized trigger and hammer, ambi safety). There is MIM and its not made in the USA (I prefer USA made). I also prefer 3 dot sights like on the TRP.

The valor on the other hand seems to be very well regarded in the 1911 community, made in the USA, no MIM but the higher price, questionable warranty, and especially the fact I won't be able to handle one before purchasing makes this difficult.

Does anyone have or had both at some point for more comparisons?

Thanks for y'alls help- keep it coming!

[Venom1956]

Why do u prefer 3 dots? Trust me straight 8s are better.

This might help.

Beauty


& the Beast


Both are awesome guns. TRP just got new grips in that pic. VZ slims are intoxicatingly nice.

[5RWill]

Venom that particular TRP is the custom shop full rail one correct? Not the factory produced TRP like the one we're comparing the valor to? I mean the full light rail TRP is up their with the professional is it not?

[JWT]

Dan Wesson makes a darn nice 1911. I have a CBOB, guy I shoot with has a Valor. Both of us consider them favorites. Very well made, tight fit, accurate, reliable, and good looking too.

Colt Lightweight Commander is also a nice gun and can be had for less than the DWs.

[Venom1956]

Venom that particular TRP is the custom shop full rail one correct? Not the factory produced TRP like the one we're comparing the valor to? I mean the full light rail TRP is up their with the professional is it not?

I think so? It was a pretty nice gun. Its the only TRP i've had experience with tho.

[Nathan]

I didn't want come off as a DW nut, but here it goes.

The DW is frankly a better gun than the Colt or the SA. The DW has all tool steel internals! No other sub-$2000 gun can say that!

The SA will have some MIM. The Colt same. Not saying MIM is bad, just that it is unfitted mass production parts.

IME the DW might have a tooling/forming mark or two. The Colt and SA might be slightly cleaner on the frame & slide.

Still, that DW will be near Wilson, Ed Brown, Les Baer quality....it may even shoot better. DW's really are premium guns.

[5RWill]

Originally Posted by venom

I think so? It was a pretty nice gun. Its the only TRP i've had experience with tho.

Pretty sure it is, if memory serves correct, though i could be wrong. That would put it up there with the likes of the SA professional, Les Baer, Wilson Combat, Nighthawk, etc. etc. Nice gun though do you still own it?

[JWT]

Hard to disagree with Nathan.