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Old September 23, 2017, 08:47 PM   #1
Joe_Pike
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Would You Go Dan Wesson or Colt In A New 1911?

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.
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Old September 23, 2017, 09:06 PM   #2
Deaf Smith
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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.

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Old September 23, 2017, 09:31 PM   #3
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I cant speak for the colt but i have a Dan Wesson ECO and it has performed flawless.
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Old September 23, 2017, 09:37 PM   #4
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If I'm going to spend that much on a 1911 it will be a Colt.
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Old September 23, 2017, 10:33 PM   #5
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The DWs are very, very nice and highly regarded. But, I personally am a fan of the prancing pony.
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Old September 23, 2017, 10:42 PM   #6
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Yes. To me the Dan Wesson is worth that extra.
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Old September 23, 2017, 11:03 PM   #7
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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.
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Old September 23, 2017, 11:32 PM   #8
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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.
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Old September 24, 2017, 12:14 AM   #9
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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.
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Old September 24, 2017, 07:02 AM   #10
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Dan Wesson has tool steel small parts, not MIM.
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Old September 24, 2017, 07:51 AM   #11
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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!
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Old September 24, 2017, 08:57 AM   #12
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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.
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Old September 24, 2017, 02:39 PM   #13
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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.
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Old September 24, 2017, 03:45 PM   #14
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^^^^^ 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.
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Old September 24, 2017, 04:47 PM   #15
Nathan
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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.
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Old September 24, 2017, 07:49 PM   #16
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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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Old September 24, 2017, 08:23 PM   #17
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Dan Wesson here.

A couple of buddies of mine own Colts, even they will admit my Wesson is a nicer 1911.
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Old September 24, 2017, 08:48 PM   #18
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Dan Wesson,I have a Colt!
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Old September 24, 2017, 09:33 PM   #19
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Where are y'all finding new DWs for $1300? That's a good deal. The
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Old September 24, 2017, 11:52 PM   #21
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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.


Last edited by railroader; September 25, 2017 at 01:51 AM.
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Old September 25, 2017, 09:56 AM   #22
JWT
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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.
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Old September 25, 2017, 11:49 AM   #23
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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.
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Old September 25, 2017, 04:01 PM   #24
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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.
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Old September 25, 2017, 04:02 PM   #25
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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.
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