Dan vs Les

[L. Boscoe]

Ok, there is a price difference, about a grand. That said, I get different views from folks, which may be like politics, I hope not.
Dan Wesson has a good reputation, and sells to the dealer market.
Les Baer has a good reputation, and charges for specialty stuff, IMHO, as well as guaranteeing 3 in groups at 50 yds.
For the semi serious shooter, which is the better choice, if money is not the deciding factor-bullseye only, 25 yds or less, mostly at indoor ranges.

[lll Otto lll]

Neither. I'd have one built to my own specs.

[44caliberkid]

Originally Posted by lll Otto lll

Neither. I'd have one built to my own specs.

Agree here if the object is Bullseye Shooting. Do you mean organized target competition or just punching paper? If it’s for competition you definitely want a custom pistol made by someone who knows their stuff. A friend bought a “target” model from a well known manufacturer but it didn’t come close to the pistols we were using on the Army team. The military team armourers had a standard of 2 - 2.5 inch groups at 50 yards with match ammo. It takes a skilled gunsmith collaborating with the shooter to come up with a match grade pistol.
If you mean just an acceptable accurate pistol for recreational target shooting, then the Dan Wesson will do.

[stinkeypete]

Rock River.
2.5” groups isnt some magic, it’s time and attention and know how. It’s not mysterious mojo.

[Aguila Blanca]

Originally Posted by L. Boscoe

For the semi serious shooter, which is the better choice, if money is not the deciding factor-bullseye only, 25 yds or less, mostly at indoor ranges.

Between those two, for bullseye competition, I would get the Les Baer. But if you are serious about bullseye, pay the extra for the 1-1/2-inch guarantee (if he still offers it).

[dgludwig]

A Colt "Gold Cup" has been my choice for Bullseye competition for the past forty decades. The pistol still shoots well ; the same cannot be said for me .

[KyJim]

I agree with AB. Go with a Baer with 1.5 inch guarantee for bullseye shooting. A DW is great for defense or casual plinking

[jetinteriorguy]

Originally Posted by dgludwig

A Colt "Gold Cup" has been my choice for Bullseye competition for the past forty decades. The pistol still shoots well ; the same cannot be said for me .

Holy moly, you must be old. I’m surprised you can see at all after 400 years.

[dgludwig]

Holy moly, you must be old. I’m surprised you can see at all after 400 years.

A couple of days ago, I turned 79. Forty decades means forty years, not 400 years. With any luck, someday you too will get old. And if you've got the stones and the grit, you'll also keep banging away at those black circles, teasing the "x's". Only time will tell...

[Aguila Blanca]

Originally Posted by dgludwig

Forty decades means forty years, not 400 years.

Must be the new math.

When I was in grammar school a decade was ten years, so four decades would be forty years. Forty times ten was 400 in my day.

That's what you get for posting when you're low on coffee.

[SSGN-Doc]

Is the shooter good enough to get the extra bit out of the pistol?

I went with a cross between building my own and having the slide, frame and barrel fit for me. (Did’nt want to spend on all of the tools for a one-off build for bullseye.). Went with Fusion for frame, slide, barrel, and bushing. Other parts were picked separately and I fit them to the pistol. Then I had the frame and slide bead blasted an$ I parkerized it and applied a baked finish on top of that.

Less than $2k in the pistol, and I can’t out-shoot it’s mechanical accuracy.

[SSGN-Doc]

And yes,

Decade =10 years
40x10=400

4x decade = 40 years.

[mellow_c]

The Dan Wesson I shot was a valor at 25 yards standing unsupported.

Got a 2" 5 shot group.

Good luck.

[reynolds357]

Originally Posted by L. Boscoe

Ok, there is a price difference, about a grand. That said, I get different views from folks, which may be like politics, I hope not.
Dan Wesson has a good reputation, and sells to the dealer market.
Les Baer has a good reputation, and charges for specialty stuff, IMHO, as well as guaranteeing 3 in groups at 50 yds.
For the semi serious shooter, which is the better choice, if money is not the deciding factor-bullseye only, 25 yds or less, mostly at indoor ranges.

A Dan Wesson from the CZ custom shop.

[jetinteriorguy]

Originally Posted by dgludwig

A couple of days ago, I turned 79. Forty decades means forty years, not 400 years. With any luck, someday you too will get old. And if you've got the stones and the grit, you'll also keep banging away at those black circles, teasing the "x's". Only time will tell...

Good on you, you’ve got twelve years on me and I sure hope to keep shooting that much longer. I’m starting to feel age some for sure, dealing with a little cancer now but not too serious. I’m afraid my arthritis in both my hands and wrists aren’t going to let me shoot anything but .38’s, 9mm, and .22 in another couple years. Good thing I have plenty of them, I will miss my .41 and hot .357 mags though.

[L. Boscoe]

Ordered Les with the 1.5in guarantee. 3 to 6 months delivery

[Bottom Gun]

Ordered Les with the 1.5in guarantee. 3 to 6 months delivery

Good choice. You won't be sorry.

[Shane Tuttle]

That's fantastic. The lead time isn't so bad considering all of Les' guns are manufactured with great care.

I'm happy with mine. For disclosure, I'm hoping to buy a Dan someday to add to my collection.

[dgludwig]

That's what you get for posting when you're low on coffee.

Or high on Old Crow. They don't call me Old Man Methuselah at the club for nothing.

[Red-5]

Did you try this guy, shows a several with 1.5” guarantee in stock.

https://cj1911heaven.com/LesBaerInventory.html

He is the king of Les Baer.

[L. Boscoe]

I just sent him an email. I ordered the heavyweight version, so it is unlikely that he has what I ordered, and owning two would require selling a few of
the herd.

[Rinspeed]

Not much of a comparison in my opinion. I have several friends that own one or the other and I've shot just about all of them, I have a Baer TRS. The DWs were a very solid choice when they were $1200. Several years ago a DW locked up from galling was a weekly thread on a few of the forums.