Dan Wesson 9mm or...

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Mot45acp

Mot45acp

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So I'm in the market for a commander(ish) sized 1911 9mm 1911. I believe I have decided on a Dan Wesson. Whatever I decide to go with would have to be ordered sight unseen. No chance to fondle or shoot before hand. The three I am considering are:

Specialist Commander: All steel, black, rail, night sights, magwell. This seems like it would be a fun, virtually recoilless set up that could double as a nightstand gun with a TLR-7.

Guardian: Aluminum frame with night sights. Frame is bobtailed. I have never had a chance to handle or shoot a bobtailed 1911 so it would be a new venture. It does seem like a nice dress up/BBQ carry piece.

TCP: Aluminum frame, rail, magwell, brass bead front sight. This pistol seems like a hybrid of the first two mentioned. Like a jack of all trades, but master of none. I don't know how I feel about the brass front sight, never looked down a pistol with a brass bead setup.

Now that y'all see my finalists, what say you? Is there another option that I am missing? Right now the criteria is 9mm, commander, under $2k. I rarely buy centerfire guns that are strictly range use for punching paper. They have to be suitable for defense/woods carry. Reliability out of the box is a must. I don't mind some break in.
 
I have a Specialist Commander 9mm and it is a very nice 1911. However, the STI Staccato P 2011 9mm was money better spent (for me). It's a 2011 double stack with a 4" barrel, maybe a tad longer. It also has a rail and almost the same sights. It holds more rounds, has about the best warranty in the business and fills my need for a carry and range fun gun.
 
I would buy a commander Valor or a Valkyrie. I have a Valkyrie and it is a great gun. If I intended it to be a high round count gun I would have bought a steel Valor vs alum Valkyrie.

Here is a very good deal in a Valor.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/865118893

I don’t like the look of a rail on a 1911. I personally don’t use weapon mounted lights. I prefer a hand held in the weak hand. It gives me more flexibility on how yo deploy the light. Having shot at night in total darkness the off hand hold worked better for me. YMMV
 
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Don't forget the Vigil Commander, lightweight and 9mm.

If it was me, and I have my preferences, if go with the ECP. 4" barrel for my eyes, bobtail frame conceals as well on me as an officer or CCO.

On your list? Guardian would be my choice.
 
WVsig said:
I would buy a commander Valor or a Valkyrie. I have a Valkyrie and it is a great gun. If I intended it to be a high round count gun I would have bought a steel Valor vs alum Valkyrie.

Here is a very good deal in a Valor.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/865118893

I don’t like the look of a rail on a 1911. I personally don’t use weapon mounted lights. I prefer a hand held in the weak hand. It gives me more flexibility on how yo deploy the light. Having shot at night in total darkness the off hand hold worked better for me. YMMV
Click to expand...

That is a nice deal on that Valor. Shame their new style offering incorporates features I don't like, the old Valor nailed what I like in a 1911.
 
WVsig said:
I would buy a commander Valor or a Valkyrie. I have a Valkyrie and it is a great gun. If I intended it to be a high round count gun I would have bought a steel Valor vs alum Valkyrie.

Here is a very good deal in a Valor.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/865118893

I don’t like the look of a rail on a 1911. I personally don’t use weapon mounted lights. I prefer a hand held in the weak hand. It gives me more flexibility on how yo deploy the light. Having shot at night in total darkness the off hand hold worked better for me. YMMV
Click to expand...

The same seller has a VBob Valor for the same price. Looking real hard at it...as in have a CC out.

I completely forgot about gun broker. Especially with models not currently being produced.
 
Mot45acp said:
The same seller has a VBob Valor for the same price. Looking real hard at it...as in have a CC out.

I completely forgot about gun broker. Especially with models not currently being produced.
Click to expand...

The only things to note about the VBob is it has thin grip panels, which do take some getting used to (I like them) and the frontstrap checkering, at least on mine, is very aggressive. I like it but some who have shot mine have complained how sharp it is.

Also, if carrying is a consideration, it's about 43oz loaded, so add a few spare mags and it eventually became too much for my back as an EDC. Ended up having the Valkyrie take over with it's sveldt 35 oz loaded.

index.php

VBob, holster and mags. Not light
 
Mot45acp said:
The same seller has a VBob Valor for the same price. Looking real hard at it...as in have a CC out.

I completely forgot about gun broker. Especially with models not currently being produced.
Click to expand...

Also that seller is good to go. I have bought from the and know many other people who have as well.
 
If weight isn't a consideration go with the Specialist. All steel 1911 9mm's are great to shoot.
If concealment and carry weight are a factor - Guardian.
If it were me, I'd get the TCP. The magwell and brass bead sights being the deciding factors.
 
Not a big fan of either the rail or the Bobtail design. I would go with the Vigil Commander.

My own preference is a Colt Commander in .38 Super with a complete 9mm. barrel assembly and 9mm. magazines. Just swap out the barrel and magazines and you're good to go with 9mm.
gd9AjQ0.jpg
 
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JR24

I'm not Colts biggest fan, but for whatever reason a Colt Commander in .38 super has always called to me.
Click to expand...

Me too! Had a number of Colt Governments in .38 Super but for some unknown reason I always liked the .38 Super in a Commander size gun.
 
I went with the bobtail valor in .45ACP, it is my home defense choice but after carrying it a bit the weight got to me.
Decided on a Guardian for CCW but I chose mine in .38 Super as opposed to punybellum. :p
Absolutely love the gun, carry it in a Milt Sparks summer special.
 
Congrat's you've made a great choice and won't be sorry. One word of caution be careful what you choose to clean and lube it with.
DW recommends FP-10 as a lubricant and I'm using Weapon Shield as a solvent. CLP is known to discolor the duty finish.
 
I was reading up on that, as well as they take the break in pretty seriously. Looking at grips and holster for it now.
 
I have unlimited access to Kroll and Tri-Flow. Seems both are "approved".

Read that pulling the barrel and recoil spring, then hand cycling with the FP-10 to prevent galling.
 
Just realized I only have officer mags. It comes with two 9 rounders. For those with DW 9mm's, what 10 round mags do your guns seem to like?
 
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Good choice!

Mine's in .45 but it is a great gun.

Apples to crabapples but my Valkyrie runs metalform (what DW actually uses on the Valkyrie), and Wilson mags just fine.
 
CNobbe: said:
However, the STI Staccato P 2011 9mm was money better spent (for me).
Click to expand...

I have a DW Valor and if you could find a nice lightly used example like I did, I would highly recommend it. I have a 9mm STI Trojan and it’s the best shooting 9mm I own. I had a chance to shoot a Staccato P a few months back. I loved it, but being a big fan of most guns that say STI on the slide, I wasn’t surprised that I loved it. And therefore I want one.
 
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