1911

[captain awesome]

well I have wanted one of these for a very long time. I am finally breaking down and doing it soon, but I still cant decide which one to get. for a while I wanted a Colt gold cup, then changed my mind and briefly considered a Sig, then wanted a Springfield target loaded(or what ever they are called) Briefly went through a bought of wanting a lesbear, but didn't want to pony up quite that much dough. then I wanted a Dan Wesson Point Man 7, they discontinued those and now I have decided I still want a Dan Wesson but cant decide if it should be a Valor or Heritage. I like stainless 5" 1911's. Is it worth it the extra 300$ to get the Valor? Is it correct that the Valor has a forged frame but the Heritage doesn't?

 

[Cards81fan]

What means the most to you?

Tactical "Features"
Materials
Fit Quality (perceived or otherwise)
Resale
Brand allegiance
Location of manufacture

I mean, I spent 800+ on a Colt Series 70, as the Brand, Resale, and Materials were important to me (high composition of forged parts). Others spend $500 on on a RIA Tactical because the like features included for the price, and could care less about the name stamped on the slide. Other despise S&W and Sig for their use of an external extractor. Some like Kimber because of the aesthetics of the weapon, while others chide them for their use of MIM.

All of those criticisms are based on fact, but what importance those facts have in a purchase decision is really based on what the buyer values for their dollar. With a bit more detail of your preferences, we may be able to throw some well-suited recommendations out there.

Best and good luck!

 

[captain awesome]

don't care about tactical features, I actually would prefer adjustable sights, I know neither of those offerings come with that.

materials, I do care about. I want it to LAST. The more forged parts, and hand fitting, the better.

Fit quality(and finish) YES.

Resale. Not really, If its a gun I trully get along with, I wont sell it.

brand allegiance, Who ever makes the best for the price wins. don't care where its made as long as the quality is there.

Accuracy. I care a great deal about acuracy. To me this comes hand in hand with the sights. Almost all of my current pistols are probably more accurate than I, however, their are certain guns I shoot much better than others, and I believe it is mostly due to the sights. I shoot my Colt Anaconda better than anything else, even off hand i am a tacdriver with it.

reliability, yes. I may end up carriying it some day, probably will end up competeing with it. I really like ragged hole groups at moderate distances.

price, to me the 1400 the valor would cost seems a bit high, although if it ends up being worth the money, I will cough it up.

I picked dan wesson because of the raving reviews. Am I headstrong an refusing to look at anything else? absolutely NOT!

 

[Water-Man]

Have you looked at the S&W 1911 'E' series?

 

[shootr]

Lots of choices in 1911s these days. Sounds like a Gold Cup would fill the bill nicely for the features you want. JMHO.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

get the colt

 

[Cards81fan]

Off the top of my head

Springfield Range Officer (this is a wild card, which I know is a bit outpriced/outclassed by the other two)
Colt Gold Cup
Dan Wesson Valor
All of these have adjustable rights. All of these have forged frames. Actually the Heritage does as well, according to CZ USA.

Springfield is the least expensive of the three, but a heck of a gun for the money. They have forged (in Brazil) frames and are well-regarded for their quality (as is the Colt and Dan Wesson). I like that is has a regular guide rod - the Colt has a full length which I think is unnecessary. I would have to replace the grips though, as for carry I would like something more aggressive than the Crossed Cannons in the wood. But they forwent those and any checkering to keep the costs low, which is understandable. But for the price of the Dan Wesson or close to it, you could get a TRP Operator

The Wesson sights are night sights, and I do not believe the Springfield and Colt are (I could be mistaken). I also like the VZ grips included, but then that ups the price. I do not like a beavertail, especially for carry, but then I don't suffer hammer bite - YMMV. I like the front strap checkering. Comes in stainless or black, which is nice.

The Colt Gold Cup can be had without a beaver tail, if you find an older model. It is included on the new models. And I don't care for wrap-around grips either - I prefer front strap checkering. I also think the new ones only come in stainless, which is a bad thing if you want a dark or blued finish.

For a carry pistol, I like what the Valor offers over the Colt, which is hard for me to admit as I generally prefer Colt. If I could afford the Wesson, it would be my pick of those three. But for the price, the Springfield is hard to beat and is worth consideration.