Dan Wesson Heritage

[red rick]

What do you think about the Dan Wesson Heritage ?

I was thinking about buying a used one for $1000 .

I have a Pointman 9 that I really like , but it had to go back to the factory the first time I shot it ? To CZ's credit they fixed it fast on their dime . I bought it new from the custom shop .

 

[1KPerDay]

I love mine. Best 1911 trigger I've ever felt. For $1000 used it had better be PRISTINE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cl9pZulaIM&feature=share&list=PL-v3seq1GL7fT8_f1guO8DeACQrgnt8bY

http://youtu.be/ylAbq2ieCfs

 

[KYamateur]

Hold out for the Valor. It's in a whole different class

 

[red rick]

I like a smooth front strap . I sold my TRP because of the sharp front strap . I held a Valor yesterday and it didn't feel much different than the TRP to me .

 

[KYamateur]

Valor does have an aggressive grip. I would choose colt if I wanted a smooth front strap. Heritage is a good gun, but you don't get the parts quality and hand fitting of some parts you get with Valor line. I would think the Colt would hold value better and they are generally good quality pistols. Most all of the Pistol Guild Gunsmith members would probably tell you they like Colt and Springfield Loaded in 1,000 range. STI is a brand that is loved by those that own them but you don't see them as much in stores. I think the Trojan model is around 1,000 dollars. All of them are probably good in luring the Heritage, so it is just whatever you like the most. If you have the money I think everyone should get at least one Colt 1911.

 

[JDR]

I picked up my DW Valor used, it is the most accurate pistol I have ever owned! Absolutely worth every penny that I paid for it!

 

[swinokur]

I like my Heritage. Good value for a 1911 IMO.

 

[1KPerDay]

Heritage is a good gun, but you don't get the parts quality and hand fitting of some parts you get with Valor line. I would think the Colt would hold value better and they are generally good quality pistols.

What parts quality is different? Heritage used Ed Brown parts to my understanding. No MIM etc.

FWIW I went to the store intending to buy a stainless Colt Gov't and came home with the DW. Quality was not even close to equal. The Colt (and I like colts and own a couple) felt like a pile of crap next to the DW.

 

[ohioshooter]

i love my Heritage and got mine new for around what you are paying used. Most accurate pistol i've shot out of the box.

 

[red rick]

I agree , I held a Colt and DW Heritage and the Heritage was fit heads above the Colt I handled at the gun store .

I do agree that the Colt will bring more money years down the road if I was selling it .

Bud's is about the cheapest place I have seen on the Heritage and it was over $1100 , don't remember the exact price right now .

 

[Robert101]

I like the Dan Wesson models and own a PM7 in 10MM. It had to make a return trip to Dan Wesson for tuning - it had feeding issues.

I have a SA Loaded model and it never missed a beat. I would like to have a TRP as the fit and finish are really good AND you get a life time warranty. DW only offers (I think) a 3 year warranty.

 

[red rick]

I had a TRP and I didn't like the front strap so I sold it . I want a smooth front strap , I don't even like the 25 lpi of the Valor .

 

[KYamateur]

What parts quality is different? Heritage used Ed Brown parts to my understanding. No MIM etc.

FWIW I went to the store intending to buy a stainless Colt Gov't and came home with the DW. Quality was not even close to equal. The Colt (and I like colts and own a couple) felt like a pile of crap next to the DW.

I don't know if it uses MIM parts are not, I just know that it is the entry model for Dan Wesson. It is not close to the Valor in fit and finish. Valor has no sharp edges, some hand fitted parts, and nice bead blast finish. I said that all of the guns in that price range were good including the heritage I just like the Colt better at that price point. Some will like the Heritage, some Sig, some Springfield, etc... I hardly think a new production Colt looks like I pile of crap next to the Heritage. I have a Colt and a Valor and while the Valor is nicer, the colt isn't far behind.

 

[1KPerDay]

The one I looked at did. And the fit and finish of my heritage is top notch. If you don't know what parts they use then you shouldn't really comment on the quality of the parts. Far as I know (and I've done some research) the parts are identical to the Valor. The Valor may have more hand fitting in some areas and the option of the ceramic finish, plus some extra checkering. The Valor is awesome for sure. But for the money, the Heritage is AMAZING.

 

[RussB]

Valor does have an aggressive grip. I would choose colt if I wanted a smooth front strap. Heritage is a good gun, but you don't get the parts quality and hand fitting of some parts you get with Valor line. I would think the Colt would hold value better and they are generally good quality pistols. Most all of the Pistol Guild Gunsmith members would probably tell you they like Colt and Springfield Loaded in 1,000 range. STI is a brand that is loved by those that own them but you don't see them as much in stores. I think the Trojan model is around 1,000 dollars. All of them are probably good in luring the Heritage, so it is just whatever you like the most. If you have the money I think everyone should get at least one Colt 1911.

Please tell me which parts are different on a Hertitage vs. a Valor

 

[red rick]

The parts that I could see different were , grips , sights , front & rear checkering and finish .

 

[KYamateur]

I was told by CZ that the valor is their flagship line and had some hand fitting and more attention to detail and better features. I did not bash the heritage, It is simply a production 1911 just like Colt. I was in error implying inferior parts, they just simply are not fitted like the Valor. Buy a heritage, have someone hand fit the parts, round the sharp edges, add some front strap serrations, and do a nice bead blast finish and you will have a valor at a much higher price point than buying the valor originally. It's odd that you tell me I shouldn't speak but call the colt a pile of crap. I never said the Heritage was not a good gun. Just the opposite. For me it is worth the extra three hundred or so for the Valor. Everyone likes different guns, that is why they make so many.

 

[1KPerDay]

It's odd that you tell me I shouldn't speak but call the colt a pile of crap.

The one I compared side to side with the DW FELT and LOOKED like a pile of crap by comparison. To me. On that day. When I examined it carefully. I wanted another Colt and intend to buy another Colt if I can find one that doesn't look and feel like it was cobbled together buy a drunken gorilla on Friday at closing time.

 

[JDR]

One of the indoor ranges I frequent actually has a stainless DW Valor available for rent, and the first time I rented and shot targets with this pistol, I knew I wanted one, in fact I tried to buy this rental gun & they wouldn't sell it to me. Then I found a used Black Duty Coat Valor for significantly less than the price of a new one, and I shoot this gun more accurately than any other 1911 I have ever shot targets with.