Help me decide

[preachnhunt]

I need your opinions. I will soon be buying a 1911 and had just about decided to get a Dan Wesson Bobtail Commander based on what I had been reading on this forum. Since then, a couple of people have told me that I would do much better to get a Kimber and the guy at the gun store said that Dan Wesson has been out of business three times in the past 20 years or so, so he thought I should steer clear of them. The three guns I am considering are listed in the poll. Please vote and comment. I especially value your comments if you actually own any of the above.
Thanks!
Jim.

 

[robriboflavin]

I would say that the Dan Wesson is one of the best, if not the best, production 1911 available at this time. And I wouldn't be too concerned about the company going out of business. Even if they do, you're getting a 1911 that has a bazillion replacement parts available, and thousands of people that know how to work on them.

I like the Colt Lightweight Commander too, and you won't go too terribly wrong buying a Colt either. As for Kimber, well, once upon a time about twenty years ago they were really good, but now they're kind of hit or miss. Definitely would be my third choice of the three.

Full disclosure: I don't currently own any of these, although I do own several 1911's and have been using the platform for about 20 years...

Good luck!
Rob

 

[kanook]

I say Raptor. I DC an Ultra Carry for the past 2 or 2 1/2 years. I have even used it to hunt with and shot a hog DRT.

I must admit the stainless is kinda ugly though. But hey, your gonna carry it concealed anyway.

 

[9mmepiphany]

i have owned the Colt and a Kimber (but not the Raptor)

i owned the Colt when their were the only 1911 game in town. it went right from the dealer to my pistolsmith to get tuned for duty carry. mine was very nice, always worked, but i traded it a few years later for a HK P-7.

Kimber changed the whole 1911 landscape when they included many of the features everyone wanted, in a 1911, as stock. the one i owned wasn't reliable after a couple of thousand rounds and i sold it to someone who wanted to learn to work on a 1911. i wouldn't make a general recommend of a 1911 with a barrel under 4.25"

the Dan Wesson is on my list to buy...i had to get a couple of full sized Colts as base guns for custom builds first. every DW Bobtail Commander i've inspected has been outstanding in fit and finish.

you can go back to the gun store and poke that "expert" in the eye...i rather doubt DW will be going out of business in the future as they are now owned by CZ

 

[benderx4]

Dan Wesson in now owned by CZ and if anything, their quality has even gotten better. They aren't going anywhere. Can't go wrong with the Colt either.

 

[gunnutery]

Personally I shy away from Kimber all together. Their prices are just too high for something that looks the same as the other 1911's. I haven't heard anything bad about them (except others complaining about the price also) until I read the above post about them being hit or miss quality.

Just my opinion.

 

[BushyGuy]

when it comes to 1911 pistols Colt is at its finest. 2nd place Kimber cuz they make cool 1911, about Dan Wesson i never held or fired one so i dont know what to say but Colt is the best choice for a 1911.

 

[CWL]

Personally I shy away from Kimber all together. Their prices are just too high for something that looks the same as the other 1911's. I haven't heard anything bad about them (except others complaining about the price also) until I read the above post about them being hit or miss quality.

Yup. Get the Dan Wesson.

I've been shooting pistols near 25 years now and collect M1911s, and I currently own all 3 brands (multiples actually). As of this moment, the DW CBoB is the best-manufactured, best quality and best-bang-for-the-buck M1911 pistol available.

This may change for a variety of reasons, but not as of this moment.

 

[PRE 64 JOE]

COLT, if you care enough to get the very best not whats groovy right now but it is the one you wish you bought but didn't.