New Dan Wesson Valor ... nice!

[MCMXI]

Due to the numerous posts on this forum praising Dan Wesson pistols in general and the Valor and V-Bob in particular, I ordered a Valor last week and it arrived today. I've never seen, handled or shot a Dan Wesson before, but the Valor seems to be a no frills, well built pistol with plenty to like. I was sufficiently impressed that I ordered a V-Bob (black) before leaving the store! Here are some crappy point-and-shoot photos taken in the store. The angular appearance of the lowered/flared ejection port is interesting.

 

[JDGray]

Very nice!! Slide to frame super tight like all DWs?

 

[TYFOOON]

I think the grips are nearly the ugliest I've ever seen, but that finish and quality looks impecable!

Fooon

 

[StrikeFire83]

Top notch shooting iron. Looking forward to your range report.

 

[MCMXI]

Very nice!! Slide to frame super tight like all DWs?

Thanks! Not super tight but no lateral movement at all. Not as tight as my Ed Brown Special Forces Carry when it was new but close.

I think the grips are nearly the ugliest I've ever seen, but that finish and quality looks impecable!

The grips are G10 and are very comfortable but I agree that they're not particularly great looking. As for the fit and finish and overall attention to detail, based on this pistol, I can see why an Ed Brown costs $400 to $500 more. Functionally, the Valor is probably equivalent to an Ed Brown, but it's still a production pistol and the final product reflects that. The finish isn't consistent on various parts of the pistol. The back of the extractor, ejector, grip safety, thumb safety and the end of some of the pins have different finishes.

Top notch shooting iron. Looking forward to your range report.

Thanks. The report will come once my Ed Brown Special Forces gets here in a couple of weeks. I plan to compare my Special Forces Carry to the V-Bob too.

 

[Zerodefect]

And so it begins.

Now there's a familiar weapon. Did I hear you right? You bought two? And an Ed brown?

I put thicker grips on mine. Helped alot. But now I need an extended mag release. I think I'll try the 10-8 mag release.

How's your grip safety? I sensitized mine quite a bit, but it was really easy to do. Now it disengages even with a weak grip and with my thumb up higher than it ever would really be.

Sensitized the grip safety, for more reliable draws, if I hurry and go for the trigger and thumb safety at the same time. Shooting from a fast draw to the retension position.

 

[MCMXI]

I plan to use this pistol in USPSA matches so I'll add an Ed Brown mainspring housing (25 lpi) with Maxi-Well and an Ed Brown Videki trigger. Here's what I mean when I refer to the different finishes on various parts of the pistol.

 

[Moccw]

congrats

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Great choice! My Valor is my favorite.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I see what you mean about the different finishes, I believe that has to do with the finish on the stainless frame/slide as opposed to the blued parts

I'm surprised at the rear of the slide/frame/ejector/extractor not having been polished flush..the CBOBs I've handled seemed more fitted. The lack of fit of the grip safety in the resting position is usually one of the points that demonstrate the cost difference.

I'm still undecided on the shape of the ejection port, but the gun is very nicely done...I'm sure you'll be even happier with the VBOB

 

[MCMXI]

9mmepiphany, I don't want folks here to think that I'm disappointed with the Valor in any way. It is what it is and I wouldn't have ordered a V-Bob if I wasn't suitably impressed. However, it's clear that the Valor is a production pistol where most of the budget goes into quality parts and function with little left over for aesthetics, but I'm ok with that. I think I like the ejection port and I'll let you know next week if I like the V-Bob.

Did I hear you right? You bought two? And an Ed brown?

It's a little confusing. I have an Ed Brown Special Forces Carry and I ordered and an Ed Brown Special Forces a couple of months ago that should be here in two weeks. I wanted a Maxi-Well and extended mag release so had to special order from Ed Brown. Orders from Ed Brown now have an 18 week lead time!!

I bought the Valor shown above last week and had a conjugal visit this morning, but have a 14-day wait period before I can take it home. I ordered a V-Bob this morning that will be here by Friday or next Monday.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I didn't get the impression that you were disappointed and I hope you don't take my observations as knocking the gun either...they are just the differences that set them apart

I think you have a view based on knowledge and experience. You understand what you want in a gun and aren't afraid of the cost to attain it. I think you've made good choices

 

[PabloJ]

I'm European by birth and experienced "gun whore". I feel many Americans hold back and do not offer opinions based on what they know or see. I will not do that to you.
Would you like an honest opinion?

 

[sheepdog96]

Gorgeous looking 1911 you got there 1858. I really need to get into the 1911 world here soon.

 

[tiro6]

Beautiful gun. Just got one in the bead-blasted finish, and its wonderful. Too bad to hear about the 14 day waiting period.....thats going be rough, but I'm sure you'll have lots of fun with it afterwards.

 

[MCMXI]

I hope you don't take my observations as knocking the gun either...they are just the differences that set them apart

Not at all, and I think it's a good thing to point out the differences objectively as you do.

Would you like an honest opinion?

Go for it!


sheepdog96 and tiro6, thanks ... and the wait isn't so bad. It'll give me time to order the stainless MSH and Maxi-Well, grit blast it, paint it with black GUN-KOTE and bake it.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

VERY NICE. DW makes a great 1911.

 

[Zerodefect]

I'm not seeing the finish flaws? Looks great to me.

I see that the ejector and extractor are a different shade of black. But that's just the shade those aftermarket parts come in. They aren't refinished with the slide & frame.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I'm not seeing the finish flaws? Looks great to me.

I see that the ejector and extractor are a different shade of black. But that's just the shade those aftermarket parts come in. They aren't refinished with the slide & frame.

In the higher end guns they have a uniform finish...these are the differences we are referring to

 

[MCMXI]

I'm not seeing the finish flaws? Looks great to me.

I'm not saying that they're flaws ... just differences as 9mmepiphany has stated. An Ed Brown pistol has the same finish on every part. This costs money and for some isn't worth paying for ... I can understand that. If you don't mind different finishes on the ejector, extractor, slide stop, grip safety, end of thumb safety pin, hammer pin and other pins, then a Valor makes a great choice. If on the other hand, you want the slide and frame to be blended near perfectly at the back and all of the parts to have a homogeneous appearance, buy an Ed Brown or similar. No big deal, and from where I sit, there couldn't be a better time to buy a 1911 with so many good choices available ranging from $500 to over $3,500. Everyone should be able to find something that they're happy with.

 

[Zerodefect]

That's cool. You've got a better eye than me. Your pics still look great to me. The ones I saw were all pretty good. At least alot better than my Kimbers.

I'm getting my SS V Melonited, or Hardhatted. I'll Alumihyde my last Kimber soon. It's got Alumagrips so I'm going to see if they can spray those as well.

Melonite finish is definately not the same on all parts from what I've seen because it actually darkens the metal instead of coating it. So if the metal is a bit different between the parts.... But it's a little like Tennifer which may be nice. I want everything black. Which means the small parts and trigger will probally be coated with something else.

 

[simonm2211]

Great choice

I have a DW Valor in stainless with about 800 rounds through it so far. I like it more each time I shoot it and I prefer it to any of my other autos.

 

[Owen Sparks]

Boy I like that! From the pictures it looks really well fitted. Mind if I ask what you paid for it? I was under the impression that Dan Wesson was out of business.

 

[Zerodefect]

Boy I like that! From the pictures it looks really well fitted. Mind if I ask what you paid for it? I was under the impression that Dan Wesson was out of business.

Dan Wesson is owned by CZ now. Oddly enough, thier product has become a ton better since that. The 2010+ models are quite nice.

Keep in mind that CZ's/Dan Wessons website is as accurate as a truckers log book. Lots of different Heritages hitting shelfs that aren't listed on the website. 10mm is back.

Black Valors are $1800ish, SS $1600, CCO $1550, Heritage Razorback Black $1500, Heritage Stainless $1250.

Give or take. Prices are jumpy, and models keep changing.

 

[MCMXI]

From the pictures it looks really well fitted. Mind if I ask what you paid for it?

Yes, the slide to frame fit is very good and the barrel feels like it locks up nice and tight. Price was $1,759. The V-Bob that I ordered was $90 more.