Wilson Combat vs. Dan Wesson – Which 1911 Should I Buy?

[Bob Lee]

To an old antique like myself, a 1911 above the $1,500 price point is high end. There are a LOT of good shooting guns out there in the sub $1,000 range and even some nice dependable ones under $500 If they go bang, on a regular basis, I consider them a decent gun. I have a few in just about all of the different price points, they all have their quirks, and unique characteristics, you guys know which of these I choose to carry, and it's in the bottom of that list, but I sure like it. (still trying to sell that Wilson)

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels that way. My series 70 Colt I bought in early 2000's costed me near 1000. It's beautiful, but it sits in the safe. I won't sell it, and I happy I bought it, however I shoot my other 1911's far more. Honestly I prefer to carry a HiPower over anything else other my usual nickel 36 no dash. I lead a very quiet life in a very small town. We have a decent Sheriff who appears to be pro 2A. At least it appears that way. I'm not getting any younger either lol. Sorry for rambling, it seems to come with age! Stay safe all.

 

[ratwhacker]

I think I'd buy the Dan Wesson and spend the rest on ammo. I'm cheap (or thrifty), and I've been burned by "big name" guns before. That colors everything I do these days.

We've got a slew of good 1911s, and the fanciest these days are Colts, and just two of them. The other 13 are Rock Island (2), Tisas (5), and Springfield Armory (5), and a lone Ruger. I've had more aggravations with Colt than any of the others, though the current two are "okay" I've just owned more Colts than the other brands, which stands to reason, I suppose.
I shoot the Tisas and Springfields more than the others combined, and they're doing just great for me.
Just because they have a big name, doesn't make them perfect, or even okay, everyone makes lemons, and no one has a good QC department any more, either. Find a decent smith in your hometown, and buy a mid-priced pistol, and then let them work it over, and you'll probably have a better pistol than any with a fancy name.

 

[terdog]

Hey everyone, I'm looking to buy my first high-end 1911, and I could really use some help. I've been around guns for a while, but I've never owned anything in this price range before. After much research, it seems like Wilson Combat and Dan Wesson are two of the best options, but I'm struggling to figure out which one is the right choice.

From what I've read, Wilson Combat is top-of-the-line, with amazing fit, finish, and reliability. But they also come with a pretty steep price tag. On the other hand, Dan Wesson seems to offer a lot of quality for less money, and some people say it's 90% as good as a Wilson for a lot less cash. Others say you'll never want anything else once you shoot a Wilson. That's what's making this decision tough.

I want something that's accurate, reliable, and will last a long time. Mostly, I'll be using it at the range, but I might carry it every now and then. I just don't know if I'd really notice the difference between a Dan Wesson and a Wilson, or if I'd regret not saving up for the more expensive option.

For those of you who have owned or shot both, what are the biggest differences? Is Wilson really that much better, or is Dan Wesson the smarter buy? If you were in my position, which way would you go? I'd love to hear what you guys think before I drop a bunch of money on something.

I like that you left out kimber. They are more flash than substance and their customer service and my recent experience is pretty bad. I would not count on getting any kind of quality repair work from them.

 

[KyCarl]

I have both but I carry a DW V-bob Commander in 10MM....