[fnfalman]

I don't think you can beat Dan Wesson 1911 unless you go super expensive Gucci brand.

 

[Jason D]

Dan Wesson makes a hell of a nice 1911.
You'd be happy with one of those.

 

[bac1023]

The Valor is certainly one of the nicest 1911s in its price range. However, I'd personally pony up and go with a Baer.

 

[Gregg702]

Small .380? Sig P238. Slightly larger .380? Sig P232. Although if you look at a P238, it is worthwhile to look at the 9mm slightly bigger brother, the P938.

 

[ras47]

I'm a traditionalist. My preference is for a GI 1911, parkerized finish. The only mod would be Pachmeyer grips. Colt, or if I could find a clean one, maybe a Remmington-Rand.

 

[crazymoose]

What do you want your 1911 to do? Purely from an accuracy standpoint, Baers are hard to beat, although Wessons are no slouches there, either.

I tend to prefer the Wessons for three reasons:
1) They're in the sweet spot of "value" high-end 1911's (that's a relative term when you're talking about guns north of the $1,500 mark) that shoot well but aren't overpriced. I think Baer and STI also fit in this category.

2) The nitrided "Duty Finish" is very nice looking and very functional and durable.

3) DW seems to understand the value of visual understatement. No giant billboards or rollmarks. The only company who graffitis their guns less is Guncrafter.

 

[bac1023]

What do you want your 1911 to do? Purely from an accuracy standpoint, Baers are hard to beat, although Wessons are no slouches there, either.

I tend to prefer the Wessons for three reasons:
1) They're in the sweet spot of "value" high-end 1911's (that's a relative term when you're talking about guns north of the $1,500 mark) that shoot well but aren't overpriced. I think Baer and STI also fit in this category.

2) The nitrided "Duty Finish" is very nice looking and very functional and durable.

3) DW seems to understand the value of visual understatement. No giant billboards or rollmarks. The only company who graffitis their guns less is Guncrafter.

They just aren't fit nearly as well as a Baer, in my opinion. I've never been as high on Dan Wesson as most other folks.