New to 1991's Kimber, Dan Wesson ?

[LLDJRG19]

Hi, I have been searching for 1911's, Kimber seems name and they do look sexy but the "issues" that I read about don't give me a warm and fuzzy.

However, in researching the Dan Wesson models, I see a gun listed as "Pre-CZ"

What do I need to know when searching for a Dan Wesson piece, I prefer Stainless Steel models, 5" barrel.

Just a shooter gun, not a carry gun, I have a Kahr CW 9 and a Glock 19 for that.

[Dave Severns]

This is a very open question. I would like to suggest that you spend a few hours searching the archives of this forum, as a ton has been written over many years, regarding the 'original' DWs. Have fun.

[zenfly]

Theres lots more people happy with their kimbers than not..And they can all be made to run...I'll bet a Wilson magazine fixes the problem 1/2 the time..
After having and shooting a bunch of .45s the quality,fit,finnish,looks,and everything about these new DWs puts them in another bracket..
You'll hear pretty much the same thing around here...
I'm thankful to all these guys for the enlightenment..

[zenfly]

Originally Posted by Dave Severns

This is a very open question. I would like to suggest that you spend a few hours searching the archives of this forum, as a ton has been written over many years, regarding the 'original' DWs. Have fun.

Is there anything about them thats better than the new ones?
In your opinion?

[LLDJRG19]

I have searched plenty, and what appears to be a PRO for the DW is that they use so many Ed Brown components.

Also, the EE on the Kimbers are an issue with some but not all, I have "heard" that I should avoid the EE on the Kimber, basically I know all Ii need to know about Kimber now, so I'm off to investigate the DW.


I will keep searching on other forums as well.

[Rimcrew]

I owned a few Kimbers and DW's. I wish I had found DW first - would have saved myself a bunch of money! I like the Kimbers, my EDC is an Ultra CDP, but the DW's are a few notches above the Kimbers in fit/finish/and feel.

May I suggest you focus your research on the RZ-45 Heritage model. It is just plain sexy, accurate as all get out, and super reliable. All for under a grand (if you shop around). What's not to like.

GL with your research.

[2TransAms]

Originally Posted by LLDJRG19

I have searched plenty, and what appears to be a PRO for the DW is that they use so many Ed Brown components.

Also, the EE on the Kimbers are an issue with some but not all, I have "heard" that I should avoid the EE on the Kimber, basically I know all Ii need to know about Kimber now, so I'm off to investigate the DW.


I will keep searching on other forums as well.

Kimber doesn't use the external extractor anymore, although the two I had worked just fine. While they undeniably had some issues, the gun forums blew it out of proportion IMO.

[maestro pistola]

I salivate for a DW Valor. Take a look at that model. Pretty special.

[rduckwor]

Current production DW's are very SOLID guns and viewed to be one of the best bargains in production 1911's available.

I own two and have shot the living daylights out of both. Neither has so much as farted.

No gun is perfect, but some are much better than others.

Good Luck and be prepared, you are about to step off a very tall cliff when it come to 1911's. First one, then another, then another and soon you have no more money.

[lastgun415]

I picked up my Kimber in the beginning of October and haven't had a single failure yet. I DID buy new magazines before I went to the range though because the Kimber ones aren't that great.

Highly recommend it.

[rbert0005]

If you want a 1991, you will have to stick with Colt.
If you want a 1911, I would go with the DW and leave the Mimber to the masses.

Bob

[Texas Bulldog]

I have Kimbers and I have Dan Wesson's.

IMO the Quality of the DW's are fantastic... not saying the Kimbers are not but you can tell there is more of a personal touch on the DW's...

I can't say my Custom CDP II kimber is any more or less accurate than my Dan Wesson PM-7 but my Wesson is more comfortable to shoot for some reason. May be mental for all i know.

The Dan Wesson's IMO are the best kept secret in the 1911 world. Perfect quality used ones can be had for 700 bux!... The secret is slowly leaking out more and more and the prices are starting to catch up. Im grabbing them when i come across good deals. Their fantastic.

Im also a fan of my Springfields but it seems like they too a lot more love and $$$ to get on par with my kimbers and wessons... granted my 3 springfields aren't the high models to begin with... GI, Operator and Loaded.

JOe

[John 242]

To quote myself...

I would think carefully before I would buy another Kimber (I own two) for the following reasons...

Kimber has/had really poor customer service.
Kimbers have spotty QC.
Kimbers have a reputation for producing compact guns (especially the Ultras) that don't run very well.
Kimbers are expensive (including the CDP) and some models cost almost as much as a semi-custom, yet are loaded with MIM parts.
I could go on...

Not familiar with DW products, but unless I could get a used Kimber at a really great deal, I wouldn't buy another one.

Sure, some run fine, but I must be ’special’ because I’ve seen a lot of Kimber pistols with issues, including my own.
For the money though, they should all run.

The local shop has a new Gold Combat II that’s been sitting on the shelf for well over two years now. For a time they wanted $1500 for it. Yeah, $1500 for MIM parts and mediocre fitting? Right…
I am a huge fan of the simple Custom II or TLE, but even those models have gotten pricy. Some of the more racy guns cost nearly as much as a semi-custom pistol made with forged parts, hand fitting and much more attention to detail.

That having been said, I’ve found my TLE to be durable, more or less reliable with Wilson mags and pretty accurate. My Target II is very accurate, just not reliable.

As always, threads like this are all about opinion and of course mine may differ from the next guys. Take it with a grain of salt.

[LLDJRG19]

Originally Posted by John 242

To quote myself...

I am a huge fan of the simple Custom II or TLE, but even those models have gotten pricy. Some of the more racy guns cost nearly as much as a semi-custom pistol made with forged parts, hand fitting and much more attention to detail.

That having been said, I’ve found my TLE to be durable, more or less reliable with Wilson mags and pretty accurate.

I agree with your thoughts,

My plan is to go with the Stainless TLE / RL II or the DW Heritage, this will be a range gun for me, but if the 1911 wins me over, I would get a Ultra Carry next.

[surjimmy]

If you can get the Dan Wesson, IMO pre CZ is a plus but any of the CZ Dan Wesso1911's are top notch.