Mile High lists Dan Wesson in their drop down for handguns by the way.
https://www.milehighshooting.com/dan-wesson/
https://www.milehighshooting.com/dan-wesson/
Retirement pistol
- Thread starter Rick Flair
- Start date
My dad has a couple Dan Wessons. They are GREAT for a semi-custom. Ed Brown and Les Bear....Drool Worthy. Nighthawk has some bad ass pistols too.
How about another path...since you're going to be retired and have a bunch of time on your hands. Get a receiver and slide. Buy a parts kit and a checkering fixture. Build your own! I've monkeyed around with mine. I bought a 1911 as my "first" gun (the first one I paid my own money for). Went with a Springfield mil-spec. and have since upgraded nearly every part to get rid of the MIM internal. Its pretty nice right now and by FAR my favorite gun to shoot, even though I have plenty to pick from now. I still want to add a beavertail safety, but I haven't bought the fixtures yet.
How about another path...since you're going to be retired and have a bunch of time on your hands. Get a receiver and slide. Buy a parts kit and a checkering fixture. Build your own! I've monkeyed around with mine. I bought a 1911 as my "first" gun (the first one I paid my own money for). Went with a Springfield mil-spec. and have since upgraded nearly every part to get rid of the MIM internal. Its pretty nice right now and by FAR my favorite gun to shoot, even though I have plenty to pick from now. I still want to add a beavertail safety, but I haven't bought the fixtures yet.
I don't have a problem with MIM parts. The "important" parts in my springfield are still MIM (sear and Hammer). I work in plastic injection molding, so I know how good the quality can be. Its a metal part, its just much cheaper to manufacture vs. machining from billet. They start with a powdered metal and use high heat and pressure to bind the powder together into a part. It goes through a secondary process (similar to heat treat) to actually form the material on an atomic level.
I wouldn't worry about it in a production gun from a reputable manufacturer. There is so much liability surrounding accidental discharge that they are probably the most over tested parts in the world! But, then again, everything can fail. Just ask Remington about their triggers...
I’ve seen MIM parts fail, but I think it was more the exception than rule. Having been the head of the armory, we had more failures with our old school S&W revolvers (yes I’ve been around since they issued those, shut it
) than our Glocks. We torture tested one and ran 100k rounds through it to see what we could make fail. No cleaning. Recoil spring got really weak, but the thing still ran.So, while MIM parts are talked down by some, many won’t shoot enough to make most any firearm fail or need replacement parts. You can always change them if it makes you feel better, but like the post mine said, they are reliable and especially Ruger has an excellent service department if you do have an issue. Used it often, we broke a lot of mini-14’s.
Thanks all. I forgot about Wilson! I’ll see if they offer something I like.
I would love to build one too, great suggestion!
I would love to build one too, great suggestion!
I have a Dan Wesson heritage I bought when I was in college and it is my favorite pistol I own.
I forgot Wilson in my list also. A friend of mine in Cali swears by his collection of them, another great option.
I like Colts though so I’m weird.
Something flashy? I love it. My buddy Todd at Sig, from Texas, calls them BBQ guns. Something big and flashy, pearl grips, engraved and badass that you wear to your gun buddies’ BBQ’s....
Good on your retirement. Well done. Now get your money’s worth out of your pension and live forever!!!!
Dan Wesson is a solid choice. Maybe Tarran Tactical JW Combat Master? Or something from Wilson Combat in .45?
What do you think of the new Python?
My buddy Will got the contract to do all of their print and digital/video media on it. It sure looks sexy.
Lots of issues with the new ones. Sadly, Colt fucked it up.
It sucks because I was looking forward to it then I read about the changes to the trigger to make it “better” I knew right then it was done because the guys that built the originals have retired and most likely died, taking their knowledge with them. The lock work inside the originals is something a master watch maker would do. I have shot one once, that double action trigger is one of the best I’ve felt. I couldn’t afford one so I bought a King Cobra. I stupidly sold that off, they don’t make those anymore either and it was a sweet shooter.
Fixer6
TJ Enthusiast
You might try gun.deals to see who might have the better price on different versions you’re looking at. Of course with the current demand being what it is, most deals are merely if you can get your hands on one. Anyway, congrats on retiring, and I hope you can thoroughly enjoy it.
So, something else I was thinking for you to check out. Springfield's custom shop kind falls in line with Dan Wesson price wise. I've heard they're right up there with Ed Brown, Nighthawk, Wilson Combat, etc when it comes to build quality. Their parts are cheaper, ergo, the price is cheaper. I know Springfield doesn't have the panache of the custom builds, but they DO make a solid gun.
https://www.springfield-armory.com/1911-series-handguns/custom-handguns/
https://www.springfield-armory.com/1911-series-handguns/custom-handguns/
Tldelaney
TJ Enthusiast
Dan Wesson's are nice and in that midrange price. They are my go to since CZ offers a great first responder program. I have the limited blued Valor and specialist. Once I get home Ill post some pictures of it. Id also look at the Springfield like the TRP or range officer which is around 1,100-1,300. I shot bullseye (CMP) with a stock RO and that pistol and it was so accurate for the price.
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Tray Burge
TJ Addict
Why not build what you want?
This is my daily carry weapon.
My "Wilsonized"
Colt Officers Enhanced Lightweight .45acp.
From my understanding enhanced meant no MIM parts, regardless, I upgraded all internals with Wilson Combat Bullitt Proof bar stock parts/springs, titanium firing pin, EGW FLGR with a flat wire recoil spring, Clark oversized/hand fitted barrel bushing and a Stan Chen Shooter Installed one piece mag well then finished it off with some nice WC/VZ grips. Just need to redo the sights to Tritium sights and I'm done.
I put a "carry finish" on the already worn gun so now it only gets better looking with age.
The first picture is when I first got her.
This is my daily carry weapon.
My "Wilsonized"
Colt Officers Enhanced Lightweight .45acp.
From my understanding enhanced meant no MIM parts, regardless, I upgraded all internals with Wilson Combat Bullitt Proof bar stock parts/springs, titanium firing pin, EGW FLGR with a flat wire recoil spring, Clark oversized/hand fitted barrel bushing and a Stan Chen Shooter Installed one piece mag well then finished it off with some nice WC/VZ grips. Just need to redo the sights to Tritium sights and I'm done.
I put a "carry finish" on the already worn gun so now it only gets better looking with age.
The first picture is when I first got her.
Thanks all. I don’t see Wilson offering me a like pistol in the 2k range with the same features.
I know they are a good builder.
Just want a $2k cap.
And I will build one as well. I want a factory pistol to be mine.
I know they are a good builder.
Just want a $2k cap.
And I will build one as well. I want a factory pistol to be mine.
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