Dan Wesson Valor vs Les Baer vs Ed Brown/NightHawk

Frew

Frew

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Hi Folks

Im getting my first 1911 and with guns, like many things in life, i like the finer things :p with that being said I tend to look at the best out there because i know i won't be happy with anything else. And this way theres nothing to upgrade to later on, maybe saving my wallet some pain in the long run.

Iv narrowed my choices down to a Dan Wesson Valor ($2500) Les Baer UTC ($2500) or an Ed Brown/Nighthawk ($3500)..

My question is: for the money which gun is the best overall. Fit and Finish. Accuracy. Workmanship. Features. Warranty. Accessories (i.e. case, how many mags...). Is the EB/Nighthawk really worth the extra $1000? and whats a better gun the Les Baer or the Dan Wessen?

Any help would be appreciated form people who are as uptight about their guns as I am, and who has actually held/own them. I am ordering these guns in and won't be able to see them before hand.

Thanks for the help anyone..
 
I am in the same boat right now. I have fondled the Wilson and Dan Wesson. I have not shot them. I have two books about this subject, both written by Patrick Sweeney called The Gun Digest Book of The 1911. The first version is the better book. Both are a little out dated now. I think you should add Wilson Combat to your list. I am seriously considering ordering a Dlask Pro Plus. It is Canadian made and I think has good reviews. I own his Pro model now and it is a fine gun. One issue I have with these guns is it can take 1000 rounds to break them in. They are that tightly built.

With the USA exchange rate what it is you need to add 30% to your cost estimate. That really hurts. This sponsoring dealer has Dan Wesson in stock at pre devalued Canadian dollar prices. They are a good dealer, I have bought from them twice:
http://store.prophetriver.com/dan-wesson/
 
I think you are perhaps unlikely to see much difference between those 1911s in terms of actual performance on the range. At that level it seems to become a matter of esthetics.
 
In my opinion, Les Baer hits the sweet spot for upper end 1911s in terms of price and quality so that is the direction I went. It has been said that Wilson, EB and Nighthawk make nicer finished 1911s, but not better ones. However, if costs wasn't a factor when I bought i would have looked more seriously at the others, and would have probably gone for a Wilson. I also would love a Nighthawk 10mm long slide but I put that in a different category.

As above, if you are not buying used, buy sooner than later as we are definitely going to see price increased due to the dollar.
 
I agree with gdawg!
Wilson Combat would be my choice if $ no concern. They've been in the 1911 game the longest and their products are top notch.
You can't go wrong with any of the above. It's a 1911 and they've been made for 100 years.
From your post, it seems that you want an exclusive type of gun. May I suggest a custom Colt from Behlert or Novak or some other reputable gunsmith? Anyways, if you have the cash, this is a good problem to have!
 
Les Baer still best bang for the buck in top end 1911. Nighthawk's are really, really nice but don't know if the extra cash is going to add up to a better pistol.
 
With the USA exchange rate what it is you need to add 30% to your cost estimate. That really hurts. This sponsoring dealer has Dan Wesson in stock at pre devalued Canadian dollar prices. They are a good dealer, I have bought from them twice:
http://store.prophetriver.com/dan-wesson/
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I actually listed the prices i could get for (without negotiating the "out the door" price)

And although Wilson Combat seems to be praised, Im just not a big fan of their look. A little to much going on for me. I like a more simple yet classy looking 1911 :p

But obviously money is some object, if not i would get a complete custom made, like i did with my long range rifle. So bang for the buck is important as long as its not compromising on quality/fit and finish. and there is no where to upgrade without going custom.
 
Well I just sold 2 guns so I'm about to pre-order my 1911. It takes about 4 months for the build. Looking forward to getting it, hopefully before there is snow on the ground. I hate picking up brass in the snow, losing it is more like it! Calling the vendor tomorrow.
 
Dan Wesson's are very nicely fitted in and out.
Wilson and Les Bear also very nice and notoriously reliable. I abused the ever living hell out of my Wilson and shot over 15k with no issues at all. It is the one gun I probably regret having to sell the worst.
All are top choices.
 
So my advice is that you have to pay attention to people who own the pistols you have mentioned. I own a Vickers/Nighthawk, overall 10 out of 10. You be the judge?
You're going to get alot of "1911 SME's" who own a Kimber or Norinco and will tell you to buy one cause they did, and spend the rest of the money on pistol training courses and ammo? Oh OK I said it.
OK, let us know how many pistol courses you take and how much ammo you shoot, Cheers


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enefgee said:
Or for the same money, you have a gun made for you -in Canada.
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I agree. if I were to spend 3000+ on a 1911 I would have one built to my specs.

to answer your question, I would say the fit and finish on the nighthawks or ed browns is noticeably different to any detail oriented customer. I personally find the nighthawks to be the pic of the litter
 
Well i bought a Les Baer UTC. So far I'm very impressed (not that i have anything really to compare it to).

Being my first 1911 I'm amazed how much brake in is required. It was insanely tight and just playing around has loosened everything up a lot. I love how theres no rattle and everything is hard fitted and super tight. The match barrel and trigger is a nice touch and I fell in love with the combat night sights.

All in all I think it was a great buy. Its from a limited number batch with no markings or anything on it, and where i shoot its something very unique at the range. Im a sucker for having one of a kind.. :p

just need some VZ grips now to classy it up a bit
 
Frew said:
Well i bought a Les Baer UTC. So far I'm very impressed (not that i have anything really to compare it to).

Being my first 1911 I'm amazed how much brake in is required. It was insanely tight and just playing around has loosened everything up a lot. I love how theres no rattle and everything is hard fitted and super tight. The match barrel and trigger is a nice touch and I fell in love with the combat night sights.

All in all I think it was a great buy. Its from a limited number batch with no markings or anything on it, and where i shoot its something very unique at the range. Im a sucker for having one of a kind.. :p

just need some VZ grips now to classy it up a bit
Click to expand...

Good choice, congrats.....................................pictures please or it didn't happen..............;):)
 
Congrats. Les Baer's are particularly tight out of the box. They say 500 rounds minimum to break in.
 
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