Dan Wesson Valor or Colt Wiley Clapp Stainless?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Dan Wesson Valor or Colt Wiley Clapp Stainless?

Posted: 4/28/2018 10:09:53 PM EDT

Looking for an all steel commander in .45 acp and these were the two I have come down to. Which one should I get?

Posted: 4/28/2018 10:10:27 PM EDT

[#1]

Always the Valor.

I'd go V-Bob in particular.

Posted: 4/28/2018 10:13:40 PM EDT

[#2]

Valor.

Not even close.

Posted: 4/28/2018 10:25:25 PM EDT

[#3]

Colt

Posted: 4/28/2018 10:34:22 PM EDT

[#4]

I have a Dan Wesson Silverback on the way but I need to get a commander also. I have had several different brands of 1911's but Dan Wesson seemed the nicest of all. Was hoping the newer Wiley Clapp commander would be up there with Dan Wesson.

Posted: 4/28/2018 10:35:47 PM EDT

[#5]

They're not bad, but the Wesson is still better.

Posted: 4/28/2018 10:38:22 PM EDT

[#6]

Colt doesn't build anything in the same league as Dan Wesson in my experience. If those are your two choices it's a no brainer in my mind.

Posted: 4/28/2018 10:42:44 PM EDT

[#7]

The Colt is nothing special. It's just a basic 1911. It works and does what it should do...but it is just a normal 1911, no frills. Slide to frame is kinda loose on my Colt and the trigger is sloppy/loose. The safety will overtravel and get stuck.

YMMV.

Posted: 4/28/2018 10:44:11 PM EDT

[#8]

I am going against the grain here and will say, get the Colt. Its the real deal and the originator of the Commander model. All else is just copy of a Colt.

Posted: 4/28/2018 10:57:37 PM EDT

[#9]

Leaning towards the Valor. Not sure I want stainless or black duty coat? I really like both but I have never seen either one in person and the duty coat is $200 or so more than the stainless.

Posted: 4/29/2018 1:26:29 AM EDT

[#10]

I've got the Wiley Clapp Government and the Dan Wesson Valor VBOB, so it's not really an apples:apples comparison to what you were looking at. But I will join the chorus saying the DW is better built by a significant margin. I went back and forth over stainless versus duty coat or whatever they call their black finish these days. I settled on stainless, and I have no regrets.

I've got 13 1911s, and only one is a Commander, so they aren't really my favorite thing. And I don't plan on getting any more. But even being both a Commander and a bobtail, I truly love my VBOB. A joy to shoot every time. Whereas the Clapp, though good, is just another in a sea of similar Kimbers and Sigs.

Posted: 4/29/2018 1:37:37 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've got the Wiley Clapp Government and the Dan Wesson Valor VBOB, so it's not really an apples:apples comparison to what you were looking at. But I will join the chorus saying the DW is better built by a significant margin. I went back and forth over stainless versus duty coat or whatever they call their black finish these days. I settled on stainless, and I have no regrets.

I've got 13 1911s, and only one is a Commander, so they aren't really my favorite thing. And I don't plan on getting any more. But even being both a Commander and a bobtail, I truly love my VBOB. A joy to shoot every time. Whereas the Clapp, though good, is just another in a sea of similar Kimbers and Sigs.

https://www.johnnyego.com/firearms/1911s/page4/vbob14.JPG

View Quote

That's very nice! Probably will stick with Stainless, not too sure I think the duty coat will be worth the extra money.

Posted: 4/29/2018 1:49:39 AM EDT

[#12]

I got a Valor blue, and it is way nicer than the Colt's I looked at before I got it.
It wasn't even a debate in my mind once I compared them.

Posted: 4/29/2018 6:38:50 AM EDT

[#13]

Valor, for sure
It would be worth handing one with duty treatment...
I've carried my Guardian for several years and it looks like
it just came out of the box, really nice gun

Posted: 4/29/2018 8:28:24 AM EDT

[#14]

I stopped buying Colts after I bought my first Dan Wesson.

Posted: 4/29/2018 9:08:02 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
I stopped buying Colts after I bought my first Dan Wesson.

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This pretty much sums up my experience, too. DW produces some beautiful, accurate firearms.

Posted: 4/29/2018 9:16:01 AM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
This pretty much sums up my experience, too. DW produces some beautiful, accurate firearms.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I stopped buying Colts after I bought my first Dan Wesson.

This pretty much sums up my experience, too. DW produces some beautiful, accurate firearms.

Quiet guys don't let the cat out of the box

Posted: 4/29/2018 10:37:50 AM EDT

[#17]

My vote. Love this pistol.

Attached File

Posted: 4/29/2018 1:22:32 PM EDT

[#18]

Attached File

Posted: 4/29/2018 2:13:41 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
I stopped buying Colts after I bought my first Dan Wesson.

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I had also, but then I handled a Colt I could not say no to, and that led to my Gunsite Colt. Different flavors to be sure.

Posted: 4/29/2018 8:45:33 PM EDT

[#20]

D.W., but I might be biased.

I have another one of these coming shortly (CBOB), as I sold the one pictured (like a dumb-ass). Kept the grips & holster though.

Posted: 4/29/2018 10:10:55 PM EDT

[#21]

Valor in Duty Coat all day.

Posted: 4/29/2018 11:38:58 PM EDT

[#22]

Nice 1911's! thanks.

Still trying to decide what finish but I'm definitely getting a Valor Commander now.

Posted: 4/29/2018 11:50:14 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
I am going against the grain here and will say, get the Colt. Its the real deal and the originator of the Commander model. All else is just copy of a Colt.

View Quote

What he said.

Posted: 4/30/2018 7:57:51 AM EDT

[#24]

The Valor is hands down the nicer and better build pistol and would be my choices without a doubt.. If it’s not a Colt it’s a Copy is the most ridiculous thing going IMO. Yet the only reason Colt guys can come up with to why a Colt is better choice... Should tell you something.. There is nothing Colt does better then DW but there are many things DW does better then Colt does..

Posted: 4/30/2018 7:58:54 AM EDT

[#25]

I have a clapp and keep thinking of selling it to get a valor

The price difference is pretty significant though

Posted: 4/30/2018 8:59:10 AM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
Quiet guys don't let the cat out of the box

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I stopped buying Colts after I bought my first Dan Wesson.

This pretty much sums up my experience, too. DW produces some beautiful, accurate firearms.

Quiet guys don't let the cat out of the box

I was in the men's room the other day and some stranger comes up to me to tell me about his Dan Wesson. It's not a very well kept secret.

Posted: 4/30/2018 8:50:42 PM EDT

[#27]

Dan Wessons are nice but they're just not Colts.

Posted: 4/30/2018 9:27:18 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
Dan Wessons are nice but they're just not Colts.

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Exactly my point.

Posted: 4/30/2018 10:09:52 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
The Valor is hands down the nicer and better build pistol and would be my choices without a doubt.. If it’s not a Colt it’s a Copy is the most ridiculous thing going IMO. Yet the only reason Colt guys can come up with to why a Colt is better choice... Should tell you something.. There is nothing Colt does better then DW but there are many things DW does better then Colt does..

View Quote

Agreed. Have a colt commander and rail gun along with my VBOB Valor and Specialist. There is no comparison between the two in regards to fit, finish, and parts. I carry the VBOB daily and the specialist has been with me for quite some time. The duty coat just doesn’t really wear if the right cleaning and lubricants are used. Great firearms.

Posted: 4/30/2018 10:18:52 PM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:
Dan Wessons are nice but they're just not Colts.

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Colt makes nice 1911's but I don't wet myself at the sight of the pony like some do.

I'll personally take a Valor over any Colt.

Posted: 5/1/2018 3:55:17 AM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
Dan Wessons are nice but they're just not Colts.

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They're too nice to be Colts.

Posted: 5/1/2018 5:27:57 AM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:

I was in the men's room the other day and some stranger comes up to me to tell me about his Dan Wesson. It's not a very well kept secret.

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Attached File

Posted: 5/1/2018 8:59:11 AM EDT

[#33]

Go Dan Wesson and you will have a precision tool that is a thing of beauty. It will literally turn heads at your range.

I have a Valor 10mm in Duty Finish so I can assume the .45 is just as finely built. I only have 500 rounds through my Dan Wesson and I love it more and more with each range trip.

Keep in mind that you can’t use all cleaners on the Duty Finish because it will blotch it. However, it isn’t as sensitive as some make it out to be. I use Ballistol, Kroil or FP10 to clean and use ALG oil and grease, EWL or Cherry Balmz to Lube with no issues. Whatever is closest is what I grab.

Posted: 5/1/2018 8:47:00 PM EDT

[#34]

Check out this thread:
https://www.ar15.com/forums/Handguns/A-Deeper-Exploration-Dan-Wesson-Valkyrie-Unravels-the-Fabric-of-the-Universe/4-182589/

Go about half way down and look at the pics of the rear of the pistols.
The slide to frame fit differences are obvious. Colt can't seem to machine anything at 90 degrees.

Posted: 5/1/2018 10:30:18 PM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:
Check out this thread:
https://www.ar15.com/forums/Handguns/A-Deeper-Exploration-Dan-Wesson-Valkyrie-Unravels-the-Fabric-of-the-Universe/4-182589/

Go about half way down and look at the pics of the rear of the pistols.
The slide to frame fit differences are obvious. Colt can't seem to machine anything at 90 degrees.

View Quote

Yep I agree, that's a awful fit...makes you wonder about QC and long term durability.

Posted: 5/1/2018 11:34:14 PM EDT

[#36]

I have to chime in again because I have had umpteen Colts and 3 DW pistols.

The run of the mill Colt is not made to the same standard as the DW, nor is it made with the same type of parts as the DW. What you will generally get is a pistol that will be 1/3 to 1/2 the price of a DW, not as pretty, but every bit as reliable and almost as accurate.

If you step up the price on the Colts, that gap narrows or disappears. Two of the DWs I have owned had some movement of the slide, they were not tight like my Baer. The Silverback is tight, but not as tight as my Baer, nor is it as tight as my Springfield Mil Spec. My Gunsite Commander is a Colt Custom Shop pistol, and it has the slightest bit of movement between the slide and the frame, but I generally shoot it better than my custom Silverback when I go head-to-head.

My Valor had a rear sight that would not stay in place even with loctite. Never had that problem with a Colt.

What I like about my Colts are that I do not have to worry about using the wrong lubricant. I can use anything, they eat anything, and they return more than acceptable accuracy for me.

Shot at 15 yards after right around and after sunset.

Shot at 15 yards on another range trip.

Any errors in the groups was made by me. I'm 60, and the eyes are not what they used to be.

Now for the Dan Wesson custom Silverback, 15 yards.

Pretty damn good. It should be for the cost. It was much more expensive than even the Gunsite Colt.

Now for the Les Baer Commanche.

Point is, no Dan Wesson is the be all/end all. Nor is Colt, and nor is any other brand. Make your choice and live with it without trying to tear down someone else's choice.

Posted: 5/2/2018 9:00:46 AM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have to chime in again because I have had umpteen Colts and 3 DW pistols.

The run of the mill Colt is not made to the same standard as the DW, nor is it made with the same type of parts as the DW. What you will generally get is a pistol that will be 1/3 to 1/2 the price of a DW, not as pretty, but every bit as reliable and almost as accurate.

If you step up the price on the Colts, that gap narrows or disappears. Two of the DWs I have owned had some movement of the slide, they were not tight like my Baer. The Silverback is tight, but not as tight as my Baer, nor is it as tight as my Springfield Mil Spec. My Gunsite Commander is a Colt Custom Shop pistol, and it has the slightest bit of movement between the slide and the frame, but I generally shoot it better than my custom Silverback when I go head-to-head.

My Valor had a rear sight that would not stay in place even with loctite. Never had that problem with a Colt.

What I like about my Colts are that I do not have to worry about using the wrong lubricant. I can use anything, they eat anything, and they return more than acceptable accuracy for me.

Shot at 15 yards after right around and after sunset.

https://i.imgur.com/BEKgXdk.jpg

Shot at 15 yards on another range trip.

https://i.imgur.com/Fp5LoLH.jpg

Any errors in the groups was made by me. I'm 60, and the eyes are not what they used to be.

Now for the Dan Wesson custom Silverback, 15 yards.

https://i.imgur.com/UndW9Un.jpg

Pretty damn good. It should be for the cost. It was much more expensive than even the Gunsite Colt.

Now for the Les Baer Commanche.

https://i.imgur.com/xcMcS3G.jpg

Point is, no Dan Wesson is the be all/end all. Nor is Colt, and nor is any other brand. Make your choice and live with it without trying to tear down someone else's choice.

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Well said Sir.

Posted: 5/5/2018 4:19:01 AM EDT

[#38]

We're talking about manufactured chunks of steel. 'Best' is determined by feature choices, quality of materials, machining tolerances, and how well an organization can put craftsmanship into their product on a consistent basis. If someone wishes to own a Colt because it makes them feel somehow better connected to history, then by all means. But that's purely an emotional consideration. If you want the better 1911, you get a Dan Wesson.

And for those that have found their Colt's to be better than their Dan Wesson's.. that's fine too. Just a rather significant statistical anomaly given everyone else's experience.

Posted: 5/8/2018 1:13:27 PM EDT

[#39]

Quote History

Quoted:
We're talking about manufactured chunks of steel. 'Best' is determined by feature choices, quality of materials, machining tolerances, and how well an organization can put craftsmanship into their product on a consistent basis. If someone wishes to own a Colt because it makes them feel somehow better connected to history, then by all means. But that's purely an emotional consideration. If you want the better 1911, you get a Dan Wesson.

And for those that have found their Colt's to be better than their Dan Wesson's.. that's fine too. Just a rather significant statistical anomaly given everyone else's experience.

View Quote

As the owner of three Colts and two DWs I could not have said it better. I'm thinking of selling two of my Colts to get one DW. I will always keep one Colt, my LW Commander. I will probably send it off one day to have it fixed up.