Getting my first ever 1911 style pistol!

[StealthyTX]

I went to a couple of gun stores over the weekend and made the mistake of holding a couple of 1911s, and all the awful things I have read on the internet about 1911s (unreliable, hard to break down, high maintenance, heavy, low capacity, etc...) seemed to just fade into the background. I didn't get the chance to hold one, but I did play around with a Discretion, and I figure the Specialist will be of similar quality.

After a lot of reading I decided that I wanted a Specialist 9mm in Duty Treat, and ended up getting a "factory blem" from Cabelas for $1450. I should have it in a week, and I can't wait to take it out. Hopefully this doesn't start an addiction, as I had to sell 2 Glocks to help pay for this.

On an unrelated note/PSA, never go to the Dan Wesson subforum on 1911forum and mention Duty Treat, particularly recommended care...it brings out the DW haters in droves. I've never seen anything like it, especially in a vendor-specific forum.

[Jigo23]

Congrats on buying your first 1911! Hate to break it to you, but your "fears" of it not being your last 1911 are well-founded The Dan Wesson was an excellent choice, IMO the best 1911 in that price range and one of the best made in any price range. Not really sure what people's issue might be with the Duty Treat finish though and just do yourself a favor and ignore their opinion, it's a very rugged finish and should hold up very well for as long as you own the gun. Very easy to maintain and keep looking great. Wonder how many of the nay-sayers have actually owned one. It always cracks me up the number of people who bash any product without ever even owning it. Going on what "they heard" or "what they read" or "what a buddy told them" LOL And of course there are those that feel it can't possibly be any good since they don't own it LOL. Kinda like when you ask the question "What's the best gun under $1000". The answers vary so wildly because people inevitably answer that it's the gun they happen to own. As if there can't possibly be anything better LOL. Anyway, you SHOULD be excited to receive your new DW, you'll love it. Oh, and YES I have lots of other brands besides DW

[The Guardian]

DW's are about the only 1911's I entertain owning anymore.....priced well, top quality builds, great blend of classic and modern looks......I've owned and worked on way too many guns (no really, way too many) in my life, the DW's are in that sweet spot where everything just works! 

[Chef Jeff]

Welcome to the addiction. I've been a 1911 guy for a looong time. I got one of the CZ 1911A1s back in '15. They were assembled by Dan Wesson, and at $750 average price, they were a steal. They could have priced them at Colt money, and they would have been worth every penny. I don't have a true DW yet, and it may be a while before I do, as I'm in the grips of a CZ addiction currently, lol. 1911 platform is a lot of fun to shoot, especially in 45ACP.

ETA: If you've hung around 1911 forum, you probably already know, but make sure you follow DWs recommendations for cleaning the Duty Treat. There are cleaners that will destroy it.

[Cati]

Congrats

[Kenneth]

Man I'm jealous. I want a specialist with a threaded barrel and suppressor sights like the Discretion.


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[M1A4ME]

I don't own a Dan Wesson 1911.  I own some Colt 1911's though.  The only thing I've found, while working my way through several brands of polymer double stacks, that feels as good, is as reliable as and shoots as good as my 1911's are my CZ's.

All my other pistol brands are in the safe and have been for a couple years or more - except that one Colt stainless steel 80 series Government Model (darn long name) in .45 acp.

I would never feel undergunned or outclassed with a good 1911.

People are funny about their guns.  Some of them even know what they are talking about.  Of those few, some of them are honest about what they say/type on the internet.  The rest are just "fake news".

Take it to the range and come back with a "range report".  We've got a section for that here, too.