I have looked a bit at Dan Wessons and agree that they are a fine handgun. Their price point has caused me to keep looking. My question is are they twice as good as the Ruger ect? They are twice the price. I find it hard to spend that much money on a gun. I am seriously asking if you feel that they are that much better? I realized in 1911's DW is still upper middle of the road, but customs are way out of my budget. Just in my head I could have two of something else for the price of a Dan Wesson, but if they are truly that much better maybe I better look again.
I think the DW is as good as it gets. I have looked at Nighthawks and others and they do not surpass the overall workmanship of the DW (IMHO) but offer more bells & whistles. I also have a DW in stainless, a Valor their flagship model in .45acp. That being said, I also think Springfield makes a fine 1911 and like their Ronin model very much. If I was buying one I would probably look at that one. Other makes like S&W and Rock Island, Tisas and others make very serviceable weapons too. I owned a Ruger Commander and it ran fine. I just did not need two. I do not think you can go wrong with most 1911's in todays market. Stick with a Known maker and you should be happy in the end.
The 1911 platform was designed around a 5 in bbl. They tweaked it more than people realize to make the 4.25 in. Commander. Also changed frame metal composition, as early ones were known to crack after hard use. When manufactures started down the Officer path, problems with reliability began to crop up in significant numbers. While a "good" 1911 can be reliable, there is a reason so many of them were 'tuned" etc and an entire aftermarket business grew up working on them. Regardless of what anyone says, they just were not that reliable, especially if you tried anything but hard ball in one. With the advent of the Officer platform It took many years for the smaller barrel length 1911's to work reliably. Other than cosmetic changes for feel & looks, 1911's always had sensitive extractors and magazines, which is something most custom makers tune(extractor) others tried to fix with external extractors (S&W etc) and Wilson & Chip McCormick solved with their magazines. Most 1911 are throated, polished feed ramps and 9mm in particular with one piece barrel/feedramp. The 1911 initially was a .45acp platform, then .38 Super and 9mm.
Since I am an old curmudgeon, I do not use 1911's under Commander size, because for me, they bring nothing to the party. Less to hold onto, less rounds, harder to control & shoot well for a minimal increase in possible concealability. I am a fan of the 9mm Commander. Other than being single action, locked & cocked carry, which I do not like, I can not think of a better all around personal defense firearm. I use mine when I can carry OWB and not be too concerned with concealability issues etc. If I need to go Appendix carry, I use my CZ 75 D PCR with its decocker. Just my over cautious nature, which has served me well over the years!
If you like the Ruger, go with it, you will be happy with your choice. I hear very few people complaining about them. Like I said, If I had to do it again, I would probably buy a Springfield Ronin Commander. Good luck
