• Dan Wesson Valor 1911 Commander 9mm
  
• BUL Armory 1911 Commander 9mm
  
• SIG P210 Target
  
• SIG P239 SAS DAK 9mm
  

• The 1911s & SIG P210 were shot at 10 yards, isosceles stance.
  
• Targets shown were 30 rounds for the P210 & 20 rounds each for the 1911s.
  
• SIG P239 DAK was shot at 7 yards, 50 rounds, isosceles stance.
  
• Ammo used was CCI Blazer Brass 115gr FMJ.
  
• I shot an additional 20 rounds through each 1911 previously and the groups were more similar. The BUL shot better for these last 20 rounds though.
  
• I alternated between the BUL & Dan Wesson every few magazines.
  
• The Dan Wesson got noticeably warmer than the BUL.
  
• Groups with the Dan Wesson would start off really good, about 3 rounds in a ragged hole, then they started to widen.
  
• The BUL groups tended to have more spread in the beginning, then they would tighten.
  
• There were no malfunctions with any pistol.
  
• The lone high flier from the P239 was my fault. I shifted focus from the front sight to the target and knew I pulled that one.
  

• The BUL is a darn good pistol and a good value. It shot as well or better than the Dan Wesson.
  
• The Dan Wesson is built much better than the BUL. Everything is tighter and it just feels like a much better quality firearm. The bullets & target did not care about this. It would have been nice if the more expensive pistol shoot noticiable better than the cheaper one but that’s not the way it worked out. The targets don’t lie. I’m just looking at it as the BUL is exceptional for the price. It doesn’t matter anyway because the P210 makes them both look like dookie.
  
• I don’t regret buying the Dan Wesson at all. It’s a beautiful pistol that I’m happy to have in my collection but I don’t see the BUL going anywhere. The Valor scratches the itch that the BUL didn’t.
  
• One of these 1911s might have proven to be better at a greater distance. I might try that and shooting each from a seated rest next time.
  
• I want to put G10 grips on the Valor. I think the G10 grips on the BUL are thinner that the Valor’s wood grips and they’re obviously more grippy. I prefer that to the smooth wood on the Valor though I do like the way the Valor’s wood looks.
  
• If you really want a good shooter, quit f***ing around and just get a P210 I know it’s a 5” barrel against the 4.25” of the commanders but the P210 is a big step up. It handles recoil so well. The extra weight contributes to this but its more than that. The P210 is a phenomenal pistol.
  
• Respect the DAK trigger & the P239. I’ve got this and a DA/SA P239 but I prefer the DAK. I just put G10 grips on it and it’s my primary carry pistol. I prefer hammer over striker fired for concealed carry. This P239 DAK & an HK P30SK LEM V1 are my favorites to carry.
  

quote:

Originally posted by CAR:
I have a Colt Combat Unit 9mm, it's a fantastic gun.

quote:

Originally posted by JonDaddy82:
Any possibility of talking you into a DWX if you're looking for something unique that's in 9mm?

quote:

Originally posted by lyman:
keep in mind I am a dealer now , and at one time worked for another company that sold Kimbers, Dan Wesson and others,

we (those behind the counter) had a saying,

friends don't let friends buy Kimbers,


why,

if we got in 10 1911's, regardless of model, or caliber, 1 or 2 would be broken out of the box,

by broke, I mean you take it out the box, drop the mag, check the chamber , and then check the serial to the box,


go to reinsert the mag, and it would not work,

I taught a handful of guys (and gals) how to pull a 1911 mag release, take it apart, clean it up, and reinstall,

then they almost always worked,

something as simple as a mag catch that was missed, often, but QC,

and about every 2 or 3rd batch, a customer would come back and we would have to send one back to the factory for something ,


of all the brands, for the 5 yrs I worked there, Kimber was #2 for send backs, (Taurus #1, but they have significantly improved after the class action lawsuit,, and now are better, return wise)


never sent a DW back,
never sent a Springfield Armory back,
never sent a Colt back (tho rarely saw a Colt in 9mm)

quote:

Originally posted by photoman12001:

quote:

Originally posted by lyman:
keep in mind I am a dealer now , and at one time worked for another company that sold Kimbers, Dan Wesson and others,

we (those behind the counter) had a saying,

friends don't let friends buy Kimbers,


why,

if we got in 10 1911's, regardless of model, or caliber, 1 or 2 would be broken out of the box,

by broke, I mean you take it out the box, drop the mag, check the chamber , and then check the serial to the box,


go to reinsert the mag, and it would not work,

I taught a handful of guys (and gals) how to pull a 1911 mag release, take it apart, clean it up, and reinstall,

then they almost always worked,

something as simple as a mag catch that was missed, often, but QC,

and about every 2 or 3rd batch, a customer would come back and we would have to send one back to the factory for something ,


of all the brands, for the 5 yrs I worked there, Kimber was #2 for send backs, (Taurus #1, but they have significantly improved after the class action lawsuit,, and now are better, return wise)


never sent a DW back,
never sent a Springfield Armory back,
never sent a Colt back (tho rarely saw a Colt in 9mm)

Do you think this is related to the number of pistols Kimber builds/sells?

I feel like gun displays usually have an abundance of Kimber 1911s, noticeably more than other brands. I was in Cabela’s today buying ammo for the range trip and they had a bunch of Kimber 1911s. Maybe they’re bound to have more duds based on the numbers or they’re producing more than they can reasonably quality control.

quote:

Originally posted by abnmacv:
My experience is that buying a quality handgun, within a person's price range, is the best strategy in the long run. When you get a quality handgun you have a reliable partner for life. Can't say enough great things about my Ed Browns.

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
Not a fan of too much red. Those BUL grips look good. Wood double diamonds always look classy and add some texture.

Totally disagree with that gunsmith up above. DW is way better everything than Kimber but you are paystub big for it. DW is the non custom production gun sweet spot.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
I have like my Kimber 9mm 1911 a lot. I have a Stainless Target II. I replaced the front sight, added a mag funnel (part of the mainspring housing), a new slide release, changed the extractor, and did a light trigger job. None of those were needed, but made it a better gun for IDPA.

quote:

Originally posted by CAR:
I have a Colt Combat Unit 9mm, it's a fantastic gun.

quote:

Originally posted by JonDaddy82:
Any possibility of talking you into a DWX if you're looking for something unique that's in 9mm?

quote:

Originally posted by CAR:
I have a Colt Combat Unit 9mm, it's a fantastic gun.