Dan Wesson V-Bob Range Report

[Ankeny]

Perhaps range reports are a waste of bandwidth especially since I posted images instead of links to images, but here goes anyway. In June I had the chance to shoot a friend's Dan Wesson Valor after the High Country Steel Match. His Valor is a full size with the black finish. I was (still am) impressed with the full size Valor.

I had been contemplating switching back to a .45 ACP for carry. A couple of years ago I drank the 9mm Kool Aid and switched to a 9mm simply because I can shoot the 9mm better (as in faster) than my lightweight commander sized .45 ACP. Try as I might, I can't convince myself a 125 grain 9mm hollow point can perform as well as the 230 grain .45 caliber counterpart. As much as I hate packing a heavy pistol, I decided I would buy an all steel commander in a 1911 in order to switch back to a .45 ACP.

Off I went shopping for a commander when I spied a couple of Dan Wesson pistols at a gun store. One of them was the Valor V-Bob in stainless steel. I gave the pistol the once, twice, third time look over and the temptation was just too great. No wonder I am broke all the time. I bought the gun and out the door with some PMC ball and a box of 230 grain Hornady TAP ammo.

I have read several reviews on various forums, including this one, about the quality of a Dan Wesson. In my view, the Valor has great fit and finish and it is made of quality parts. I have had Les Baer, Wilson, Triangle Shooting Sports (Benny Hill) custom 1911s, and the obligatory Kimbers, Springfields, and Colts. I am not disappointed with the quality of the Valor.

Off to the range. First, I have never shot a bobtail and even though it feels good in the hand, I was concerned about how the bobtail would perform under recoil. The bobtail (for me) has no adverse effects while shooting at speed. The slide stop/release is a "shelf" type of slide stop and I can live with or without the "shelf". It just makes no difference to me. The straight eight sights are something new to me and they work well. The front is bright as can be in the dark and it stacks immediately on top of the smaller, less bright rear sight. They are a cool set up.

Here is a photo of the first five rounds I shot out of the gun:

Wow, the gun shoots right to point of aim and the group isn't too shabby. When I pulled the trigger I was immediately reminded that I wasn't shooting a 9mm anymore, but the recoil and reduction in overall control of the gun is worth trading away (in my feeble mind) for the feel good sensation of packing a .45 auto.

Here is a photo of a five round group at 25 yards:

Not bad, but not great. I then tried a five shot group with the Hornady TAP ammo to see if the accuracy would improve. This is what I got for results:

Pretty decent group. OK, but can the group be repeated. Yes, it can. Not only with TAP, but the gun shoots equally well with 230 Golden Saber ammo and it shoots pretty decent with TiteGroup under a 230 plated Berry bullet.

Time to try the pistol in the "shootability" department on the clock. I shot a series of "pairs" at 7 yards. The spread of the shots and the time once again left me longing for my Pro Ageis. But the size of the holes brought a grin to my face.


And now for the Bill Drill. The shots are spread all over the place, but as the spilt times show I didn't really linger on the trigger. I guess if I am ever in a gun fight I'll have to trade the Bill Drill in for the Zipper.

Since the time of the range test I have had the opportunity to shoot the pistol quit a bit and it runs like the Energizer Bunny. All internet B.S. aside, this is a darn fine pistol and I like it a lot. A big thumbs up.

 

[Dean407]

It's beautiful, for sure.

 

[Deaf Smith]

That don't shock me Ankeny.

I have one of the early DW CBOBs made at the DW plant (and not by CZ) and it shoots like a rifle.

It, along with my first generation Kimber Gold match, are the two .45s I have no plan to sell.

Deaf

 

[rogerjames]

Thanks for the report.

I've been doing a lot of research in anticipation of my first 1911 purchase, and this was one of the few at the top of my list. I've been looking for a commander size because I figure I'll want to carry it at times. It sure is a pretty looking shooter... and seems if you can get one for around $1500, it's a helluva value.

I am completely infatuated with the Les Baer Monolith Commanche ... but not sure I am ready to fork out the extra dough...

Have you carried it yet? If so, what holster are you using?

 

[Jason_G]

Thanks for the report. I wish I had the funds for another 1911 right now.

I have one of the early DW CBOBs made at the DW plant (and not by CZ) and it shoots like a rifle.

None of them are actually made by CZ.

Jason

 

[Ankeny]

I am using a Galco holster at present while I wait, and wait some more on Milt Sparks.

 

[Zerodefect]

Looks good. Are you planning any changes to it?

 

[Rinspeed]

Great looking pistol and nice shooting as well.

 

[SSN Vet]

nice review...

nice looking V-BOB

I was sooo close to getting a CBOB back when they could be had for $950. I finally had my pennies saved up in Dec. of '09 but there were none left to be had

 

[Jason_G]

I was sooo close to getting a CBOB back when they could be had for $950. I finally had my pennies saved up in Dec. of '09 but there were none left to be had

That was pretty much the time-frame when the secret came out. I got my '08 in December of '08 for about $860 or so. I kind of wish they would've stuck with the investment cast frames, at least for some of their line up. The castings were great quality, and kept the price down. They were the best thing going for under a kilobuck. I'm sure the quality now warrants the price increases, but they sure did give up a great niche in the $800 to $1000 price range.

Jason

 

[Sniper X]

I had one, loved it.

 

[rogerjames]

I was sooo close to getting a CBOB back when they could be had for $950. I finally had my pennies saved up in Dec. of '09 but there were none left to be had

Just missed an auction on GB for a used V-BOB, with a small scratch under the slide stop.

Started at $1100 and sold for $1200. I would of bought it at $1100, but at $1200, the next bid would have been $1225, + 25 shipping, plus 25 transfer fee... now $1275.

If patient can get it new around $1400-1450 and the at this point I'd rather pay the extra $150 and get it NIB from LGS.

But... an elopement and a funeral in the next week, both on my tab, means my Dan must wait

 

[rogerjames]

I had one, loved it.

Had?

 

[Sniper X]

Yes, had, long story but lets just say I probably saved a Marriage by trading it back to the original owner I had traded my 6in Python for it. I feel since he stayed married it worked.

 

[rogerjames]

Yes, had, long story but lets just say I probably saved a Marriage by trading it back to the original owner I had traded my 6in Python for it. I feel since he stayed married it worked.

That's funny... and good thing for him, you were a nice guy.

 

[HisSoldier]

I wish I could shoot that good, was it from a rest? Even from a rest I don't do that good, even with my DW Marksman.

 

[orionengnr]

That's some pretty good shooting.

My 10mm CBOB shoots pretty well, too, although it's consistent lack of reliability is infuriating. It is off at the smith (as I have reached the limit of my patience and my ability) and we will see what we will see when it gets back around the end of the month.

Pending the outcome, I may change my current position of "I will never again throw away my money on a DW".

 

[SSN Vet]

10mm + CBOB = consistent lack of reliability

In 12/09, I was on a FL gun dealer's list for a CBOB in 45 acp. He moved a lot of DWs on Guns America, but it was too late. He called and offered me one in 10mm, and though I was interested in 10mm, I wasn't 100% sure about that combination, so I said no.

I've read up a bit on the 1911forum since then and the consensus appears to be that this is a tricky combination to get to work correctly. And that is why I suspect few manufacturers offer 10mm in the Commander length.

I had a big chip on my shoulder against DW (CZ really) when they raised their prices ~50%. But in hindsight, I'm sure it was a legitimate business decision. I had Bob Serva quote making me a "Fusion CBOB", and the price was about the same as the V-BOB.

DW seems to be producing some really nice guns these days, with happy customers like the OP. Sometimes that just costs what it cost I guess.

 

[Ankeny]

I wish I could shoot that good, was it from a rest?

All of the shooting was standing without support. I have been shooting in various competition handgun venues for 30+ years. Not planning on any changes other than I did make the grip safety very sensitive.

 

[Sniper X]

I should probably tell at least the short story of why I got rid of mine. I traded a guy in Texas a nice but no where near cherry 6in Colt Python for it about five years ago. He loved the trade as did I. About a year went by and he emailed me in a huff telling me he had gone to the range that weekend and his wife asked where he got the Python. He had just gotten it back from Colt where he had put about $400.00 into it having it totally timed and a new beautiful Royal blued re-finish put back on it. It looked brand new.

He said to his wife, Oh, I forgot to tell you, I traded the DW Classic Bobtail for it! She flipped out, and had to remind him she bought that DW for him for his birthday! He was so afraid she was going to hold a grudge forever, so he asked me if I would trade back.

Having about 20 1911s at the time and sort of regretting offing the Python, sinc IO also had a 2.5in, and a 4in, but now no 6in, I decided to trade him back since it seemed it would either make his life with the whfe better, or downright save the marriage!

When I got the Python back I was very happy with it even though I totally missed the DW, it was a super great carry gun and shot very well.

BTW the Python got traded off again about a year ago, but this time for a cherry 1978 BMW R100RS motorcycle...I ride it almost every day. Here's apic of it up on a stage.

 

[Sapper771]

Thats a nice DW. The Valor series has always been my favorite DW.

I was on the edge of buying a V-Bob from Gander mountain. I really liked it, but I needed a day or two to think about the $1400 price. I called them the next day and asked if the still had it. The guy at Gander mountain told me it had already sold. I ended up going back to Gander mountain a few weeks later to look around. When I got to the used pistols case, the V-Bob was still there. I was pretty upset. I still wanted it, just didnt have the money anymore.

 

[ttheel]

The Dan Wesson Valor series pistols are undoubtedly some of the best production 1911's made today.

 

[Texasred]

Life is good.