STI vs. Dan Wesson

[Expat]

I was looking at some STIs at the LGS this weekend. I had never really looked at them much. Any opinions on how they compare with the DWs? In the same dollar category, not comparing the Trojan or Spartan with a Valor.

 

[mshogren]

I consider them equal. It really comes down to which you like better in your hand. I have had both and currently have an STI 2011 9 mm that I love.

Mark

 

[Expat]

I consider them equal. It really comes down to which you like better in your hand. I have had both and currently have an STI 2011 9 mm that I love.

Mark

Thanks Mark. It seems like the DWs are prettier but none of the local gun shops carry them, so I have never been able to check one out up close. The STIs look like a good solid pistol (especially a Nitro 10...).

 

[wcd]

I don't have a DW but I have a 9mm STI Lawman 4 it is awesome. Two things I did not care for grips easy fix, and added XS big dot sights. It is keyhole accurate.

Mine was priced a little less than a DW out the door. Don't think you could go wrong with either. The Lawman is all steel versus the Guardian which is Aluminum. But for me I actually prefer the all steel version.

 

[johnb62]

I do not currently have any Dan Wesson's. I do have three STIs. A Trojan in 9mm that has had some tweaking from Brazos Gun Works, a Duty One 4.0 in 9mm, and a Sentinel Premier in .45. They are all top notch firearms. The Trojan is one my favorites to shoot. Smooth and extremely accurate.

 

[Dean C.]

They both make very nice 1911's in the same general price range, all things considered and after handling and shooting allot of STI's and Dan Wessons I much prefer DW over anything else in that price category. Their finishes are better, they are just pretty and consistently have much better triggers than a stock STI which I normally find kinda spongy for a 1911.

Basically if you have both in-front of you and they are the same price the Dan Wesson is a better gun IMHO, and if you need to look at just about every model Dan Wesson and STI currently made go to the Indiana Gun Club, its like a 1911 candy store.

 

[Expat]

Unfortunately Indiana Gun Club would be several hours away. ZX stocks STIs. Midwest seems to carry a bunch of Kimbers.

 

[357 Terms]

Dan Wesson seems to be the consensus among many of the 1911 forums , I did some research on semi-custom 1911's before I bought a DW.
Incredible build quality on the DW I have, I am impressed with it all around.
Trigger
Sights
Fit and finish
Tight, and reliable.
Shoots great.

 

[RMC]

Unfortunately Indiana Gun Club would be several hours away. ZX stocks STIs. Midwest seems to carry a bunch of Kimbers.

My 1st visit to the Indiana Gun Club was this past Sunday. If you like (expecially high-end) 1911's you will probably find the drive worthwhile. I just went there to see what they had for reloading stuff and ended up spending most of my time drooling over their selection of pistols.

 

[USMC-Johnson]

I own a dan wesson and have shot some STI's...Both shoot the same...My biggest thing is i like the look of the dan wessons more and they may fit just a touch better but i think thats more case by case.

 

[craigkim]

I have an STI Marauder, the 2016 SHOT Show version. I like it pretty well. That particular model retains the more tactical weight trigger and I feel like it could be improved some. I didn't consider Dan Wesson, because it seemed to me that the retail prices, meaning what I could actually find them for, were higher than the STIs. I knew I would beat the gun up a fair amount, so I didn't want to pay more for "fit and finish" either.

If I really wanted the "best" I would have gone SVI over either.

 

[Onionsanddragons]

Application?


in general, I really like DW build quality and value. The duty finish is incredible and I highly recommend it for a carry gun. I prefer the aesthetic of the DW almost bare slides.

i will concede that the upper tier of STI guns are also quite nice, especially if you get a custom tuned one.

 

[tomylee0123]

I have shot countless 1911 handguns but no 1911 can compare against the DW so far. Their 1911 is in another different level. If I ever buy another 1911 for my collection, Dan Wesson eco would be my next one to buy.

 

[Expat]

I may have to try to buy one of each so I can judge for myself better...

 

[357 Terms]

I may have to try to buy one of each so I can judge for myself better.

If you can afford both forget about DW and STI and just get a Wilson Combat and be done with it.

 

[Grelber]

I've owned 3 STI 2011's and a 9mm Trojan, 0 Dan Wesson's but have shot friends guns. Some had bling to one extent or another but none was any better put together than a springfield range officer (for example) . Sometimes the pricey STI's come with triggers that are just plain bad , fixable but not what you would expect at that price point, slide to frame fit is also hit and miss.

If I was looking in the above $1000 price range I'd call 1911 Heaven and see how much longer I would have to save to get a Les Baer.

Or the Wilson as noted above if you want some bling and are willing to pay for it, I'm not a bling person.

 

[zomgojira]

Similar situation here. Currently contemplating a DW Specialistbut have had STI in the back of my mind. I'd be interested to hear what you decide and why...

 

[Dean C.]

Similar situation here. Currently contemplating a DW Specialistbut have had STI in the back of my mind. I'd be interested to hear what you decide and why...

Just my two cents having shot and used my fair share of Dan Wesson, STI and Wilson Combat 1911's, the Specialist is the nicest 1911 on the market currently short of a Wilson Combat CQB especially if you get the Duty Treat model.

 

[zomgojira]

Thanks Dean - I think that's probably what I'll go with as I haven't read a bad thing about it anywhere.

 

[warren5421]

I would go with the STI. I like the 2011's, not as good looking but they do for the long run. My curent carry is a STI Perfect 10 with 6" barrel. I shoot the STI better than any of my 1911's. Like the DW but will always go with the STI. 23 rounds of 10mm.