Whats the best production 1911 for under $2000?

[Vandal]

You would be doing great with a TRP with blriehl's changes or a Dan Wesson Valor. If you need a rail I would advise the DW Specialist. Other than some issues with my rear sight that was solved with 5 minutes, a punch and some loctite it has been flawless. I beat the hell out of it going through the police academy and it never gave me an issue.

[ShipWreck]

I have owned both a TRP and a Valor... I say - no doubt, the Valor... The Valor is hand down the winner and fit and finish... Let me also say something else about the Valor...

I was 1911-less last summer, and after owning several 1911s in the past... I decided to order an Ed Brown Special Forces. That was the 2nd Brown I have owned... So, in July 2014, I decided to get a nice 1911 again, and kinda missed the Ed Brown I previously had... I found a gun guy who sells high end 1911s locally, and I had him order me a Brown SF.

I waited about 70 days for it to come in. However - I "discovered" the stainless DW Valor later in the SAME day, after I had gone and put the $500 deposit down on my Ed Brown order... Had I found that Dan Wesson just 1 week earlier, I honestly would not have even bought the Brown. the DW is cheaper, and I like the feel of it more... I also love the sights on the DWs more.

I didn't even KNOW I wanted the Dan Wesson. I just saw it at the gunshop 1 day, and I asked to hold it... Fell in love with the thin grips and the feel and appearance immediately. I played with it 20 min - went straight home and decided what I could sell to pay for it, and went immediately back to buy it...

I've owned ten 1911s over the years - including two Ed Browns now, and a Custom Shop Springfield. To me, the fullsize DW Valor is my fav 1911 I have ever owned.

Heck, when I bought a commander sized 1911 a few months ago - I had a chance at another Brown (Executive Carry or Kobra Karry) or a Duty Coat Dan Wesson VBOB. I played with them all a long time in order to make up my mind.... I chose the Dan Wesson VBOB. The gun just felt better in my hand than my other choices. It was nice that it was several hundred cheaper too! (although with the Duty Coat, a VBOB is not a cheap gun)

That VBOB is my first time to have a 1911 that isn't govt sized (every one I've ever had before was govt sized). I still like shooting the fullsize more. But, the VBOB is my fav commander sized 1911 I have held.

You will NOT regret having a Valor!

[MadAngler1]

Dan Wesson Valor ( a 5" 45 acp model) is the way to go. It's on par with an Ed Brown in terms of build quality. They use very good components, and the 1911 forum has several posts on this topic. If I wanted something in that price range, it would be my pick.

The Springfield TRP cuts too many corners IMHO, which is why they can be found for a lower price than the Dan Wesson. Springfield has excellent customer service that makes up for its shortcomings when parts break. If you want a Springfield, buy a Custom shop pistol (Professional model or one of their custom guns).

[Dist. Expert 26]

I have a TRP that I purchased over 3 years ago. In that time I've put 2.5k+ rounds through it with no problems to speak of. I'd recommend it to anyone.

[Tigereye]

I have the Custom Carry also and it is bombproof. The Valor is also a good choice.

If you can, try either a les baer custom carry or a les baer UTC model. both hover around the price for a little less than two grand. I own the custom carry model. Great gun.

[Plato]

I can't have DW Valor or Specialist in CA. I really hate that fact...

[Tzook]

Does anyone have both a TRP and a DW Valor/Specialist? If so, any advantage of one or the other between the two?

[sidewaysil80]

Does anyone have both a TRP and a DW Valor/Specialist? If so, any advantage of one or the other between the two?

I had a TRP Full Rail and a Dan Wesson Specialist. The Dan Wesson contains NO mim parts while the TRP has quite a few of them. The Dan Wesson apparently receives far more attention in terms of fit/finish as it was light years ahead of my TRP. Dan Wesson's parts are hand fit to point of a custom gun, the TRP...not so much. Both are fine pistols and will serve you quite well. It's just that Dan Wesson puts out the nicer/more refined 1911 out of the two.

[An Undocumented Worker]

I have a Valor and a Specialist, between the two, the Valor appears to have had more time spent on it over the small details. Sharper checkering that also rides higher and closer to the trigger guard on the front strap, flush fit/cut ejector, thicker barrel bushing that matches almost flush with the muzzle, grip safety has a more snug fit to the frame, and thin grips. And probably some other details I haven't noticed. No discernible difference in accuracy between the two, and no malfunctions.

[krisjon]

Both are great guns, but I'll take SA's customer service and warranty over DW's any day.
You hope you never have an issue, but if you do, how it gets handled makes a world of difference.