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February 18, 2010
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A LGS here has a used DW Guardian and they are willing to sell it to me for $850 to which I would add tax, so $900 out the door. Here is the scoop.
1. One previous owner, a gunsmith which the shop knows and whose work they respect.
2. That gunsmith did a trigger job on the gun.
3. That same gunsmith replaced the original GR with a FL guiderod. The original is not included with the gun.
4. The gun includes box and paperwork.
I have not yet closely inspected thus but understand it was only lightly used and sold to get money since his daughter was moving home. He is known personally to the gunstore.
Here are the issues.
1. I'm not really looking for a 9mm 1911. I would buy it only because it is a DW and the price is so attractive. I have other purchases "in the pipe" as it were. I could, if I choose, turn around and sell the gun later, but that takes time and effort and if there are any issues with the gun, they become my issues and impediments to selling.
2. I am concerned about the gun not being stock. I don't know, and the shop may not know, what else he may have done to the gun.
3. I don't personally know the gunsmith.
4. The original GR is not included (which seems like a small thing, but still).
So, the gambit of possibilities is "what did you even leave the shop without the gun to start with" to "examine it very carefully before purchasing".
Advice?
"Life does not have to be perfect, just lived".
"Deserves got nothin' to do with it".
Dans Club
April 18, 2014
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Are they gonna give you any time on it so you can test fire and check for issues? If so I'd give it a go. Of course I would keep it if I purchased it and it were in good working order... I would have to test fire it, since it's been worked, before I allowed them to lock me in to it. Just me..
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"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
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Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
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Well that price for a mildly used Guardian is dam good! I would think it would go for over a grand on GB any day. As far as the trigger job, I would ask them to let you dry fire it a few times before you buy it. Does the trigger suit you? Then it is fine. The guide rod would not matter to me either way. As far as reselling later I would not worry about the custom changes as long as they were done correctly, 1911s seem to be a platform that attracts customization. Guys like to change stuff.
It sounds like a good deal to me, but I am a recent Guardian owner and lover so I am biased.
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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I would have bought it right then... flgr (my PM9 has one) is no issue and if you don't like the trigger, 1911 platforms are very easy to work on yourself.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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rwsem said
I would have bought it right then... flgr (my PM9 has one) is no issue and if you don't like the trigger, 1911 platforms are very easy to work on yourself.
This! The original guiderod was probably a two piece (PITA!!!). Someday I will probably change mine out, right now "in Locktite we trust".
I'd consider a 9mm 1911 because ammo is always readily available and well priced (9mm seems to be pretty much the world wide standard pistol round). If it seems to be a good gun, it's a very good price.
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
August 15, 2014
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Well, you got the 'shoulda bought it'.
So I'll give you my opinion. It's a great price for the pistol….but you don't seem to have a great desire for a 9mm Guardian. If you're thinking of 'flipping' the gun who knows what you can get for it should the need arise. Not everyone wants to go thru the hassle of selling things on Gunbroker or the other gun auction sites. It's your best bet for top dollar but in local markets most want a 1911 in 45 ACP, or so I would think.
Some like the full length guide rod and others don't see the advantage. Since the previous owner is a local 'gunsmith' you should be able to contact him about the original parts and what work he did on the pistol if that is a major concern.
The latest big surge in gun buying has died down, it's your money and whether you want 'that' pistol that counts.
Supporter
February 18, 2010
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Thank you for the thoughtful replies.
You are right, a 9mm 1911 wasn't really on my list of guns I really wanted to own and shoot. What has me continuing to ponder is the "it's a DW" and "it's a great price". Although I don't buy guns to "flip", knowing that I could easily sell it for what I paid for it, does provide a sort of "safety net" if I were to change my mind.
On the other hand, right now, the gun is "his problem", not mine. My money is in my pocket and I don't have to try to "recover" it. Perhaps I'll see if I can speak to the gunsmith that did the work.
I think I'm inching closer to "pulling the trigger". I might just find that I absolutely love the gun.
"Life does not have to be perfect, just lived".
"Deserves got nothin' to do with it".
Supporter
February 18, 2010
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Well, it's still there, available, so the "shoulda bought it" is a "go back and get it"!
"Life does not have to be perfect, just lived".
"Deserves got nothin' to do with it".
August 15, 2014
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Not surprised, I'd do the same at that price. I did notice your photos of DW 1911s you own in a couple of other threads…you own more of them than I've ever seen.
I've been bouncing between buying a Guardian or Colt Commander in 38 Super for awhile…..are the DWs internally a Ser 70 or Ser 80?
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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DW 1911's are Series 70
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
August 15, 2014
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Steve CT said
DW 1911's are Series 70
Thanks.
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February 18, 2010
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Ed Mc said
Not surprised, I'd do the same at that price. I did notice your photos of DW 1911s you own in a couple of other threads…you own more of them than I've ever seen.
With the exception of three SIG 1911s, two early GSRs and now one new SIG Super Target, my only 1911s are DWs. Initially, when I began buying guns, I had little use for 1911s. At some point though, it "clicked" and I found I shot 1911s better than just about anything else. I think DW give the best value of any other 1911 out there.
"Life does not have to be perfect, just lived".
"Deserves got nothin' to do with it".
September 7, 2014
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I have 2 Guardians one in 45ACP and one in 9MM. They are both excellent weapons and I would have no problems what so ever using either as my daily carry weapon, (I currently carry a 45 ECO). I must say that the 9mm Guardian is maybe the most fun to shoot 1911 I have. It is extremely accurate and after you've been shooting a bunch of 45 it seems to be such a gentle shooter without all the whump and power of the 45.
It's just a lot of fun to load up a handful of mags with 9mm and run through a bunch of shots nearly as fast as I can. The recoil is so tame that the gun just falls back on target nearly as fast as you can pull the trigger. The 9 may not always blow the bowling pin off the back of the table but you've got a couple extra shots in the mag to get it sliding toward the back edge real quick.
Did I say I really like my Dan Wesson 1911s, all four of em!
Now I just need to shoot my new to me 14-2 6" 357 some more and get some pics of it so I can add it to the family!
November 21, 2014
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Now is the time to buy any Dan Wesson or CZ products, as they usually go up in Jan, or each new year.
Given the fact that most guys are paying over $1,300 for new Guardians, the local one might be a good
buy.
You never know about used guns, but I guess if it passes your inspection it would be good to go.
I really want a .38 Super GUARDIAN , new or used, but .38 Super ammo is a problem for me
locally, and I don't want to buy ammo online.
Double Tap offers protection ammo, but no current practice ammunition at this time.
MY .45 ACP Guardian should be here next week.
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Dans Club
March 27, 2009
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Hey Clarkston you slipped in here, Welcome and show us that Dan when it comes in! I would have snatched it up as I have yet to join the DW 1911 club! So get in there grab it if it isn't what you like offer it here to the brothers of DW!
November 21, 2014
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Thanks for the welcome.
The forthcoming Guardian will be my 2nd DW 1911 and 4th DW Handgun that I've owned.
My old CBOB ran great, but was a chunk to carry.
I owned a Model 15 and a 715 .357 prior to the CBOB.
2015 might be a good year for me to buy a new version of the 715.
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