Colt's silver-colored anodizing finish for their aluminum frame guns hasn't proven to be very durable with use. I bought one of their first stainless upper/aluminum lower Commanders in 1991. They called it and roll-marked the slide as the "CUSTOM CARRY COMMANDER." Supposed to have been one of 500 made for Accusport. The frame finish wore and pitted quite badly, especially along machined edges.

The finish they use must vary by time frame, vendor or operator. The slide broke on the gun and I bought another, which by that time had become a catalog offering. It was roll-marked on the slide as "LIGHTWEIGHT COMMANDER MODEL." While still a somewhat fragile finish, it has held up far better. I carry it as my cold weather pistol after several years of carrying it as my duty gun in uniform.

I think the black anodizing Colt uses holds up better than the silver.