Accuracy issues with Colt Lightweight Commander?

PA Guns & Ammo · Jul 26, 2015

I need some input from the experienced 1911 crowd. Here is the deal. Went to the range last night with my two 1911's, S&W Billboard and my Colt Lightweight Commander. I tried three different brands of ammo all 230 grain FMJ, Blazer aluminum case, Magtech and Geco. My S&W shined but my Colt was terrible. The trigger on the Colt is around 5lb and the S&W is 4.5lb on the Lyman gauge. Both guns started clean. The Colt always shot low and had flyers every time, the S&W did not. The targets are at 21 feet using the center hold position, 3 dot Novak. Would the barrel length have anything to do with it? I did not get any pictures with the Blazer ammo but they were similar to the others.

jlrhiner · Jul 26, 2015

With it being a LtWt Commander is it possible your limp-wristing it a little? (lighter weight, more perceived recoil). This would cause your grip to change with each shot, slightly altering POI.

PA Guns & Ammo · Jul 26, 2015

I thought I was but I tightened my grip and it made no difference.

ralph7 · Jul 26, 2015

Barrel length has nothing to do with it.
Why don't you let someone familiar with 1911's shoot the Colt and see what they can do?
It may be the gun, but I doubt it.

arjay · Jul 26, 2015

Try shooting it off of sandbags.It looks like one of my targets when I start flinching.

PA Guns & Ammo · Jul 26, 2015

ralph7 said:
Barrel length has nothing to do with it.
Why don't you let someone familiar with 1911's shoot the Colt and see what they can do?
It may be the gun, but I doubt it.

I do not know of anyone who is. When I go to the range, it is late at night when no one is there.

PA Guns & Ammo · Jul 26, 2015

arjay said:
Try shooting it off of sandbags.It looks like one of my targets when I start flinching.

So how does that explain how I can get good groups with the Smith? I do flinch sometimes so that is why I'm at the range to get practice.

JJEH · Jul 26, 2015

Did you buy the Colt new or used? Are the sights correct and tight? Is there any excessive mechanical play anywhere?

OFT II · Jul 26, 2015

My experience is a lot like yours. The groups that I get with my Series 80 LW Commander are twice the size that I get from my full size S&W 1911 but the Commander is sure a lot nicer to carry.

PA Guns & Ammo · Jul 26, 2015

JJEH said:
Did you buy the Colt new or used? Are the sights correct and tight? Is there any excessive mechanical play anywhere?

The Colt is used and in excellent shape. It was like new when I bought it. Sights are tight and original.

JJEH · Jul 26, 2015

PA Guns & Ammo said:
The Colt is used and in excellent shape. It was like new when I bought it. Sights are tight and original.

Not sure how many rounds you shoot per week but I'd try shooting match grade ammo and really focus on stance, grip, breathing and trigger. You should definitely see some different results...

arjay · Jul 26, 2015

PA Guns & Ammo said:
So how does that explain how I can get good groups with the Smith? I do flinch sometimes so that is why I'm at the range to get practice.

The lightweight commander has a sharper recoil than a steel government.You are flinching,just not aware of it.Shoot it again and as soon as you see that type of group,unload the gun,aim at the target dry fire and watch what the muzzle does.You're fighting the recoil.

M29since14 · Jul 26, 2015

Just as a matter of curiosity, how old is your Commander?

You don't show pics of your guns so the first thing I can tell you is that in my case I about have to have Pachmayr grips on my gun (they have a checkered rubber section that covers the front strap) to be comfortable trying to control it. The light weight of the Commander and its smooth front strap (my gun is 70s vintage) are not a good combination. I use the Pachmayr grip but there are other makes that do the same thing.

Can you see the sights? The early guns had very small sights that I never could see well. This may not be a problem if your gun is newer and has better sights.

Looking at your targets gives me the impression that your problem is not so much flinching as it is one of actually controlling the gun and/or seeing your sights. For starters, I would try some rubber grips that give you a bite on the front strap if your gun doesn't already have them. Have you done a little dry - fire practice to see if you are doing anything wrong with the trigger?

Valmet · Jul 26, 2015

I'm far from an excellent shot but I usually shoot my 1911s ok and when I take my 1968 LW Commander out I'm never impressed with its accuracy (Or rather, my accuracy with it). I'm sure I would improve, however slightly, if I shot it more often but I have a 1944 Ithaca that drives tacks compared to my Commander. My accuracy with it aside, I've never found it particularly pleasurable to shoot with the aluminum frame.

Rpg · Jul 26, 2015

The lightweight Colt Commander is harder to shoot well than a full sized 1911 or, for that matter, the Colt Combat Commander.

The Commander, because of weight and shorter barrel tend to exaggerate variations in grip and trigger control.

It takes a little trial and error to find a load that works to the same poi with the Commander and a full sized 1911, particularly if you don't hand load.

All that said, your target looks like a trigger control issue.

Try more dry firing.

ColbyBruce · Jul 26, 2015

My Colt LW Commander is not as accurate as my S&W 625-3, but it did shoot a bit better after I installed a new recoil spring.

Do both of your guns have the same type mainspring housing on them? Some folks like arched, others like flat. I prefer arched myself.

Fishinfool · Jul 26, 2015

Some good advice by others regarding sights, trigger control, and the difficulty in shooting light weight handguns to their mechanical potential.

An important aspect in 1911 accuracy is parts fit. Everyone looks for a "tight" slide, but that's not really as important as the barrel fit. With the gun in battery, their should be a tight, with almost no movement fit of the end of the barrel in the front bushing. At the barrel hood, you should be able to press down with your finger, and have no movement. Any movement here indicates a substandard fit in the link / locking lugs. Either will effect accuracy. Might want to try benching that Colt with a variety of ammo to see what it is actually capable of.

Larry

PA Guns & Ammo · Jul 26, 2015

Pictures of the two guns:

ColbyBruce · Jul 26, 2015

My first thought when I saw your Colt photo was the Hogues might be an issue. I bought a Kimber Classic Custom Royal in 2009 that had Hogues like that on it. I could not hit with it to save my life. In fact, I couldn't hit with it well enough to take my life. I put a set of Uncle Mikes panels on it and instantly solved the problem.

M29since14 · Jul 26, 2015

Looks like you have a newer Commander. I would hope it is a pretty good gun. If you can handle the Hogue grips then no need to change but I strongly prefer Pachmayrs. Everyone is different. I guess I would look at trigger control and snapping-in should tell the tale quickly. Good luck!

Accuracy issues with Colt Lightweight Commander?

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