Anyone like Commanders?

[Cyrano]

I bought my first Commander, a 45, in 1957 as a very junior 2d Lt. After about 1500 rounds of GI hardball it rattled and shot patterns. Couldn't keep a Micro sight in the rear dovetail, either. Traded it in a deal for a S&W 41 which I still have, and was sour about Commanders for a while.

Recently got a Combat Commander, and had Clark stipple it, add Novak night sights, and fit a beavertail grip safety so I wouldn't bleed all over it when I shot it.

I like it so much I got a RIA Compact, which I like every bit as much as the Combat Commander. One of these days I'll get the RIA stippled and have night sights added, as both of them may be used in the house after dark.

 

[Jessie]

I had a satin nickel one bought in 1976 and stolen in 1982.
I really liked that gun. Very accurate and compact.
I wish I had replaced it when it was stolen, and affordable.
I did manage to keep a commercial 1911 that was not taken, so not a total loss.

 

[TenTea]

So much *Like*...so little time.

 

[M2MikeGolf]

I'm pretty partial to the Commander. The standard M1911 was always a little too long for me, although I'm a big fan of the 1911. The commander is a perfect size for me; I've never had a bite issue. Here's my commander and it's evil twin

 

[Brian41]

I was late to 1911s being mainly a revolver guy and mostly S&Ws. I finally bought a Kimber Ultra CDP and a full size Target. Then a few years ago I shot my buddy's Commander when pheasant hunting in Iowa and knew I had to get one myself.
Last year on impulse I bought the Ruger Commander size and really do like that gun. I still do have the Colt Commander on my short list and will eventually get one of those too.
Some nice pictures above and does make me want to get busy and find a Commander now.

 

[Hapworth]

What differences do the Commander shooters out there experience in terms of handling, reliability, recoil impulse and accuracy versus a comparably outfitted Government model?

 

[BearBio]

What differences do the Commander shooters out there experience in terms of handling, reliability, recoil impulse and accuracy versus a comparably outfitted Government model?

Main and primary advantage to me is NO HAMMER BITE!

 

[M2MikeGolf]

What differences do the Commander shooters out there experience in terms of handling, reliability, recoil impulse and accuracy versus a comparably outfitted Government model?

None for me. Never had a bite on either model. I have a 1935 built Colt Government model (my grandfather's; he carried it in WWII) and my modern Commander. I've never been too sensitive to recoil, so not sure how that rates. My Commander might generate a little more flip, but not enough to matter. When I was younger, it was too cool for me to carry Opa's .45 and even chased off a would be house thief with it once, but now, couldn't bear the thought of having to surrender it to authorities for an investigation. It stays in the safe or on the range. However, the Commander gets normal carry use. The shorter barrel is a bit handier. I highly recommend it.

Now, my 22-4 is a whole 'nother story

 

[arjay]

What differences do the Commander shooters out there experience in terms of handling, reliability, recoil impulse and accuracy versus a comparably outfitted Government model?

A little more muzzle flip and my groups open up a bit,but mine ('70s) has tiny combat sights.

 

[TazTJ]

Love Commanders! I had a CBOB and then got a VBOB, so the CBOB went to my mom. She was bugging me to sell the CBOB to her as soon as I got it and she shot it, so I told her once I found a VBOB I would sell the CBOB to her. Well, that wasn't good enough, so I went out and found her a Les Baer Commanche to tide her over in the meantime. Found a VBOB the next year, so she finally got my CBOB! Now she wants my VBOB too! LOL. She also has a DW ECO in 9mm, and a SA Range Officer in 9mm, but no fullsize .45's yet. For me, the Commander (especially with a bobtail) just fits me very well, points and shoots quickly.

 

[Sprefix]

C-Bob 10MM Dan Wesson/CZ

A friend that has departed built this for me.........Ed Brown Hardcore parts, squared firing pin block (for timing/dwell), full length guide rod(needed as slide is moving WAY too fast), linen-micarta grips with Delta Elite medallions(couldn't resist), two color night sights, millennium extractor, trimmed-down safety, tuning, buffing, and polishing done inside. I'm a fan of Tripp mags also. He was a character and looked it, but he knew his way around many guns and Harleys. Monte is missed.......

 

[BlackAgnes]

Here's a kinda scarce one: A Gold Cup National Match in stainless--they apparently made just a few hundred. Since this was taken, I've replaced the Elliason sight with a Colt Micro for carry purposes.

 

[SC_Mike]

Do Kimbers count?

FYI: The Kimber was a 25th anniversary gift from my wife, hence the XXV on the grips. I guess she's a keeper. The wife too of course.

 

[eveled]

I have a 1911pd, it came with a steel main spring housing and FLGR, I swapped out to an aluminum round butt MSH, and GI style guide rod. Using Wilson parts. I shaved 2oz off the weight. Down to 26.7 oz. Then a pair of Altamont double diamonds.

Then I got a billboard SC, here it is before it got the same parts replaced as the pd did. I love both
these guns. Simple perfect IMHO. I don't care for Bob tails or fishscales on the new smiths.

 

[SAFireman]

I have a 1911pd, it came with a steel main spring housing and FLGR, I swapped out to an aluminum round butt MSH, and GI style guide rod. Using Wilson parts. I shaved 2oz off the weight. Down to 26.7 oz. Then a pair of Altamont double diamonds.

Then I got a billboard SC, here it is before it got the same parts replaced as the pd did. I love both
these guns. Simple perfect IMHO. I don't care for Bob tails or fishscales on the new smiths.

Did you cut the frame on the 1911pd when you put the new MSH on? I have one just like it and have been wondering what to do about the aluminum coating.

I am not totally sold on the fish scales either.....for that matter, I am not much on front serrations....

 

[fyimo]

I had a custom Colt 1911 Commander and sold it and I regretted it every since. I have two Government size custom 1911's and wish I had sold one of them instead.

 

[Xfuzz]

Yes, I do...

 

[finesse_r]

Never Again.....

The absolute worst gun I have ever owned was a Colt Combat Commander. I have never seen such a dog in my life. It was supposedly like New in the box. However it would not feed, The slide would not remain open on the empty magazine, and the pin to disassemble it was the wrong size, as was the hole it fit in.

I cannot imagine in my wildest fantasy how this gun was allowed to leave the factory, much less sold twice by people who had to know how defective it was. I spent $300 getting it repaired, and I was so disgusted with it that I then sold it. I have never bought a Colt product since and I never will.

While I normally only buy S&W and Ruger handguns, I would buy a Taurus or a Rossi before I would by a Colt.

 

[fyimo]

My factory Colt Government ran great and would feed flawlessly even before I had it customized with a competition trigger, lowered ejection port, hand fitted front bushing, and Novak combat sights. After that it still would feed flawlessly but was more accurate. My Commander that I sold was amazing in both accuracy and flawless in handling and feeding. I sold it to a dear friend who promised me that I would get it back if he died but when he did it disappeared as they say.

 

[John R]

The only Colt pistol I own is a 70 series Gold Cup, what a great shooting pistol.