ContinentalOp
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CCO refers to a Commander slide on an Officer frame.
The Commander!
- Thread starter dandyrandy
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CCO refers to a Commander slide on an Officer frame.
bigggbbruce
Member
1951 9mm Commander, 2nd year production. I have the Coltwoods.
"The Colt Commander was Colt's Manufacturing Company's candidate in a U.S. government post-World War II trial to find a lighter replacement for the M1911 pistol that would be issued to officers. Requirements were issued in 1949 that the pistol had to be chambered for 9 mm Parabellum and could not exceed 7 inches in length or weigh more than 25 ounces.
Colt entered a modified version of their M1911 pistol that was chambered for 9 mm, had an aluminum alloy frame, a short 4.25-inch barrel, and a 9-round magazine. In 1950, Colt moved their candidate into regular production. It was the first aluminum-framed large frame pistol in major production and the first Colt pistol to be originally chambered in 9 mm."
"The Colt Commander was Colt's Manufacturing Company's candidate in a U.S. government post-World War II trial to find a lighter replacement for the M1911 pistol that would be issued to officers. Requirements were issued in 1949 that the pistol had to be chambered for 9 mm Parabellum and could not exceed 7 inches in length or weigh more than 25 ounces.
Colt entered a modified version of their M1911 pistol that was chambered for 9 mm, had an aluminum alloy frame, a short 4.25-inch barrel, and a 9-round magazine. In 1950, Colt moved their candidate into regular production. It was the first aluminum-framed large frame pistol in major production and the first Colt pistol to be originally chambered in 9 mm."
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Ingramite
Member
This is a SIG model C3 (concealed carry compact).
No feed ramp on the bushing 4.25" barrel.
Alloy officers frame with checkered front strap. The butt is smoothed at the break but not really rounded.
That SIG slide profile with external extractor is nicely smoothed. Three dot sights.
All in all, a beautiful pistol that carries well.
If you see a SIG 1911 that you like? Buy it then and there because they are like the flavor of the month with SIG. The C3 is no longer made.
No feed ramp on the bushing 4.25" barrel.
Alloy officers frame with checkered front strap. The butt is smoothed at the break but not really rounded.
That SIG slide profile with external extractor is nicely smoothed. Three dot sights.
All in all, a beautiful pistol that carries well.
If you see a SIG 1911 that you like? Buy it then and there because they are like the flavor of the month with SIG. The C3 is no longer made.
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Ingramite
Member
Colt XSE Lightweight Commander.
The XSE line featured "many options that shooters want" like a full length guide rod, sights, hammer, beaver-tail safety, ambi safety and front cocking serrations. Double diamond checkered rosewood grips rounded out the package.
I had the ambi safety changed out and put a pair of stag grips on it. I'm ok with the full length guide rod and front cocking serrations. I mean, I don't hate them and it's the way Colt shipped....so I'm good.
The XSE line featured "many options that shooters want" like a full length guide rod, sights, hammer, beaver-tail safety, ambi safety and front cocking serrations. Double diamond checkered rosewood grips rounded out the package.
I had the ambi safety changed out and put a pair of stag grips on it. I'm ok with the full length guide rod and front cocking serrations. I mean, I don't hate them and it's the way Colt shipped....so I'm good.
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ContinentalOp
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I don't carry a 1911, but if I did, and I have considered it, I would've gone with the Sig 1911 Traditional Compact, a CCO with the standard 1911 slide shape. Had pretty much everything I could want in a carry 1911 out of the box. But alas, it, too, was discontinued.
roguegamma
Member
My first centerfire handgun was a series 70 Lightweight Commander passed down by my dad. Still have it of course.
My RIA commander, no pony, 9mm, and it will shoot as well as anything all day long...
Wow! Looks exactly like a Springfield Armory Government Model!
Perhaps an "oops" with the pic?
The commander size just hits my sweet spot on feel and I shoot both better than anything else I have. Sig Tacops in 45 and DW Specialist in 9mm pictured. Rail preferred only because they see duty on the nightstand.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
J. R. WEEMS
Member
COMMANDER
This one has/is my everyday carry gun since the early 80's. It wears Mastadon Ivory. Before that it was a 1911. I have a series 70 blue gun but these days it is home to my Colt conversion kit. Some really nice guns here-- Dont forget to VOTE! 
This one has/is my everyday carry gun since the early 80's. It wears Mastadon Ivory. Before that it was a 1911. I have a series 70 blue gun but these days it is home to my Colt conversion kit.
Some really nice guns here-- Dont forget to VOTE!
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dandyrandy
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ati commander 1 by Dandy Randy, on FlickrJust received the new ATI Commander and it looks well machined and put together. This is going to be my "UPGRADE A CHEAP 1911 COMMANDER" project. However I already see some problems. The grip bushings are not machined well and look like an odd size. There not the slim ones and there not the normal size ones and they seem like a size somewhere between that??? The good thing is I might be able to use slim grips on this gun right out of the box however I HATE slim grips! I am changing out the bushings to standard Wilson Combat size. Also I went ahead and put in a Wilson Combat spring kit. After all that I will see how the gun shoots. Besides the grip bushing everything else looks good. I like the sights there easy to see unlike the old GI tiny thin blade like style these are fatter. I heard this gun shoots low so we shall see how it does. I dont think Im going to make a marksman pistol out of this gun but hopefully it will be better than it was at the end of this journey.
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AJ
US Veteran
Just received the new ATI Commander and it looks well machined and put together. This is going to be my "UPGRADE A CHEAP 1911 COMMANDER" project. However I already see some problems. The grip bushings are not machined well and look like an odd size. There not the slim ones and there not the normal size ones and they seem like a size somewhere between that??? The good thing is I might be able to use slim grips on this gun right out of the box however I HATE slim grips! I am changing out the bushings to standard Wilson Combat size. Also I went ahead and put in a Wilson Combat spring kit. After all that I will see how the gun shoots. Besides the grip bushing everything else looks good. I like the sights there easy to see unlike the old GI tiny thin blade like style these are fatter. I heard this gun shoots low so we shall see how it does. I dont think Im going to make a marksman pistol out of this gun but hopefully it will be better than it was at the end of this journey.
Wish you luck with your project.
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dandyrandy
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AJ
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I have built M1911's for less than $275 in parts, but that was in the late 18980's. I can remember paying $75 for Caspian frames. To me it was fun taking a pile of parts and assembling/fitting them into a functioning pistol that shot as well as one from any of the big manufacturers and custom guys. Enjoy your "Poor Man's Special Project".
The two I showed in Post #45 have gone on to new homes.
Replaced by Dan Wesson ECO .45 and Valkyrie Commander 9mm, both with WoodCaliber grips:
Replaced by Dan Wesson ECO .45 and Valkyrie Commander 9mm, both with WoodCaliber grips:
crsides
US Veteran, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I carried my Star PD on a recent weeks vacation trip. It will slide in a front pants pocket just fine, 45 hole in the bbl. weighs 25 oz. Nothing more or less than you need.
Beauetienne
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OP
dandyrandy
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How does the inside of that Colt look? I dont buy the iconic Colts anymore because I keep finding them with way to many machining marks inside the frame and I personally dont find that acceptable for what u pay.
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dandyrandy
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ATI Commander by Dandy Randy, on FlickrSo we are back with the Commander series of pistols. I just finished the upgrade process on the new ATI Wilson Combat Commander Po Man Special. I was going to lower and flare the ejection port but after shooting the gun it does not look like its necessary plus I would have to re-parkerize the pistol. Maybe many moons down the road Ill do that but not now. I may put in a new extractor though. I did have a failure to eject but not on live rounds it was on my heavily worn plastic snap caps. I believe the FTE was due to worn out and damaged old snap caps and not the pistol extractor. I had 100% reliable on all 500 FMJ and HP rounds. Had one issue with failure to eject magazine but that was due to a knock off rip off "Colt" junk magazine I had layin around for many moons. They work however the metal and paint was very thick on the mag so it got stuck in there. Stay away from those knock off "Colt" mags! I can tell you later how to identify them if anyone is curious. Basically if the price is too good to be true its probably a fake Colt mag.
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dandyrandy
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In the past 6 years I have been trying out and evaluating many pistols shotguns and rifles. Its been mostly pistols since I am an avid pistol collector however all these firearms are NEW model guns. With that being said I will be posting a list of what I have found to be EXCELLENT quality, value, and reliable firearms. Since we are talking about the "Commander" style guns I will start with those. First on the list is no surprise to anyone if you been following my posts.
1. Dan Wesson Pointman Carry 45 acp:
If you want a gun that will outlast you and all your children until the sun blows up and destroys this planet get a Dan Wesson enough said! All forged steel frame slide and parts that are hand fitted something you dont see in manufactures any more. 70 series and easy to work on. One thing people might find negative on them. Tight tolerances because these are hand fitted semi custom guns! Do not take the gun right out of the box and shoot it unless you enjoy sending the gun back due to galling warranty work and wasting peoples time. The slide must be greased just use what Dan Wesson recommends. TW-25 grease or FP-10. If you got a prob with that dont buy one! The only Commander on the list that comes in the 10 mm Panzer Anti Tank howitzer round but good luck trying to afford the money for one.
2. Colt Commander:
Very reliable and they use pretty decent parts with no need to upgrade anything unless you want to. Slide to frame fit is good and they are forged nicely. Something to be aware of is that most NEW Colt Commanders will be 80 series. Downside is only one year warranty and MACHINING MARKS MACHINING MARKS MACHINING MARKS ALL UP IN THOSE SUCKERS! For what you pay it shouldnt look like a caveman milled the inside of the frame with a triceratops bone and a rock.
3. Springfield Armory Range Officer Series
Good reliable guns with a good warranty. 70 series guns and easy to work on deal with. Nicely machined inside and out however frame to slide fit is always terrible on the back side of the guns and extractors always stick out. Once again for what you pay someone should of fit those properly. Also they use lots of MIM parts and less forged parts unlike the above mentioned makers. One feature I really like about SA 1911s is the fact they use ramped barrels especially on there light alloy framed guns unlike the above mentioned Colt that does not put ramped barrels on the light aluminum frames which I personally think is a VERY BAD idea.
4. ATI and Rock Island 1911 "Commander" Series Philippine Guns
Excellent value for what you get. The machine work is very nice inside and out. I believe S.A.M. use old Colt equipment left behind in the Philippines. If thats the case I think Colt needs to get there equipment back from them because there work in the States has been piss poor! Guns are easy to upgrade and all of them are usually 70 series style. Rock Islands tend to be very accurate however I dont care for there weird billboarding they put on the guns. ATI accuracy can be hit or miss with slightly spongy triggers. Decent parts however you might get a junky part here and there that needs replacement. Don't have a clue about Metro Arms but Im sure there about the same and someone can chime in on those.
5. Magnum Research Desert Eagle
Excellent 1911 series of guns! For what you pay they seem to be nicer than the more expensive Colts in many ways mainly in the fit and finish department. Accuracy and reliability seem to be good! Downsides is they have cast frames which usually translate to not a problem. Also they have bull barrels which not everyone is fond of and they have the DREADED COOL GUY FRONT SLIDE SERRATIONS.
6. Kimber Pro Series
Decent value, reliability, and quality for a gun that is less than a thousand bucks. Slide to frame fit is EXCELLENT with all parts fitted quite nicely. Kimbers milling machines seem to be very good. No need to modify the guns any since they come with decent parts out of the box with match grade barrels already installed. On the reverse side of the coin upgrading will be difficult on these guns. They use the "Schwartz style" firing pin safety which is okay but hard to deal with when gunsmithing. Once again they use ramped barrels which is a really good thing however most difficult gun on this list to disassemble due to there captured guide rod design and unique features. If you got arthritis or weak hands this is not the gun for you!
7. S&W 1911 E Series
One of the best guns on the list. EXCELLENT forged and fit guns. The only 1911 gun on the list with an external extractor. I like that feature! EXCELLENT warranty and customer service. Downside they have to many goofy features that will appeal to small crowds. Goofy front slide serrations and all bobtailed which is a feature that will limit grip options for you. Has the dreaded "Hey bonehead dont do stupid things with guns!" label on the side.
8. Ruger SR1911 "Commander"
Excellent caliber choices on this model! They got the 45 tyrannosaurus killer and the 9mm Farfegnugen. Excellent customer service and warranty. Very reliable and may be the most reliable 1911 on this list. I think its mostly due to sloppy frame to slide fit. Every SR1911 I ever had shaked more than a Mexican maraca. They come in ghetto shoe boxes though which for what you pay should be better. Also they have the dreaded "Hey bonehead dont do bonehead!" under the dust cover which bothers me.
1. Dan Wesson Pointman Carry 45 acp:
If you want a gun that will outlast you and all your children until the sun blows up and destroys this planet get a Dan Wesson enough said! All forged steel frame slide and parts that are hand fitted something you dont see in manufactures any more. 70 series and easy to work on. One thing people might find negative on them. Tight tolerances because these are hand fitted semi custom guns! Do not take the gun right out of the box and shoot it unless you enjoy sending the gun back due to galling warranty work and wasting peoples time. The slide must be greased just use what Dan Wesson recommends. TW-25 grease or FP-10. If you got a prob with that dont buy one! The only Commander on the list that comes in the 10 mm Panzer Anti Tank howitzer round but good luck trying to afford the money for one.
2. Colt Commander:
Very reliable and they use pretty decent parts with no need to upgrade anything unless you want to. Slide to frame fit is good and they are forged nicely. Something to be aware of is that most NEW Colt Commanders will be 80 series. Downside is only one year warranty and MACHINING MARKS MACHINING MARKS MACHINING MARKS ALL UP IN THOSE SUCKERS! For what you pay it shouldnt look like a caveman milled the inside of the frame with a triceratops bone and a rock.
3. Springfield Armory Range Officer Series
Good reliable guns with a good warranty. 70 series guns and easy to work on deal with. Nicely machined inside and out however frame to slide fit is always terrible on the back side of the guns and extractors always stick out. Once again for what you pay someone should of fit those properly. Also they use lots of MIM parts and less forged parts unlike the above mentioned makers. One feature I really like about SA 1911s is the fact they use ramped barrels especially on there light alloy framed guns unlike the above mentioned Colt that does not put ramped barrels on the light aluminum frames which I personally think is a VERY BAD idea.
4. ATI and Rock Island 1911 "Commander" Series Philippine Guns
Excellent value for what you get. The machine work is very nice inside and out. I believe S.A.M. use old Colt equipment left behind in the Philippines. If thats the case I think Colt needs to get there equipment back from them because there work in the States has been piss poor! Guns are easy to upgrade and all of them are usually 70 series style. Rock Islands tend to be very accurate however I dont care for there weird billboarding they put on the guns. ATI accuracy can be hit or miss with slightly spongy triggers. Decent parts however you might get a junky part here and there that needs replacement. Don't have a clue about Metro Arms but Im sure there about the same and someone can chime in on those.
5. Magnum Research Desert Eagle
Excellent 1911 series of guns! For what you pay they seem to be nicer than the more expensive Colts in many ways mainly in the fit and finish department. Accuracy and reliability seem to be good! Downsides is they have cast frames which usually translate to not a problem. Also they have bull barrels which not everyone is fond of and they have the DREADED COOL GUY FRONT SLIDE SERRATIONS.
6. Kimber Pro Series
Decent value, reliability, and quality for a gun that is less than a thousand bucks. Slide to frame fit is EXCELLENT with all parts fitted quite nicely. Kimbers milling machines seem to be very good. No need to modify the guns any since they come with decent parts out of the box with match grade barrels already installed. On the reverse side of the coin upgrading will be difficult on these guns. They use the "Schwartz style" firing pin safety which is okay but hard to deal with when gunsmithing. Once again they use ramped barrels which is a really good thing however most difficult gun on this list to disassemble due to there captured guide rod design and unique features. If you got arthritis or weak hands this is not the gun for you!
7. S&W 1911 E Series
One of the best guns on the list. EXCELLENT forged and fit guns. The only 1911 gun on the list with an external extractor. I like that feature! EXCELLENT warranty and customer service. Downside they have to many goofy features that will appeal to small crowds. Goofy front slide serrations and all bobtailed which is a feature that will limit grip options for you. Has the dreaded "Hey bonehead dont do stupid things with guns!" label on the side.
8. Ruger SR1911 "Commander"
Excellent caliber choices on this model! They got the 45 tyrannosaurus killer and the 9mm Farfegnugen. Excellent customer service and warranty. Very reliable and may be the most reliable 1911 on this list. I think its mostly due to sloppy frame to slide fit. Every SR1911 I ever had shaked more than a Mexican maraca. They come in ghetto shoe boxes though which for what you pay should be better. Also they have the dreaded "Hey bonehead dont do bonehead!" under the dust cover which bothers me.
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