Commander length S&W 1911

[Texas1941]

As I've posted before, luck with short barrel 1911s has always eluded me. When Ruger came out with a 1911, I bought one and have been very impressed. They now have a Commander length and I had a mind to try one. However, last weekend I shot a SR45 and was really impressed. Long story short, I now own a plastic pistol.

But this does nothing for my Commander Jones, but it has started me thinking about Smith and Wesson. Let me say up front that I know nothing about their 1911s, except that these latest ones look really cool. I've noticed both positive and negative comments on this forum, with a lot of comments on finish issues and some on reliability. Does any one have anything they would like to share, especially if you have had a little time with the type? I'd really like to know how the barrels stack up against some of the other brands. I'd like to know if their chambers run on the tight side (match) or more toward the Colt (service) side. Short of doing a chamber casting, the best rule of thumb I've found is whether or not it will function with Russian steel case ammunition. If it will, there is a good chance it has a near GI chamber.

Thanks,

Charles

 

[shawn mccarver]

As I've posted before, luck with short barrel 1911s has always eluded me. When Ruger came out with a 1911, I bought one and have been very impressed. They now have a Commander length and I had a mind to try one. However, last weekend I shot a SR45 and was really impressed. Long story short, I now own a plastic pistol.

But this does nothing for my Commander Jones, but it has started me thinking about Smith and Wesson. Let me say up front that I know nothing about their 1911s, except that these latest ones look really cool. I've noticed both positive and negative comments on this forum, with a lot of comments on finish issues and some on reliability. Does any one have anything they would like to share, especially if you have had a little time with the type? I'd really like to know how the barrels stack up against some of the other brands. I'd like to know if their chambers run on the tight side (match) or more toward the Colt (service) side. Short of doing a chamber casting, the best rule of thumb I've found is whether or not it will function with Russian steel case ammunition. If it will, there is a good chance it has a near GI chamber.

Thanks,

Charles

With regard to the SR45, can you give a report on how it feels in comparison to a 1911 grip? I am wondering if the SR45 feels comfortable in the hand, or way too fat, like the Glock 21.

 

[Texas1941]

Shawn, the SR 45 feels nothing like a Glock. In fact it doesn't feel like a plastic pistol at all. If I close my eyes and just hold the thing it feels like a CZ 75 or a big HiPower. Very subjective but that's how it feels.

 

[t-bird]

I have had my s&w 1911 commander for six years now and it has been very reliable while being scary accurate. Even after 6 k the finish on it has held up very good and very lttle wear on the rails. I got the new e-series about a year ago and after one thosand rounds, all I can say is wow. I have a colt 70 series commander that I have had for ten years now and would have to say they are about the same with the smith being a little more accurate. Hope this helps.

 

[ladder13]

I'm on the hunt for a Ruger 1911 CMD.

 

[Texas1941]

I have had my s&w 1911 commander for six years now and it has been very reliable while being scary accurate. Even after 6 k the finish on it has held up very good and very lttle wear on the rails. I got the new e-series about a year ago and after one thosand rounds, all I can say is wow. I have a colt 70 series commander that I have had for ten years now and would have to say they are about the same with the smith being a little more accurate. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the information. Can I ask what sort of ammunition you generally run through the E series? Ninety percent of my shooting with a 1911 type is a mix of ball and the H&G #68 200 gr SWC. The rest is whatever hollow point I have laying around.

Ladder 13, I've talked to people in the Northeast and also Florida who have yet to see the Commander version, but we are lucky with Rugers in Houston. Carter's is a huge Ruger distributor and by the time I hear about something, they usually have it.

 

[lhump1961]

Both of my S&W 1911's have been perfect. The Sc 4.25" is every bit as accurate and reliable as the 5". I reload and have had zero issues with ball, HP, plated, FMJ or whatever.

I don't think you will get any better for the money. The Ruger is very good as well. Both are American made!

 

[max]

I have had a couple of Colt Commanders over the years and have never had any problems with them. I shoot cast swc's.

 

[Texas1941]

Again thanks for the input. Looking at what's available right now I think it's time to give S&W a try. Some of the pictures that have come out of the shot show look very interesting. One of the cmdr length guns has slide cuts that sorta remind me of a Buick Roadmaster. Something new at any rate.

At the risk of drifting my own thread, I'd like to tell you about my range trip this afternoon with the SR 45. I discovered it was not possible to chamber a round from a full magazine with the slide forward. By not possible I don't mean as in I've gotten old and weak, I mean as in the slide will not override the top cartridge. If you try to force it, the result is a large, scary dent in the top cartridge case. About two millimeters wide and five long. With ball, the chamber could be charged if the slide was released from the locked open position. With Remington UMC hollow points, trying to load from lock back with a full magazine resulted in a six o'clock jam. Strange, no? I'm assuming at this point that what I have here is a magazine problem. And it's not a real Ruger product unless it has at least one recall . It works just fine if you only load nine rounds.

I only put seventy rounds through it, but I believe it's going to be exceptionally accurate.

For what it's worth.

 

[sgt.207]

Make that two of us!!!!!

I'm on the hunt for a Ruger 1911 CMD.