Slid my 1990 Colt LW Commander into a holster for the first time today

[canoesmith]

I have shot this weapon enough to trust it as a carry weapon (was the first to do so a few years back after I found it unfired and bought it) but have never carried it, opting instead for very capable and ugly Glocks or Kahrs. I also have a Colt New Agent in .45 that I carry an awful lot and have worn well. But this weapon is just so nice that I have never wanted to carry it for fear of...what - I guess messing up the finish, bumping it or dinging it. But what the heck good is having a beautiful and functional weapon if I do not carry it.

Luckily I live in AZ and I can carry all the time. Time to carry this Colt.

This one I will keep forever and pass down, so maybe "Dad" (me) ought to put some patina on it.

Just thought I would share. You probably have one of these "too nice to carry" guns in your safe too.

Happy Shooting

 

[J.P.60]

Welcome back from the Dark Side! I have carried a Commander for +35 years, on the job and CCW, albeit all steel as opposed to LW. I own two Ed Brown's and, still, gravitate right back to the Commander. I carry, mostly, crossdraw; however, I have both strongside and shoulder holsters as needed. I've added a Beavertail and had a trigger job done... but, other than changing springs, have never had to have anything done. My carry ammo is copper plated 225gr. flat tips at about 850fps and have nothing but accolades for performance. They flatten to an amazing diameter and lose very little of their weight. They also easily punch thru car doors.

Again... congrats. Your Commander was never intended to be a safe queen. It was intended to serve you as a defense weapon.

 

[canoesmith]

What manufacturer are those copper plated 225's or are the hand loads?

Always looking for a new load to try, been shooting and carrying Fiocchi JHP230's or Double Taps JHP 200's. Thanks for your response, got the colt on right now.

 

[J.P.60]

My ammo comes from a commercial reloader in Kansas City. He generally sells only to shops and ranges. I might be able to get his load to pass on, including component sources, if you like.

 

[Badkarma 1]

I was in the same boat canoe, that was until yesterday! I was downstairs in the armoury looking over my toys and noticed how my old Delta Elite scowled at me!
I carried this pistol for years as my backyard critter getter as well as for defense. It always worked and shot to her sights. So without to much fanfare I removed the Glock 17 from my belt and shoved the Delta in my waistband, "AH" my body said as the reassuring heft of an all-steel 1911 took it's place at 4:30.
There is a series 80 Gov't model at my local shop with a bit of surface rust on it in the back room, I think I just might have to go rescue said pistol and perform some midnight voodoo with some steelwool and oil!
Enjoy your Commander canoe, they are the first concealed carry auto! Dale

 

[Frizzman]

I do like guns with some honest wear from carry when the firearm has been taken care of. I have a couple of vintage Colts, a Detective Special and Agent in unfired NIB condition. I have pulled them out to shoot and carry and then put them back in their boxes and back in the safe several times. I do like the Commander. The first auto I ever bought back in the 70's was a satin nickel Combat Commander.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

The old Colt "royal blue" finish has always been a beauty to behold. But holster wear can become a very real issue.

Actually, the anodized aluminum frames will frequently display wear much more easily than blued steel.

My recommendations are always the same:

1. Select a holster that is very closely fitted to the weapon. Eliminating movement of the handgun within the holster (as we walk, stand, sit, etc) will eliminate the conditions that contribute most to holster wear.

2. A good smooth leather lining will help to minimize holster wear. Smooth leather does not tend to gather dust and grit like suede leather can do, so there will be less concern about foreign matter collecting and abrading the handgun's finish with each use.

3. Never store your handgun in a leather holster or case. All leather articles have a tendency to collect and retain moisture (from precipitation, from perspiration, etc). Remove the weapon from the holster after each day's use and wipe it down with an oily rag. Leave the holster out in an area having good airflow, allowing residual moisture to evaporate away.

4. Use only holsters made of vegetable-tanned leather. Other tannages utilize chemical salts that can remain in the finished leather and can cause corrosion in any steel alloy (including stainless steels).

Best regards.

 

[ColbyBruce]

My 1982 Colt LW Commander; dinged, banged, dependable. I carried this a good bit in the north Georgia mountains but the last two weekends it has been replaced by a Glock 26.

 

[canoesmith]

BTW. I sold this weapon last year. I had intended to keep it forever, but a friend had to have it. Paid me $1300 for the privilege. Now he and his son shoot it up at Ben Avery!

 

[Rastoff]

Yep, I would have sold it too. Anyone that's willing to pay me 50% more for a used gun than they would for a new one, deserves to be separated from their money.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Yep, I would have sold it too. Anyone that's willing to pay me 50% more for a used gun than they would for a new one, deserves to be separated from their money.

But he wasn't much of a friend, apparently.

 

[Protected One]

My "too nice to carry gun" is a Browning High Power.
I'd hate to lose it for any reason.