1911 commander
- Thread starter Eazyeach
- Start date
I didn't quite answer the last questions from the OP.
What do I have (in a Commander)?
I have a O4691 Colt Commander .45ACP.
What do I like/dislike about it?
I didn't like the front sight becoming loose (tenon-type staked in) after 3,000 rounds. Along with that, I didn't like how I failed at being able to re-stake it four times where it didn't become loose again after ~100 rounds of shooting each time.
I didn't like sending it back to Colt for this with an estimated 1 month turnaround.
I didn't like the "rat tail" grip safety and replaced it with a Wilson Combat beavertail type. I didn't know I wouldn't like this grip safety until I shot the gun.
I didn't like no front strap checkering and put on 1" wide traction tape. I knew & planned for this prior to purchase and already had the traction tape which I'd used before on another 1911.
I didn't like the long trigger pad and replaced the trigger with a Wilson Combat flat trigger, which is medium in length. Again, I didn't know if I'd dislike the feel/reach until shooting the gun.
I didn't like the fit of the firing pin stop as the extractor was clocking, but had another one in my spare parts which fit better. There was only one of these models available and it wasn't as if I could choose from another with less clocking. Again, not a big deal.
I like the size. I like the feel when shooting it and its accuracy. Other personal-preference items I already had and changed were Kimber rubber grips instead of the cherry wood; and a McCormick "Power Mag", 8-round with basepad, instead of the stock welded-floorplate 7-round mags. While I'd rather have no firing pin safety, the Series 80 is not too difficult dealing with only four more parts.
OTHER.
While that Dan Wesson Commander-size without the bobtail looks great, the msrp on those are $1700/$2000 for SS/blue. My Colt was only $750 (msrp $800). If I were to do it again, I might try the Colt O4840XE alloy frame model with more of the items on it already which I ended up adding/changing on my O4691 model. I might even try a $4100 Wilson-Combat Elite Professional next time. It just depends on my mood on the day I buy a gun. With this Colt, I actually went in to buy a Glock G30SF (which I also bought).
Edited 3/23/16 to add: The Commander slide is already back and looks as if the new front sight willl stay tight for the rest of its life. I put 200 rounds through it today and its doing fine.
What do I have (in a Commander)?
I have a O4691 Colt Commander .45ACP.
What do I like/dislike about it?
I didn't like the front sight becoming loose (tenon-type staked in) after 3,000 rounds. Along with that, I didn't like how I failed at being able to re-stake it four times where it didn't become loose again after ~100 rounds of shooting each time.
I didn't like sending it back to Colt for this with an estimated 1 month turnaround.
I didn't like the "rat tail" grip safety and replaced it with a Wilson Combat beavertail type. I didn't know I wouldn't like this grip safety until I shot the gun.
I didn't like no front strap checkering and put on 1" wide traction tape. I knew & planned for this prior to purchase and already had the traction tape which I'd used before on another 1911.
I didn't like the long trigger pad and replaced the trigger with a Wilson Combat flat trigger, which is medium in length. Again, I didn't know if I'd dislike the feel/reach until shooting the gun.
I didn't like the fit of the firing pin stop as the extractor was clocking, but had another one in my spare parts which fit better. There was only one of these models available and it wasn't as if I could choose from another with less clocking. Again, not a big deal.
I like the size. I like the feel when shooting it and its accuracy. Other personal-preference items I already had and changed were Kimber rubber grips instead of the cherry wood; and a McCormick "Power Mag", 8-round with basepad, instead of the stock welded-floorplate 7-round mags. While I'd rather have no firing pin safety, the Series 80 is not too difficult dealing with only four more parts.
OTHER.
While that Dan Wesson Commander-size without the bobtail looks great, the msrp on those are $1700/$2000 for SS/blue. My Colt was only $750 (msrp $800). If I were to do it again, I might try the Colt O4840XE alloy frame model with more of the items on it already which I ended up adding/changing on my O4691 model. I might even try a $4100 Wilson-Combat Elite Professional next time. It just depends on my mood on the day I buy a gun. With this Colt, I actually went in to buy a Glock G30SF (which I also bought).
Edited 3/23/16 to add: The Commander slide is already back and looks as if the new front sight willl stay tight for the rest of its life. I put 200 rounds through it today and its doing fine.
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I just bought a Colt Government Model Competition Series 1911. Has a nice a trigger out of the box as any gun I've owned. Very nice for the price.
I also have several Dan Wesson 1911's and find them to be very well constructed. Tight, good triggers, great shooters. I consider them nicer than the Colt and better made. Plus DW customer service is superb.
I also have several Dan Wesson 1911's and find them to be very well constructed. Tight, good triggers, great shooters. I consider them nicer than the Colt and better made. Plus DW customer service is superb.
+1 for the Ruger SR1911 Commander, if your looking for the light weight model I know CDNN has the Ruger SR1911 COMMANDER STAINLESS TWO-TONE for $689.99. The slide is stainless steel, and the frame is blued aluminum, but the one I wanted was the RUGER SR1911 BLACK NITRIDE STAINLESS 45ACP for $699.99 thoes prices are hard for me to say no and is even below your starting price. For my light weight model I use the Kimber Pro Carry II, it really makes a difference after carrying all day. I do have my 1978 Colt brushed nickel Commander but it is not carried often. Its my birth year gun.
L-2, sorry to hear about your Colt's problems. I'm usually the first guy defending Colt's newer guns. I've bought 2 in the last couple years(9mm govt and an M4) and have had zero issues. But the more I hear about issues with them and actually feeling all the sharp edges on the new LW commander I'm kinda hesitant to pull the trigger on a new colt. Found a talo commander and a Wiley clapp commander at buds for decent prices, but I don't want to have to send my gun back to the factory 20 times.
Coloradohtr
New member
Give the Ruger SR1911 Commander a look. Made in America and comes standard with Novak sights, skeleton trigger and hammer, extended grip safety and extended thumb safety. I have one and love it. It is stainless but it's a very low gloss stainless. I installed a set of LOK thin G10 tan and black grips. I carry it every day and have never had a malfunction. You can also get a light weight version for a little more. It looks and feels exactly like a Kimber. They usually run for 779-800 price range.
My Commander slide returned in only ~2 to 3 weeks. One week of that was me sending it back using USPS. The new front sight seems as if it'll stay on forever now. As with any 1911, I'll just have to see how it goes as the round count builds up.
My Marlin rifle is the only gun I have which has gone back more than once (twice and is back at the factory right now).
My Marlin rifle is the only gun I have which has gone back more than once (twice and is back at the factory right now).
Crazy88Fingers
New member
If you're concerned about parts breaking then Colt and DW are your best bets. They'll have the highest quality parts in your price range, and probably beyond.
Aside from that, Commander 1911s aren't very complicated. What you see is what you get. Just pick one already.
Aside from that, Commander 1911s aren't very complicated. What you see is what you get. Just pick one already.
I bought my first Series 70 Colt in 1975. It has never been to any place for repairs as it has never needed any. Always works flawlessly.
My first 1911 is a WWII era pistol with the frame dating to 1942.
It has been arsenalled in that the frame is Ithaca and the slide is Remington Rand. It has also been flawless in operation. The barrel is still in excellent condition and is original from that era. It still has the same war era finish, a little worn, but in good condition.
My first 1911 is a WWII era pistol with the frame dating to 1942.
It has been arsenalled in that the frame is Ithaca and the slide is Remington Rand. It has also been flawless in operation. The barrel is still in excellent condition and is original from that era. It still has the same war era finish, a little worn, but in good condition.
I have an early Series 80 Colt that looks similar to the one in post 19; original, stubby Commander grip safety; no serrating, checkering, raising, or lowering, other than high-visibility sights and an ambi safety (lefty).
Colt is again making a blued lightweight Commander, with beavertail and Novaks, if you like mod cons.
http://www.colt.com/Catalog/Pistols/Lightweight-Commander
I don't "get" the Combat Commander, as, to quote Jeff Cooper, "If I have full weight, I want full length, too."
That said, when I was shopping for my Commander, years ago, I found that used Combat Commanders were priced about $100 lower than lightweights in similar condition.
Colt is again making a blued lightweight Commander, with beavertail and Novaks, if you like mod cons.
http://www.colt.com/Catalog/Pistols/Lightweight-Commander
I don't "get" the Combat Commander, as, to quote Jeff Cooper, "If I have full weight, I want full length, too."
That said, when I was shopping for my Commander, years ago, I found that used Combat Commanders were priced about $100 lower than lightweights in similar condition.