Colt Commander

G

Gunslick

New member
I am looking at a Colt Commander, believe it is series 80 since I am in crap CA. The Govnt model is not on the lame ass roster any more so the commander is my only choice in Colt. How is the quality of a Colt and I kind of like the commander size.
 
I have several 1911s and like them all.But have always wanted a Colt Lightweight Commander.I finally bought a new Colt Lightweight Commander and really like it is a joy to shoot and carry!

 
I always preferred the Commanders over the GM's. Just something about the looks and how they presented for me. Always liked the GM's too, but the Commanders were the ones. Colts and GI 1911's were the only guns I ever trusted to carry too. Too many problems with the "clones" to trust them.

I also preferred the Series 80's for carry, and never found them to be a problem. Having once dropped a freshly loaded and "unlocked" Series 70 gun made me appreciate the additional safety they offered. I know some complain about the triggers being different, but I never found it to be the case or a problem, and just updated the 1911's design.

Mine always shot great and function was rarely an issue. Unlike the sub 4.25" guns Ive owned.

I got rid of most of my 1911's back at the turn of the century. The one I kept was my old Combat Commander that a constant companion for a lot of years. It started out as a blued gun, but was hard chromed within a year due to rust. It still gets shot once or twice a month these days, but is basically has a place of honor in the safe anymore.

ry%3D400
 
My Combat Commander has been serving me well for over 42 years...
Added some sights cause my eyes aren't as good as they were back then but otherwise still stock.


If you really want a GM then there's the used or NOS market on any of the internet sales sites like Armslist or the like.
 
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It's very subjective but, after shooting 1911s since 1967, I find that the Government Model seems just a tad muzzle heavy to me. I think the Combat Commander balances better (for me).
 
I have been carrying Commanders for years. Currently I have a Colt/Talo Clapp Commander.



I still like the 5 inch guns with adjustable sights for punching paper at the range though.
 
I love my Gov't model Springfield I have been working on and swapping parts out on but this Colt Commander series 80 has caught my eye, I think I am about to go buy it now. Is the series 80 all that bad? I know about the extra parts, with the extra parts are ignition parts and what not still the same to swap out? Not that I would with the commander just gonna leave it as is.
 
As I can't comment on the series 80, I can say that if you ask a room full of people about the 80 or 70 series (like mine) you'll get alot of negative opinions from them.
"The 80's safer than the 70". The 1991's safer than the 80". "The XXX is better than YYY". It will go on for ever. The newer the weapon the more safeguards it has so if you want the "safest" one then buy the newest.
If you like the 80 then get it and go from there.

Me? I'll keep my model 70.
(But then again I carry a 60 year old Walther for self defense)
 
Is the series 80 all that bad? I know about the extra parts, with the extra parts are ignition parts and what not still the same to swap out? Not that I would with the commander just gonna leave it as is.
Click to expand...
I have an XSE Combat Commander that I bought about ten years ago. It has the Series 80 firing pin locking device (plunger). The only problem I have found with the locking plunger is that it is very difficult (just about need three hands to reassemble the firing pin and spring and the extractor back in the slide after detail cleaning them...and eventually, you will have to do it. I have to lock the slide in a padded vice, upside down and use two pin punches to manipulate the various recesses on the components back into alignment to allow the firing pin stop to slide back home in its grooves. Pain in the butt!
 
Bought my 1st Commander in March 1972 . Still have it and several more
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QUOTE]It's very subjective but, after shooting 1911s since 1967, I find that the Government Model seems just a tad muzzle heavy to me. I think the Combat Commander balances better (for me).[/QUOTE]

Took words out of my mouth I started on the 1911 also in 1967 USGI type.

Commander for me . Its lets me sit easier as I carry IWB The GM hits when I sit .Then pushes up. .

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A LTW Colt Commander
 
I am not worried about the firing pin safety. I prefer a series 70. I don't usually drop my pistol if ever..never have..yet anyways. My weapon manipulation and draw in pretty well practiced as in every weekend for the past 15 or so years and some time in the mil. Only reason I mentioned Series 80 was because it is the only one allowed in CA, Springfield gets away with it because they use a titanium firing pin and ILS mainspring housing..which is funny because mine was bought brand new and came with a regular MSH.
 
Commanders are not a bad choice, by any means.

These days, they're not my first choice in a fighting gun, but I sure do enjoy and appreciate having them!

And I don't feel under-equipped when carrying one.



 
ColtCommander45.jpg


I bought a 1994 Colt 1911 in 1999 for $400 off a gunshow table. [$641 in today's gun dollars]
It is a M1991A1 [1911] Commander 45acp.
I showed to to the late great Randy Ketchum and he started listing all modifications he could see. I can't remember much, but Chip McCormick trigger and hammer were two things, I think.
Since then I figured out that it has aftermarket slide release, grips, and recoil spring assembly.
The extra safety of the 1991 design has been disabled and plugged.

It has been a very good pistol for me.
 
Just got one

same dilemma as the OP.
I'm in California and found the Colt commander on the roster. My dealer could not find one, but found that Impact guns has them. Even cheaper than auctions on guns America.
So I ordered one to be sent to my FFL.
Picked it up on Friday and shot it on Saturday.

At 15 yards, two handed I was shooting a three inch group with most of the shots a ragged hole at 3 o'clock within the 3" bull. Nice clean trigger with a slight creep, worked flawless with various factory ammo, and one FTF with reloaded SWC. Need to drop check the reloads to make sure they are within specs.

Workmanship on the gun is perfect, no complaints on quality control, beautiful.
I like the blue models, so not disappointed that this was the only one on the list.
Better get it soon, because no telling if Colt will renew it for next year.

Will post some pics later.
 
I forgot to add, I really prefer the commander size. I have a Colt Gold Cup, series 70. The commander is close to the size of a glock 19 (layer them on top of each other, grip length of the commander being a little longer, but slides were the same).
Not sure if you are planning on CCW, but in AIWB, the commander is way more comfortable than the government model! Carrying in a High Noon Mr. Softy.
 
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