New colt lightweight Commander slide fit

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Sawyer.N

New member
Purchased my first 1911 (Colt LWC) last week at a local gun store for 995$. A little steep but I really wanted this particular 1911 for many reasons I'd rather not go into.

Shot 200 rounds with 0 failures of any kind. This is my first single action pistol, and the biggest in my collection now (previously the biggest was my glock 19)

Adapting to the light, short trigger press has been entertaining to say the least. Love the way it shoots, BUT..

Aside from the miniature guide rod, I have only one other complaint, and that is how loose fitting the slide is onto the frame. The barrel is locked like its welded, but the slide has so much play.

What I want to know from you 1911 guys is how tight does the slide fit to the frame of your fancy 1911's such as Your kimbers, nighthawks, wilson combat, dan wessons? No wiggle? Lots of wiggle? Thanks gents.
 
I have two Colt 1911s, including a year-old Lightweight Commander (mine are 9mm), and neither one is anywhere close to what you'd call tight-fitting. (The grip safety jiggles like hell too.) But check out a Ruger SR1911 -- even looser. My Beretta M9 is like a Swiss watch compared to those 1911s.

However, the 1911 was originally a military sidearm from a different era. I've read (and have had experienced people tell me as well) that loose fit was actually beneficial for 1911s in the field with primitive maintenance -- that's one thing that kept them going. Makes some sense, but I dunno.

That Colt LWC is a dream to shoot at the range. I wouldn't sweat it.
 
Brownstone,

Indeed it decreases the tolerances, resulting in less battery failures and other things like that. Cool to here a bit of the history on why it is so, thanks for sharing. I guess it just bothers me lol.
 
How much play is "so much play"? Without seeing it in person it's hard to say, but I'd really doubt the slide to frame fit on a new pistol is worse than having a little wiggle room. If the barrel to slide and bushing fit is tight, which you've described it as being, you'll have good accuracy.

My stainless Colt Competition has some rattle at the rear of the slide/frame fit now. I can't honestly remember if it was like that brand new or if it's developed over the last 1500 rounds. Either way, it's accurate and reliable. My new blued .45 is fit pretty tight, but I expect it to wear in a little over the first case or so of ammo.

And for future reference, PLEASE don't mention Kimber in the same sentence as Nighthawk, Dan Wesson and Wilson Combat ever again. :eek: No matter what the fancy glossy ad copy says, the Kimber is at best as good as a Colt, and certainly not in the same league as the higher tier guns.
 
P-990

So much play is just a bit more than my 3rd gen glock 19. As stated, this is my first 1911, I just didnt expect such a loose slide fit. Glad to here my expectation was realistic and I didnt get a POS. pardon my 1911 manufacturer blasphemy, your honor.
 
Colt just might know a bit about building 1911s. An uber-tight slide-to-frame fit isn't as important to accuracy as most people think, unless you're a world-class bullseye competitor. Conversely, very tight guns are more prone to reliability issues if they get ANY dirt between the slide and the frame.
 
Sawyer, My Colts have some looseness in slide to frame fit, even my $2k Special Combat Government from the Colt Custom shop. Best I can say of the Custom Shop Colt is, It don't rattle much;) My Wilsons, years ago, rattled too. Don't know if current Wilsons are set up that way. My Baer and a Colt accurized years ago by Clark Custom don't rattle and are absolutely solid in battery. While barrel to slide fit is considered much more important for accuracy, have to say the barrel-to-slide fit of my Colts is not anything to write home about. In production guns, my Dan Wesson, STI, and wait for it, ~ Kimber~ barrel-to-slide and slide-to-frame fit is far more precise than the Colts, including the SCG. And the more closely fitted guns I mentioned, along with some closely fitted S&W Performance Center guns, SIG P210s,etc, have displayed no reliability issues whatsoever.

Bottom line I guess, Colts usually display their famous "Battle Rattle" and it is normal and to be expected.

PS, added a photo of some of those mentioned. Guess which one cost a lot more, has the loosest barrel/slide/frame fit, and is much more finicky about what ammunition it will feed reliably? Hint: it's the one at the top;)
 

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Rock 185,

Interesting! very glad to here this is standard, and through my range time with it I have found it to be 100% reliable so far, and more accurate than I am. You got yourself a nice little collection of 1911's. After college and after seasonal work, I'll have some more cash to pony up for some nicer quality pistols like that. Battle rattle! I like the term lol

To Jim and Augila, thanks for sharing your information. As a new 1911 shooter, its nice to here these things from experienced individuals, as opposed to the biased adds/reviewers that run amok on the internet and through the reams of Guns and Ammo.
 
I’ve got a Wilson and the first thing I noticed is the fact that the gun does not rattle like my Colt and SA guns do. I also noticed how much more accurate the Wilson is compared to the other guns. So, yes, I suspect the higher end guns are “tighter” and more accurate. However, quite honestly, the Colt Competition Pistol that I have is accurate and reliable enough for most any situation.
 
I bought a Colt .45 LW Commander about 3 weeks ago. Shot 182 rounds of 230 ball so far (i'm keeping a count with this one ;)) Keeping tabs on mags used as well. Not a lot of rounds but that's coming :)

No malfunctions of any kind so far, I plan on shooting it a whole lot.

Ejection is consistent at about 6 feet at 90 to 120 degrees to my right, Trigger is heavy at about 6 pounds but breaks clean with no creep or over travel. I can live with this as it is a carry weapon and will probably lighten up some with a lot more shooting. ALL controls are crisp and clean, mag release, slide stop, safety, etc.

Recoil is sweet, about like my FS .45 1911s even though it's a lot lighter. I think the undercut trigger guard and grips are more than just BS hype, I think they really perform a function. It's the easiest gun I have ever shot to keep quick "double taps" on target, I can't wait to give it an IDPA try.

I've used nothing but the "Colt" mags and the mags provided by SA with their 1911s, Both are Check-Mate hybrids, I believe.

It is as accurate as I can be. Shoots to POA, which is unusual for me with a new pistol, as I am right handed and left eyed. It appears that the rear sight is a little right of center which is where I would have drifted it for my sight picture. Probably done at the factory and would probably shoot to right of POA for someone with normal vision.

Sight are bold and easy to see.

Besides cleaning and lubing it and keeping an eye on the mags it likes, I am not touching it until it needs a spring change. I haven't given slide to frame fit or grip safety a secondthought at all....I could care less if the slide to frame fit loosens up some.
 
JJ45.

Funny you mention that the rear sight seems to be right of center a bit, because mine is too, and I am right hand and right eye dominant and it does impact a bit right. I have had a similar experience with my new LWC as you have with yours. very fun to shoot.
 
I have owned more than one Colt 1911, in about four decades of shooting them, before any of the custom 1911s showed up, except when specifically worked on by an expert gunsmith. Colts 1911 pistols are extremely reliable. You found that out yourself. Your standard issue Colt 1911 is, was, and for the for the foreseeable future build for combat reliability, at combat distances. Not to win prizes at an organized shooting event. They were not designed to shoot one inch groups at twenty-five yards either. Your Colt is fine. For self defense or home security, it is fine, as is.
 
Old Jarhead,

Glad to here that, because that is what I wanted out of this 1911 purchase - combat reliability for defensive carry/use.
 
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