Thoughts on this firearm....Colt Commander 9mm auto

[Baz]

Hey THANKS to all who provided input......very helpful to someone like me who doesn't know as much.

I'll pass this info on to my Mom, who will appreciate it as well.

Now....where's the best place to buy ammo?

Here's some from Walmart for example:
Remington UMC Pistol and Revolver Cartridge, 9mm Luger, 115 Gr. MC, 250-Pack

250 rounds for $68.92.

Couple gun shops here I could check as well....

Thanks again!

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

With that lineup for an example, I went out on a limb (and against my better judgement) and bought one of their new 1911 Competition pistols. I've run the gammut of their 1911's over the years and, suffice to say, my experience mirrors yours - and I became a Springfield and Kimber man. I wasn't expecting much.

And I went out to shop for a Colt Comp. based on your post about yours. First one I tried at the store had a lazy plunger spring, which made the thumb safety not snap into or out of position fully. This was a NIB gun. I could not believe such a gun got past quality control. It was a POS. Instead I grabbed a new SIG Nickel Nitron 1911 at that store and it's been a fantastic shooter. Still, my Dan Wesson Valor makes it feel like a Jennings or Raven Arms Sat. night special. I'll put my DW up against any boutique 1911 that costs 2-3x as much. Still, when you get a good Colt, they're great. Hold onto it.

[enzo1]

Field Strip, clean & lube...buy an extra magazine

[enzo1]

https://www.gunsprings.com/COLT/1911%20GOV'T%20PISTOL/cID1/mID1/dID1

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

And I went out to shop for a Colt Comp. based on your post about yours. First one I tried at the store had a lazy plunger spring, which made the thumb safety not snap into or out of position fully. This was a NIB gun. I could not believe such a gun got past quality control. It was a POS. Instead I grabbed a new SIG Nickel Nitron 1911 at that store and it's been a fantastic shooter. Still, my Dan Wesson Valor makes it feel like a Jennings or Raven Arms Sat. night special. I'll put my DW up against any boutique 1911 that costs 2-3x as much. Still, when you get a good Colt, they're great. Hold onto it.

That's really a shame. I wish Colt would find a way to quit crapping in their mess kit. I think we all have high hopes for better quality and consistency from them, what with their reorganization, reunification, and new leadership. They have got to be the most up and down - mostly down - firearms company in history. When they do get it right, it's glorious. They do have the distinction of having introduced the two most copied handguns of all time - it's just a shame that the copies are generally better. I guess I just got lucky. All three of my newest generation Peacemakers are superb - but I guess the Custom Shop tries a little harder.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by Baz

Hey THANKS to all who provided input......very helpful to someone like me who doesn't know as much.

I'll pass this info on to my Mom, who will appreciate it as well.

Now....where's the best place to buy ammo?

Here's some from Walmart for example:
Remington UMC Pistol and Revolver Cartridge, 9mm Luger, 115 Gr. MC, 250-Pack

250 rounds for $68.92.

Couple gun shops here I could check as well....

Thanks again!

Best place to buy ammo is subjective but I like SGAMMO.COM

[wildthing]

I second sgammo but last week they didn't have .45 in stock so i bought 9mm instead... Last hurrah for online purchase in CA.

[Bill Douglas]

Nice gun Baz. These https://forums.1911forum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26 guys can tell you everything you want to know. They get a bit obsessive of course. Anyone would think it was a Porsche forum

[Baz]

Originally Posted by enzo1

Field Strip, clean & lube...buy an extra magazine

Originally Posted by enzo1

https://www.gunsprings.com/COLT/1911%20GOV'T%20PISTOL/cID1/mID1/dID1

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Best place to buy ammo is subjective but I like SGAMMO.COM

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Nice gun Baz. These https://forums.1911forum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26 guys can tell you everything you want to know. They get a bit obsessive of course. Anyone would think it was a Porsche forum

Thanks guys! I just bought ammo and will get a spare magazine next. You're right Bill....those guys on that forum are not unlike us P-car owners!

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Best place to buy ammo is subjective but I like SGAMMO.COM

I have also had good luck with them.

I probably won't buy any more ammunition until I move out of California or the background check for ammo is declared unconstitutional.

I suspect the piece pictured will be happier with 124 than 115 food

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

.... Still, when you get a good Colt, they're great. Hold onto it.

We've discussed Commanders a few times over the years....I got lucky back in '80. Just FYI Baz....by then, the all steel versions (more weight for recoil control in .45 ACP like mine) were referred to as Combat Commamders, and the alloy versions (lighter) were simply Commanders....don't let it get you confused....your Commander is all steel I do believe....Tabs will correct me if I'm wrong . Mine is a keeper....never any issues with quality ammo...ever. In my baby Ruger (9mm)..
I've used the Remimgton/UMC ammo exclusively...I buy the boxes of 50 when they are priced around 8-9 bucks...

Enjoy your Colt....there may be better spoons out there....but mine don't suck either....something about them...I dunno...can't explain it...

[Rick Lee]

I thought the alloy frame ones are called Lightweight Commanders. I had one very briefly and was told it would not make a good range gun, was not designed to run a lot of rounds through it, though would be a nice carry gun. I traded it for something else before I got around to shooting it, though.

[Taz's Master]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I thought the alloy frame ones are called Lightweight Commanders. I had one very briefly and was told it would not make a good range gun, was not designed to run a lot of rounds through it, though would be a nice carry gun. I traded it for something else before I got around to shooting it, though.

I believe the newer alloy frame Commanders are Lightweight Commanders, while steel are Combat Commanders. I had an alloy framed Commander from the '70's, the serial number had an LWC prefix, and I believe they were commonly called lightweight Commanders, but not named such by the factory. 1911's are cool and fun. An old design that is still relevant today. Very often copied, and while there are lesser and greater quality options than Colt's production, Colt will be the yardstick against which they are measured. Baz, if it (your new to you Colt) frustrates you, it will have monetary value beyond its utility, and can be used to fund its replacement. If it's a keeper, well then there really is no replacement.

[Rick Lee]

Here's a Frankenstein build I just did, which has become a money pit, and I so regret it.



I think it's running right now, but I'd have been better off starting with a beater Mil-Spec and having a pro mod it for me. I did that years ago and foolishly sold the gun. I miss it so much, I thought I could recreate it. But I got that SA Mil-Spec for $160 11 years ago, just missing its barrel. So I should have known I'd never be able to redo it for what I originally had into that gun. Anyway, it's a cool gun, just an expensive, PITA process.

Here's my Dan Wesson Valor, which is just amazing.


And here's the SIG I impulse bought when shopping for a Colt Competition.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by KC911

don't let it get you confused....your Commander is all steel I do believe....

Pretty sure it's an aluminum frame. The first Colt Commanders (like Baz's) were all aluminum frame in 9mm. I believe Colt initially produced them to bid on a .mil contract/T&E that required/specified a lightweight pistol in 9mm.
IIRC, they (.mil) were looking for a possible alternative to the standard (heavy) M1911 for issuing to higher-ups/officers.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

Pretty sure it's an aluminum frame. The first Colt Commanders (like Baz's) were all aluminum frame in 9mm. I believe Colt initially produced them to bid on a .mil contract/T&E that required/specified a lightweight pistol in 9mm.
IIRC, they (.mil) were looking for a possible alternative to the standard (heavy) M1911 for issuing to higher-ups/officers.

Methinks you are correct...some dumbazz was using my PPOT account earlier ...

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I thought the alloy frame ones are called Lightweight Commanders.

I "think" this is how it goes:

First Commanders were Al frame in 9mm.
Then came (Al frame) Commanders in .45 and .38 Super.
Then came "Combat Commanders" with steel frames.
Once those were introduced, the Al frame Commanders became "Lightweight Commanders" to differentiate the two.


These days "Commander" typically just means any full-size frame 1911 with a 4.25" barrel. Some manufacturers have shortened that down to 4" even.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by KC911

Methinks you are correct...some dumbazz was using my PPOT account earlier ...

Man, that guy gets around! He's hacked my account several times!

[Baz]

Hey thanks again for the additional conversation....very enlightening!

FWIW, there's some info on the CC on Wiki that might be of interest too....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Commander

[targa911S]

100 years old...eats anything, goes bang every time...perfect..