re:
I just love these kinds of threads...
Colt's Commander pistols...Combat and LW...are generally reliable and I've had very few that didn't run from the git-go. Clones of the same gun...I can't say that about. No matter how your cut it, though...the simple fact stands that the farther you get from original design specs, the more likely you are to have trouble.
I also can't say the same for the sub-4.25 inch guns of ANY make or model.
Some hit the ground runnin' and some don't. Most don't....and I've had more than my share on the bench for an attitude adjustment. Some respond pretty quickly to standard tweaks, while others have driven me nearly over the top. While it's true that there are some fullsized guns that don't behave, the ratio of chopped critters vs 5-inchers stands at about 10:1 and even when the 5-inch guns don't run, it's usually a matter of a good magazine or spring...and a little minor extractor adjustment.
So...for the sake of clarity, I'll repeat my first observation.
If you want the best chance of getting one that runs straight out of the box,
the 5-inch guns are the ones to stay with. Colt Commander rates next.
All others and all those that are shorter than Commander-length are a crapshoot, and I hope that Lady Luck smiles on ya.
Bottom line is that ya lays down your money and ya takes your chances.