1911 Government vs. commander

I had a gov't sized, Taurus PT1911 for awhile, long enough to put about 2000 rounds through it. I generally liked the 1911 platform, but after trying a few commander and one officer sized pistol, I decided to sell the PT1911. Instead I got a new Colt Combat Commander (1991a1) and do like the shorter slide/barrel setup. Also, having had an entended ambi-safety on the PT1911, I find I much prefer the traditional GI safety on the Colt.

My first 1911 was a 5" and I liked it but traded it for a Commander as soon as I handled one. I just find the shorter barrel balances better for me. Actually, my absolute favorite is the Colt CCO (no longer made by Colt), which puts a Commander slide on an Officer's Model frame. Outstanding carry pistol.

Another Colt Commander (1991A1) -



I also prefer the traditional safety over the extended patterns. However, I installed a short trigger to replace the long (plastic) one and a steel arched mainspring housing to replace the flat (plastic) one.

Doesn't show on this view, but I did an ejection port relief on the R side, to reduce the brass "dinging" that was occurring.

I prefer the Commander length because it's slightly more comfortable when seated. That 3/4" makes a difference.

For best all-around use I would say a Commander. I find them easier to conceal, they are still plenty accurate and have a good sight radius. Actually my carry gun is a lighweight Champion Operator. It is not a true "commander" since it only has a 4" barrel but it is a fantastic shooter in every regard and out to 15 yards I shoot it just as well as my 5" 1911s. Hope that helps.

I have always found that the Commander sized pistols just balance better in my hand than the full size Government model. For all around shootability, I would go with an all steel Combat Commander type gun. For CCW, I would opt for an aluminum alloy frame Commander.

I own and have owned many full sized and Commander sized models For me, its just as easy to conceal a full size as a Commander, but I prefer the feel of the Commander.

I prefer shooting the 5" pistol. Seems to balance better to me.

But this is where is gets weird...

I'm in the middle of building a Commanding Officer (full size frame with an Officers slide) and took it to the range for the first time about a week ago. For whatever reason, the combination feels absolutely perfect to me. Recoil isn't too bad and the sights just seem to want to sit on what I'm pointing at.


-Matt

I own/owned every length of 1911 made ---- from 3" to 7" --- the good old 5" is what I would pick if I could only have one. To me , the 1" less length with the Commander is nothing --- I can make the 5" disappear as easy as the 4" ---- with the right clothes.

Top to Bottom --- 6 1/2" , apx. 4" , 5"


Colt Gold Cup 5"


Colt custom Delta Elite 7"


Colt custom Jimmy Clark PinMaster 6 3/4"


Para-Ordnance C7.45 -- apx. 4 "

Clark Pin Master. Very nice. I guess that's a keeper.

I like the 5" guns also. I've tried the Commander size guns twice and just can't find any appeal for them. They don't handle and track as well for me as the the 5" guns do. Most of it boils down to personal preference.

MatttheHat can you put up some pictures of your Commanding Officer? I've never heard of that before, sounds neat.

I'm a big fan of the steel frame government model for carry (in .45 of course.) I've not handled a smaller frame 1911 that I've liked yet.

If you carry IWB then the barrel length doesn't matter too much. The grip is the part that is hard to hide.

I carry a SA Mil-Spec 5" and I like it for all-around use. If I had a separate carry gun I'd get a Colt New Agent or maybe a bobtailed commander of some sort so that I didn't have that sharp corner poking out.

-J.

I have and like both but

I carry a a 4" Tac Pro II by Kimber. It has a full sized aluminum frame with 4" slide. The shorter barrel allows it to be carried a little easier and the lightweight frame makes it a lot lighter. With that said, while I shoot it just fine, I do like the Government sized guns better. I have two Taurus PT 1911's and a Springfield Mil Spec that has had a lot of upgrades to the point that is about the equivalent of the Loaded version. My recomendation for a first 1911 is to buy the Taurus, if you want the bells and whistles, or a Rock Island if you want something a little more plain jane. I have also owned two colts in the past and they were the reason I had not owned a 1911 for over 15 years.

I think I can hit better with the Government model over the Commander, but I can't prove it at the range. I certainly know the longer version looks right, but I prefer the balance of the 4 1/2 Commander. My experience with anything shorter (specifically a Kimber Ultra Carry) had been disappointing. My favorite pistol of all time is an electroless nickel Combat Commander, circa 1976

commander +1

MatttheHat can you put up some pictures of your Commanding Officer? I've never heard of that before, sounds neat.

Click to expand...

It's ugly. The cosmetics haven't started yet. But it shoots very well. I wanted to make sure of that before I got too concerned about frills.

-Matt

Commander length upper on an officers size frame...

The Commander upper on the Officer frame is what I think I would personally like best for general carry purposes, but that Commanding Officer is strange, and intriguing to me. Really doesn't look bad to me at all. Is that a 1911 grip scaled knife? Incredible, you 1911 guys really love those things don't you? I should stay away for now, I get enthusiatic.

If you are making it out of two pistols you already have, then you know what you need to do next right?

Make a Government Officer, 5" upper on an Officer's frame. THAT would be cool.

Make a Government Officer, 5" upper on an Officer's frame. THAT would be cool.

Click to expand...

I think it was Dan Wesson (somebody did it, my memory is fuzzy on who though)...years ago they did that. I forget what they called it...

Dan Wesson should put out a two-pistol box set, with an Officer's frame, a bobtail fullsize frame, and Officer's, Commander, and Government length slides, all interchangeable, it will be two pistols that you can mix and match to make whatever kind of 1911 you want. They could even offer an optional longslide upper to go with it!

You reminded me in that other thread (name these pistols)...it was Detonics that made the 5 inch gun on a short frame, not DW.