1911 Colt Commander Questions?

I don't value stainless any more than blue, as least for my needs, so I wouldn't pay a premium for stainless. I generally like blued better (at least for 1911's) so I may even pay a premium for the blued pistol.

Grip safety questions are tricky. Colt has a grip safety often referred to as a "ducktail" grip safety. They were found on the XSE models. Personally, I refuse to own one of those. They are my least favorite grip safety available on a 1911. The new XSE models seem to have a "beavertail" grip safety that would be fine. I would not buy an XSE without seeing what the grip safety is.

Not all Commanders have an under cut trigger guard.

The Colt Commander model #04691 is the model I like. Blued, compact (non-ducktail) grip safety, and not under cut under the trigger guard. There are lots of variations and you should be able to find what you like.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtPistols/Colt1991Series.aspx

The model #04091U shows the "ducktail" grip safety I don't care for. Though not a Commander model, the current Combat Elite shows the new beavertail that seems to be replacing the ducktail design.

A steel frame blue or stainless would be a Combat Commander.

A Commander has an aluminum alloy frame.

I would pay more for one of those then a Combat Commander.

rc

rcmodel, I agree with you, traditionally speaking, that is the terminology Colt used, but I think in their new terminology Colt lists Commanders (meaning steel) and Lightweight Commanders (meaning aluminum). They no longer list a Combat Commander.

Oh well.

I don't want a new one anyway.

I want a real old school Commander, and just have never got a round tuit yet.

rc

rcmodel said:

Oh well.

I don't want a new one anyway.

I want a real old school Commander, and just have never got a round tuit yet.

rc

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I've been wanting a Colt Commander for a while too. I just missed out on an older Combat Commander, saw it a week ago and came back the next day after selling a shotgun and some computers I had laying around, it was GONE!

1991 Colts do not have the relief cuts but the XSE do. I like the cut because of my larger hands and thick middle finger.

As far as grip safeties go, the modern beavertails "look" better and I grant the aid of the memory bump but as far as function goes I gravitate toward the older "duckbill" It gives you a more positive thumb grip on the hammer for the entire length of cocking or de-cocking.

I do appreciate a good polished blue, but for a hard working carry gun I prefer stainless. One for corrosion resistance and the ease of bead blast refinishing.

Here is a Colt XSE thread with some info you might find helpful. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=620192

My guess is that the OP is trying to compare the stainless and blue versions of the 1991 series Commanders.

Stainless models usually go for a little bit more than blued models go for. There's about a $60 difference in the MSRP prices of both, so expect to see that represented in the actual sale price. The blued models use a notched A1 style grip safety while the stainless models use the duckbill. The stainless models have the relief cut on the trigger guard while the blued models don't.

Blue XSE pistols do have the relief cut

Blue XSE pistols do have the relief cut

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I was referring specifically to the 1991 series Commanders, where the blue models lack the relief cut while the stainless models have the relief cut.

I love me some 1991 Commanders in blue:



All I need to do to make it right for me is add an arched MSH and probably a medium trigger to make it perfect.


One major thing worth mentioning is the XSE has dovetailed (novak?) sights front and rear IIRC... the 1991 has a staked front sight and the rear is a different cut. Might make a difference if you plan on adding night sights to it yourself.

FWIW I think the duckbill safety is pretty ugly, I like the simple look of the 1991. To each his own though!

while the stainless models have the relief cut.

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interesting, never noticed that... wonder why the difference

I prefer mine to be parkerized.

interesting, never noticed that... wonder why the difference

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I've wondered the same myself. Colt has a bit of a history of having blued and stainless models of the same gun with different features on each. For instance, the blued Gold Cup Trophy models used to have a flat top slide, while the stainless models had a round top slide. When it comes to the 1991 Commanders, the stainless models have the corners of the front of the slide knocked off use use an XSE style hammer in addition to the previously mentioned differences.