Compare Commander to Gov't Model.

In theory, the Commander size is suppose to be more concealable. IMHO, the toughest portion to conceal is the grip, so in my reality, the Gov't & the Commander are equally easy/difficult to hide since the frames are the same. If that's the case, you're better off w/ the longer sight radius & barrel length.

I'd get the Gov't

The best comprimise...a bobtail commander...easier to conceal yet still shootable......





If you are short, the legnth of the government slide can "dig" when you sit down...

That being said, my next 1911 will be a full size

Wild1920commercialsoonAlaska

Exactly what WildwhoknowswhatheisgoingtosaynextAlaska said! 3/4 of an inch doesn't sound like much until it digs into your fanny. I have not handled a bobtail 1911, but it looks sweet and it probably does conceal better than a stock 1911 Commander while retaining the full size grip and magazine.

The concealability difference is small for most people, but the Commander has a small edge there and has a really good subjective feel. They do kick and flip a bit more, but not alot, and you don't lose much muzzle velocity. I've always really liked Commanders, but always seem to wind up owning Government Models.

I have full-size .45s, a couple of Commanders, and an Officer's ACP. For concealed carry I prefer the Officer's, but I shoot the full-size pistols better. The Commanders might make a good compromise. Recoil is about the same as Gov't models and they use the same magazines.

The Officer's model has a 3" tube and shorter grip. The Commander's model has a 4 1/4" tube and a standard size grip. The standard model has a 5" tube and standard size grip. For me, the 5" model is a bit hard to conceal, and one of the issues is the grip, which tends to stick out. If you're thicker than I am front to back, that will be less of an issue for you, but since you mention that the Glock 19 is hard for you to conceal, I think you might find the Commander's model a bit large as well.

It's been my experience that the smaller you go with a 1911, the worse the reliability. I've heard that the reverse plug on the Officer's model is a noted weakness, but have no direct experience. The Commander's model has a standard barrel bushing. I'm sure the Commander's model would be fine to shoot, but the standard size grip makes it harder to conceal. Personally, I think the 3" tube of the Officer's model is just too short.

Personally, I prefer the Kimber Compact for concealability. It has an Officer's size grip but a 4" barrel. Recoil is not a problem for me. Unfortunately, I have had some wear on its spring plug.

M1911

Actually a true Officer's has a 3.5 inch barrel, a Defender is a 3" barrel. Both have shortened grips.

I must be a wierd one because though I am a big guy, I find the GM to be muzzle heavy as a pointer. My preference is for the cut down models. Though I can hide any of them, I alternate between carrying my Springfield Champion (4") and a steel Colt Officer's (3.5"). The Officer's gets the nod when I can only have a light covering garment. I also like being able to sit down without a second thought as to whether my muzzle is going to strike something, even IWB.

My daily carry gun is a Commander sized- Kimber Pro Carry II. IMHO Kimber makes the best non-custom 1911 on the market.

The .45 ACP round generates much lower pressure than 9mm or some other rounds, so the aluminum frame should outlast you. You will appreciate the weight savings over a steel frame if you carry a lot. If you truly think you need a steel frame, Kimber makes the Pro-Carry HD II which is a stainless slide & frame.

Good luck.

I like the commander sized pistols alot more than the GMs. Purely subjective feel on my part.

If you're concerned about the recoil you can go with a bull bbl. It seems like most 4/4.25 inch guns have gone this route anyway.

Another option, since you mentioned shelling out lotsa dough, is the Les Baer Commanche Monolith. I have this gun and it shoots as easily as my P7 . I am currently trying to decide which will end up as my primary CCW .

This has been going on for 4-5 mos now. I can't make up my mind...

Again--Defining Terms.

The below comments apply to Colt products, no ammunition, no "full length" guide rod.

Government Model: The commercial 1911A1. 5" barrel, 39 oz empty

Commander Model. Shorter, lighter 1911A1, with alloy frame. 4-1/4 inch barrel, 26.5 to 27 oz.

Combat Commander model. Steel frame Commander, 4-1/4 inch barrel. About 38 oz.

The "Real" Commander (CLW) is easier to carry miainly because of the lighter weight. The 3/4 inch shorter barrel helps somewhat, if carried in an OWB holster, beneath a jacket or vest which is a little short. In an IWB carry, the shorter slide may benefit some, and not others.

The "Combat Commander" (CC) combines the worst qualities of both Commander and Govt model. Practically full weight, but with a shorter sight radius. That being said, some people like the CC very much because of the hard-to-define "feel."

Much the same comparison can be made between the Lightweight Officers ACP and the steel frame version of same. The latter feels like a brick to me. At least, the LW version has a shorter height than the Commander, at the expense of one round in the mag. In my experience, the shorter-than-Commander length guns take an extraordinary amount of break in, and possibly extensive tuning, to attain acceptable reliability. I have one which IS reliabile over the course of about 2500 rounds, but it is much more difficult than an CLW to shoot well at much distance.

I carry my CLW almost exclusively. If I need something smaller, it is usually a Colt Agent .38, or something like a K-T P11.

A full length guide rod, in any full size or Commander size 1911 variant, simply adds weight and complication to a proven deisign. The FLGR may have SOME utility in the shorter pieces.

There is something to be said for owning a CC for extensive shooting, and an identically-set-up CLW for everyday carry. Or, I guess, a similar combination Steel and LW OACP.

I shoot Govt Models a little more than the CLW. The manual of arms is identical. I practice draw stroke and dry fire with the CLW, though.

Isn't it nice that we still have a choice?

Best,
Johnny

The true Commander has a shortened grip safety tang that magnifies hammer bite in my case. YMMV.

I don't see much advantage to the Commander over a Government, though the LW Commander helps a little due to weight... but it's the full size grip that I think works against it. The 3/4" shorter barrel helps a little, but not much.

Ideal for me is the "Compact" size which combines an Officer's grip with a 4" barrel/slide. Example: Kimber Compact CDP and Compact Stainless. I have both. Here's my CDP:

Kimber CDP Compact - Series I


I wish Colt would make that size as it's such a perfect compromise between the less than desireable Ultra size (3" barrel) guns and the full size.

Of course when I don't have to pack it, there's nothing like a Colt Government model:

Colt Series 70 - new production/re-issue


Colt Gold Cup Trophy


Colt 1991A1


Colt Special Combat Government


Yep... I've become something of a "Colt" guy. Though I do like my Kimbers and Springfield TRP.

There is a Colt Concealed Carry Model that combines an alloy Officer's length frame with a 4 1/4" Commander slide and bbl. Unbelievably nice. I was going to buy the comparable Kimber until I saw the XS Concealed Carry Model and immediately changed my plans. Side by side you can really see the quality difference. For example, the dehorning on the Colt is smooth and uniform with the sharp edges all beveled the same while the Kimber looked like it went thru a cement mixer with a load of gravel. It was about $300 less than the Kimber, too. $699 vs. $999.

BigG... wow, that Colt Concealed Carry sounds like a true gem of a pistol. I sure wish Colt would make those again. While the Defender is a great little pistol, I believe the barrel (3") is too short, unnecessarily short in fact. It could easily go to 3.8" or even 4" and, in my opinion, that would be just perfect for holster or fanny pack concealed carry. That's why I love my Kimber Compact CDP and Compact Stainless... they're just the right size for packin' and the barrel is long enough to allow the .45 caliber to work well. The caliber (.45) is significantly compromised when fired from a 3" barrel.

Ammo Lab's results of tests with .45 ammo fired from a 3" barrel:

http://pub57.ezboard.com/fammolabforumfrm27.showMessage?topicID=552.topic

Some good advice here!

I own most, if not all, of the size variations in 1911. For concealed carry my favorite is the so-called 'compact' size, which uses the app. 4" bbl, and the 'officers' size grip. This size fits my hands well and shots just as well for me as the 5" bbl. The one I carry has a bull bbl, and I think this helps make it feel more like a full size.

I tried to like the 'ultra/micro' size, and still have one -- a Kimber Custom Ultra Eclipse -- but I have never been totally confident in the reliability of the 3" model, though I know that there are people who have not had the kind of problems with them that I had.

The weight issue does not bother me at all in carrying (large guy and I use quality belt/holster combo) so I stick with the all steel gun. I cannot emphasis enough that if you are going to carry, get some GOOD gear to carry with -- I would recommend budgeting at least $200 for that.

So my answer to your question is look at the Compact size and see if the Officer style grip will fit your hand. If so, that may be what you are looking for -- if weight is an issue, try the aluminum frame models.

Sounds like you need a 5 inch

For about the past year my 5 inch Kimber Classic II has resided in its IWB holster on my right hip except when it was shooting IDPA matches or belching out reloads behind the house.

It's easier and more fun to shoot than my Officer's sized Compact Custom and I am much more accurate with it at 25 to 50 yards. I shot Commanders for a long time but don't see their advantages over the 5 inch 1911.

The Officer's Model smaller grip is a bit easier to conceal in warmer weather...sometimes. For your purposes, which include shooting a lot and IDPA matches, my suggestion is the longer tube.

Look, I got another Government Model, go figure.

Daguerre, beautiful photos! Yours?

I toyed with all three sizes for carry, and settled on the lightweight commander size. It's a compromise, to be sure. But that extra 1" and 10 ounces makes a big difference.

Monkey... yep... they're mine. Thanks for the compliment.

Still a good-sized bullet - - -

Daguerre:

The caliber (.45) is significantly compromised when fired from a 3" barrel.

Click to expand...

Well, yes, but then, ANY cartridge designed to work in a five-inch barrel will be likewise compromised.

But, you know what? A half-ounce .45 bullet going 700 fps is still .452 (+/-) in diameter, and 700 fps is still plenty to penetrate the human body, whether covered with two pair of Levi's or one layer of cotton t-shirt.

I really like your little Kimber, and my Colt Commander. I prefer a little more barrel than 3", NOT because of some possibility of expansion, but because of increased probability of reliable function.

The problematic expansion becomes a factor when you get down to the smaller calibers. As always, PLACEMENT is paramount. Given the choice, I would take a Browning High Power - -with ANY 115 to 124 ammo - - over a 3" barrel .45, considering ease of shooting it WELL, and the increased reliability. The problem is, there are times the small .45 can be carried undetected when a full size BHP cannot. All in life is a compromise , , , ,

Best,
Johnny