Best available approximation of Colt's LW Commander

[Kosh75287]

I'd like some opinions on who manufactures the closest iteration of Colt's original LightWeight Commander. I find Commander-sized pistols that weigh in at somewhat over what the steel-framed Commander did, which defeats the purpose.

The Kimber Pro-Carry II appears close, though I am not crazy about recoil spring-guides on pistols designed to work perfectly well without them. The spring-guide can, mercifully, be removed, if memory serves.

Price is A consideration, but not THE consideration. I'd like to stay under $2000, to be sure.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Buy a LTW Commander They were all alloy frames till early 1970's When Colt came out with Combat Commander. That was steel frame back then and Commander was still alloy.

 

[Kosh75287]

Coler me confused...

Okay, it was my impression that the Lightweight Commander had an aluminum alloy frame, while the Combat Commanders were built with steel frames, and weighed in at 7 ounces less than the full-sized 1911A1. What I'M looking for is a recently manufactured approximation of a Light Weight commander. As close to original as possible.

 

[JTQ]

Colt http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtPistols/ColtXSE™Series.aspx

The Kimber guns are 4" guns. Colt makes true Commander length pistols with 4.25" barrels.

 

[RussB]

I'm confused as well...

The (steel) Combat Commander weighs about 3 ounces less that a Gov't model, and Colt still produces a Lightweight Commander type

 

[Auto426]

When you say as close to original as possible, are you really wanting to match the original guns on a feature For feature basis?

Below is a pic of a Colt Commander in it's original configuration:



As you can see, it was tiny G.I. Style sights, a short trigger, arched mainspring housing, small tang style grip safety, and standard non-extended safety and slide release.

In today's world, most of these features are not what most buyers want, and subsequently are not what most manufactures produce. Higher profile sights, beavertail grip safeties, long triggers, and flat mainspring housings are going to be standard on just about any model you come across.

However, if what you are wanting is a 4.25" Commander sized 1911 with an aluminum frame, there are several options out there from several manufacturers.

 

[Girodin]

It is slightly different in that it also offers a bobtail (which some will see as an added bonus) but Dan Wesson offers their Guardian. It is an alloy framed commander size gun (4.25" barrel). It should be less than $2K and offers some nice features. I'd much rather have it than the Kimber mentioned in the OP.

http://cz-usa.com/products/view/dan-wesson-guardian/

 

[tarosean]

Im gonna go with Colt.

The Wiley Clapp version by Talo blends old (70 series) and new.. Claiming "everything you need and nothing you dont".

 

[peacemaker45]

Why do you want a close approximation? Colt still makes them. For a lot less than $2k, too.

 

[Zerodefect]

Check out the Dan Wesson CCO.
http://cz-usa.com/products/view/dan-wesson-cco-bobtail/

 

[lechiffre]

The Commander was developed for the army as a possible replacement for the 1911a1. It had an alloy frame, and was chambered in 9mm. In the early '70's a steel frame variant was introduced, the Combat Commander. The Commander was renamed the Lightweight Commander.

 

[orionengnr]

If you have $2000 to spend, I would spend some time looking for a used alloy framed Les Baer. A Wilson or Brown would be great too, but I don't see alloy framed versions in that price range. Baers, yes...every now and again.

I won't make any friends saying this, but I am not at all impressed with Colt 1911s...and I shot my first in about 1964. And have shot quite a few/owned several since then, the most recent about four years ago. But I am not impressed by a name or a reputation. I am impressed by actual performance.

 

[Fishbed77]

Just get the Colt.

 

[moxie]

Colt 04860XSE is Colt's current, updated, version of the LW Commander. Better sights, beavertail, etc., but essentially the same.

Get one!

 

[Fishbed77]

I won't make any friends saying this, but I am not at all impressed with Colt 1911s...and I shot my first in about 1964. And have shot quite a few/owned several since then, the most recent about four years ago. But I am not impressed by a name or a reputation. I am impressed by actual performance.

You may be missing out. Colt is making some of the best 1911s in their entire history these days, thanks to their recent heavy investment in high-tech CNC milling, combined with a higher degree of hand-fitting than most mass-produced 1911s receive.