George Hill
Member
Big Picture Warning:
http://www.madogre.com/images/S&W1911Sc.JPG
http://www.madogre.com/images/S&W1911Sc.JPG
Best lightweight commander-size 1911?
- Thread starter Rick O'Shea
- Start date
- Status
I shot the Champion earlier today. Actually did a little head to head comparo with another 1911 I just picked up.
The other gun was a Colt Commander with every add on possible. Hand fitted beavertail, hammer, sear, CMC trigger, novak sights, FLGR, ramp and throat job, everything. A real nice piece my gunsmith had built.
The Champion was pretty much stock with a round count of 200 rounds or so. The feed ramp has been polished, as well as the sear. The trigger is much improved, but still needs to be replaced. A lot of take-up and over travel.
I had better groups with the Champion. This could be because of the smaller GI sights, I had to concentrate a bit harder. I put three rounds into one hole at 5 yards one handed (the other was supporting a ballistic shield). Maybe it was just luck, because I'm normally not that great of a target shooter. Had a few stoppages with the Champion. It didn't seem to like the Chip McCormick mags, once I switched to Novaks it was good to go.
The colt was definately heavier being a all steel gun. But it was much more comfortable to shoot with the extended grip safety, wider ambi safety, flat MSH, and rubber grips. The extra heft did help with the recoil, but the Champion wasn't excessive by any means.
I would recommend getting the Milspec model over the GI if you can. I didn't care for the arched MSH, or the sights. Other than that it was pretty lightweight and a good shooter. For what I paid, $375 with a WC mag and 120 rounds, I would definately recommend it.
Note- We were running a tactical type course. All shooting was done standing, or one handed, or moving. It was pretty hard to guage the accuracy of a gun while doing this.
The other gun was a Colt Commander with every add on possible. Hand fitted beavertail, hammer, sear, CMC trigger, novak sights, FLGR, ramp and throat job, everything. A real nice piece my gunsmith had built.
The Champion was pretty much stock with a round count of 200 rounds or so. The feed ramp has been polished, as well as the sear. The trigger is much improved, but still needs to be replaced. A lot of take-up and over travel.
I had better groups with the Champion. This could be because of the smaller GI sights, I had to concentrate a bit harder. I put three rounds into one hole at 5 yards one handed (the other was supporting a ballistic shield). Maybe it was just luck, because I'm normally not that great of a target shooter. Had a few stoppages with the Champion. It didn't seem to like the Chip McCormick mags, once I switched to Novaks it was good to go.
The colt was definately heavier being a all steel gun. But it was much more comfortable to shoot with the extended grip safety, wider ambi safety, flat MSH, and rubber grips. The extra heft did help with the recoil, but the Champion wasn't excessive by any means.
I would recommend getting the Milspec model over the GI if you can. I didn't care for the arched MSH, or the sights. Other than that it was pretty lightweight and a good shooter. For what I paid, $375 with a WC mag and 120 rounds, I would definately recommend it.
Note- We were running a tactical type course. All shooting was done standing, or one handed, or moving. It was pretty hard to guage the accuracy of a gun while doing this.
I also have a Kimber Stainless Pro Carry, pre series II. Picked it up used for $675. I absolutely love this pistol. It shoots much better than it's owner. After 400 rds. I'm still waiting for the first malfunction. Also, the Taurus PT1911, bought one just to see. Amazing pistol at any price. It shoots as well as any of my Kimbers. It will eat anything you feed it, IMHO you can't go wrong with either.
Randall 1911 SS Custom Street Gun]
madcratebuilder
Member
Colt
SWMAN
Member
Its called a Colt Lightweight Commander (LWC) XSE in 45 auto.
boldkharma
Member
Can't beat a Colt!!
Tom Fury
Member
+1 for the Smith & Wesson
I just don't like the grips; everything else is about perfect; I prefer the S&W beavertail to the Colt XSE.
Cheers, TF
I just don't like the grips; everything else is about perfect; I prefer the S&W beavertail to the Colt XSE.
Cheers, TF
83fj60cruiser
Member
SA Champion Operator
I have one and I love it. It's light wieght and accurate. I only have about 200 rounds through it and haven't had any problems.
I have one and I love it. It's light wieght and accurate. I only have about 200 rounds through it and haven't had any problems.
MarshallDodge
Member
I have a Champion that I bought used in the $400ish range a few years ago. I think it is a loaded model. The guy before me put on the Hogue grips which somedays I like and others I think about replacing. It does not seem to be as refined as a Kimber but for the money it does pretty well. It likes Gold Dots and Hydra Shoks just fine but when I try shooting 200 grain SWC's it hiccups once in a while. It may just be that I'm not loading hot enough for it but they function just fine in my Kimber Target.
I am either going to keep it and have a gunsmith go through it (smoothing, trigger, etc.) or I am looking seriously at the S&W Sc or one of the smaller Sigs.
The Novak night sights that came with it are really nice.
Here is a pic:
I am either going to keep it and have a gunsmith go through it (smoothing, trigger, etc.) or I am looking seriously at the S&W Sc or one of the smaller Sigs.
I am either going to keep it and have a gunsmith go through it (smoothing, trigger, etc.) or I am looking seriously at the S&W Sc or one of the smaller Sigs.
The Novak night sights that came with it are really nice.
Here is a pic:
I am either going to keep it and have a gunsmith go through it (smoothing, trigger, etc.) or I am looking seriously at the S&W Sc or one of the smaller Sigs.
DMK
Member
Man, I was just wandering by and now you have me wanting a Scandium S&W Commander. 
I got to add, I love my lightweight Colt (A CCO, not a true Commander), but I've been looking for a while to get a stablemate for it.
I got to add, I love my lightweight Colt (A CCO, not a true Commander), but I've been looking for a while to get a stablemate for it.
hank327
Member
The Original...
Colt Lightweight Commander
Colt Lightweight Commander
BENELLIMONTE
member
Ya, count me in also. My S&W 1911SC is the cats meow. It is as accurate as my Les Baer Concept 2 and a hell of a lot lighter.
funnelcake
Member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2007
- Messages
- 321
Colt --XSE LW Cmdr's are available in .45 an .38 Super.
- Status
