Colt Combat Commander

[Sergei Mosin]

Having never owned either a Colt or a Commander, and considering Colt's current financial position, I thought it was a good time to buy one. Haven't had it on the range yet but I'm sure it'll be a good shooter and carry well too in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II.

 

[GBExpat]

Very nice ... thanks for the pics!

I had one in the latter half of the '70s (brushed nickle) that I carried for a couple of years. I found it to be accurate & reliable and really liked it ... except for the weight under my suit/sport coat. Even in a leather pancake holster it was not as comfortable as I would have liked.

 

[Dframe]

The Commander size is my favorite. I love them. Thanks for the pix

 

[utvolsfan77]

That is a very nice looking 1911, and it has me thinking about picking one up as well. But why is the hammer cocked in the holster in the second pic?

 

[GBExpat]

But why is the hammer cocked in the holster in the second pic?

Probably just cocked & locked. That is the way I always carried mine.

 

[AK103K]

Commanders were always my favorite 1911's, and especially the Colts. They were really all I carried when I was carrying a 1911 (didnt trust the others). Always accurate, and unlike most of the copies Ive had, very reliable.

I carried mine IWB at around 4:30. Very comfortable and concealable.

This is mine when I was carrying it, in its daily spot. Theres a double reload on the other side.....



My main beef with Colt towards the end, was the use of plastic parts, specifically, the triggers and MSH. Not a big deal, and easily remedied, but still, its a Colt! What were they thinking?

One thing I will suggest holster wise, if youre going to carry IWB, and sweat a lot, look into the kydex holsters. That pretty Colt blue, will soon rust in a wet leather holster, and especially a rough out type. The one in the pic above, was originally blue, and didnt last a year in a couple of Galco Royal Guards. It was rusting badly, and I had it hard chromed. That, and the Blade Tech kydex IWB, kept it pretty much rust free, for the next 10+ years of daily use.

I still have both that Colt and its BT holster. Its the only 1911 I kept when I got out of them, and its still runnning strong. We spent to much time together to let it go. That holster is still as functional as the day I bought it.

 

[GBExpat]

I do not recall even hearing of IWB holsters until long after my I traded my Colt. That looks like it might be more comfortable (weight-carrying-wise) than a tightly strapped leather pancake holster.

 

[AK103K]

Ive been carrying that way since the mid 70's. These days, we have a lot more, and better choices as far as holsters go. Mostly I used a Bianchi Pistol Pocket, until Blocker came out with his LFI rig. Things just got better from there.

Once you find your "spot", and get used to it, IWB carry is very comfortable, and more concealable than OWB. Nothing shows below the belt.

Contrary to what you often hear, I always wear my normal size pants, and dont go up a size. The gun and holster feel snug at first, but that soon goes away as the material gives a little. That little bit of snugness, helps hold the gun in place better, and helps keep movement down even more. If you should decide to go without, your pants actually fit. When you go up in size, its not just the waist that gets bigger, everything gets bigger, and the pants dont look like they fit.

 

[9mmepiphany]

But why is the hammer cocked in the holster in the second pic?

The thumb safety can't be applied until you cock the hammer. If you carry with a round in the chamber, it isn't usually recommended that you not apply the thumb sfaety

 

[Combat Engineer]

"But why is the hammer cocked in the holster in the second pic?" [utvolsfan77]

Sergei is just displaying the round hammer, nowadays you don't see them much, mostly its oval or triangular etc hammers, still like the round hammer best.

Congrats on a classic acquisition.

 

[limbkiller]

Colt does use a plastic MSH but has never used a plastic trigger. They also use MIM but their MIM is very good.

 

[1911Tuner]

Colt does use a plastic MSH but has never used a plastic trigger.

Oh, but they have. All plastic triggers in the 01991s.

I haven't looked closely at a new Colt lately, so they may have changed that.

 

[ACP]

I had the same gun in stainless. Fantastic firearm. I believe the triggers are long aluminum and the MSH is polymer.

If you have a good trigger I'd say you're all set. I found the 3-dot sights very usable and strong. Never any failures with my Commander through 500+ rounds, and it was just getting broken in.

From the Colt website:

SERIES 80™ FIRING SYSTEM

The Colt 1991 Series is a direct descendant of the original Colt M1911. A long trigger, flat mainspring housing and original style recoil spring system remain from the original M1911 design. Upgrades from the original include white dot sights and a lowered ejection port for extra reliability. It still remains “the standard” that everyone tries to imitate, but no one duplicates.

Features
High Profile Sights with Dots
Spur Hammer
Standard Safety Lock
Standard Grip Safety
Solid Aluminum Trigger
Lowered Ejection Port

 

[Hanshi]

Quite a number of "Series 70" Commanders and Combat Commanders, blued and nickled have passed through my hands over the decades. I like them a lot! I carried one on duty (light weight) but ended up finally keeping only a CC. It's been worked over by King's Gun Works and still feels just right. Wish I'd kept more.

 

[bannockburn]

Colt Combat Commanders as well as the Lightweight Commanders are my favorite variations of the 1911 model.

 

[wojownik]

Having never owned either a Colt or a Commander, and considering Colt's current financial position, I thought it was a good time to buy one. Haven't had it on the range yet but I'm sure it'll be a good shooter and carry well too in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II.

That is a fine combo of handgun and holster. Congats!

 

[Fremmer]

Nice gun, love that dark finish.

 

[msmp5]

.......I had one in the latter half of the '70s (brushed nickle) that I carried for a couple of years. I found it to be accurate & reliable and really liked it ... except for the weight under my suit/sport coat. Even in a leather pancake holster it was not as comfortable as I would have liked.

I also had a brushed nickel Series 70 .45 Combat Commander that was a regular carry gun for me in the late '70's, wish I had never sold it. I always carried it in an IWB holster, never felt much weight or sag to it with that style of carry.

 

[Jim NE]

Good time to buy a Colt. Nice gun.

 

[Delmar]

Now is a most excellent time to buy a Colt if that brand interest's you. They are fitted well, still using the plastic MSH which I have never had a problem with, and a long aluminum trigger in place of the old plastic type. Buds has them for under $800 right now.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/.../36335/Colt+O4691+1991+Series+7+1+45ACP+4.25"

 

[Lucky Derby]

Nice Colt.

 

[CNobbe]

Technically, that looks to be a Colt 1991 Commander, not a "combat" commander model...

 

[Creature]

CNobbe wrote:

Technically, that looks to be a Colt 1991 Commander, not a "combat" commander model...

I was wondering when someone was finally going to point out that the Commander in the OP is not a Combat Commander.

 

[CNobbe]

I don't mean to be that guy, I've owned a 1991 commander in SS and the fit and finish were very impressive.

I actually sold it to buy a Combat Commander, and was kinda confused after I saw the pics...

 

[Drail]

I am also a huge fan of the old round "Commander" hammer. Sergei, THAT is a very fine carry rig. Everything you need - and nothing that you don't. That would be my favorite semi auto carry gun AND my favorite holster. Thanks for the photo. You have excellent taste. I hope that it IS a good shooter - but if it's not - there's plenty of good smiths who can make it so.