Colt Commander for Carry?

[Adventurer_96]

For those who do carry these pistols, what are your opinions? I carry very infrequently, and when I do I lean towards a revolver.

But, I'm coming into a Commander in my favorite semiauto caliber of 9mm and I'd like to train with it enough to carry it. I'm looking for thoughts on this pistol as a carry option.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I would prefer a lightweight commander (ie, aluminum alloy frame), to reduce weight.

An all steel commander is not appreciably easier for me to conceal than a govt model.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

For carry, the .45 caliber Colt Lightweight Commander
would be real nice; for those who prefer a SA self-loader!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Tacblack]

I think its a great size for carry. I carry a full size alloy frame 38 super some it works pretty well I think the commander would be even better.

 

[PowerSlave]

The Commander is my favorite size for carry and range use.I have been carrying a Colt 1991A1 for a while.I prefer it over my Defender due to it being 100% reliable and I prefer the longer sight radius .The lightweight version would be nice for carry ,but I like to practice with my carry guns on a regular basis and worry about the lifespan of the aluminum frames after shooting a lot of +p through them.

 

[wintermute76]

I carry a Kimber Pro Carry HD II, which is a Commander size 1911. I thought about the Compact (commander slide on an officer frame) or the Ultra carry (officer size) but they didn't fit my paws very good and I like the longer barrel.

At our carry class, we were at the firing line and the instructor was checking our stance, looked at my buddy (who has a Pro Carry II (alloy frame)) and got to me and thought I had some tiny toy gun, I was "No, same gun that he has" and he didn't want to believe me

 

[Zeke Menuar]

Another vote for the LW Commander.

ZM

 

[Smoke]

Commanders are great carry guns.

I have a Kimber Pro Carry CDP, and a Springfield Champion. Love them both.

 

[John Forsyth]

I carry an alloy frame Commander. You get the best of both worlds, large caliber 1911 based pistol and light weight.

 

[ACP]

I have a customized Colt 70 Series Combat Commander (steel frame) that I shoot the best of any of my several handguns. I have carried four different full-sized 1911s in my day (Colt, Springfield, Kimber) and I do notice the commander to be easier to carry -- not so much in the weight (my Blade Tech holster takes care of that) but in the extra length when wearing mid-length jacktes (less to expose) and on the draw -- the commander is very quick on the draw.

BTW, why 9mm?? If you want a similarly-sized single action 9mm, albeit with a different trigger, I'd go with a Browning Hi power with original capacity magazines (13 rds.)

 

[Coffee357]

The Commander is my favorite sized 1911. As everyone says, the weight is far more of an issue in this style of firearm than the size. The weight is not prohibitive but a good holster and belt is a must. I am a 9mm fan myself and all I will council on this round in a 1911 is that some of the pistols can be very finicky in which ammo it will feed reliably. The 9mm cartridge is considerably shorter than the .45 round the gun was designed for. Just be sure you put enough of your carry round through the gun to insure proper functioning (always good advise with any semi-auto). Assuming it works, I think you will be very happy with this pistol.

Coffee

 

[Zak Smith]

The Commander is about 0.75" shorter in slide length than the Gov't model. I can IWB my Gov't in a good holster (e.g. Milt Sparks), but it's just about too heavy and when I sit on a hard bench, the long length of the pistol pinches some of my butt between the muzzle and the bench.

A lighter-weight Commander-size addresses both these problems, while speeding up the draw a little and improving "pointability." I'm having one built with a Caspian Ti frame for durability.

edited to add: I did shoot a Colt Combat Commaber in 9mm recently. It was pleasant and accurate, but it needed a good high beavertail, a trigger job, and a dehorn. I think a 1911 in 9mm or .38S or 9x23 would be a fun gun. For self-defense, just use a good 9mm load such as a Speer Gold Dot 124gr+P or a Wincheter SXT 127+P+ (if you have LE connections). For .38S and 9x23, you can load equivalent rounds with the Gold Dot.

-z

 

[cordex]

I carry a Colt 1991A1 Commander in Sparks leather.
Works well for me. Never had a problem with weight, size or any of the other common complaints.

About ready to get refinished, I think.

 

[Mute]

I'll be one of the few who prefers a steel commander. Never liked the way the lw commander balanced. Just doesn't feel right. YMMV. I'll take a pistol I can shoot well over a pistol that's lighter anyday of the week.

Weight tolerance when carrying is a very subjective issue. If you're more likely to keep the gun home because of the weight, then you should go with the lightweight model. Otherwise, I think you'll find that you can shoot the steel gun a little better.

 

[jimcon]

I have three Commanders, a Colt LWC, and commander built by Gunsite and a Titanium Commander built by Ted Yost. The one that I carry most of the time is the Gunsite commander mostly in a Cendex straight drop strong side holster. Today, I need a little more concealmet so it in an IWB.

 

[jerryd]

commander

I usually carry a kimber cdp or colt comm.,small lite and accurate. But in hot weather when i only have on a t-shirt i carry a glock 19c, dont have to worry about rust or corrosion. Tried a revolver as ccw but could not get used to it, too bulky!

 

[MiniZ]

I'm carrying a Champion and have been very happy. A lightweight might be nice, but I don't mind the heft of my all steel model.

 

[Dr.Rob]

My 50's vintage Commander .45 lightwieght is probably my most valued autopistol.

I've never fired one in 9mm but I'd bet its a little snappier than a BHP, sounds like a fine carry option.

 

[ACP230]

I was in a store with a lot of autopistols on display yesterday. There were small Kimbers and Springfields on the shelf, but the one that drew my eye was a .45 ACP Colt Combat Commander with a nickel or hard chrome finish.

There's just something about a Colt Commander.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

Dad seems to do well with his.

 

[Art Eatman]

My LW Commander has been a "pet" for 20-some years, now.

A regular Commander in 9mm is really easy shooting. You can really stack 'em in at high speed, what with almost no recoil...

, Art

 

[jon1481]

lwt commander

I like the feel and the comfort of my lwt commander XSE. With a Milt Sparks HR-LTD it is comfortable all day long. Jon

 

[10-Ring]

What's not to like in the Commander as a CCW? A well tuned 1911 is comfortable in every situation & mode of carry

 

[Dave T]

Throughout my law enforcement career, and for the first four or five years of civilian CCW I carried Commanders (that used to mean the alloy frame version as the steel framed was the "Combat Commander"). I have carried and shot them so much that I cracked the frames on three of them. They are still one of my favorite carry guns, in 45 ACP of course.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Dave T,

how many rounds did you have thru them when they cracked?