Colt commander or Springer GI champ?

[brandon_mcg]

So my lovely wife has agreed to let me get a new pistola for Christmas after i let her get a shiny new ring.

I am planning on using this weapon as my primary CCW.

I have handled each and overall i am leaning towards the Colt. My main complaint against the GI are the GI sights. That being said, the springer is $510 at the gun shop and the Colt commander is $720.

After upgrading the sights on the springer I am looking at being about 650 dollars into it anyways so would it be better to just go ahead and get the commander?

Is the .25" difference in barrel length between the Colt (4.25) and Springer (4.00) of any concern as far as reliability?

It looks like the springer has an arched mainspring housing which was not comfy to me when handled and the commander has a standard mainspring housing similar to my para. It also looks like the springer has a parkerized finish vs the colt with a blued finish.

Ok enough of my rambling. Which should I get? I am currently leaning towards the Commander but just wanted to run it by you guys due to the extreme wealth of knowledge here.

 

[psyfly]

I like both SA and Colt pistols.

I have a really nice Springer (an older UC V-10 1911 4" which I really like a lot) which I think is a work of art.

I have a '79 Colt LW Commander, as well. In all honesty, it's not as pretty as the Springer, but a work of art nonetheless.

The Springer, as much as I like it, is in the safe.

The commander is on my desk and will go into an IWB holster when I get dressed in the morning.

It's nice having good choices, but can be frustrating as well.

I'd get the commander .

Best,

Will

 

[paul45]

I have had both. The SA GI Champion is gone, the Colts stay.

I vote get the Colt.

 

[Greg528iT]

I like the look of a blued gun over parker.. BUT.. if you are going to actually carry, the parker is going to hold up better.

Don't worry about the main spring housing.. it's a fast / cheap swap.

Then again do you really want to buy a new gun, just to have to "fix it"?

I'm totally a Springfield guy, I own 3.. but in this case I'd suggest the Colt as it's probably "ready to go" out of the box.

Then again I just bought a Springer Ultra Compact in Stainless, 3.5" barrell, short stack, and it's been flawless.

 

[dom1104]

This is my Colt Ltwt.

I think its decent lookin.

but its great shooting and thats what I care about.

 

[ElrodCod]

Both are good guns. Here's a test. Imagine that both are on a table & you could have one for free. Which one do you pick up?

 

[Creature]

I would grab the COLT and never look back.

 

[stogiegila]

Based on this comment

It looks like the springer has an arched mainspring housing which was not comfy to me when handled

I say get the Colt.

I love mine

 

[Greg528iT]

Dom

Nice checkering pattern.

 

[jakk280rem]

Is the .25" difference in barrel length between the Colt (4.25) and Springer (4.00) of any concern as far as reliability?

the sa will have a coned bull barrel and reverse cut giude plug with a full length rod. the colt will have a more traditional bushing and short guide rod.

comparing the gi and colt isn't really fair. a loaded champion would give you a better sense of features for price. but if your picking between just those two you mentioned, the colt wins easily.

 

[rellascout]

No brainer Colt.

Better parts, fit and finish from the Colt. The SA is not a bad pistol its just not as good as the Colt. The Colt is a much more consistent gun leaving the factory. The Commader barrel will also give you a bump in velocity which IMHO is helpful with 45 ACP hollow points.

The Colt will also retain its value more than the SA will.

 

[InkEd]

You can buy a Loaded Champion for the price of the Colt. More features you like and quality is IMHO as good or better than the Colt. You are simply comparing two different trim levels of guns to each other. When comparing what you get for the SAME price very rarely will Colt be a better deal. That said they are good guns and you can brag about it being a Colt. Both are good guns.

 

[MidwestRookie]

you can add a new MSH, I wouldn't let that be the deciding factor...

 

[brandon_mcg]

thanks for the replies and pointing out that this isnt exactly an apples to apples comparison.

perhaps comparing the colt commander to the springfield loaded champion with 4" barrel is more of an apples to apples comparison.

the resale value argument is important as well.

 

[InkEd]

Why do you plan on reselling it? Buy something you want and enjoy keeping it.

 

[rellascout]

Why do you plan on reselling it? Buy something you want and enjoy keeping it.

Resale value should be considered because it is telling of the true market value of something. Look at cars for example. The better the make and model the higher the resale value of the car is. It is a measure of quality and IMHO more telling of the true value of a product.

Too many people equate lowest price with value. Sometimes the higher priced item is actually a better value.

 

[brandon_mcg]

i'm not buying this gun with the anticipation of selling it. i have never sold or traded a firearm. However, it would be nice to know that if it came down to it i could sell it (or trade it) and get most of my money back.

my main concern is reliability as this will be my ccw.

just did a quick search over at 1911forums and went to the colt page and did not see any topics referring to issues with the commander series. there were 2 or 3 topics with people having issues with the gi champ springer.