Commander ?'s Someone help an old timer out here :)

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BigSlick

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Hi guys,

I'm new here. Great forum !

I have been suffering from a bad case of 'want another new pistol' blues. I am a bigtime fan of the 1911 (have a few of various types).

In all the years I have been into shooting and a fan of the 1911, I have ever felt the need or desire to own a Commander sized offering. Always liked the 5" barrels and never carried, until I got my CCW this year.

Now I am looking to save a little weight and bulk for a carry gun. I shot a buddy's Officers model over last weekend. It's nice, but a little too much snap in the recoil for my taste. I rented and shot a Commander and actually loved the thing - maybe as much as my Gov't models.

I went shopping for a Lightweight Commander. I found two, an XSE model and an XS model (a little older model, per the salesman). Either would suit me pretty well, but I am shocked by the pricing. Nearly $1000 bucks US for a factory gun from Colt ?

Is pricing on the Commander pistols higher than anything else Colt sells for a reason or is the dealer trying to hose me here ? He starts the usual gunshop story about how rare they are, how hard they are to get etc.. and to top it off he said Colt wasn't shipping any guns to the civilian market because of the Gulf war.

Last I heard, our troops (God bless every last one of them) are using the M92, and if memory serves, Bushmaster and FN got the last big contract for the M16.

Or, possibly, is the guy right and I just need to get it out of my head that I might be able to find a new Lightweight Commander in the 7-800$ price range.

I gave Kimber a hard look. The Pro Carry II and the Pro CDP II, but even these are 1000$ give or take a few bucks. I read on this site the external extractors are problematic on some pistols. I am sure this can be (or has been) worked out, but the Kimbers seem to have many more custom features for about the same price range.

I have always been a Colt guy, and really don't want to get away from them (purely sentimental reasons), unless they have dropped so much in quality they aren't safe anymore (which I doubt at present).

Any other ideas for a lightweight 4½", SA 1911 ?

Someone help me find a little clarity on this...

Thanks

BigSlick
 
Welcome to the forum....you have good taste, and honor sticking with the Colt...I feel the same.. I saw a custom Colt Commander for 600 at Guns America (web site)... slightly used, sounds like the saleman is blowing smoke...
 
Another vote for the S&W commander model...I have one, and while I've only put less than 300 rounds through it, it's performed flawlessly and is amazingly accurate....and it's much more in-line w/ your budget.
 
Springfield Champions can be had for your price range. Although they are not a true Commander length (4" vs. 4.25") they handle well and they don't have the micro problems that seem to occur as you get smaller.
 
If you're dead set on a brand spanking new, Lightweight Commander sized gun, Colt and S&W are the two real choices.

You can get a new all steel Colt NRM 1991 for a good bit less than a grand.

However if you'll settle for a used gun you can quite often find the Colt Enhanced Lightweight Commander in excellent shape in the $500-$700 price range. They have all of the features of the new XSE models except for the forward cocking grooves. It seems that the collectors haven't started jumping on those yet.



The Colt Series 80 Enhanced models are my personal all time favorite 1911 pattern pistols. YMMV
 
I bet you are in the PRK as well with those prices, I haven't seen a new Colt under 1k in a long time, barely see a new colt period up here in Nor. Cal where I am. If you can find one pre-owned then I'd suggest grabbing one, they are great guns. I have a S80 Commander on its way back to me from Chuck Rogers.
 
and to top it off he said Colt wasn't shipping any guns to the civilian market because of the Gulf war.

Last I heard, our troops (God bless every last one of them) are using the M92, and if memory serves, Bushmaster and FN got the last big contract for the M16.
Click to expand...

You got took in two different ways. First of all, the Colt is no longer the sidearm of the troops. They've got the M92 as you suspect. Second of all, it is Colt and FN that are manufacturing the rifles for the troops. Bushmaster is out of the picture. Suggest you find a dealer who doesn't lie, and says the truth when he sees it. Good luck.
 
I'll second the Springfield Armory Champion, you can get one with night sights for probably 650$ or something like that....
 
I would agree with the suggestions to look at the S&W 1911's. I guess I would be classified as an "old timer" too...been shooting 1911's since 1957 (started in Military Police). I recently purchased an SW1911SC (lightweight commander) and it is the best out-of-the-box 1911 I have seen. I currently have about a dozen 1911 style guns (Colts, Springfields, S&W's) and the SW1911SC is my favorite, hands down. Beautifully made and well fit...shoots to point of aim right out of the box...tight and accurate....extremely reliable (no malfunctions of any kind in the first 400 rounds)...very attractive and priced right. I would highly recommend it. ;)
 

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Have you tried a CCO? i.e. Commander length slide/barrel on an officer's frame? Seems to be a pretty nice combination for carry.
 
If I were you, I'd be careful if shopping for a used lightweight commander, as the alloy frames do have a very limited life span compared to an all steel. I, however, have one (an XSE of fairly recent manufacture) which has only seen about 200 rounds since I bought it new. It's a stainless lightweight colt commander. I would consider an offer, if you are interested.
 
The Eagle has landed.

I found a Commander Lightweight at the local gunshow this morning. $759 + tax.

I walked the show pretty well and prices for XSE's were outrageous. I saw the LWC at $1100, 959 and 995 from three different vendors. Even some the 1991 series Commanders (parked) were over $700.

I guess they served a crack pipe with the free coffee at the show early this morning. I have been frequenting gunshows for over 25 years and have never seen such silly pricing in my life.

I did get a chance to look at the new SW Scandium 1911 and Commander. Seems the specimens I saw were mixed. A couple looked pretty rough, but one 1911 I saw looked absolutely flawless in fit and finish. A *very* nice piece.

Prices for these were from $750 to $950 depending on how much crack the dealer had smoked while pricing. I saw one guy doing a 4472 for one he picked up for $689. He must have found the only one priced that low and jumped on it.

In any event, thank you all, for the information and response to my post. I would have either bought something used, or something different. Not necessarily a bad thing mind you... but you know how it is when you're jonesin' for a particular piece.

I got a fresh Big Gulp, the family is visitin in-laws this weekend and the smoker is going strong.

Now on to the 550 to work up some loads.

Life is good :D

BigSlick
 
Glad you found one. For future reference Para Ord makes a true commander length lighweight now, the LTC.
 
The Para-Ordnance LTC is available in both steel frame and aluminum alloy frame versions.

LTC stands for Lieutenant Colonel which is the equivalent Army rank to a Naval Commander. (O-5) (Commander is a Colt trademark)
 
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