Commander Type Recommendations?

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Deanimator

Deanimator

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Does anyone have any recommendations on a reasonably priced Commander sized M1911?

I'm not looking for a lot of extra features, just a basic accurate, reliable gun that I can lightly customize.

Thanks.
 
about twice as much as an RIA - RIa has the best deal around and the two I've shot (one mine, one my podnah's) are great, and cost less than 400 each
 
Colt.

Two different versions in at least 2 (3) caliber selections.

Been around for years. New or used. I see used ones going as low as 550 up to new prices at about 712. (Check Buds or Impact)

And, it is the Commander!
 
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I'd recommend a COLT. The last one I bought (6months ago) cost me $730.00 OTD. I wouldn't recommend anyone buy anything else when the real deal is so reasonably priced. :)

Here is what less than 8 bills will get you. A Basic, Accurate, Relibale gun that any custom builder or smith will gladly put his mark on for you.

Colt_Commander.jpg

Will
 
Does anyone have any recommendations on a reasonably priced Commander sized M1911?
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Sort of depends on what you think is "reasonable" for a Commander. I have seen Commanders that have had great Gunsmiths work their magic on, that $2,000 dollars would have been a very reasonable price.

Of my fourteen 1911's, only one is not a Government sized model. I have one Colt Combat Commander series 80 in 9mm. I felt comfortable when I paid $600 for it used about 6 months ago. I guess you have to make your own decision as to value.

Just remember the old saying.

"If it ain't a Colt, it's a copy"

Go figure.

Fred

Stupid should hurt
 
Sort of depends on what you think is "reasonable" for a Commander. I have seen Commanders that have had great Gunsmiths work their magic on, that $2,000 dollars would have been a very reasonable price.
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As I said, I'm looking for a BASIC gun, reliable and accurate.

I've got four M1911s, two of them Colts. I have no problems with my Springfield or Norinco.
 
If you are NOT absolutely hung up on a 1911 frame, then look closely at an EAA / CZ75 "compact." Same ergonomics, Commander sized, DA on the first shot, double-wide / 12 shots(?), etc., etc. I had an EAA 'Carry Comp" in .40S&W that I'd added a regular barrel too--and I still miss it; if it had been in .45ACP, I probably wouldn't have sold it.

Jim H.
 
If you are NOT absolutely hung up on a 1911 frame, then look closely at an EAA / CZ75 "compact." Same ergonomics, Commander sized, DA on the first shot, double-wide / 12 shots(?), etc., etc. I had an EAA 'Carry Comp" in .40S&W that I'd added a regular barrel too--and I still miss it; if it had been in .45ACP, I probably wouldn't have sold it.
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In this instance, I'm interested ONLY in Commander type M1911s. I don't like double action autos. The trigger reach on the CZs is uncomfortably long for me.
 
Do you want a steel or alloy frame?
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It's going to be used mostly for CCW and only shot periodically for practice, so it's not going to have a huge round count, especially with hot ammunition. Alloy would probably do.
 
Deanimator,

I have been exceedingly pleased with my Colt Commander 1991 - identical to the one rklessdriver pictured above. Totally reliable, very accurate, superb trigger out of the box. I bought mine used with maybe 50 rounds on it (it appeared) and it was $600 even.

Everything on it is completely suitable for carry as is - rowel hammer, effective and quick tall three dot sights, lowered ejection port, upswept rat-tail grip safety for concealment as well as functionality. Since 2000 Colt has been using a proprietary "grooved" barrel throat that has improved feeding with various ammo types. It is a great "basic" carry gun out of the box.

If it matters to you, Colt uses fewer MIM parts than any major manufacturer.
 
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Oro said:
Deanimator,

I have been exceedingly pleased with my Colt Commander 1991 - identical to the one rklessdriver pictured above. Totally reliable, very accurate, superb trigger out of the box. I bought mine used with maybe 50 rounds on it (it appeared) and it was $600 even.

Everything on it is completely suitable for carry as is - rowel hammer, effective and quick tall three dot sights, lowered ejection port, upswept rat-tail grip safety for concealment as well as functionality. Since 2000 Colt has been using a proprietary "grooved" barrel throat that has improved feeding with various ammo types. It is a great "basic" carry gun out of the box.

If it matters to you, Colt uses fewer MIM parts than any major manufacturer.
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So Colt uses fewer MIM parts than anyone else huh? Prove it. You won't find any MIM parts on Dan Wesson. Colt isn't near what is used to be. Their expensive and the quality control is lacking. Why pay extra for the name?

Now if we're talking older Colt's then I would have to agree.
 
Everyone has their preferences...These are all good suggestions. I'm not sure exactly what you would want to customize, but I bought a new Kimber Pro Carry, and they come standard with a few "custom" features...Great gun, runs good, accurate as heck...a little more money than some of them, and less than others...really nothing else you would HAVE to do
to it.
 
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Colt isn't near what is used to be. Their expensive and the quality control is lacking. Why pay extra for the name?

Now if we're talking older Colt's then I would have to agree.
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I love Colts, I agree the old ones are great. The thing is the Colts that are produced now are as good as any they have ever produced.
Yes, I would be careful buying a Colt made in the early 90's. But this ain't then.

As far as MIM parts, Colt use some of the fewest compared to most production guns.

Yes, DW uses no MIM parts. But compare the cost of the DW to a basic Colt Commander and the cost to change the few MIM parts on a Colt and you are still ahead on price.

Stolen from 1911 forum:
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=33440

How are the current Colt 1911 pistol parts made:

MIM
sear
disconnector
magazine catch

CAST
Thumb safety
grip safety

FORGED
slide
receiver
barrel
slide stop

MACHINED from bar stock
hammer
all pins
bbl link
bbl bushing
trigger finger piece
ejector
firing pin
firing pin stop
extractor
plunger tube
 
 
And one other point.

For a carry gun, the Light Weight Commander is a sweet heart.

And of course it is a Colt.

20 years from now that Colt will have increased in Value. The DW well.....maybe.
In 2029, which brand 1911 do you think will have a higher resale value?

And of course you would have an American "Colt 45". Not a "Dan Wesson made by CZ in 45acp for the American market". The CZ may be a great 1911, but you did ask me. I would go with the Colt. But then I am just an ole' sentimental traditionalist.

Do I own foreign made guns and gear, yup. But when I have a choice, I prefer to buy American. And in this case it ain't cheaper.

COLT, because all the rest are just copies.

Go figure.

Fred

Stupid should hurt
 
Colt isn't near what is used to be. Their expensive and the quality control is lacking. Why pay extra for the name?
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COLT isn't near what it use to be?

I'm about tired of this COLT bashing NON SENSE.

COLT is currently building guns that are as good or better than anything in it's price range. I've bought 2 new COLT 1911's in the past year and a half and both are spot on. Every time I hear this load of BS on the internet I wonder, where's the lacking quality control in mine? As for cost, it is less than any 1911 currently mfgr'd except those low cost imported ones with CAST frames.

As for Dan Wesson - it isn't even Dan Wesson anymore, it's once good name has been reduced to little more than an Euro owned US located subcontractor.

I know they make a good pistol but you better wake up to reality if you think that CZ/DW will ever have the value of a COLT. In 20yrs most of those DW's will be just another has been stainless 1911 COPY sitting right next to an AMT Hard Baller in a pawn shop display cabinet. In 20yrs they both be just another copy that has a worn out, beat to death CAST frame.

I guess you think COLT is the only company that has a couple of guns slip thru QC? Do a google search on DW, there is enough out there to make me not buy one - if I relied on the internet to supply all my OPINION on a gun company rather than my own experience with said mfgr.

At least when you buy a COLT you get a name that still means something. It is the same name on every M4 Carbine in the US armed forces and represents a tradition of building weapons for this country's military and civilans that goes back a few generations. Ever hear of the "gun that won the west?" Well you can say that Dan Wesson once built some nice silloute revolvers in the 1980's.... but then went bankrupt a dozen times before being bought up by a Euro gun maker 20yrs later who thought it would be a good idea to continue to allow them to build a copy of a COLT....

So why pay extra for nothing?
Will
 
Why would any one care about the resale value of their gun? Buy what you like to shoot and keep it around to give to your kids and grand kids. My grand father still has all of the guns given to him from his father and grand father, and will be passing them on to his son and grandsons. Buy em shoot em and the real value is teaching our kids the joy of our sport and seeing them in turn love it as well.
 
I bought a steel Rock Island officer size model a few months ago. Paid - ballpark - $450, OTD for it. I bought it via Gunbroker from Bellshire Hardware (on GB, search "Rock Island" and they will probably have at least a handful or more various RIAs for sale. You might have to keep searching & wait a little bit for a commander or officer to come up, though. Be patient...). Yep, it's not a Colt, S&W, Springer, Kimber et. al. and it doesn't look it. Fit & finish is adequate - not great. Function over form. It's an entry-level gun that has been rock-solid in reliability if not the sexiest gun in the safe. I've got 500 flawless rounds through it, shooting FMJ, LRN, LSWC, LRNFP, and JHPs -- no problems. Hopefully I can sneak out early today or tomorrow and run another couple boxes through it. FYI, Rock Islands are built using 70-series Colt machinery.

Would I love a Colt? You betcha. But for my budget, I got the next best thing - an affordable, quality 1911 officer.

Q
 
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