Does anyone have info on a 9mm Colt Commander?
- Thread starter wideym
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Colt actually has a long history of making 9mm Commanders. Do you know if this one was pre-series 70, series 70, or Series 80?
I think now is the only time since the 9mm commander's introduction that there is no 9mm commander in the lineup, IIRC.
I think now is the only time since the 9mm commander's introduction that there is no 9mm commander in the lineup, IIRC.
The Lone Haranguer
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9mm was the original caliber of the Colt Commander, introduced for commercial sale c. 1950. It was designed for a possible military contract (a lighter weight, 9mm sidearm) that did not pan out.
bannockburn
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wideym
Both Colt and S&W designed pistols, the Commander and the Model 39 respectively, to vie for a possible U.S. military contract for a 9mm. replacement for the M1911A1. Supposedly the Army wanted a pistol not more than 7" in length, 25 oz. in weight, possibly a DA trigger, and in a caliber more like the 9mm. Parabellum. This was in 1947, and by 1948, Colt had their Commander up and running, so that they had it on the market by 1949. Later the next year, a newly formed NATO had sent out word that some of the member countries were looking for a NATO spec pistol, and that is what S&W designed their Model 39 for. Since lightweight was a plus in the minds of the military, both companies turned to aluminum as their choice for frame material. And while the tests for a NATO spec pistol never amounted to anything, we still enjoyed the benefit of having two lightweight 9mm. pistols on the commercial market.
Both Colt and S&W designed pistols, the Commander and the Model 39 respectively, to vie for a possible U.S. military contract for a 9mm. replacement for the M1911A1. Supposedly the Army wanted a pistol not more than 7" in length, 25 oz. in weight, possibly a DA trigger, and in a caliber more like the 9mm. Parabellum. This was in 1947, and by 1948, Colt had their Commander up and running, so that they had it on the market by 1949. Later the next year, a newly formed NATO had sent out word that some of the member countries were looking for a NATO spec pistol, and that is what S&W designed their Model 39 for. Since lightweight was a plus in the minds of the military, both companies turned to aluminum as their choice for frame material. And while the tests for a NATO spec pistol never amounted to anything, we still enjoyed the benefit of having two lightweight 9mm. pistols on the commercial market.
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ACP230
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I have a steel-framed one.
It's had some work done to it, including Millet sights which I want to change--possibly to Novak pattern sights.
It shoots quite well and, back when 9mm was cheaper, was an economical way to practice, or shoot matches. I bought a bunch of Pachmayr magazines to suppliment the two Colt mags that came with it.
I haven't shot it in a while, should take it out to the range again this week.
It's had some work done to it, including Millet sights which I want to change--possibly to Novak pattern sights.
It shoots quite well and, back when 9mm was cheaper, was an economical way to practice, or shoot matches. I bought a bunch of Pachmayr magazines to suppliment the two Colt mags that came with it.
I haven't shot it in a while, should take it out to the range again this week.
MICHAEL T
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I have a 1951 9mm Commander serial # 6XXX . Still going strong
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