Indecision over a 9mm Colt 1911

[Sergei Mosin]

Now that the poll has expired...

A little fun with statistics. The XSE Lightweight Commander led the way with 26 votes, followed by the 1991 Commander with 11. Apparently 9mm Commanders are popular - they beat the combined total of the three Government Models 37-18. Comparing finishes, stainless led blued 36-19, although among people who favored 1991 series guns stainless trailed 19-3. Steel narrowly beat alloy, 29-26, and XSE beat 1991, 33-22.

Enough of that. What did I choose?

The easiest one to eliminate was the stainless 1991 Government. I didn't find it very attractive. Next to go was the XSE LW - although it's a nice looking gun, this purchase isn't intended for carry and the high price tag didn't help matters. The 1991 Commander was also eliminated, mostly because I have the same thing in .45 and wanted something a little different.

That left the blued 1991 Government and the stainless XSE Government in the running. I spent quite some time comparing them side by side. In the end I decided that the extra features of the XSE just aren't worth the money to me, that stainless doesn't look as good as blued steel, that I ought to go with the one that got me excited about the prospect of a 9mm 1911 in the first place, and that there is nothing quite like a blued Colt Government Model.

 

[OpticsPlanet]

Years ago, I owned a fair number of Colt pistols and they were primarily Commander size. I had a lightweight blue Commander in .38 Super and a 9mm satin nickel all steel Combat Commander and loved them both! For some reason, I carried the 9mm much more. I wish I still had both... or a least one of them!

George P.

 

[Quentin]

Hope you like the new 9mm Government Model!

A while back I was in the same boat and kept going back and forth between the blue Colt Commander 9mm and the Range Officer Compact 9mm, which has a 4" barrel and the short Officer's model grip. I finally got the ROC9 a couple months ago because of features and the LW alloy frame which seems a better fit to 9mm than 45ACP.

While comparing I kept looking at a Remington 1911 R1 Commander 45ACP and yesterday went back to get it. I again compared it to the Colt Commander but there's just something about the R1 Commander (not the upgraded Carry version). Love the look and fit of the 1911 R1 and I already have the R1 Government Model. Just too many sales (and a low MSRP) to resist plus Remington extended their $75 mail-in rebate to 7/31 (if you do the form online).

Anyway, the point is, there are so many good choices out there - watch out, like me you may be going back to get one you passed over earlier.