Let's say I wanted a Commander-size 1911...

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Dorrin79

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What are my options? I would prefer to spend under $500 if possible.

I know Colt makes Commanders (I'm certainly not opposed to new Colts, but I do think they are slightly over-priced)

Who else? Looks like springfield (first place I looked) makes a "Champion" with a 4" barrel, but I prefer to stick with something proven, which the Commander design is.

Basically I want the equivalent of my SA Mil-Spec, but a Commander, for around the price I paid for my SA ($450). Am I being unreasonable?

Thanks!
 
No. You're being perfectly reasonable. I can't figure out for the life of me why Springfield doesn't offer a bare bones commander sized pistol. I don't particularly care for them that much, but I know there is a big market out there for them based on how many folks complain about the lack of one.
 
Commander

Ahhhh...You've touched on one of my favorite 1911 variants. :cool:

Fix said:

No. You're being perfectly reasonable. I can't figure out for the life of me why Springfield doesn't offer a bare bones commander sized pistol.
__________________________

There's a rumor that Springfield has produced a Commander clone in the
GI Mil-Spec format. If it's true, ya'll can probably look for another Springer Torture test sometime soon. If it's not...the Colt NRM Commander is
a pretty good package.

Luck!

Tuner
 
Except for Colt and the very high end, almost all the smaller-than-5" guns are bull barrel 4" guns, not Commander-style 4.25" bushing barrel guns. I think Dan Wesson has some true "commander" style pistols out there, if you can find them.

I've seen the current Colt Commanders for $550 or so, which I think they are worth given the fact that they are made of better quality materials overall than their competition (less MIM slag than, say, a Kimber).

I'm very interested in a Commander myself, but will probalby hunt down a pre-Series 80. I just like the looks of them.

A friend of mine has a truly killer variant, a Colt Custom Shop 2-tone Gold Cup Commander with Novaks. :cool:
 
You really don't have that many choices when it comes to a faithful copy of the Commander. Colt made them first, maybe best. You might stumble across a 1991 Commander. These can sometimes be found for around $500. Most other makers like to make them with 4 inch bull barrels.
 
On the Springfield website it shows they offer a Commander sized GI model.
http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-pstl-1911-GI.shtml

PW9142LLarge.jpg
 
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Two thots:

1) Yes, the GI is available in an Officer-size and a Commander size - several local storefronts have the Officer/MicroCompact version on the shelf already.

2) The SA Champion model has been around for more than ten years - I have a 8-9 year old version that I just picked up for $400. Evidently, it used to be more of a stripped model but over the years has gotten more and more tarted up. One reason that I bought the one that I did was that it was more of a basic version. I shot it at the range today, in fact - it doesn't have the panache of my Colt Commander, but it's a great shooter.
 
Para-ordnance now makes 4.25" pistols in both lightweight and steel. They have beavertails and extended safeties. I got a lightweight one for $580 plus tax which is not the price you were looking for plus I believe there are a lot of cast parts if that is a factor.

http://www.paraord.com/pages/pxtspecs.html
 
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i think Thompson Auto Ordinance (made by Kahr) has a commander............
 
I really, really like the Milspecs...

The only problem is that I'd want to put on a beavertail, tritiums and a flat mainspring housing. :-(
 
I'm waiting to see the S&W 1911Sc, which was supposed to come out "mid May", it's probably going to be closer to $800
 
The current Colt NRM Commander is probably a good bet. So is the Colt XSE, if you're willing to spend more. Older Colt Commanders can be all over the price range.

The "Old Rollmark" 1991A1 Colts may be a good deal, if you can stomach the rollmark. I have a fullsize, and it's been a fine pistol.
 
I just picked up a 1991A1 Commander in almost new condition for $450. The Springfield WWII models go for around $400 for the Government Models, not sure of the Commander models. Springfield has funky frames and its hit or miss if you get one close to GI spec. The one in the pic above looks like a cross between the two. The front strap looks pretty close, but the area forward of the trigger doesnt. I have one thats real close and one thats real blocky in both areas. You can feel the difference in the grip immediately. I like the Colt Commander's the best and have had a number over the years and never had any trouble with them. The Colts all had good triggers out of the box and most of the newer ones fed pretty much everything I put in them. I still usually get a throat and polish job on most of my 1911's, regardless of maker, just for my own piece of mind, and to shoot my wadcutters with, although the newer Colts seem to do that ok without it. Colt is one of the few makers I've never had to send back to the factory for repairs, with SIG and HK being the only others. Shop around, you will come across some deals if you keep at it, I always seem to. :)
 
I just bought two WWII Government Models within the past 6 months. One is the Colt or GI dimensioned frame and the other, the Springfield blocky or over sized frame. The pistols look pretty much the same, but you can tell instantly which one isnt the "spec" frame by feel.
 
They must have started assembling the WWII models with older frames until they ran out of them then. Both of mine have serial numbers starting with WW and are about 3000 numbers apart. Here's the difference:
f87e7c9b.jpg

f87e7ca0.jpg

I hope Springfield keeps the frames to the GI spec, their spec frames suck.
 
The Colt NRM Commanders are in no way overpriced, as far as I can tell. $550 gets you a no-joke Commander, with the specs you want, and with a fraction of the MIM parts you'll get with the other brands.

Others have mentioned that a true Commander bbl is 4.25" long. Most of the copies are 4" long. I'm sure the 0.25" doesn't do much for velocity, but to me it's the difference between a normal-looking Commander and a stubby chopped-looking thing.

NRMRight1.gif
 
I just picked up a new 1911 Colt Stainless Commander to go with my 1991 Stainless Commander. I love my older one but the new one is really finely made. I stripped it and all parts are like glass and fit as well as my Custom gun. I had much customizing done to the 1991 by Mike Chulmeduka of All Custom to make it a one of a kind, but the only thing I will have him do to the new one is install an Ed Brown Tactical safety because I really ride the safety when I shoot.
 
Hmm - sounds like Colt is pretty much the way to go for a Commander, then.

That GI "Champion" looks alright, but I'm not sold on the 4" barrel vs the 4.25" of the Commander.

Guess I'll look in the used market and see what's out there.

Thanks everybody!
 
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