Steel framed 1911 Commander size, why did you choose yours?

[Kano383]

If you own a Commander-size 1911 with a steel frame... Why did you go for steel, when the original is alloy? And how much do you love yours?

I love the feeling of steel, and I'm tempted to forego the weight advantage of an alloy-framed gun. It's not going to be carried more than a few hours at a time, and I shoot between 2500 to 5000 rounds per year (the more I like a gun, the higher the count... ).

 

[CDW4ME]

I bought a Ruger Commander 45 with intentions of carrying appendix IWB.
I bought steel over aluminum because I had carried a Glock 21 or 30 appendix IWB for over a year so I knew the weight wouldn't bother me and less recoil.

Didn't stick with my original intent, Ruger purchase steered me back to 1911's, resulting in my Valor and Les Baer UTC being released from the safe.
I used to carry a full size 1911 strong side IWB, forgot how comfortable the "big" pistol is to carry.
I've gone back to my full size 1911's strong side IWB, a double mag pouch on opposite side helps balance belt.
I've carried a full size 1911 + two mag pouch and a Kahr PM40 in pocket for 12 hours a day (including 9 mile bicycle rides) without any problem.

 

[bannockburn]

I have them both; all steel and aluminum alloy. No real preference as to either frame material; just the way they were made when I bought them.

 

[horsemen61]

I have them both; all steel and aluminum alloy. No real preference as to either frame material; just the way they were made when I bought them.

Hey Bannockburn

I love the look of that combat commander it looks like it is all business.

Yes I have carrried all steel commanders before and would again I like the extra heft and steel on steel will last longer than steel on alloy
In most cases YMMV.

 

[bannockburn]

horsemen61

That particular Combat Commander was part of limited run put out by Colt's Custom Shop many years ago. Bright nickel plating (typically Combat Commanders back then could be had in a satin nickel or later, in an electroless nickel finish), an MMC rear sight, a Gold Cup trigger, and a complete tune-up on the inside that resulted in a gun that could easily keep up with a Gold Cup in the accuracy department.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

I have four flavors: Government and Commander models with steel and alloy frames.

They're all interesting in their own way, but while the lightweights are easier to carry, the steel guns aren't particularly difficult to carry either, and they'll probably hold up better in the long run. (Of course, if you can afford the ammo to wear out a lightweight, you can afford to replace it.) For your stated usage, you'd probably be best-served by a Combat Commander.

 

[Drail]

Cuz aluminum is for beer can and airplanes.......... Chrome moly tool steel is for guns. And after a hundred years of metallurgical progress to develop chrome moly tool steel - now we have graduated to plastic guns........ I really wonder about the human race sometimes.....

 

[Olympus]

Because my commander is a 10mm!

 

[horsemen61]

horsemen61

That particular Combat Commander was part of limited run put out by Colt's Custom Shop many years ago. Bright nickel plating (typically Combat Commanders back then could be had in a satin nickel or later, in an electroless nickel finish), an MMC rear sight, a Gold Cup trigger, and a complete tune-up on the inside that resulted in a gun that could easily keep up with a Gold Cup in the accuracy department.

Well
Imho that is one fine looking colt

 

[tipoc]

After some years of having both I've settled on alloy frame Commanders in 38 Super. My "Combat Commanders", meaning the steel frame guns (Colt originally named the steel frame Commanders "Combat Commanders"), are in 45. My shooting is a bit better with 38 Super in the lighter weight guns than with 45acp. So if I'm lugging a Commander around for any length of time it's likely in 38 Super and an alloy frame.

tipoc

 

[bannockburn]

tipoc

I'm pretty much the same way: I like my Combat Commanders in .45ACP and my Lightweight Commanders in .38 Super.

 

[bannockburn]

horsemen61

Well
Imho that is one fine looking colt

That's exactly what I thought years ago when I saw a Colt distributor's ad for it in "Shotgun News". They had a small store front shop in a town about an hour and half away from where I use to live and I drove fast enough to get there about 15 to 20 minutes before they closed. Just had enough cash on me for the gun and sales tax; they had the same model with an ambi safety but I just couldn't afford it. Originally came with checkered walnut grips with the silver Colt medallion but I changed them out for the Pachmayr grips and flat mainspring housing as it just felt so much more comfortable to shoot it that way.

It was, and still is for me, the Buy of the Century; well the 20th Century that is!

 

[guyfromohio]

In the past twelve months, I've had two colt lightweight commanders and a DW VBOB. The vbob is the only one I still have. I shoot it better than any other handgun I own and it doesn't carry half-bad. The first LW was a used Colt Talo XSE that couldn't get through a magazine without choking. The second was the current run Colt XE which never failed through nearly 1000 rounds. It was a decent gun and I'd buy another. It was a bit noisy in the holster though. Quite a bit of rattle. I don't know that I prefer steel over aluminum, or if was just the choices I made.

 

[Armored farmer]

Ruger SR1911. I like commanders. I bought the first one I got my hands on at my local gun shop.
I'm not a fan of aluminum....I like heavy loads.

 

[MCMXI]

I have three Commander sized 1911s including an Ed Brown Special Forces Carry, A Dan Wesson V-Bob and a Kimber Raptor. I also have 5" versions of those pistols. If I were serious about carrying a 1911 Commander I would have bought the Ed Brown Kobra Carry with the steel insert in the aluminum feedramp to avoid peening. As it stands, the steel framed Commanders are better suited for high round counts, but for many are not as good for EDC compared to aluminum framed models.

 

[Merle1]

horsemen61

That particular Combat Commander was part of limited run put out by Colt's Custom Shop many years ago. Bright nickel plating (typically Combat Commanders back then could be had in a satin nickel or later, in an electroless nickel finish), an MMC rear sight, a Gold Cup trigger, and a complete tune-up on the inside that resulted in a gun that could easily keep up with a Gold Cup in the accuracy department.

Mine is the electroless nickle. I chose steel - not concerned with the extra weight - was interested in the lesser recoil.

 

[bannockburn]

When it comes to steel frame versus aluminum alloy frame 1911s this is my "Enigma" gun; so named because it's a Lightweight Government Model. Normally when I think lightweight, aluminum alloy frame I'm looking at a Commander Model. But there was just something about the way this gun felt in my hand and how it balanced so perfectly that I decided to get it (besides the fact that I already had a Government Model). Great gun for both the range and concealed carry.

 

[DC Plumber]

I love carbon steel blue guns, hence my Les Baer Comanche in 45 auto. I also love my 4" 586.

BUT, I could never part with my recently acquired 25-2, great for target shooting.

I only have one stainless steel gun, my 696 no dash.

 

[jjones45]

I have three Commander sized 1911s including an Ed Brown Special Forces Carry, A Dan Wesson V-Bob and a Kimber Raptor. I also have 5" versions of those pistols. If I were serious about carrying a 1911 Commander I would have bought the Ed Brown Kobra Carry with the steel insert in the aluminum feedramp to avoid peening. As it stands, the steel framed Commanders are better suited for high round counts, but for many are not as good for EDC compared to aluminum framed models.

I agree about the feed ramp. I've personally seen too many aluminum framed 1911's with feed ramps that look like crap compared to steel frame with similar round counts. This is were 1911's that have ramped barrels shine, like the aluminum framed Springfield Armory commander sized 1911's. Not what some would call traditional but it does make sense

 

[tonyjr]

The reason I bought one was I wanted another conversion [ 22 lr ]
They had a gun show while I was in Mexico - gave 500 to 2 nephews
and said if you find one buy it - if in good shape . They found one - but
for commander model - so I bought the comander [ 2 nieces love it over
the 5 incher ] I saw it in case and it was mine - I did not even check frame .

 

[Gordon]

My first post active duty Army gun in 1972 was a electroless Nickle combat Commander. It was carried by me continuously for 10 years until Armand Swenson built me a Commander. I had the Swenson gun stolen about 5 years later. The replacement for it was the early S&W Gunsite special edition.

 

[Tirod]

I came around from a different angle. I was looking at full sized 1911's and that the CMP may eventually sell a few. The price, however, would be current retail. No bargains to be found unless an inexpensive import, and one of my criteria was for an all metal made in the USA .45.

Making a long post short (for once) I wound up buying a S&W 4566TSW. I submit it fits the "Commander" and "all steel" part of this discussion better than some. It's a 4.25" barrel, S&W Model 39's were adopted and issued, where the Commander was not. It's been a model on the market just as long, both original guns were produced for the Army Trials of 1954 requiring a shorter barrel, lighter weight, and 9mm. We are focusing on the .45 variants. Colt and S&W are Made in the USA.

Now, I get that most would consider the Commander to be a 1911 version only and "Commander sized" might muddy the water too much. It brings up the question - what constitutes a "real" Commander? Since the original never used or offered any of the race gun mods now common, was Made in the USA, and was Colt made only, can taking a liberty with one of those include others? Like a full on race gun clone from Turkey that just happens to have a near 4" barrel? I know I would be the lone voice in the wilderness saying the S&W fits the definition more closely - "it's not even a 1911!" - but does a foreign clone with competition enhanced parts that doesn't meet military specs?

The problem is that we tend to allow small variances and as we do it then opens up the definition more broadly. Like "baby boomer generation." In my life time - born 1953 - I was originally NOT included, yet as time went by I saw the "end date" pushed out on the calendar until 1964.

So, if we can include foreign race gun clones, why not an American made gun built to meet the same Trials as the Commander? I won't belabor the point, Im getting hungry and some honey and locusts would be good for breakfast. Food for thought.

 

[bikerdoc]

I have and use all sizes and materials but I have settled on an all steel officers model for EDC
most days.

 

[horsemen61]

Good news for steel framed commander fans Colt has brought the Combat Commander back for 2017!

 

[bannockburn]

bikerdoc

My Colt Officers Model is also an all steel version and feels no different when I'm shooting it compared to an all steel Combat Commander. Have always liked the abbreviated grip frame along with the shorter slide for concealed carry.