Thinking about a Colt Lightweight Commander

[nextjoe]

I'm considering a Colt XSE Lightweight Commander. Has anyone here bought one recently? How's the quality?

 

[Kramer Krazy]

I just bought one and picked it up last Tuesday. I've put about 300 rounds through it without any issues. My best friend is picking one up tomorrow. I really like mine, but want to log some more range time with it. I currently have a Series 70 Gold Cup, Series 80 Government, Series 80 Officers ACP, and a 2005 Rock Island Armory 1911A1, so I'll need more range time with it to determine its ranking. Do you have any specific questions about it? BTW, it retails for $1100 and there is a dealer in North Carolina with a price of $759 on theirs. I got mine for $790 locally in South Carolina.

 

[FireBreather01]

I have one in 38 Super and I like except for it's nasty habit of failing to extract about 1 in every 10 rounds It looks like the claw is rounded off just a bit. I haven't decided whether to send it in or just replace it with another extractor myself. I'll probably replace it myself with a Brown or Wilson extractor.

 

[EghtySx]

I've been carrying one in .45 for about a year I guess. Never had one single problem with it. Feeds everything I put in it, even a .40 smith once by mistake. =)

Thinline alumagrips made it even more comfortable to carry.

 

[nextjoe]

Sounds like they're reliable. How have your guns been, cosmetically? Any noticeable flaws?

 

[EghtySx]

When I got mine it had a huge ambi safety. I put on a regular one (not extended or anything) slide stop and bushing, all in black, and black thinline alumagrips with tactical checkering. Its beautimous.

 

[sgb]

Great Carry gun, I've got a LW Commander that's about three decades old and running strong.

Stay away from the Chip McCormick mags though, their follower design will eat up the feet ramp on alloy framed guns. Stick with Wilson 47s.

 

[texagun]

Stay away from the Chip McCormick mags though, their follower design will eat up the feet ramp on alloy framed guns. Stick with Wilson 47s.

That is GREAT advice. I had the same problem on an alloy-framed gun. The followers slid forward and gouged the feed ramp. I emailed Chip McCormick about it and they never answered my email. I emailed them 2 more times, and both times was totally ignored. I guess they are aware of the problem and don't want to acknowlege it.

 

[Johnny Guest]

I like mine pretty well

My 1969-vintage Commander was getting pretty weary about three years ago, so I picked up a used XSE for daily carry. I really don't care for the little flat rib on top, but this is mostly a matter of aesthetics. Once the trigger was adjusted it was easy to shoot well. Function has been flawless with factory hardball, Speer GDHP, HydraShok, and Rem Golden Saber, all in 230 gr, and with ball equivalent handloads, lead and FMJ.

My pistol simply does what the Commander does well: It provides an excellent compromise of power, controlability, accuracy, and ease of carry. Other sidearms excel in certain areas - - An S&W M41 is more accurate, an Airweight Chief is better in a pocket, a Redhawk is more powerful, a KT P32 is lighter. At the very least, my Commander is broad scale "adequate." At best, it is an amazingly versatile and efficient tool.

Best,
Johnny