Which Colt as a base for a carry gun?

[TrapperReady]

If WI actually ends up getting it's CCW legislation passed, I will celebrate by getting a new pistol. Specifically, I'm planning on getting a Colt and sending it out for some custom work.

I'd like to go with a Commander-sized and am considering two specific variations:

The fist is the O4691 (1991 series, commander size, blued, 7+1). The second is the O460XSE (XSE series, commander size, stainless slide, aluminum frame, 8+1).

What do you think would be the best base model to start with? Would the lightweight model be significantly more comfortable to carry?

 

[andrew17]

I really can’t guess what would be the best option for you but I carry both a stainless commander and a stainless full size Colt on occasion. There is really not much difference carry wise between the two except for about 4-5 0z of weight. Personally, 4-5 oz doesn’t seem like much but added on top of 30 some oz already, I notice a difference after a full day’s carry. It’s a trade off either way I go, For shooting I’ll take the full size every time but for carry work, the commander gives my tired worn out back a little more comfort.
HTH

 

[Zach S]

I carry a government model Kimber, so weight isnt an issue to me, and I'd go for the all steel commander (I would, however, prefer it in stainless, unless hard chrome was in my plans).

The weight isnt an issue once you get used to it. However, with a pistol, leatherman, and enough keys to be a high school janitor hanging on my belt, its at the limit. I cant even stand to put my cellphone on there (but I dont like phones anyway).

 

[MICHAEL T]

a Light weight Commander or better yet maybe a Defender . Buy all of them a man can never have to many 1911A1's

 

[HSMITH]

Trapper, I would recommend a lightweight Commander for full time carry. They are MUCH more comfortable. I would not recommend anything smaller, I am not a fan of the 1911 pattern pistol in anything smaller than a 4.25" version.

I have a NRM Commander that I have been working on, all steel so it is heavy but it sure is a nice gun. The quality of the new Colt production is fantastic. I also have a full size alloy gun, it is actually more comfortable to carry than the Commander......


If you get down toward this end of the state send me an email or PM, we can work out a range session to shoot some of my guns and see what feels good to you.

 

[TrapperReady]

HSMITH - I'd appreciate that. The only 1911 I've got it the Colt WWI repro, which is very accurate, although the hammer bite is pretty bad. I find that the small sights are actually pretty decent for slow-fire range use, but trying to acquire a target quickly is nearly impossible. Based on the workmanship in that pistol alone I'm only cosidering Colts for this project.

I'm definitely planning on a commander-sized gun, as I've heard too many bad things about shortening the platform much more. I'm leaning heavily towards the lightweight XSE model, shooting it for a while and then seeing what work I want done.

 

[HSMITH]

Trapper, a guy with a plan as solid as yours makes it hard to give advise. A tritium front sight is about all an XSE really needs......

My new Commander has had a little trigger work, beavertail fitted extra high, carry type magwell fitted, NM bushing fitted, traction aid applied to the front strap, and some slide tightening. I still feel the need to change out the sights, a touch more slide tightening, some sort of permanent traction aid on the front strap, and full hard chrome. I am doing all of the work myself other than the sight cuts and plating, a little bit at a time. It has been an ejoyable project, and is turning out really really good.

 

[Father Knows Best]

Colt 09840CGP

This is easy. I just switched to the above model as my primary CCW (I carried a Glock for many years and more recently a Para Ordnance).

The 09840CGP is a "CCO" type 1911, meaning it has the commander length barrel and slide on an alloy officer size frame. I find that configuration to give the optimal combination of concealability and light weight with reliability, accuracy and hitting power.

The 09840CGP is part of the Colt Gunsite Pistol series, which means it has the series 70 firing system, Heinie/Novak sights, thin grips, flat MSH, short 4 pound trigger, etc. It's been dehorned for carry, too. About the only thing it needs to make it a perfect carry pistol, in my estimation, is a good set of night sights.

I bought mine about a month ago and couldn't be happier. I paid a shade over $1,000 for it. Oh -- and it comes with a certificate for $100 off any course at Gunsite Academy.

Colt's website has more info here: http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/Gunsite.asp

 

[TrapperReady]

I had looked at the 09840CGP, but was concerned that I'd be dropping round capacity. The 1991-series is a 7+1, the XSE lightweight commander is 8+1, and the CGP is 6+1 (all this from the Colt website).

Is the officer-framed version significantly better for carry than a regular commander? BTW, I do have relatively small hands, if that makes a difference with regards to the reduced grip size.

 

[Lt. Commander]

TR,

I carry a lightweight commander and have carried a full size 1911. I prefer the light weight after a full day of ccw. Out of the two you have selected, I would go with the XSE even though I don’t care for the ambi safty and front serrations or the big butt sights. The all steal commander would make a good choice over the full size but for me, the weight would be a deal breaker.

Scott

 

[Father Knows Best]

I had looked at the 09840CGP, but was concerned that I'd be dropping round capacity. The 1991-series is a 7+1, the XSE lightweight commander is 8+1, and the CGP is 6+1 (all this from the Colt website).

Is the officer-framed version significantly better for carry than a regular commander? BTW, I do have relatively small hands, if that makes a difference with regards to the reduced grip size.

You only drop one round of capacity going from a full size to an officer size frame. A "standard" capacity mag for a full size 1911 is 7 rounds, but there are lots of 8 round "extra capacity" versions available (accomplished through shorter followers and improved springs). A "standard" capacity mag for an officer size frame is 6 rounds, but there are lots of 7 round "extra capacity" mags available. the 09840CGP comes with 6 round mags, but I've always used Wilson and McCormick 7 round officer size mags in my officer frame 1911's, with no problems at all. Thus, I have 7+1 rounds of .45ACP in the gun, and I keep a second mag of 7 rounds on the belt, for a total of 15 at the ready.

And yes, I find it does make a difference. There are three factors that matter most to me in terms of concealability and carrying comfort -- weight of the loaded pistol, the length of the butt/grip, and the thickness of the slide. The 1911's slide is very thin and flat on all models, so it rides well IWB. The shorter butt of the officer frame makes it a lot less likely to jab me in the side or print through a light covering garment. The frame is also lighter, and the reduction of one round capacity means a lighter ammo load, too. All these things add up. Trust me -- I carried an alloy commander size 1911 for a while (a Para LTC lightweight), which differs only in that its frame is a little longer than the CCO pattern 09840CGP to allow for "full" size mags. The extra 3/4" of frame height made a big difference to me in terms of comfort and concealability.

 

[Colt]

And yes, I find it does make a difference. There are three factors that matter most to me in terms of concealability and carrying comfort -- weight of the loaded pistol, the length of the butt/grip, and the thickness of the slide.

I have a CCO. In addition to nightsights, I'm thinking of having a mild bobtail done on it.