Who makes a mil-spec SS lightweight commander?

[albanian]

I have a bunch of nice SS parts that are just waiting for a new home. I would love to get a lightweight commander in mil-spec config to add my parts to but I don't know if that exists.

I have enough parts to make it into a nice gun if I start with a plain Jane mil-spec. If there is no lightweight SS Commander, which is the best SS mil-spec Commander for the money? Is SA the best for the buck?

 

[bernie]

I think I understand what you are asking. I found out when I decided I needed a "Commander" that most companies versions of said sidearm actually have a 4" barrel (Springfield Included) and not a 4 1/4" barrel like the Commander actually had. As far as an actual commander sized weapon, I would check to seek what Colt offers.

I finally realized that I could conceal a full sized 1911 pretty well and that is what I got. It has certain advantages being 6'2" and 200 pounds!

 

[Sean Smith]

Um, mil-spec is a 5" carbon steel gun, not a 4.25" stainless steel/aluminum gun.

(I assume you mean you want a commander with no beavertail or ski-jump lookin' sights)

Colt makes a stainless lightweight comander, but it is a XSE with Novak-style sights, extended ambi safeties, et cetera. Colt makes all-stainless commanders in the configuration you want, but they aren't lightweights. Springfield doesn't make stainless non-"loaded" lightweight <5" guns, I don't think.

 

[Berg01]

Springfield GI .45 4" Lightweight Champion (PW9143L). It has a matte finish, not stainless, but you could get it hard chromed (the slide, at least). I was looking at one Sat. at my local range / gunshop. Cool gun.

 

[Mute]

If it's lightweight it can't be stainless because all the lightweight models are aluminum alloy.

 

[albanian]

Well, I am no 1911 expert so maybe I am not making sense.

What I am asking is, does anyone make a lightweight SS 1911 without all the nice parts like beavertail, match trigger, ext? I have the parts I need already so I was looking to get a cheaper version of the gun I would end up with after I was done.

By SS, I mean SS slide and SS look on the grip frame. As it is going to be aluminum, it is not going to be real SS of course but I wanted the silver look all over. Get it?

All I want to know is, does anyone make a bare bones lightweight Commander sized 1911? I know SA makes a lightweight Commander sized gun but it is parked not SS. Maybe someone makes what I am looking for?

 

[Sean Smith]

The short answer is, they don't. At least none of the major 1911 makers do.

The XSE has the stainless slide and lightweight frame, but it also has an amib-safety and Novak style sights.

Springfield makes a gun with everything you want, except that the slide ain't stainless.

Kimber doesn't make any no-frills guns like you describe. They all have beavertails and ski-jump-lookin' sights.

 

[albanian]

Well then, who makes a non-lightweight SS Mil-spec commander?

 

[Mute]

The closest thing would be a Colt 1991 NRM Commander. It has slightly higher profile and very usable sights (unlike the old nub they called a sight). You'll also be stuck with a beavertail grip safety.

Your best bet would be to look for a used pre-Series 80 Colt Combat Commander which will have a nickel finish. That will give the light color finish you're looking for.

 

[Sean Smith]

The model number for the basic stainless Colt Commander is O4091U

http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/1991.asp

To get the 100% "old-school" commander look, you could get a blued Commander and have it hard chromed.

 

[Flyboy]

Your best bet would be to look for a used pre-Series 80 Colt Combat Commander

Don't rule out a Series 80, at least not based solely on the serial number. Some (I don't know how many) of the Series 80 Combat Commanders were built without the firing pin safety. No, I don't mean it was removed, or not installed, I mean the frame wasn't even cut for it.

Go ahead, ask me how I know.