Which Commander 1911 to get?
- Thread starter Theraztastic
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tipoc
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2006
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- 3,563
Dan Wesson does make good guns. Here you can see one of their popular versions of the Commander sized guns their V-Bob.
http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/dan-wesson-v-bob/
They do perform more hand fitting than Colt does or some other production gunmakers do. In the recent past they have also used cast frames but they seem to be moving away from that or they have moved away from it. In some cases they do say they use no MIM parts. I was incorrect then when I said Colt uses the least. They use the least after DW.
They also have a higher MSRP than Colt or Springfield do for similar class guns. The actual street price is also higher. To look at it differently, KImber offers a gun with as many features as the DW that looks as good but has MIM internals and costs a bit more in a side by side comparison of features.
Colt, Kimber, Springfield all offer guns at a variety of price points based on the features of the guns they offer. DW, which makes fewer guns than the others do offers guns at one level of quality...excellent. It has very reasonable prices for the quality they provide. The quality is seen in the fit and finish and in the number and quality of the custom touches.
tipoc
http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/dan-wesson-v-bob/
They do perform more hand fitting than Colt does or some other production gunmakers do. In the recent past they have also used cast frames but they seem to be moving away from that or they have moved away from it. In some cases they do say they use no MIM parts. I was incorrect then when I said Colt uses the least. They use the least after DW.
They also have a higher MSRP than Colt or Springfield do for similar class guns. The actual street price is also higher. To look at it differently, KImber offers a gun with as many features as the DW that looks as good but has MIM internals and costs a bit more in a side by side comparison of features.
Colt, Kimber, Springfield all offer guns at a variety of price points based on the features of the guns they offer. DW, which makes fewer guns than the others do offers guns at one level of quality...excellent. It has very reasonable prices for the quality they provide. The quality is seen in the fit and finish and in the number and quality of the custom touches.
tipoc
LW Commander
The #10 post was I.
Based on one I owned, bought it used, a tiny crack appeared, on the frame, at the location of the take down lever.
My gunsmith drilled a very small hole, at the end of that crack. His advice "For a carry gun, should be fine" That was a long time ago.
The #10 post was I.
Based on one I owned, bought it used, a tiny crack appeared, on the frame, at the location of the take down lever.
My gunsmith drilled a very small hole, at the end of that crack. His advice "For a carry gun, should be fine" That was a long time ago.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
The cracks at the junction of the rails and impact abutment are neither here nor there. They're self-limiting and don't affect the function of the gun in any way. Steel frames will crack, too. It just takes a little longer.
I have a pair of 1991A1s that I've used for hard beater duty since the fall of '91. They both cracked many years and many tens of thousands of rounds ago. They're still on duty.
The Commander slide isn't much lighter than the 5-inch. All the shortening was done at the front of the slide and barrel...basically the hollow areas. I've used 16-pound springs in my LW and steel-framed Commanders for years without issue. The spring's function is returning the slide to battery...not buffering shock. It does do that, but it's incidental.
I have a pair of 1991A1s that I've used for hard beater duty since the fall of '91. They both cracked many years and many tens of thousands of rounds ago. They're still on duty.
The Commander slide isn't much lighter than the 5-inch. All the shortening was done at the front of the slide and barrel...basically the hollow areas. I've used 16-pound springs in my LW and steel-framed Commanders for years without issue. The spring's function is returning the slide to battery...not buffering shock. It does do that, but it's incidental.
Cocked & Locked
Member
Colt works...all others are wannabees. 
stogiegila
Member
Colt 1991 Commander Series 80 or
Sig Sauer Carry Nightmare
They are my two favorites and neither will break the bank nor be too pretty to actually carry and use
Sig Sauer Carry Nightmare
They are my two favorites and neither will break the bank nor be too pretty to actually carry and use
critter
Member
Last week, I got a Ruger SR 1911 commander length. I find it to be very well put together, easy to shoot, accurate. I like it a lot and, for the price, it is a bargain.
rodinal220
Member
Colt
BlindJustice
Member
I like Colts but the SXE has the front strap checkered
and I don't care for that 'feature.' As far as the
Colt Commander goes 1950 and the steel framed
Combat Commander 1970 are trademarked names
so, if a 1911 variant from some other company makes
a "Commander" 4.25" Bbl/Slide with the full grip/frame
I call it a "commander Sized" model.
Got into a discurssion as to what is a Bobtail.
and had to make the distinction tween the Full size frame with the
Bobtail MSH and cut frame vs the Officers frame which isn't
then I read Dan Wesson's description of their CCO
Model and they rrefer to it as a Bobtailed model
I gave up.
I like the Ruger SR1911 CMD
So nuh yah!
.
and I don't care for that 'feature.' As far as the
Colt Commander goes 1950 and the steel framed
Combat Commander 1970 are trademarked names
so, if a 1911 variant from some other company makes
a "Commander" 4.25" Bbl/Slide with the full grip/frame
I call it a "commander Sized" model.
Got into a discurssion as to what is a Bobtail.
and had to make the distinction tween the Full size frame with the
Bobtail MSH and cut frame vs the Officers frame which isn't
then I read Dan Wesson's description of their CCO
Model and they rrefer to it as a Bobtailed model
I gave up.
I like the Ruger SR1911 CMD
So nuh yah!
.
BlindJustice
Member
I like Colts but the SXE has the front strap checkered
and I don't care for that 'feature.' As far as the
Colt Commander goes 1950 and the steel framed
Combat Commander 1970 are trademarked names
so, if a 1911 variant from some other company makes
a "Commander" 4.25" Bbl/Slide with the full grip/frame
I call it a "commander Sized" model.
Got into a discurssion as to what is a Bobtail.
and had to make the distinction tween the Full size frame with the
Bobtail MSH and cut frame vs the Officers frame which isn't
then I read Dan Wesson's description of their CCO
Model and they rrefer to it as a Bobtailed model
I gave up.
I like the Ruger SR1911 CMD
I had a Combat Commander in the 1970s
and regret selling that one.
Why does the Browning Hi Power get so little buzz
about the switch to an external extractor in 1960 or thereabouts
& 1911 variants with external extractors get poo flung
at em by purists?
So nuh yah!
.
and I don't care for that 'feature.' As far as the
Colt Commander goes 1950 and the steel framed
Combat Commander 1970 are trademarked names
so, if a 1911 variant from some other company makes
a "Commander" 4.25" Bbl/Slide with the full grip/frame
I call it a "commander Sized" model.
Got into a discurssion as to what is a Bobtail.
and had to make the distinction tween the Full size frame with the
Bobtail MSH and cut frame vs the Officers frame which isn't
then I read Dan Wesson's description of their CCO
Model and they rrefer to it as a Bobtailed model
I gave up.
I like the Ruger SR1911 CMD
I had a Combat Commander in the 1970s
and regret selling that one.
Why does the Browning Hi Power get so little buzz
about the switch to an external extractor in 1960 or thereabouts
& 1911 variants with external extractors get poo flung
at em by purists?
So nuh yah!
.
CapnMac
Member
What not a single mention of Colt's Lt.Commander? (Commander frame and Officer's slide/bbl.)
Ok, that's in jest
Always thought the LCDR was "backwards"--that it was not the barrel length which was the concealment issue (for aligning with long body axis) so much as the length of the grip. Meaning that an Officer-size frame with a commander-length barrel would have been more logical. Except that such a construction would be harder to achieve with off-the-shelf Colt parts.
Ok, that's in jest
Always thought the LCDR was "backwards"--that it was not the barrel length which was the concealment issue (for aligning with long body axis) so much as the length of the grip. Meaning that an Officer-size frame with a commander-length barrel would have been more logical. Except that such a construction would be harder to achieve with off-the-shelf Colt parts.
I picked up a lightly used Kimber Crimson Carry a while back and love it! Light, well put together, bull barrel, Crimson Trace... Shoots everything I've put through it.
It was either that or a Sig C3 - preferably the Crimson Trace version, which has some really nice additional features besides the grips.
Good luck choosing one!
It was either that or a Sig C3 - preferably the Crimson Trace version, which has some really nice additional features besides the grips.
Good luck choosing one!
Coltdriver
Member
Well, just by my handle you can tell what I am going to say.
My first 1911 was a full sized Colt.
I have an Officers that I learned to tune from 1911Tuners advice. Runs like a clock if well greased. Is utterly reliable for any 300 to 500 round series I run thru it.
You will never regret owning a Colt.
My first 1911 was a full sized Colt.
I have an Officers that I learned to tune from 1911Tuners advice. Runs like a clock if well greased. Is utterly reliable for any 300 to 500 round series I run thru it.
You will never regret owning a Colt.
And this is the fact; the U.S. Government owns the intellectual property rights for anything produced under a government or military contract, so the 1911 was made by numerous manufacturers, which was necessary to meet the demand of the Second World War, the Korean War, and the VietNam War.
I believe he was referring to "Commander", which is a Colt trade name, and not the 1911 in general.
Cocked & Locked
Member
that right there
Zerodefect
member
The Dan Wessons are really hot right now. Get 'em while you can. No MIM, no silly 80 series parts, no substandard parts at all. All the good stuff. Pop in a Wilson or Tripp mag and rock and roll.
I fix Kimbers all the time. Their OK, but I don't see the need to pay more than $600 for one. Colt is the only sub $1500 1911 I'm comfortable with anymore.
I fix Kimbers all the time. Their OK, but I don't see the need to pay more than $600 for one. Colt is the only sub $1500 1911 I'm comfortable with anymore.
Olympus
Member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2008
- Messages
- 4,212
Dan Wessons have been hot for the last several years and they only seem to be going up. I own several and have yet to find another production gun that can compare, Colts included.
I'm leaning that way also.
Not in the market, but saw / handled one at the shop and now I'm using it as my baseline - looking for a stainless 1911.
So far, I've found nothing I like better - it's a shame they don't offer one more model with a bull barrel (no bushing), bobtail, and a rail!
A little concerned about the cast vs. forged, but the local gunsmith (that's deep into the tech stuff) says those in the know claim Ruger's castings are better than some folks' forgings - Ruger is a leader in the field of casting.
If I can't find something to use as a new baseline, I see a Ruger SR1911CMD in my future!? :banghead:
peacemaker45
Member
Well, my primary carry is a Colt's Lightweight Commander in .38 Super, so you can see how I decided. My dad had a Kimber faux-mander, the one with the 4" bull barrel. It was a nice gun, too, though I prefer the bushing barrel and GI recoil system, for ease of maintenance.
Of the other two, I have no direct experience.
Of the other two, I have no direct experience.
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