What is the difference between...

[Ducati748r]

the 1911 government and the 1911 commander? I want to order some items for my S&W 1911PD (I have the 4 1/4 inch barrel). I wanted to swap out the full length guide rod for a standard guide rod and plunger. Does the difference between the government and the commander model have to do with barrel the length?

[gunnm619@aol.com]

There are 3 types of 1911s. Government, commander, and officer. The government is considered the full size model, barrel length is 5". The commander is shortened a bit, barrel is at 4 1/4". And the officers model is the ultra compact, barrel is at 3 1/2".


Most parts on the frame of the commander and government are interchangable. Slide is different. You would have to specify which model you have for the guide rod.

[Ducati748r]

Many thanks GONZO..

[blackmajik530@aol.com]

Keep in mind that the Commander also sometimes refers to the 4" 1911s made by Springfield Armory and Kimber.

You did right and got a proper commander at 4 1/2" barrel. That is the true commander size.

[Kruzr]

You did right and got a proper commander at 4 1/2" barrel. That is the true commander size.

Actually a Commander is a 4 1/4" barrel. Kimber calls their 4" models Pro size or Compact. Springfield calls their 4" (almost 4") Champions.

[blackmajik530@aol.com]

LOL...

I knew that, I have no clue why I typed 1/2.

*shakes head*

::brain fart::

[imported_TMC]

The frames are different too. The commander and officer frame have a shorter dust cover than the gov. and the grips are also shorter. The slides don't interchange easily. Yon can run a commander on a gov. frame but the stroke is shortened. All of the fire control is the same.

If you want a different guiderod just buy the right on for your application.

[Guest]

Originally posted by Todd:
The frames are different too. The commander and officer frame have a shorter dust cover than the gov. and the grips are also shorter.

The grips of the Officer's ACP are shorter than those of the Government Model; the grips of the Commander are not.