What would you do with this Combat Commander?

[plinker202020]

What magazines would you recommend?Would refinishing it in a more durable/functional finish ruin it?Rather than customizing it, would I be better off selling it and putting the $$ towards a new 1911 done how I would want it? Kind of obsessing on owning a Wilson Combat, especially the Professional Elite.

[Citadelgrad87]

Wilson 47Ds are good magazines, as are Chip Mccormick.

I don't mind that finish. Whenever anyone mentions that my Colt is stainless and "shiny" (it's not polished), and that would be a tactical disadvantage, I point out that when it comes out of the holster, it is going to be belching fire and making a heck of a lot of noise. The finish is the least of my worries.

There isn't a lot you can do to "refinish" that, ceracote will wear in a carry gun and then look like garbage. Is it factory polished, or did someone do it? You could bead blast it to knock the shine down.

[DaveInOroValley]

I'm with Citadel, that finish is fine. I have a few that have a "satin" finish. Maybe not quite as shiny but very similar. Looks like a nice weapon.

I would leave it. If you really can't stand it maybe trade to someone for a similar but different one.

[plinker202020]

Follow up on mags:

The one mag I have is a 6 rounder...is that the max for a 1911 this size?

[sonofeugene]

I wouldn't touch the finish either. You say you inherited it. Does who you got it from hold any special meaning to you? If so, I'd definitely keep it as is.

[plinker202020]

I'm with Citadel, that finish is fine. I have a few that have a "satin" finish. Maybe not quite as shiny but very similar. Looks like a nice weapon.

I would leave it. If you really can't stand it maybe trade to someone for a similar but different one.

[Dano3467]

If you don't like it, sell it, but by all that is right, do NOT screw it up.

[Citadelgrad87]

Follow up on mags:

The one mag I have is a 6 rounder...is that the max for a 1911 this size?

Commander sized mags for you, -1 on standard capacity. At least on the carry mag. Reloads, go ahead and use standard mags, they will work and you'll have a bit more to hang on to.

[GeeBee49]

Personally I wouldn't do anything to it at all. You were fortunate to inherit such a fine gun. I normally don't go out looking for stainless 1911s but last year I got a good deal on a Kimber Pro Carry HD II with the satin stainless slide and frame. Once I brought it home it quickly grew on me and it's now a favorite.
I've bought Wilson Combat magazines for a few of my 1911s and I'm very satisfied with them.

[alland]

I think that is an Officers Model, not a Commander. A Commander barrel is 4.25" an Officers is 3.5".

[Jess B. Guy]

Shoot it. Enjoy it. Appreciate that you have a good firearm.
The finish is fine. While it won't be "collectible" (whatever that means), it won't lose any real value unless you mess it up.

[plinker202020]

The OP's 1911 appears to me to be quite customized.
The grip frame look shorter than a Commander-size, unless it's just weird camera angle/distortion (maybe a 6-round "Carry" size);
the slide appears shorter, too;
it's got an ambi slide stop which I'd not seen before on a 1911;
and the beaver-tail grip safety appears added on.

I'd keep it if I could get it running reliably, yet still plan on buying another 1911. I think I've had ~eight 1911s over the years, but now down to three full size. I'm mainly a Glock-guy nowadays but will still occasionally carry a 1911.

Double-check on what mags will fit in that grip frame and then choose a name brand mag, such as: Tripp Research, Wilson-Combat, CMC (Chip McCormick, but there might be some other good brands & models of mags out there, too).

Edited to add:
A full-size or Commander-sized 1911 in .45ACP would use a full-size 7 or 8 round magazine. If it's a 6-round mag, it's not a Commander-sized frame.

[Citadelgrad87]

I think that is an Officers Model, not a Commander. A Commander barrel is 4.25" an Officers is 3.5".

Hmm. It says "Commander" on the slide. I have a Commanding Officer's model, which is a Commander frame and an Officer's slide. I'll see if I can dig up a photo.

Found some. This is my CO model. Ops model has had some work done, that beavertail looks custom, and there are right and left handed safeties and slide levers.

[M1NM]

Colt's bring good money - when unmolested. Hit the Colt Forum for some more insight. If you are jonesin for something else go buy it and then sell this one. Don't sell this one first as you may find your other gun hard to find or going up in value so fast you missed it.

[alland]

That slide has been cut to Officers length.