Commander Sized 1911's

[Californio]

[Miltiades]

Kimber Pro CDP

I've had the Kimber version of the Commander, a Pro CDP model with 4 inch barrel, for about 5 years. It weighs 28 ounces empty, according to the Kimber website. It has a bull barrel that indexes on the hole in the slide, rather than the 1911 barrel bushing arrangement of the Commander.

The gun has been reliable and accurate for me. In terms of hollowpoints, it didn't seem to like Speer Gold Dots, which would not feed well. But it does fine on Remington Golden Sabers and Winchester Silvertips.

The gun has an unusual "melt" effect, in which all the sharp edges on the slide have been rounded and smoothed. It also came standard with night sights and front strap checkering, which are nice features to have. I put slim Alumagrips on the gun and replaced the stock ambi safety with a single side safety from Ed Brown, so it is quite thin overall.

[B Strong]

Skeeter Skelton did a torture test of an aluminum Commander, putting over 10,000 rounds of ball ammo through it w/o damage to the frame or significant failure and the only wear was to consumable parts.

I've run everything that will feed through aluminum frame 1911's and will continue to do so.

[Jonathan Doe]

I bought a full size 1911 with aluminum frame. I haven't fired the pistol yet, but I am going to see how it is soon. Only problem I see is that the grip screw bushing is loose. I need to do something about it.

[Californio]

BTT

[mds2004]

Whats a good Commander sized 1911 to get for CCW?

[Daniel Hunter]

I'm very happy with my S&W 1911Sc

[den888]

My first 1911 was a BNIB Colt Combat Commander, Series 80 (February 1985). I still have it today. Fired mainly 230 FMJ, lead reloads, JHP's and SWC loads in it, and it still shoots fine. I think the Commander size is the perfect balance for a 1911 in terms of accuracy and concealability.

[modls7]

Whats a good Commander sized 1911 to get for CCW?

Dan Wesson CBOB seems to be a popular choice.

[Viper49]

How about the Springfield Champion loaded. They are good too.

[bigchelis]

KImber Eclipse Pro...

Hi,

I purchased a Kimber Eclipse Pro Target II. Mine had a 4in barrel..So, technically not commander lengh.

Anyhow I found problems with the springs and it had a hard time feeding and ejecting some WWB. Kimber did offer awesome customer service and the only downside was that I sent it back to them 3 times. Actually; the 4th time they just sent me a new gun. Yes, redros and all that.

My experience with these 4in barrels is they do not work as perfect as the full size counterparts. My two buddies purchased 5in Kimbers the very same day and they have shot 1ks of rounds with zero issues and they use lead reloads too.

From now on I will purchase only 5in 1911 in 45acp. I hear the 1911 in 9mm gives similar problemos. I know some 4in 1911's can turn out great, but none that I have seen.

[liketoshoot]

Dan Wesson CBOB is good
Kimber CDPII is another good choice

[sqroot3]

...and the only wear was to consumable parts.

which parts on a handgun are supposed to be consumable?

[eggfriedrice]

I'm very happy with my S&W 1911Sc

+1 ^

Now tagged as the S&W 1911 PD, I just got mine home after its 10 day. I don't know if you've looked at this one, but it fit the bill for what I was looking for in my 1911 purchase. Scandium frame making it lighter in a CCO format for a nice CCW gun if needed.

I've put all sorts of ammo through my friend's Gunsite model with no issues and that pretty sure convinced me to get one.

[Hank Dodge]

I am kinda' looking at that S&W Gunsite pistol. It seems like it would be fairly light weight with that scandium frame. I am a bit concerned as to how well it will wear. Anybody had any reliability issues with the S&W pistols? I'm a bit gunshy of the shwartz safety mechanism.