1911 Officer or commander?

[bucktooth7]

What is the differance between the officer and commander. I have a RIA m1a tactical W/ a 5" barrel. I'm looking for some better grips to install and most of the options I've seen are for Officer or Commander Which do I have?

[Synergy]

You have a Government or Commander frame. Both are the same, a full size frame. The Officer is a smaller compact frame.

The Government model 1911 is your normal 5 inch barrel with the full sized frame
The Commander model is a 4.25 or 4 inch barrel on a full sized frame
The Officer model is a 4 inch or less barrel on a compact frame

[redcliff]

You have a Government or Commander frame. Both are the same, a full size frame. The Officer is a smaller compact frame.

The Government model 1911 is your normal 5 inch barrel with the full sized frame
The Commander model is a 4.25 or 4 inch barrel on a full sized frame
The Officer model is a 4 inch or less barrel on a compact frame

Just a clarification for some; the Commander grip is full-size like a Govt, but the frame is different; the vertical recoil lug is in a different spot. Usually a Govt model slide wont work properly on a Commander. Commanders have .100 less slide travel than a Govt.

[9mmepiphany]

Just a clarification for some; the Commander grip is full-size like a Govt, but the frame is different; the vertical recoil lug is in a different spot. Usually a Govt model slide wont work properly on a Commander. Commanders have .100 less slide travel than a Govt.

This is a very small, but very important point.

Just to add to this, since we're using Colt designations

A Commander has a 4.25" barrel/slide...the 4" models are mid-sized
An Officer's ACP (OACP) has a 3.5" barrel/slide...anything shorter than this is just courting FTF issues

[fennecfrank]

you can use the same grip on a government and a commander. officer's are smaller, and you cannot use officer's grips on a government or a commander.

[zdragon]

all regular 1911 magazines will fit either Govt./commander except officer's frame.

[den888]

They will work, but not fit "flush". I have used regular 1911 mags in my Colt OACP.

all regular 1911 magazines will fit either Govt./commander except officer's frame.

[SJgunguy24]

all regular 1911 magazines will fit either Govt./commander except officer's frame.

They work in mine, they stick out a bit, but they lock and feed as normal.