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Just a clarification on a couple things.
Unless you have a special slide like Ojisan, most Commander slides won't work on a Govt. frame. The vertical impact surface is cut in a different spot on a Commander frame versus a Govt frame to allow more slide travel, and even with this position moved a Commander still has 1/10 inch less slide travel than a Govt. model. Some people have reported a Commander slide works on their Govt model but its the exception, not the rule and probably depends a lot on what ammo you're shooting and I'm not sure they're not batterring their frame more than they think.
The shorter slide travel as you move down in size is one of the reasons why 1911's tend to get more finicky the shorter you get them. They can run 100%, but everything needs to be in a proper state of tune; extractor tension and position, ejector length and angle, feed angle, proper recoil spring and replaced at proper interval. The 4.25 true Commander length is less finicky than the other shortened 1911's.
The OP states that this pistol is for range use, not ccw. In that case I'd recommend a Combat Commander which has a steel frame. Lightweight Commanders with their alloy frame are great for carry and occasional range use, but in the very long run they won't be as durable as a steel frame. I have a decent assortment of 1911's, including all the models discussed here, but my favorite to shoot is a customized Combat Commander for range use.
Many people like the Officer model (or Defender) for CCW. The shorter grip frame (with corresponding lesser magazine capacity) does conceal easier than a Commander or Govt model, but the difference isn't huge. I like the alloy frame versions for ccw if you're gonna get a real short 1911 like this, may as well maximize the size and weight advantage. So I'd pick a Officer's model LW. However for range use I don't personally enjoy shooting the shorter frame nearly as much but your mileage, like some of the other posters here, may vary.
Unless you have a special slide like Ojisan, most Commander slides won't work on a Govt. frame. The vertical impact surface is cut in a different spot on a Commander frame versus a Govt frame to allow more slide travel, and even with this position moved a Commander still has 1/10 inch less slide travel than a Govt. model. Some people have reported a Commander slide works on their Govt model but its the exception, not the rule and probably depends a lot on what ammo you're shooting and I'm not sure they're not batterring their frame more than they think.
The shorter slide travel as you move down in size is one of the reasons why 1911's tend to get more finicky the shorter you get them. They can run 100%, but everything needs to be in a proper state of tune; extractor tension and position, ejector length and angle, feed angle, proper recoil spring and replaced at proper interval. The 4.25 true Commander length is less finicky than the other shortened 1911's.
The OP states that this pistol is for range use, not ccw. In that case I'd recommend a Combat Commander which has a steel frame. Lightweight Commanders with their alloy frame are great for carry and occasional range use, but in the very long run they won't be as durable as a steel frame. I have a decent assortment of 1911's, including all the models discussed here, but my favorite to shoot is a customized Combat Commander for range use.
Many people like the Officer model (or Defender) for CCW. The shorter grip frame (with corresponding lesser magazine capacity) does conceal easier than a Commander or Govt model, but the difference isn't huge. I like the alloy frame versions for ccw if you're gonna get a real short 1911 like this, may as well maximize the size and weight advantage. So I'd pick a Officer's model LW. However for range use I don't personally enjoy shooting the shorter frame nearly as much but your mileage, like some of the other posters here, may vary.
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