Colt Combat Commander vs. Dan Wesson Classic Bobtail

[FlyingPen]

vs



I've been jonesing for a Commander sized 1911 and I've narrowed it down to these two choices. Price is nearly the same.

Colt Pros:
1. It's a Colt.
2. Front Slide Serrations (I prefer them)
3. Bruce Gray seems to only recommend Colts in commander sizes
4. It's a Colt and it's beautiful.
5. Available in Blued color.

Colt Cons:
1. MIM Parts (yes, I know they're ok but I prefer not to have them or have to replace them)
2. Series 80 action, I haven't dry fired one yet but will soon. However, from dry firing my Series 80 GSR, I'm not really impressed with the trigger.
3. No serrations on the front strap
4. No Night sites but since it's $100 cheaper, it's a moot point.

CBOB Pros:
1. Minimal markings, beautifully built
2. Slide to frame fit feels like it's just one piece of metal, absolutely no play.
3. Comes with Night sights installed
4. Awesome bobtail
5. Reportedly one of the most accurate commander sized pistols custom or not
6. Series 70
7. Premium Ed Brown parts
8. Enlarged mag well

CBOB Cons:
1. No front slide serrations
2. Not available black
3. Funky looking trigger
4. Doesn't have a horsey on it


Help me decide. I'll be buying one or the other before the month is over. Once the pistol is purchased, I'd prefer not to do anything to it in terms of smithing or upgrades for at least a long while.

[1911su16b870]

My commander was my first 1911 and is a "learner", i.e. I've done alot of smith work on it myself to learn. I installed the meprolight adjustibles, mag guide, extended thumb safety, fit a match ported barrel etc. It is truely a tack driver. I hope to buy another slide for it and install a Trijicon/Doctor reddot on it. Overall from your list I think it is more prudent to spend a little more and get the features you want from a production commander size 1911. Just my two cents.

[FlyingPen]

Which would you recommend? I was sort of eyeing the Springfield Champion with Rails and the Springfield Operator Full Size as well.



I'm just not 100% on Springfield production pistols...

Otherwise, I can wait 4 months and sell my GSR then pickup a Wilson or Ed Brown pistol Kobra Carry.

I guess the question is, is the Ed Brown or Wilson worth $1500 more than the DW or Colt? This will also rob me of my HAVE IT NOW benefit :P

[Overkill]

Are you getting this for a carry gun, or will it be a range gun only?

I own a CBOB. It is one of the most accurate 1911's I've shot, second only to my Les Baer. Exceptionally tight. Mine has been compltetly reliable. The bobtail not only is excellent for CCW, but I LOVE the way a bobtailed 1911 feels in the hand. Total up the value of parts in the CBOB, and it would be worth quite a bit more than the Colt fitted with the same components.

The Colt you are talking about must be the XSE. The current XSEs have the lame downtuned duckbill grip safety. At least now they come with standard Novak-cut sights unlike the one shown above. They are a colt, but there are certain aesthetic things that, in my mind at least, should not be seen on a pistol of its price. I don't like the way Colt's undersut the trigger guard. The CBOB is similar, but Colt looks like they undercut it a bit more. Also, the fitment of their grip safeties looks bad, again IMHO.

The CBOB has its own wied things, such as a blued hammer, barrel bushing and extractor on a stainless gun. Blech.

All the aesthetics aside, in my research, the Colts tend to be generally more reliable. CBOBs are accurate- a result of their tight tolerances. However, if a gun jambs in a time of need because it was built with a tight chamber, it's worthless.

Honestly, however, it has been my experience that you will only be happy with the one YOU want. We can give you input, but you need to listen to the little voice in your head. That is the only way that you'll be satisfied in the end.

[Black Majik]

The CBOB has its own wied things, such as a blued hammer, barrel bushing and extractor on a stainless gun. Blech.

Hey Overkill, can you confirm whether or not yours comes with a blued ejector as well?

I always found it odd manufacturers put blued parts on a stainless gun. The blued ejector and extractor is well.... unsightly.

Thanks

[FlyingPen]

Range only

Can't get a CCW in San Diego. I might possibly be moving to Austin next year though so carry could one day hopefully be a concern.

I've heard the CBOBs are generally reliable after breakin, is reliability really that much of a concern?

[Overkill]

The railed Champion is not on the approved list. So, unless you are a LEO, good luck getting one. The MC Operator is a nice pistol. It's on my list of pistols to get one day.

Let me say this, if you save a little longer and get a Wilson or Brown, you may find it difficult to go back to a standard production 1911. Do they function that much better? Generally, no. They may be more accurate, but few people can exploit this difference in reality. However, the "feel" of a pistol of their caliber, in combination with all the fine tuning and attention to detail is what causes their price to be what it is.

The CBOB is a poor man's Kobra Carry. It has many of the same parts and features, but at half the price.

Does functionality hold more water to you than feel and aesthetics? If so, the Colt or CBOB will serve you well.

If you demand a hand-fit machine, with silky smooth operation and performance, then wait until you can get the Brown or Wilson.

Personally, I would find a slightly used Wilson or Brown. They can be found quite a bit cheaper than their MSRP. I've been spoiled by semi-custom 1911s. I don't think that there is any coming back to production 1911s for me (aside from the MC operator).

[Overkill]

Majik, the ejector is stainless.

Some people's CBOBs come with stainless hammers also. Mine is blued.

[FlyingPen]

However, the "feel" of a pistol of their caliber, in combination with all the fine tuning and attention to detail is what causes their price to be what it is.

I think you're right on that one. I'd like to check out someone's Wilson/Nighthawk/Ed Brown since of course they'd never be available for anyone to shoot at the ranges. I can definitely appreciate fine craftsmanship and at this point, with having 8 guns already, maybe it might make more sense to hold out a few months for a semi-custom.

[JTROKS]

I rather have this.


I already have this

[Black Majik]

Majik, the ejector is stainless.

Some people's CBOBs come with stainless hammers also. Mine is blued.

Thanks for the reply Overkill. The DW picture thread on 1911forum show a variety of blued and stainless parts for the bobtailed commanders, that's why I was curious.

[dfletcher]

Of the folks who voted Commander, I wonder how many for the sake of comparison have handled or used the CBOB?

The CBOB has a rock solid lock up and barrel to slide fit. The grip safety is blended to the frame, the Commanders I've seen are not. The trigger on the DW is unimpeded by the trigger actuated firing pin block - I've used 1911s with the block, I can tell it's there. The CBOB has Novak night sights and some Ed Brown parts.

I say CBOB hands down, not even close.

[1911su16b870]

Good point dfletcher, I have not handled the CBOB. Your post mentions how good the fit and lock up are, that is a big benefit of that pistol. When I buy my next 1911 I will be looking for the following features:
Front strap and mainspring serrations at 30lpi, tritium insert sights, tight fit and solid lockup, extended grip safety and think it will probably be a Baer.

[highspeed11]

Just reading your own pros and cons on the two models, it looks like the Dan Wesson by far.

[dgey]

if these are the two weapons of choice, go with the Dan Wesson..., if you're still open, check out Kimber...,. despite what many people on this board are saying, they are excellent weapons..., I own 3, half of my 1911's are by kimber... CDP II pro, CDP I compact, and a gold match II. i shoot the cdp II best... go figure...