Need help in customizing my Colt Commander

[jmlivingston]

This was my first gun that I purchased 14 years ago. She has been very reliable and has not once given me any trouble.

14 good years out of her. If she's still running strong why mess with a good thing? If you want something different, go get something custom.

My $0.02.....

John

[JTROKS]

Go to brownells.com and just type in 1911 and you'll see a mirage of custom parts. Or it might be easier if you order a catalog.

[Black Majik]

Chief,

As balls out as the new Wilson is, the Colt is a different animal. My honest opinion is to leave the commander as close to stock as possible. It's a superb feeling shooting a semi-custom, but once in a while you get that very satisfactory, nostalgic feeling shooting a plain jane, box stock 1911 in close to it's intended form also. The original barrel still has a lot of life left in it. Swapping out barrels, sights, and modding it up can add up in price really quick. I can give a huge list of items to change and modify, but I feel that a simple trigger job can bring new life to the gun and make it enjoyable to shoot next to your new Wilson CQB.

But, if we want to revamp it just a tad, I think new Heinie straight 8s, trigger job, a brushed hardchrome finish, and undercut the triggerguard a little would turn out nicely. Fronstrap checkering if you like it, since a refinish is in order anyways.

But, I vote to keep it as close to stock as possible.

[oddjob]

Commander

I have a Lt Wt Commander with Ed Brown amby safeties, Ed Brown beavertail, S&A mag well, med length trigger, a Trijicon front night sight, and a Yost low profile fixed rear sight. Its my everyday work gun (LEO). The standard barrel & bushing has been just fine. Its runs like a champ.

[ojisan]

Chief's got 1911 fever! Careful everyone...you might get it too! The urge to customize is irresistable, and it will cost you! I'm infected, stay away!
Chief: Ed Brown beavertail is the highest cut / grip. Best IMHO. I like the King's ambi safety...not to big and a unique retaining method. odd job's sights sound good, I use basic black. Checker and plate yes but $$$. Pick trigger length you like best. Reliabilty tune up but if already working 100% ???
But even though it's a 1991...Colts are going up in value...best if original.

[mauritz45]

i would suggest going to ed browns website http://www.edbrown.com/ he has everything you need to make the lil darlin look all grown up.
if you want to have someone do it, i would not hesitate to recommend ray harms, www.harmscustomdesign.com he has my hi-power right now and has a very nice, reasonable package, as does don williams at the actionworks.com or marianne carnak.
have fun--cam

[JMB1911]

Hey Chief. I say keep it stock. She was after all your first one. But if that doesn't work for you anymore, send her to Wilson Combat and get her transformed into a Wilson Combat CQB Compact except in proper Commander length.

[USN CHIEF]

Well my friends, thank you for all the great advice. I guess I will just leave her the way she is then. I have been doing the research for the last 3 hours and just looking at the $$$ that it would cost me to do it right I could easily buy another one for the collection for that price. She shall remain original. Once again, thanks again for all the great inputs and ideas.

[99medic]

According to Alan Tanaka Colt makes a pretty good barrel so there is no need to change out the barrel if its not shot out. Just replace the barrel bushing for a tighter fitting one. Get the barrel OD measurement with a caliper and order from EGW a bushing that has a .02 ID clearance from your barrel OD that should tighten up your groups. As for the sights I would go with the King's hardball sights. Also, for the grip safety I would go with Smith and Alexander. Hope this helps.

[FlyingPen]

How do you get around the problem that the finishes are different between safeties and such.

[big50_1]

I would recommend leaving it basic (as is) with maybe a trigger job and grips. Especially if you only have 3K through it. BUT if you gotta' spend the money on it, send it to Barsto for a fitted barrel and trigger job. Had one of those done to a Springfield loaded 9mm and it came back scary accurate. May cost some, though you will not be disappointed.

[ar15barrels]

Get the barrel OD measurement with a caliper and order from EGW a bushing that has a .02 ID clearance from your barrel OD that should tighten up your groups.

I think you mean 0.002" clearance.

[99medic]

I think you mean 0.002" clearance.

Thanks for the correction.

[ar15barrels]

Thanks for the correction.

I fit my barrel bushing to 0.002" clearance and it seems perfect.
The barrel gets completely tight in the bushing when the lugs engage the slide.
It's so tight that you can't turn the bushing when the breech is locked.
I have to retract the slide about an inch before I attempt to rotate the bushing.
That's a nice fitting job.

[JTROKS]

Colt makes a pretty good barrel so there is no need to change out the barrel if its not shot out

Colt does make a nice barrel, but they don't fit their barrels like Kimber does to get the accuracy.