New to me: Colt Combat Commander 45 ACP

[CGT80]

My grandfather decided it was time to let me care for his guns, as he doesn't shoot anymore and is now 80 years old. I am not a huge fan of 1911 pistols, and that is mostly because I don't have one of my own and I find newer pistols to be more ergonomic.

My most used pistol is my customized XD 40 and I have tens of thousands of rounds through it. In the past, I have shot my dad's 1911 45 acp and my grandfather's AMT 1911's. The AMT's are all stainless and need some updated rear adjustable sights that will actually stay put. The quality on the AMT's isn't top notch by any means. They are sometimes liked because they were among the first stainless 1911's, so I have been told, and the AMT was supposed to be used in the Last Action Hero Movie that Arnold starred in. They seem to be an average shooter 45 1911 that doesn't have a high value, and that is if they actually run right.

This pistol looks to be better built and I don't know much about it. I would like to shoot it. My dad and grandfather used to shoot it. It has a few small idiot scratches or scuffs. It looks like it is all bead blasted nickel plating. The back strap has vertical grooves cut from top to bottom to provide grip. The sights are tall and the read is adjustable. The front is a ramp that is painted orange. The rear is white outlined and looks sort of like an upside down "T". The serial number is 70SC1xxx1.

I did a search on this forum for colt commander. In the past, I also looked up the combat commander on google, but didn't learn a lot. Many say that this is not a 70 series as that is not stamped on the gun, even though the serial is 70S. There were debates on how the nickle finish was applied but I forgot the details.

Before I go putting a bunch of rounds down range, I wanted to make sure this is not something that should be left as a safe queen. I did run across the colt picture thread. It seems that colt 1911's are quite sought after. It doesn't appear they are worth so much that they shouldn't be used as a range fun gun. The nickle concerns me a bit as I don't want to damage it. I was not planning to holster this gun. My XD is my gaming gun and I could use one of the AMT stainless 1911's if I wanted to holster a 1911, as they are already marred from holster use. I like to shoot my guns. I never sell them, and I don't buy them to just sit in the back of a safe.

This pistol looks like it is only lightly used. I think the AMT's got most of the use. The finish is bright and even. There are little scuff marks here and there, so it is not perfect, but it doesn't seem like it would be easy to keep this looking good if it was at all abused. It is very clean and the chamber/feed ramp area looks like it was machined with some care and I don't see a lot of scratches inside that area. Some pistols look like they have had rocks run through them in comparison.

Is this a nickel finish?
What is calguns take on the quality and value of this gun?
How does this 1911 compare to other brands or even newer guns? I have shot a few race 1911's and 2011's, but don't know much about them.
Does the feel or ergonomics vary with different 1911 parts?
Should I take it out and have some fun with it?
The mag release is kind of a reach for me and I like the look of wood grips on some 1911's. Can wood grips be used on this model or would it detract from this particular model. The Pachmayr grip wraps around the front of the mag well, also. The grip is in great shape, so I am not sure I would change it, but was just curious.
Any other tips for a 1911 newbie? I have taken them apart in the past to do cleaning and I have cast boolits and loaded ammo for them as well as shot them. My knowledge kind of stops there.

That is enough rambling for now. I probably lost some of you at the first paragraph and if I had posted the pic first, you might not have made it that far . Anything I can learn would be welcome.

Thanks guys.


I am thinking of trying a test load of 4.3 grains of red dot under a RCBS 45 225 RN plain base with bright green powder coat, sized to 0.452" and seated to 1.272". My dummy round fed through the mag just fine. My dad's AMT likes a 200 grain lead round nose hollow base bear creek bullet over 4.0 red dot, but 4.3 is the starting load in my lyman manual for the 230, and this gun feels a bit stiff. I need to do a quick clean and lube also, as it has not been fired in many years.

[nickel plate]

I am clearly nowhere closely near an ordnance expert but I do own from new, a Colt .45 Combat Commander, so I recommend that you start by loading and shooting standard run of the mill off the shelf ammunition as that was the Colt engineer's design choice at the time. No need to overthink this powder/bullet/casing etc. There is no cartridge blend mystery to a Colt 1911 as it was designed for in the dirt milspec ammunition military use. I still have and shoot twenty-five year old ammunition along with fresh loads-no difference in performance but perhaps my expectations differ from yours. It's an awesome piece!

[CGT80]

I figured the round nose would be a hit since it is similar in shape to ball ammo. Most of the time, I will shoot lower end charges in my guns. Extreme accuracy and stopping power is not needed. As long as I can hit the steel and cardboard targets I will be happy. If a light load doesn't work the slide reliably, then I will bump up the load, or if the accuracy is more like a shotgun, it will get adjusted. The only brass I use in 99% of my guns is free range brass. Any primer that is cheap, will do (I will use magnum primers for some ball powders). Cast boolits are cheap and reliable.

It is good to know the Colt is designed as a battle gun, rather than a picky precision pistol. I wasn't sure what the gun was geared toward as far as use. Thanks, I agree that the Colt looks like a great firearm. Hopefully this one will function as well as it looks.

[RealBarber]

Thats a nice classic Colt, if it were mine I'd change the sights on it though

[trigger945]

Congrats!

I may be able to answer a few of your questions so hopefully it helps.

Ergonomics of various parts - yes, some parts have a bearing on a 1911's ergonomics. The mainspring housing (back strap) comes arched or flat and serrated, checkered or smooth. The arched one can change the angle a bit and can raise the POI. Additionally, having a beavertail grip safety can help you grip the gun as high as possible. Lastly, sights and triggers make a difference in how you hold the gun.

How does your Colt compare to other 1911's? Well, it's a Colt and it's a well known brand. It's a great gun to be customized or be kept as is. It probably has looser tolerances but it will shoot fine.

Should you shoot and enjoy it? Heck yeah you should!

Any tips for a newbie? Lube it well. I use synthetic oil. Ed Brown recommends it. Change the recoil spring every 2K or so rounds. Commanders normally use 18-lb or 20-lb springs. See how you like the trigger. I personally prefer short triggers like what your Colt has but it is not for everyone.

Enjoy and stay safe.