Commander Sized 1911's

[44fred]

I went with the S&W 1911PC Bobtail for CCW.
Can be had for around $1300 on GB. Almost a half pound lighter than all steel which for carry, is a lot. Can't beat Smiths lifetime warranty.
Your choices will shrink considerably on 1-1-15. If you get the Smith now, you can always sell it quick if you don't want it.

[heidad01]

Shooting wise there is very little to no noticeable difference. There are plenty available, anywhere between a Wilson at over $3K to RIA for $500 give or take a little.
I saw a lot of suggestions for DW cbob and that is a very fine one for around $1500. If you are looking at RIAs, make sure you also look at Metro Arms, American Classic . Same price range with much better fit and finish, plus they have hard chrome and blued commander size in 9mm!!!

[Mud Eagle]

Shooting the 4.25" and 5" guns back to back, the only difference I see is that the Commander-length has more muzzle flip than the Gov't length.

[darkjedi351]

Thanks for the input everyone. I know the Springfield RO and some of the Kimber's aren't technically commander sized, but does anyone recommend taking a look at them too?

I got a SA range officer compact LW last month and it's a great little 1911. I highly recommend it and no, I'm not selling mine.

[boltstop]

I have a Dan Wesson CBOB. Absolutely beautiful gun.

Shoots way better than I do. No problems at all (I use Wilson 47D magazines). I haven't really noticed any big difference between the way it shoots and my full size 1911's.

3/4 inch of barrel isn't much really.

Buy it - you won't regret it. And it's on the roster.

[skosh69]

Get the Cbob and don't look back, it's a great pistol that will retain it's value more than what that Colt thingy you spoke of

[FlyingPen]

I prefer the proportions on the commander. Looks better to me for whatever reason.

[idntwn2]

I have a DW CBOB on my hip right now. Phenomenal carry piece. Not cheap but very very nice. The new "California" CBOB has a forged stainless frame like the Valor.

It has become my EDC for OWB carry. You will not regret the purchase. They can be hard to find though. Getting into a new one for under 1600 is going to be tough.

Good luck.

[ivozhengn]

Everything else but the length and recoil spring is the same.

[Malmon]

OP, if you plan on getting a bobtailed commander, I suggest holding and shooting one first. I had a dan wesson cbob and it doesn't fit my hands right.

[Bullitt01]

Shooting wise there is very little to no noticeable difference. There are plenty available, anywhere between a Wilson at over $3K to RIA for $500 give or take a little.
I saw a lot of suggestions for DW cbob and that is a very fine one for around $1500. If you are looking at RIAs, make sure you also look at Metro Arms, American Classic . Same price range with much better fit and finish, plus they have hard chrome and blued commander size in 9mm!!!

Who sells these Metro's you speak of?

[Killer Bee]

Who sells these Metro's you speak of?

here's a couple;
metro arms 1911 All For Sale

not sure how many labels they're sold through but I'm not seeing them on the roster.. sooooooo, unless you're roster exempt, better warm up that SSE

METROARMS

same importer as Bersa
EAGLE IMPORTS

Gun Genie yields a few results but not available in my zip code - probably due to non-roster..

found this little gem
Another Cheap Filipino 1911...Metro Arms Quickie Range Review

short thread but this made me chuckle;

Thankfully we have the roster to protect us from guns like this.

[TopMCITWS]

The STI Ranger II makes for a great carry gun. STI also makes a variety of other models which are also commander sized. Have found that a commander sized 1911 seems easier to carry than a full-sized -- primarily when it comes to sitting in a vehicle and a small weight difference.

[runway1]

Unfortunately in CA we pay a premium of about $500.00 for the CBOB. It's a great gun, I have one. But in CA they're an "about $1,100.00" gun being sold for $1,600.00 or so not because of quality but because of the roster and DW's keeping gthe gun available to us.

They're on roster, a casual seller outside CA probably isn't aware of the premium.

I've not seen a DW anywhere in the country for <$1300, most around $1400/$1800. Especially the bobtails. Heck, even sellers that say "No CA Sales" sell them $1500.

[bluzman]

On the opposite end of the price spectrum rock island makes a 3.5" & a 4.25" 1911. I have a 3.5", nice pistol, works well. I got the "tactical" model for $400. Another member here replaced the front sight for me and I swapped the grips. Still don't know what the deal is wih the bushing less barrel (why better or worse?).

I own a couple of Govt size 1911s (Kimber and SA). This year I added two Commander size to the mix: a .40 S&W just introduced by RIA (https://us.armscor.com/products/tac-1911-ii-ms-40sw) for ~$550 and a 9mm Kimber Tactical Pro II (http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/ta...actical-pro-ii). I got these partly in anticipation of getting my TX CHL but also because I wanted to retire some of my striker fired handguns. Both weapons are reliable good shooters.