New S.A.M. on the way!

[2guntom]

I've been intrigued with some of the less expensive .45's. I've been huntin' around Auction Arms and found one. It's an SAM GI commander clone
http://www.shootersarms.com.ph/pistols_gi.htm
I should have it by next weekend. I can't wait!

2guntom

[davidenorth]

Give us a range/reliability report when you get a chance to take it for a test ride. I have seen full size in person but looking for commander size .45.

[stans]

Well! That does appear to be a true copy of the Colt Commander, at least the Combat Commander.

[geneh]

My sam is a "blue thunder" commodore with a modified frame. The frame is slightly modified in the trigger guard area and has a finger groove under the trigger guard. The fit of the slide to the frame was very loose, even more that some of the GI pistols I owned in the past. I looked at a new one at a local shop and it appeared to be much better fitted than mine. After polishing the feedramp, filling down the front sight, and slightly tighting the slide rails the pistol has become a keeper and a shooter. Hope you have better luck with yours.

[2guntom]

Give us a range/reliability report when you get a chance to take it for a test ride. I have seen full size in person but looking for commander size .45.

I most definitely will! If all goes well, I will shoot the crap out of it the day it arrives. I unfortunately don't have a ton of ammo because I just recently got .45 fever. I'll put several hundred rounds through it.

FYI I got this at Auction Arms from JB GUNS. The bid price was $279 with FREE shipping. My local FFL charges $20 for the transfer. So for a total of $299 I feel I got a fair price. (A local gun store carries the full-size model and charges $300 for them, but says he can't get the commander size.)
JB's website is
http://www.jbguns.net
The price there is $289. He has it listed as a "SAM’S Military Officers 1911 style". I thought the "officers" model was a 3.5" barrel and the commander was a 4.25" barrel. That would make this a commander since it has the 4.25" barrel; correct me if I am wrong on that.

Jack at JB was very courteous and prompt with all of his email responses. I have done a lot of online auctioning, but this is my first gun purchase. It is important to me that a person is polite and informative in a timely manner; Jack gets an A+ in my book. If the gun is as good as he is polite, then I will buy a lot more from him.

I just wanted to add that. If I spend more than $20 somewhere, it should be a good experience. I've had places jerk me around and treat me poorly before, and I make sure I tell everybody to avoid them. Places that offer good experiences and service should be dually noted.

2gun

[2guntom]

The fit of the slide to the frame was very loose, even more that some of the GI pistols I owned in the past. I looked at a new one at a local shop and it appeared to be much better fitted than mine. After polishing the feedramp, filling down the front sight, and slightly tighting the slide rails the pistol has become a keeper and a shooter. Hope you have better luck with yours.

I take it yours was used when you got it?

You said you filed the front sight. Was it shooting low and you wanted to raise the point of impact?

2gun

[geneh]

Mine was new when I got it. It was shooting a good 8 inches low. There was plenty of front sight to work with. It has polished sides on the slide where the new ones now are matt. Since century arms is advertising the new ones as new and improved I am sure you will be getting a better one than I did.