Disappointment

[Hawkmoon]

I had decided I wanted to treat myself to a new gun, and it had to be on the low end of the price range. Still, I wanted quality and reliability, so I had pretty much decided to go with a SA, but I was waivering between a GI Series and a Mil-Spec. Local gun shop is open Thursady evenings and the guy said he had just gotten in a GI for a customer and it hadn't been picked up yet.

Off I went. It looked very nice, but it was a full-size and I was looking for a Commander size. The shop owner reached into the used gun counter and pulled out a used SA Mil-Spec in the Commander size. Then he pulled out a Para P12-45 that's the twin to mine and laid it on the counter.

WTF?

There was almost no difference. Turns out the SA Commander-size doesn't have a 4-1/4" barrel like most of the rest of the 1911 world, their Commander size gun is only a 4" barrel. The P12 is supposed to be 3-1/2 so there should still be a 1/2" difference, but it looked a lot more like 3/8" or less. Plus the overall thickness at the grips is just as wide for the SA as for the Para. I couldn't justify spending that kind of money for a barrel 3/8" longer than what I have and 5 fewer rounds in the handle, with no advantage regarding concealment. Doesn't make sense.

What is SA thinking, selling a Commander-size pistol with a 4" barrel?

[care-less]

I'm not quite sure I understand your disappointment??? Are you upset because the barrel is 4" instead of 4 1/4? I mean if you want a longer barrel than on your para, buy a full size gun. Hell, I'm lost on this one.

[nemesis]

What is SA thinking, selling a Commander-size pistol with a 4" barrel?

Caveat emptor.

I am sometimes frustrated by how manufacturers choose to outfit their lineup of guns. It is their right to equip their product as they see fit but it is up to me to make wise decisions when the time comes to purchase one.

[XMP]

If you want a commander sized gun, then buy a Commander. Most production manufacturers make a 4", not a 4 1/4" gun. If the extra quarter inch matters (with a bushing and no a bull barrel) why not get a Colt?

[John]

Most companies these days seem to think that we prefer shorter, short 1911s. They make the Commander with a 4" barrel, and the Officer's size with 3". I do not understand that, for me concealing the Government is as easy as concealing a Commander. It's not the barrel (or rather the slide) length that makes concealement difficult, the butt of the gun is the most protruding thing, so that's what you should be watching for.

But I still do not understand why the chop up a little here and there, when it makes no difference.

I guess I am too old to understand contemporary marketing.

Rgds

[SonnyD]

I'm with you guys on this. I very seldom buy Commander or Officer size 1911's anymore because like John says, the length is not the problem in concealment other then if your sitting long periods then the extra length bothers me a little. I've generally had such bad luck function wise with officer size guns I won't buy them, I like Commanders, but I generally just buy the full 5" gov....seems these days all manufacturers have their own little deal going. :D .......Oh yeah....HELLO, to all over here.
Regards SonnyD

[yyz]

way back when when colt came out with the commander the barrel length was 4 1/4 inch hence the "magic" of that size.
the truth be known in a nice combo for carry has been the officer frame and the commander slide. good sight radius and smaller grip but only 6 round mag although the std mag will fit so your reload will be 7 rnd. (as a non LEO if i get in a place i need more then 6rnd of .45 i have really screwed up)
then again when you are my size (large frame 6'1" 270lbs) just about any size 1911 is concealable.
to me the size bit is just a mater of taste.