What's the difference.........

[Ted Smith]

What's the difference between an XS lightweight Commander and an XSE lightweight Commander?

I have been describing mine as an XSE, but it might be an XS model. Since the XSE is still being produced, I would guess that the XS is an older model.

What else is different?

Thanks.

[auto45]

From memory, the XS had a "fitted" beavertail like most models today and a Novak type sight. It was Colt's competition to the Kimbers and "Loaded" type models.

My memory is selective though. ;)

[Ted Smith]

My Commander has a flat topped slide with serations only in the rear. (The new XSEs all have front serations.)

It has an ambi thumb safety and the frame is undercut at the grip below the trigger ring. The front strap is plain.

The sights are night sights and the rear is kind of boxy and square, not like Novaks. The front sight is not dovetailed.

It has a solid trigger and a grip safety that turns down instead of up like a beavertail.

It has a full length guide rod.

I know a photo would help, but I'm unable to get to any at this time.

I've tried Googling but I haven't come across a good description or a picture of a XS model. :butthead:

Thanks again.

[RickB]

Colt was fiddling with specs (more so than usual . . .) around 1998, and there were a bunch of different models that displayed some or all of the features that would define the XS. The flat top slide was a carry-over from the earlier "enhanced" pistols, and would change to a round top on the XS. Colt had proprietary rear sights, that while described by some as looking like a Novak, really look more like a Heinie and nothing like the current XSE sights, which do look like Novaks. I think the Defender was the first Colt to use this sight, but the early, flat-top CCO's had that sight (and flat-top slide), too. Colt also came up with a new ambi safety, that didn't look like any other; it was retained by a "finger" extending behind the right grip panel, but the two sides of the safety were mirror images of each other, rather than the Swenson-style appearance of Brown, Wilson, etc. ambi safeties. If your gun has some XS features, presumably the sights and the ambi, and some of the enhanced features - grip safety and flat top slide - then it's probably a transitional model of some kind. A pic would help.

[Ted Smith]

I found a post from 2004 on the LTW site and it included a picture of a 1992 Enhanced Model Commander. It was identical to what I have. So, I guess I didn't have an XS or and XSE.

Again, thanks to those of you that tried to help. :o

[res1b3uq]

Does it look anything like this? (s/n FL0XXXXE) http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/7015/0000055a5vs.jpg

[Ted Smith]

Thank you, res1b3uq.

It looks exactly like that.

Enhanced, or XS?

Take care, Ted

[res1b3uq]

Thank you, res1b3uq.

It looks exactly like that.

Enhanced, or XS?

Take care, Ted I think the "E" at the end of the s/n means Enhanced.