Which commander?

[whitey019]

I’m in the process of deciding on my next purchase and I have made up my mind that it will be a stainless steel Commander sized 1911 in .45. I already have five 5” 1911s and one 3” model and I’d like to fill in the hole in the middle, so to speak. I like the standard 4.25” commander configuration with a barrel bushing as opposed to the shorter bull barrel types that are prevalent these days. I have narrowed it down to one of the following; Colt NRM Commander, Colt XSE Commander or Dan Wesson Commander Classic Bobtail. If I choose a Colt it will remain stock or be easily returned to stock condition (i.e. drop in parts only) so buying a Colt and bobtailing it not a consideration. Budget is <$1000. What do you guys/gals recommend?

[John]

In addtition to the Colt ones, I would urge you to check out the Para Ordnance models. These pistols come with all the bells and whistles you may want, and they carry a life-time warranty.

[Hunter]

Either Colt Commander but I imagine the NRM Commander will come closer to your budget. Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't the XSE have an alloy frame?

[Hersh]

Either Colt Commander but I imagine the NRM Commander will come closer to your budget. Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't the XSE have an alloy frame?

The XSE is available in both LW and Combat variants my brother!

[Hunter]

Thanks for keeping me straight Hersh. I need all the help I can get! :D I hope all is well with you.

[BigO]

Well the day I "Pony Up" $800+ on a 1911 it will have a Pony on it .

That or it will be a Wilson , Brown , or Nighthawk .

[wichaka]

I went with the NRM style, I like the classic line it has.........would even be better if Colt would drop the firing pin safety, like they did with Series 70 re-issue.

[doshounds]

+1 on the NRM. I like the looks

[Ric4509]

I’m in the process of deciding on my next purchase and I have made up my mind that it will be a stainless steel Commander sized 1911 in .45. I already have five 5” 1911s and one 3” model and I’d like to fill in the hole in the middle, so to speak. I like the standard 4.25” commander configuration with a barrel bushing as opposed to the shorter bull barrel types that are prevalent these days. I have narrowed it down to one of the following; Colt NRM Commander, Colt XSE Commander or Dan Wesson Commander Classic Bobtail. If I choose a Colt it will remain stock or be easily returned to stock condition (i.e. drop in parts only) so buying a Colt and bobtailing it not a consideration. Budget is <$1000. What do you guys/gals recommend?

I guess I'm the only one that voted for a Dan Wesson Commander Bobtail. I have a Colt XSE LW and enjoy shooting it. I do not have a Colt NRM commander. I have a DW CBob and it is VERY accurate, slide to frame fit is very tight, quality is of workmanship is excellent, the Ed Brown upswept beavertail grip safety feels good on my hand. Brand new DW CBob is about $850 - Colt LW XSE is about the same, the NRM is getting close to the cost of both. The DW CBob's got Novaks night sight and some of them have the XS 24/7 tritium front sight. Check them out.

[OD*]

NRM Commander.

[Rio Vista Slim]

NRM Commander.
I already own a LW XSE Commander, so I too voted for the NRM!! Will be my next Colt, if everything works out as planned. :)

[OD*]

I've said it before Steve, great minds. ;)

[WBB]

I had to vote for the XSE Combat Commander, I love mine!

[MLee]

I have both the LW XSE Commander and the older series 80 blue steel version. I like both equally well, but for carry I would have to vote for the XSE light weight. The only improvement that I wish Colt would make is to "dehorn" some of the rather sharp edges on their pistols.

Mike

[Phil]

I went with the NRM style, I like the classic line it has.........would even be better if Colt would drop the firing pin safety, like they did with Series 70 re-issue.Just bought a new production Combat Commander in stainless, Model 04091U to go with my one 3.5" and three 5" Colts. This is my first Commander and it's a great gun with a very nice "feel" all it's own, compared to the longer and shorter barrel models. Although I considered the XSE, I'm not really a fan of the front cocking serrations, feeling that the look is cleaner without them.

[John]

-

[Phil]

-Ouch! Actually, mine have all been posted previously, but I'll get 'em together for a family portrait soon - promise :D

[Hunter]

Well now that I have my first Commander I will be showing it off every chance I get. So to add an option to the question "which Commander?" I pick the Gold Cup Commander :D
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/DSC01168.jpg

[whitey019]

If I could stumble across something like that it would be the option. Real nice!

[Phil]

Ouch! Actually, mine have all been posted previously, but I'll get 'em together for a family portrait soon - promise :DOK Gunny, you shamed me into trying to at least get a better picture of my current production, stainless, Combat Commander. Boxstock, except for the rosewood grips.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/Murexway/DSC02421Medium.jpg

[John]

Where is that warning for causing uncontrolable drooling to you admin? GOOD LORD I LOVE THIS ONE!

[OD*]

That is right purty Phil!

[Hunter]

Real nice Commander Phil. I think the rosewood grips really contrast the stainless and add to the look.

[WBB]

Nice Commanders, Phil and Hunter. Since this is turning into a Commander pic thread I'll get in on it. My XSE Combat Commander, I like front cocking serrations. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/WBB1911/Commanders005.jpg

[Rio Vista Slim]

OK Gunny, you shamed me into trying to at least get a better picture of my current production, stainless, Combat Commander. Boxstock, except for the rosewood grips.
Phil,
Thank you for posting a picture of the next Colt Combat Commander that I intend to buy.
THAT is really a beauty!!

[clughog]

Those are sure some nice looking pistols. Steve! You and I are looking at the same pistol, only I want mine in .38 Super. I wish I could get the Commander length in the all steel version in that caliber instead of only in the lightweight version.

[Bud White]

The NRM or XSE either is a good choice

[whitey019]

OK Gunny, you shamed me into trying to at least get a better picture of my current production, stainless, Combat Commander. Boxstock, except for the rosewood grips.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/Murexway/DSC02421Medium.jpg

Phil, what brand are those grips and where did you pick them up? As these commander pictures keep rolling in, I'm beginning to think I might need (want) more than one.

[Phil]

Phil, what brand are those grips and where did you pick them up? As these commander pictures keep rolling in, I'm beginning to think I might need (want) more than one.The DD rosewood grips with the Colt medallions are from Doug Driscoll at Big Buck Enterprises. They carry them plain and with either gold or silver medallions in walnut, rosewood, and silverwood. I've bought five sets from them. Nice grips and nice folks to deal with. http://www.bigbuckent.com/catalog0004.html (Just keep scrolling down their web page to find these grips.)

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/Murexway/Grips.jpg

[Phil]

Real nice Commander Phil. I think the rosewood grips really contrast the stainless and add to the look.Thanks guys. Only took about 70 pics on the dining room table before I got one that looked decent :D

[OD*]

Phil,

CDNN carries them also.
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/1911.html

[Phil]

Nice Commanders, Phil and Hunter. Since this is turning into a Commander pic thread I'll get in on it. My XSE Combat Commander, I like front cocking serrations. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/WBB1911/Commanders005.jpgGotta admit.....front serrations or not, that's a really pretty gun. And it's set up nicely too, with the sights and beavertail, etc.

[Phil]

Phil,

CDNN carries them also.
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/1911.htmlSo I see.....and quite a bit cheaper, too. I'll have to save that link. Thanks.

[OD*]

You're welcome sir.
I've bought 4 sets and am very pleased with them.

[larry starling]

Of the choices you have here. Either of the Colts would be fine choices. If you need all the bells and whistles go with the XSE. If your a traditionalist go with the NRM.

[tombstone]

I purchased a NRM blue commander a year ago and it's great. Reliable and accurate. My next Colt will be an XSE LTW commander as it's a lighter carry piece. Both are great!
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/diverflier/ColtCommanderSmall.jpg

[Ric4509]

Nice Commander. I like the wood grips too. Where did you buy it from?

[tombstone]

Ric - Thanks. Grips are cocobolo from woodgrips.com. They do a real nice job with initials or whatever else you might like. They also have the hexhead screws in both stainless and blue.

[DanC]

I voted for the XSE as well. All these pics are great, and my wife hates you all for making me drool all over the keyboard.

[Rio Vista Slim]

I posted a couple of pages ago, that my next Commander would be a NRM Commander. Today, the dream came true! :D

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/RioVistaSlim/IMG_0821.jpg

[Ric4509]

Very, very nice, Steve. Did it come with those wood grips or are those aftermarket?

Rick

[Rio Vista Slim]

Very, very nice, Steve. Did it come with those wood grips or are those aftermarket?

Rick
Thanks Rick!
Those are after-market grips "borrowed" off my Series 70, while I'm waiting for some walnut grips (w/gold Colt medallions) to arrive.

This pistol came with the double-diamond rosewood grips that Colt has been shipping with their new pistols, for this past year or so.

[tombstone]

Rio Vista Slim,
Very nice Commander and I like the grips also. Let us know how it shoots!

[Rio Vista Slim]

Rio Vista Slim,
Very nice Commander and I like the grips also. Let us know how it shoots!
Thanks tombstone!
I've got a little thread about it in the Colt forum.
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=19309

[MLee]

Very nice Commander Steve. I would echo tombstone's sentiments. Please give us a range report.

Mike

[Rio Vista Slim]

Very nice Commander Steve. I would echo tombstone's sentiments. Please give us a range report.

Mike
Mike,
I had intentions of really wringing the new Commander out, today. It has been raining, though, and I don't feel like driving 50 miles to the closest indoor range. I'll post an extensive range report when I can.

[Ted Smith]

When I came across an unaltered Enhanced Model, I just had to have it. While the finish was fine, our humid weather in South Florida can cause problems, so I had the slide hard-chromed by Bob Cogan. Other than that, the gun is box-stock and it's perfect as far as function and accuracy.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/TedG954/Colts/c212f0b1.jpg

[OD*]

Looks good Ted. http://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon14.gif

[John]

Ted, I can see the rear sight being a Trijicon, I assume the front one is a tritium sight too. How is it installed on the slide?

[Ted Smith]

....is not dovetailed, it is staked. This is the factory configuration. The gun is probably 10-15 years old.

[John]

I am tempted to get one of those rear sights, but I am afraid a stake-on effort might destroy the tritium vial on that front one.

[dakota1911]

Again. Be sure and send John large (lots of pixels) pictures of your commanders if you haven't. I want a NRM Combat Commander, but first I want a Gold Cup Trophy, unless I find some interesting used Colt. Well, you know how it goes.

[mikey78]

Dan Wesson