Combat Commander needs barrel

[clare44man]

I just put an older satin nickled Combat Commander on layaway at Jay's. Only $350 but it needs work. Someone has fitted a 5" barrel to the gun (poorly, I might add) with a long link. The barrel seems to fit well at the rear but the hood is narrower than the slide cut. The link also binds between the feet of the barrel at lockup and the back of the slide sits slightly forward of the frame at the rear. I'm going to need to replace the barrel. I would also prefer to get a take off Colt barrel rather than go the expense of fitting a new barrel at this time. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks 44 Man

[mitchjoe]

Clare44man:

Brownells lists a few factory Colt Commander barrels. Unfortunately, they're usually out of stock. A buddy recently bought a "drop-in match" barrel from Dan Wesson for $69. I think that's a sale on 5-inchers only, but they do have the Commander length for $145.

The barrels are stainless and come w/ the link & pin installed. A very minor amount of fitting was required, and it shoots great. You could check out one of the firearms related auction site's, or EBay. Once in awhile a factory Colt barrel will show up.

With the barrel hood, I wonder if somebody tried to fit an "Enhanced" barrel?

mitchjoe

[clare44man]

I think this may have been an old national match barrel or something like that. The hood is narrower that the slide cut and there is an ugly serial number deeply stamped over the chamber area. $69 sounds good, I can always cut it down and fit a proper bushing. Thanks

[stans]

Whoa! Hold the phone there, a Commander barrel is more than just a cut down Government model barrel. Look at some real Commander barrels and you will see the front surfaces of the lower locking lugs are cut perpendicular to the chamber instead of at an angle. If the lower lug is not modified, the recoil spring guide rod head will contact the sloping surface and alter lockup.

Also, the chamber extension that projects beyond the third lug on Government barrels is cut back flush with the leading edge of the third lug. If this is not cut back, the skirt of the barrel bushing will collide with the extension, damaging the barrel and cracking the bushing.

[clare44man]

Thanks for the heads up on cutting down a 5" barrel! I would have gotten in trouble with that one. 44 Man

[vesmcd]

I have a used, early (not throated for SWC's) Colt Commander barrel, cal.45acp, that I will sell for $35/shipping included. Good condition,rifling sharp, no rust or pits, bluing worn. Includes factory link & pin. Shot fine, but customer wanted ramped barrel installed.

[doclouie]

Ebay has them quite frequently. The last one just sold for around $40 for a stock barrel.

[stans]

Watch those eBay barrels, I have seen quite a few that were nothing more than 5 inch Government model barrels cut to 4 1/4 inches.

[clare44man]

Yeah, that was me that bought that barrel. Unfortunately, I committed to buy it just before VESMCD offered his barrel. I do hope it is what he says it is. I don't know of a sure way to tell if the barrel is Colt or not, so I have to trust him. If it is Colt and it is Stainless, it should be new enough to be throated, correct? I let you know how it turns out. I may still be buying VESMCD's barrel! 44 Man