XSE Commander or 1991 Commander? What are the real differences?

[Oldjarhead]

I thought I knew more about Colt Combat Commanders, but I don't. Are the new XSE's better more reliable feeding hollowpoints, etc. than the 1991s? Your comments are welcomed. :confused:

[d90king]

They should both feed the same the XSE is more dressing than function. It gives you front cockers, adj trigger, 3 dot novak type sights and the duckbill GS. If I am leaving anything out others will be by with more specs.

[Hunter]

I would not think there would be any difference in function between the two pistols.

[tombstone]

Of course, one of the XSE Commander models is available in a lightweight aluminum frame while the 1991 is only available in steel if that's important to you.

[EchoBravoKilo]

XSE supposedly has "enhanced tolerances" as well. However, they both use the same frame (at least the all steel versions), so those tolerances must relate to slide/barrel/bushing kind of stuff. I have the XSE Combat Commander and love it. Feeds everything and is very accurate. My younger son absolutely loves it. Me thinks he's gonna snag it when he returns from the Sandbox...

[elijdub]

They should both feed the same the XSE is more dressing than function. It gives you front cockers, adj trigger, 3 dot novak type sights and the duckbill GS. If I am leaving anything out others will be by with more specs.
Ambi-safety is the only other difference that i can think of...

They're both excellent pistols. I think it's just a matter of personal preference with regards to "features", appearance, and feel (the undercut trigger-guard provides a slightly higher purchase on the pistol from my understanding).

[skoro]

I got an XSE Commander last month. One of the "selling points" for me was the 8-round magazines. And if I recall, it has a more desirable set of sights. I've found that it cycles all the ammo I feed it, and some of what I've put through it was VERY questionable old (20 y.o. or more) semiwadcutters. Hollow points? No problem. Golden Sabers, Federal Hydrashock, Gold Dots, they all went through without a burp.

I can't say that it has better tolerances than the 1991 model. But I can say that I'm very pleased with its performance.

[terabyte]

I ran across a Pre XSE commander with the enhanced package (same pistol) less the front cocking serrations, nice little pistol & the big novak dot sights are very quick.

[Oldjarhead]

Thanks for the info. Can you folks that own 1991 Commanders and XSE Comanders comment on the differences in the trigger pull and accuracy? Thanks.

[clughog]

Well, the XSE trigger has an overtravel adjustment...and the trigger on my XSE Stainless Combat Commander is excellent. Can't speak for the 1991 model, though.

[EchoBravoKilo]

XSE trigger is indeed excellent. Don't have a 1991, but I have a 1976 Combat Commander - that one has about 8lb. trigger not too good. Have an older (1951) Commander LW which has excellent accuracy and very good trigger. The only things I dislike about XSE are more asthetic than anything - could do without front serrations, ambi safety and duck bill grip safety. It is however an outstanding pistol.

[clughog]

Definitely agree that it's an outstanding pistol. I forgot to mention that I took mine down to the frame before ever firing it and smoothed everything out...I think it helped. Anyway, it's MUCH more accurate than I am. I'm very, very pleased with mine. I chose the stainless model instead of the lightweight since I had no plans to carry it, and I believe that helps somewhat in how it performs for me at the range. For carry, though, I'd have gone with the alloy version.

[chimkayu]

Halito, all. Have both the ORM 1991 and the XSE versions. They have both been reliable, so far, with both ball ammo and hollow-point ammo. Trigger pull on each is great, right around 4.5 lbs or so. But, I do have to say, the XSE is a pretty thing...so much so that I hesitate to carry it when I can carry the 1991. And, for what it's worth, I like the "duck-bill" safety on the XSE. Love the 1911 (flip a coin), Florida (sure miss Ocala) and the forum.

C.......

[Ogie]

I like the 1991A1. The XSE has the forward cocking serrations which I dislike and the ambi safety which I also dislike.

I prefer the looks of my 1991A1 Commander over the XSE.

[terabyte]

I like the 1991A1. The XSE has the forward cocking serrations which I dislike and the ambi safety which I also dislike.

I prefer the looks of my 1991A1 Commander over the XSE.

I concur on both, but thats a personal preference.

Just spend some time with the trigger till you get it how you like it, my shooter a 70ser Gold Cup I have the trigger down to around 4lbs & breaks like glass.

The rest are dust collectors hence I havent bothered toying with them.

[WALLY065]

Do the XSE Commanders have the firing pin safety?

[clughog]

Yes, they're Series 80 pistols.

[DeluxeSupreme]

Can they both handle high pressure +p loads? I'm guessing with the XSE's high tolerance feature I would assume the XSE can.

[1911 45 acp]

I have a 1991A1 Commander and it is one of the best shooting pistol I own. I carry it every day and have for the past 15 years. It fires any type of 45acp ammno without a problem of any kind. I do not use Remington's super 185 Gr.
Plus P round to often because I like their Golden Saber 230 Gr. better
Trigger pull on mine is 5.5 lbs and it breaks like a glass rod. This pistol has one of the plastic trigger & main spring housing Colt used in the early 1990's to cut cost. I have never had a problem with this pistol

[John]

Six of one and half-a-dozen of the other.

As it has been said, they are both excellent pistols, more or less the same, they differ only on external aesthetics. Personally (after having passed the Novak-beavertail-extended-thumb-safety era of my life) I find the lines of the 1991 Combat Commander more pleasing to my eye. I can see the sights well, the pistol doesn't bite my hand when I fire it, and I can work the tear-drop safety just fine. Also, there is nothing more beautiful than the blueing on a Colt (OK, maybe there is, the Royal Blue on a Colt).

[EchoBravoKilo]

+1 to El Commandante!

[bullturkey]

I have a 1991 stainless commander I purchased 4 months ago. It has 600 rnds fired. WWB, wolf, hornady gd, powerball, not a single burp. The only fault it has is a creepy trigger. Really no big deal. I just ordered a XSE Lt wt stnls commander because I carry it CCW. I expect the less weight will be nice but more recoil. no free lunch in carry guns. I trust my life to my Colt that is the best recommendation I can give.

[VFRpilotJim]

One other thing that I didn't see anyone mention is this- every picture I've seen of the right side of either of these pistols shows a difference in the ejection port. The XSE has the flare on the rear vertical shoulder of the port while the 1991 does not. As to whether it is also "lowered" I cannot tell. I have been studying everything I can find about these guns because I am also torn about which one to purchase, but it is hard to compare them side by side because it is almost impossible to find a dealer with both in stock. Hopefully someone else can confirm this observation, as well as add anything else they can think of.

Jim

[Rio Vista Slim]

One other thing that I didn't see anyone mention is this- every picture I've seen of the right side of either of these pistols shows a difference in the ejection port. The XSE has the flare on the rear vertical shoulder of the port while the 1991 does not. As to whether it is also "lowered" I cannot tell. I have been studying everything I can find about these guns because I am also torn about which one to purchase, but it is hard to compare them side by side because it is almost impossible to find a dealer with both in stock. Hopefully someone else can confirm this observation, as well as add anything else they can think of.

Jim
Jim,

From my rather extensive supply of Photobucket pictures, I was able to find a couple of examples of what you're referring to.

The first photo shows the ejection port of my XSE Stainless Lightweight Commander.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/RioVistaSlim/IMG_0468.jpg

The second photo is not a close-up, but should provide a view of the ejection port area of my 04691 blue Commander.

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

In my case, it should be noted that neither pistol has ever failed to successfully eject empty cartridge casings, regardless of load or brand of ammunition used.

(Note: My apologies for the poor photograph of the XSE. I normally take sharper pictures.)

[VFRpilotJim]

I'm glad to hear they are both reliable. I prefer the traditional look of the 1991, and it's a bit less expensive. Thanks for the comparison pics!

Jim

[javichin1991]

Hi,

Regarding reliability, both pistols feature the new patented dimpled barrel that feeds any kind of bullets.

Regards,

Javi