Range Report: Gunsite Commander

[Substance-P]

I took the Gunsite Commander that I bought a little over a week ago out to a range session alongside my HK 45C, I am trying to determine which one I'll take to a Gunsite Course next month. After 200 rounds of 4 different company's ammo and 8 different magazines through the Colt, there have been ZERO issues and it points and shoots VERY well. I am still getting used to a commander sized 1911, so my aim can certainly improve. It was interesting shooting the colt side-by-side with my HK, they both perform well but differently. When you factor in the trigger and the ergonomics of the Colt, it is the winner and currently at the top of "which gun should I take to the course" list. Below are some photos, camera shots so pardon the poorer quality. The distance for all of them are about 25 ft. I am trying to decide if I am going to keep the plain black sights or send it in, along with another one of my guns, to Novak and have them put a different set on (any input would be great).

8 Rounds
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q147/substance-p/8roundscoltGS1.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q147/substance-p/8roundscoltgs2.jpg

16 Rounds
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q147/substance-p/16roundscoltGS1.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q147/substance-p/16roundscoltgs2.jpg

24 Rounds
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q147/substance-p/24roundscoltgs1.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q147/substance-p/24roundscoltgs2.jpg

[John]

Good shooting. Where is the gun???

:fp:

[Substance-P]

Good shooting. Where is the gun???

:fp:

:o how could I forget?
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q147/substance-p/ColtGSLftKnife.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q147/substance-p/ColtGSRigSlide.jpg

[OD*]

Good job. :appld:

Take both pistols. ;)

[elijdub]

Good shooting! I think OD* makes a good point. Why not take both, especially if you'll be carrying/utilizing both pistols in the future...

Maybe consider keeping the plain rear sight..and put on an easier-to-acquire front sight. Several people on the forum like the sight picture of either Tritium (night sight), white dot, or even a gold bead, front sight along with a "plain" rear sight.

[Frank]

A fine looking gun and great shooting.

I agree, take both.

As far as sights go, the hot ticket seems these days to be a tritium insert in only the front sight. I haven't tried that set up myself. Most of my guns have tritium inserts front and rear, but I took one with plain black sights to Gunsite; and it worked fine for me.

DVC

[Substance-P]

That is what I was thinking, keeping the rear black and either tritium or gold bead up front. I have several with the three dot night sights and I just put the Heinie two dot night sights on the HK (not sure what I think yet) but I think I like a plain rear the best...just with something else up front.

[Godan]

A few years ago at Gunsite, Bob Young showed me a black rear/gold bead front combination that proved very fast and accurate. I have since put similar sights on several guns, including two that worked at least as well as tritium fronts for night shoots in later Gunsite classes. I think Gunsite uses that combination on one of their current logo pistols.

[tombstone]

Nice Colt Gunsight pistol. +1 to above - take both and lighten up the front sight. Hope it doesn't happen, but sometimes something breaks and a spare pistol that you like and shoot well is a good idea. ;) Nice shooting BTW - it looks like you were getting better as you took more shots! Have fun at Gunsight and tell us about your experience when you get back. :) Cheers.

[ButchKent]

Take both. What's the rule? One is none and two is one. Three is just right!

[OD*]

As far as sights go, the hot ticket seems these days to be a tritium insert in only the front sight.
DVC
I had three dots on a Colt for 18+ years before they dimmed enough that they had to be changed, after discussing the front sight set-up with Wichaka a couple years ago, I decided to try it. I now have three pistols set-up this way, I don't think I would go back to three dots, now.

[daveohno]

The Evil One :eb: talked me into that set up also.

I vote for take several pistols to your class. If one breaks, you're not out of business.

[Substance-P]

Duely noted...more than one pistol to the class. I agree rear sight darkened with something different up front...now the question would be, would you pick gold bead or single tritium insert and why?
Thanks again for all the feedback.

[wichaka]

A single night sight on the front, with the rest of the front blade painted white.

As there's times where it's not dark enough to see the glow tube, but too dark to find the front sight.

[Godan]

I have both tritium and gold (or brass) beads with plain black rears. The bead is more versatile, from bright daylight through twilight, night urban glare, etc. In pure dark, you can see the tritium, but need a flashlight to see much else. The flashlight illuminates enough of the bead for a sight picture. A bead the full width of the front sight is easy to pick up quickly. In good light,the rectangular profile of the front sight post behind it is available for more precise aiming. Whichever you choose for a front, you might think about opening up the rear so that the perceived light bars on either side of the front are about half the width of the front. If you take a safe-edge file and some cold blue to the range, you can ease into it.