Durability of the commander compared to a full size

[Mrick]

Would there be any difference in durability in a commander as apposed to the government model? Would it be fair to say that both should see very high round counts assuming regular maintainance schedules are followed?

[Rich-D]

The durability factor should be negligible between the two. Unless you have an LW Alloy frame. I know Para tests their LW Frames to 25,000 rounds. That is not the lifespan, just the amount tested. Colt LW Frames should be similar or more durable in round count.


Rich

[John]

Combat Commander = Steel Frame
Commander = alloy frame

If you are talking about a Combat Commander, there should be no difference in durability between the two.

[JTQ]

I know the older models were designated as such, but I believe current production lists them as Commander (steel frame) and Light Weight (LW) Commander (alloy frame).

[John]

Who said I am "current"? I am an old man with aging brain cells. I can hardly remember my wife's name and you want me to remember the names of all the current models in the market? Good Lord, I wish!!! :) :D :p

[Mrick]

Yeah I was referring to the all steel commander, sorry for the confusion.

[Rich-D]

I am an old man with aging brain cells. I can hardly remember my wife's name :) :D :p

John, Being a bit older than you, I have developed good fillers when you can't remember her name. Sweetheart, Honey, Precious, Gorgeous, and Dear! There are many more, but I can't remember them! :)


Rich

[flintsghost]

I have been a lightweight commander user since the late 60's. At one time I was loaned a friends lightweight commander, made in 1954, that he had shot at least 60,000 rds through and I know that in the course of my using it for a back up and off duty gun for about a year, I shot another 20,000 through it before I returned it to him in 1975. He still carries and shoots it today and he estimates that it has had over 100,000 rds through it. I have two of my own and I know they are topping 50,000 rds easily. One is a 1952 and was used when I got it. The alloy frames are pretty tough and will last. I've built custom guns for a lot of people on them and the only ones that came to me for work with frame cracks had Wilson Shok buffs in them. I theorize that the shok buff not only shortens the stroke somewhat but also results in the impact being transmitted through the frame for a longer period of time. Sort of like a earthquake. A high richter force earthquake that lasts a microsecond does very little damage. But a earthquake of lower intensity that lasts longer topples buildings. The shok buff not only shortens the stroke of the slide but it also increases the duration of the impact. Just my personal opinion. However, all the frames, steel and aluminum that I have personally seen cracked has shok buffs in them when I took them apart. That's about a dozen pistols all told.

[ButchKent]

I have been a lightweight commander user since the late 60's. At one time I was loaned a friends lightweight commander, made in 1954, that he had shot at least 60,000 rds through and I know that in the course of my using it for a back up and off duty gun for about a year, I shot another 20,000 through it before I returned it to him in 1975. He still carries and shoots it today and he estimates that it has had over 100,000 rds through it. I have two of my own and I know they are topping 50,000 rds easily. One is a 1952 and was used when I got it. The alloy frames are pretty tough and will last. I've built custom guns for a lot of people on them and the only ones that came to me for work with frame cracks had Wilson Shok buffs in them. I theorize that the shok buff not only shortens the stroke somewhat but also results in the impact being transmitted through the frame for a longer period of time. Sort of like a earthquake. A high richter force earthquake that lasts a microsecond does very little damage. But a earthquake of lower intensity that lasts longer topples buildings. The shok buff not only shortens the stroke of the slide but it also increases the duration of the impact. Just my personal opinion. However, all the frames, steel and aluminum that I have personally seen cracked has shok buffs in them when I took them apart. That's about a dozen pistols all told.

Flintsghost,
Think you're onto something. Impact Force is a function of Force and Time. If the buffer increases the time it could dramatically increase the impact force. Your experience and observations are very valuable. Keep posting the good stuff.

[egumpher]

Flintsghost,
Think you're onto something. Impact Force is a function of Force and Time. If the buffer increases the time it could dramatically increase the impact force. Your experience and observations are very valuable. Keep posting the good stuff.


Hello, According to Newton’s second law of motion, F=MA, a shorter time means a higher acceleration, and a longer time means a lower acceleration.

Longer time = lower force than shorter time.

Rgds
Eric

[cavaryjake]

I know the older models were designated as such, but I believe current production lists them as Commander (steel frame) and Light Weight (LW) Commander (alloy frame).

I have heard this also. I am really confused on this. I hear both, yet Colts site lists them as carbon steel frame and slide. Is colt still making a combat commander? Are the LW commanders the alloy frame guns and the commanders steel? OR, are the commanders still as John says? :confused: :confused: :confused:

[cavaryjake]

http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/1991.asp (http://)

Here is a link. All of them are listed as steel frames. The stainless finish guns, listed as stainless frame and slide, and the blued guns listed as carbon steel and slide. For both the goverment and commander.

The XSE lightweights are designated with allumnum frames.

So.....Is this the deal? All new production commanders, besides the LW are now steel?

[egumpher]

You are both correct:

Colt 1991 configurations
http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff327/ewgewgewg/Colt-1991.jpg

Colt XSE configurations
http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff327/ewgewgewg/Colt-XSE.jpg


Rgds
Eric

[cavaryjake]

I thought so. Both of my commanders feel way to heavy to be alluminum. That is great to find out.

I was gonna say, because the full size would have to be alloy then too, cause they are the same material. Not the LW, I know those are alluminum.

So....One more time, The thought that the Commander is an alloy frame gun, and the combat commander are steel, is no longer the case. In fact they are all steel with the new ones. Unless you get the XSE which is available in a lightweight alluminum. Good stuff!!!

So my 2 commanders are the 4691, which is not a combat commander, it is just a series 80 commander, which is an all steel gun. Awesome.