Commander question

[cavaryjake]

How do you tell if a commander is a steel frame or alloy frame? I have a friend who wnts to sell me his series 80 Commander but has no box or paperwork, and I was wondering how to tell.

[Rich-D]

Colt Series 80 Pistols:

Combat Commander = Steel
Commander = Light Weight Alloy
LW Commander = Light Weight Alloy

Just in case the frame was swapped out. A magnet will be attracted to steel, not aluminium.

Best of Luck!
Rich

[cavaryjake]

Gotcha! Thanks bro!

[cavaryjake]

I need another commander to match my current one. I think I will move on it. Plus, for the 400 he wants for it, its a steal!

[Rich-D]

I need another commander to match my current one. I think I will move on it. Plus, for the 400 he wants for it, its a steal!

That is a deal that you should jump on, ASAP!

Good Luck!
Rich

[cavaryjake]

I am going too. I am kinda worried bout it being an alloy frame, are they still good guns? I hear they can get the feed ramps dinged up. That said, my commander has been fine, and my fathers have been fine, and he uses chip mccormick powermags religiously in his.

Guy needs to sell quick to by a new furnace.

[wjkuleck]

Colt Series 80 Pistols:

Combat Commander = Steel
Commander = Light Weight Alloy
LW Commander = Light Weight Alloy

Just in case the frame was swapped out. A magnet will be attracted to steel, not aluminium.

Best of Luck!
Rich


I'm not certain that a magnet will be attracted to stainless steel, though :) . An aluminum-frame Commander will weigh about 26-27 oz, a steel Commander, about 36 oz.

Regards,

Walt

[Jim Watson]

The Type 416 stainless alloy common in guns is magnetic.

[cavaryjake]

nevermind. Thanks Jim!

[Tom]

I'm not certain that a magnet will be attracted to stainless steel, though
Depends on the steel. Have you never seen stainless steel chef's knives attached to a magnetic strip?

[cavaryjake]

So the alloy in the commander frame is type 416? Which is magnetic?

[Rio Vista Slim]

cavaryjake,

I own a blue Commander, a stainless steel Commander, and the XSE Lightweight Commander, which are all current production Colt pistols. The only frame I have that a magnet WILL NOT attach to is the XSE Lightweight, because it has an aluminum alloy frame.

The reference to alloy with the stainless steel frames has to do with the various components that are added to the steel to give it the stainless designation. It is a stainless steel alloy. The lightweight frames are aluminum alloy.

[cavaryjake]

Sweet! Thanks man, that really clears it up.

I bought it. Now I own 2 blue commanders........MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Rich-D]

Sweet! Thanks man, that really clears it up.

I bought it. Now I own 2 blue commanders........MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

So is it a LW or steel?

BTW: :wl: He----> :eb: made me do it! :)

Best of Luck!
Rich

[cavaryjake]

Its the lightweight. Blue no box or papers, w/ 2 factory colt mags, and 2 CM powermags. Paid 400.00 cash.

I recently broke my camera testing a custom knife for a maker. I was spliting a 4in seasoned oak log, and when it split the log fell on top of my camera, and broke the lens. I have a camera phone, but I have no clue how to upload them. Anyone?

Its a good gun, has an idiot scratch on it, and was filthy, but its cleaning up nicely. Hope it performs as well as my other colt. Fit and finish are great, so I dont have any doubts.

[cavaryjake]

I might do this one up a bit. Beavertail safety, and some trigger work. The grips are pretty scratched up, so they will need replaced. With some VZs. Its a pretty new gun, guess it was just not treated well. The Colt gods arent happy with him, thats why they sent it my way!

Maybe some night sights and a full length guide rod. Anyone use a full length guiderod on their commander?

[Rich-D]

Anyone use a full length guiderod on their commander?

Most folks consider a FLGR totally unnecessary!


Rich

[cavaryjake]

Thats how I feel too. I see em on alot of sites, but never had a need for one. I dont really like the idea of having to use an allen to strip my gun. I will leave it alone. I do like a beavertail though. Probably gonna get one of those drop in wilsons so I dont have to mod the frame. I hate the idea of someone cuttin on my colt.

[egumpher]

Most folks consider a FLGR totally unnecessary!


Rich

True but as far as I know all of Colt's latest Commander models have FLGRs. My XSE does but it is very simple to field strip with no tools required. It is a great pistol.

Rgds
Eric

[Phil]

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=52634&highlight=Alloy+frame+follower

[Rich-D]

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=52634&highlight=Alloy+frame+follower

Good Point!

Rich

[daveohno]

Congratulations on your new to you Commander!

[cavaryjake]

Thank you dave!

And thanks for the link Phil!

[JustinTime]

Congrats on the Commander Jake.

[flintsghost]

I'm not certain that a magnet will be attracted to stainless steel, though :) . An aluminum-frame Commander will weigh about 26-27 oz, a steel Commander, about 36 oz.

Regards,

Walt

The aluminum frame commanders will only weigh 26.5 oz if they were made between 1949 and 1972 and have the lightweight slide, that is cut out inside so you can see up into the extractor groove and also see a relieved area behind the barrel bushing recess. After that was discontinued, they went to 29 oz. Just to keep the records straight.