Hi guys,

I'm new here. Great forum !

I have been suffering from a bad case of 'want another new pistol' blues. I am a bigtime fan of the 1911 (have a few of various types).

In all the years I have been into shooting and a fan of the 1911, I have ever felt the need or desire to own a Commander sized offering. Always liked the 5" barrels and never carried, until I got my CCW this year.

Now I am looking to save a little weight and bulk for a carry gun. I shot a buddy's Officers model over last weekend. It's nice, but a little too much snap in the recoil for my taste. I rented and shot a Commander and actually loved the thing - maybe as much as my Gov't models.

I went shopping for a Lightweight Commander. I found two, an XSE model and an XS model (a little older model, per the salesman). Either would suit me pretty well, but I am shocked by the pricing. Nearly $1000 bucks US for a factory gun from Colt ?

Is pricing on the Commander pistols higher than anything else Colt sells for a reason or is the dealer trying to hose me here ? He starts the usual gunshop story about how rare they are, how hard they are to get etc.. and to top it off he said Colt wasn't shipping any guns to the civilian market because of the Gulf war.

Last I heard, our troops (God bless every last one of them) are using the M92, and if memory serves, Bushmaster and FN got the last big contract for the M16.

Or, possibly, is the guy right and I just need to get it out of my head that I might be able to find a new Lightweight Commander in the 7-800$ price range.

I gave Kimber a hard look. The Pro Carry II and the Pro CDP II, but even these are 1000$ give or take a few bucks. I read on this site the external extractors are problematic on some pistols. I am sure this can be (or has been) worked out, but the Kimbers seem to have many more custom features for about the same price range.

I have always been a Colt guy, and really don't want to get away from them (purely sentimental reasons), unless they have dropped so much in quality they aren't safe anymore (which I doubt at present).

Any other ideas for a lightweight 4½", SA 1911 ?

Someone help me find a little clarity on this...

Thanks

BigSlick

I just saw a used Series 80 commander, not LWT, in great shape for 595.00 with a Dawson rail installed. I have looked at the Springfield Champion which is similiar in size to commander quite a bit cheaper the Colt prices you listed.

__________________
Norinco 1911A1

Find another gun shop.

Colt has an exclusive contract to produce the M4 carbine, which is being used a lot more in Iraq than a full-size M16. And Colt did send a letter to dealers saying they won't sell M16s to other than LEO customers with departmental authorization.

None of this in any way relates to the 1911, which is in the commercial side of Colt's catalog, not the military/LEO side.

__________________
Hawkmoon
On a good day, can hit the broad side of a barn ... from the inside

You can get original Commanders (before the LW designation) from 800 on down. I picked up a LW for 400, and see them regularly at around 500-700.

So I wouldn't buy that story...................

You can find lists of Colt dealers at www.colt.com or call 1-800-962-COLT. Usually Colt customer service can help you find a dealer near you who has what you're looking for. If what you want is not in stock near you, then you might consider asking a Colt dealer elsewhere to ship the item to your local FFL Colt dealer. Two different Colt dealers recently told me they charge retail prices established by Colt. Always the case? - I don't know.
I like Colt too, and this thread is posted in a Colt group, but you could of course copy this in another group (for example - the Ed Brown group) to get more information about the carry models from other brands.
This is a good topic and I hope more people post their experience.

Please do not copy the thread as it is in other forums, this is a violation of the forums rules. Alter it enough to not be a copy.

As for the original question, Colt is selling OK to the general public and Commanders are not that hard to find. So, I guess your shop is trying to rip you off.

Rgds

__________________
John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org

1000 bucks for a Commander? No way unless you live in one of the socialist/communist states. If you are on good terms with an FFL holder you might do well to shop on http://www.gunbroker.com/ or http://www.gunsamerica.com/, otherwise find yourself another gun shop or hit some gun shows.

The Colt XSE series have a bunch of "upgraded" features & parts (like the trigger, hammer, grip safety, thumb safety, front slide serrations, etc. Also supposedly enhanced tolerances. Seems to be Colt's answer to other folks "factory custom" guns. The newest models have Novak style sights.

I haven't seen one of these sell for less than ~$800 new. If you want the additional features $750-850 wouldn't be a bad price...if your dealer can find one. Otherwise, you should be able to find one of the new series 1991A1 Commanders for $550-700, depending on model & finish.

mitchjoe

The Eagle has landed.

I found a Commander Lightweight at the local gunshow this morning. $759 + tax.

I walked the show pretty well and prices for XSE's were outrageous. I saw the LWC at $1100, 959 and 995 from three different vendors. Even some the 1991 series Commanders (parked) were over $700.

I guess they served a crack pipe with the free coffee at the show early this morning. I have been frequenting gunshows for over 25 years and have never seen such silly pricing in my life.

I did get a chance to look at the new SW Scandium 1911 and Commander. Seems the specimens I saw were mixed. A couple looked pretty rough, but one 1911 I saw looked absolutely flawless in fit and finish. A *very* nice piece.

Prices for these were from $750 to $950 depending on how much crack the dealer had smoked while pricing. I saw one guy doing a 4472 for one he picked up for $689. He must have found the only one priced that low and jumped on it.

In any event, thank you all, for the information and response to my post. I would have either bought something used, or something different. Not necessarily a bad thing mind you... but you know how it is when you're jonesin' for a particular piece.

I got a fresh Big Gulp, the family is visitin in-laws this weekend and the smoker is going strong.

Now on to the 550 to work up some loads.

Life is good

BigSlick