NEW XSE LW COLT COMMANDER

[williamlayton]

Alright I got A nib light weight Colt Commander XSE in .38 super.
1) shoot the snot out of it.
I am going too get it coated.
I have no thoughts about the XSE but would appreciate some advice about this weapon. I am sure that there will need too be some things done too bring it up too speed.
Thoughts appreciated.
Blessings

[Savage]

Sounds good William! Just what the doctor ordered without the wait and expense of a build!! Is yours the stainless model?
Savage

[williamlayton]

It is an allow frame with a stainless slide, I think, it may be all allow, hard to determine from the Colt sight. I tried to determine before I purchased. It says stainless finish, so therefore Imano.
Have you ever heard of painting the frame and slide? I understand that epoxy engine block paint is a really good way to protect the frame. We will see.
So far I have determined too get rid of the junk parts internally, do away with the ambi safety, get a match barrel (bull ) and pin the grip safety.
I am going too shoot it with the sights provided but am leaning to fixed slant pros.
I am just beginning too make a pre-parts list and thoughts on this are the consideration. I hope Mikey/Sharonanne/all jump in on this with us.
Blessings

[williamlayton]

Fit the barrel to the slide.
Wilson barrel bushing.
Pin the grip safety.
USE EGW, Wilson internals. EGW makes some stuff I really Like and so does Wilson. Not light weight as Shoronanne's article.
Short guide rod too allow press checking and one handed racking.
Slant pros--fixed.
Leather by tucker.
Questions unresolved:
Front sight
coating--the alloy is the question. I like hard chrome but for a carry weapon I don't.
springs--this is a real question. I hear stories, but am leaning to a lighter recoil spring. Wolff or there is a pricier option I am looking at.
Trigger group is a real quandary at the moment as is the trigger. Leaning towards Wilson---butttt--EGW is fascinating.
Suggestions or thoughts welcome.
Blessings

[williamlayton]

Barrel Bushings
Well, I am looking at Briley, EGW and cone.

Cone first---It seems too me that Cone bushings may help well with Target not
                 Carry weapons.
Briley---I like Briley products. I am concerned with disassembly for cleaning. Is
            This a real concern?? I tend too put it up with Cone bushings.
EWG---For the most part I think this is the best answer for disassembly and
          lock-up.
 
         
REALLY want some feed back here.
Parts selections are pretty close too being hammered out.
If you want too add input do so now.
Blessings

[SharonAnne]

William. I would select the Dlask trigger. It is available in 3 lengths, is very light, looks way cool and has adjustment tabs for pre-travel.  Otherwise I would select my entire action group from my 1911 work up. Go to the Brownells site and look up the 2 1/2# trigger job article. Use that article as a guide to adjust the leaf spring to obtain the pull you want.

Front sight- someone makes a cross dovetail sight that has a fiber optic with a tritium insert inline. You get the brighter site during daylight and a lighted sight at night. No reason to adjust sights to maintain correct impact.

Fit the slide- why? is there a problem?
bushing- is something wrong with the OEM part?
grip safety- do NOT pin it. If you plan to use it for carry there are liability issues. Use a good grip safety with a raised pad. You can lighten the leaf spring so there is little resistance to the grip safety

What is wrong with hard chrome for carry? It is very durable.
if you want a different color try Robar Industries. They have a wide selection of low friction coatings.

recoil spring- I like the heaviest spring I can handle that gives completely reliable cycling.

why get rid of the ambi safety? It may be needed on a carry gun if you are injured. If you do not like its size you can have it reduced.

why a match barrel? is the OE inaccurate? poorly fit?

sights- the sights as pictured on the Colt web page look like slant pros. What is to be gained by swapping out the OE for brand name sights?

[williamlayton]

Thanks for the tips SA. I concur with most, just looking ahead.
I am sure I do not want an adjustable trigger.
The Briley by all accounts I have heard is a good reliable lock-up, but you are correct why fix it. We will see on this one.
I want to pin it because my grip is so high I find myself pushing the safety up rather than in. That is OK for a match.
This is a weird subject and most say the same as you about liability issues. and I cannot argue the point. In a heat I need it too go bang, the liability in the other direction causes me more bother.
I am in Brownells catalogue as we speak.
I have an appointment with Vandenberg this Thursday. The gun may be here by then but I am suspecting early next week, so as not too get too itchy.
Have you had experience with EGW parts?
On the sights, iguess it is just a matter of prefrence. I have Heinie's on four and like them a lot + I am very accustomed too them. This, also, is not set in stone. I will look at the ones that come on it.
The cone is not a major issue, I just wanted some feedback too see if I was overlooking a good choice.
Blesssings

[SharonAnne]

if you are uncomfortable with the trigger, have a gunsmith set it. Once set you will not adjust it again.
I have no experience with EGW parts. In fact I have no experience with EGW. I had George Smith work on my 1911 when he was shop foreman at Behlert Custom Guns. IIRC he built 4 or 5 guns for me and my friends. All were absolutely top notch. I have recommended EGW to many shooters and all have reported getting first rate parts and work.
If I was having a pistol built I would not hesitate to use EGW parts or have EGW build the gun. Ever since George started up EGW that shop has been on my short list to recommend. A very short list.

[williamlayton]

I am the first too admit that I like first class parts.
I have the Colt here in my hands as I type---that is probably why it is taking me so long and I have so many error too correct .
First thing I noticed was the sharp edges, they have too go, but what new weapon doesn't have this problem.
Second thing that has too go are they sights---front are good but the rear are PLASTIC--they will go.
Believe it or not the gun is tight, as in, well fitted and the trigger except for being loooong, is pretty crisp. That is without taking it down, cleaning and lube.
Flat mainspring housing--I wan an arched.
Slide lockup seems firm and tight.
grip safety and beavertail are better fitted than on the other Colt when I got it.
Ambi saftey---nope, gone.
Those little slide releases--gone.
The small mag release--gone.
For the money from Buds Gun Shops in KY, this weapon, out of the box, is not a bad piece of work.
I just have too add some touches.
Thanks so much for the input---it always helps too hear from know ledgable folks when trying too make decisions, even, if you do some things different.
Blessings
 

[SharonAnne]

William, I am waiting for a range report. I also would like to hear what you decided to have done to your  1911/45. Read that last sentence to mean PICTURES!!!

[williamlayton]

It is at Vandenbergs, STILL.
Should be ready late thismonth, maybe, I hope.
Most of the internals are gone--
New guide rod and barrel bushing
New arched mainspring housing
short trigger, new ignition system
.....The gun won't appear much different but it will perform  a bit more reliable.
Couple of Wilson Mags.
i will post when it is done.
Blessings

[SharonAnne]

"barrel lock ups"? I am not familiar with that term/part/whatever.

[williamlayton]

It is at Vandenbergs, STILL.
Should be ready late thismonth, maybe, I hope.
Most of the internals are gone--
New guide rod and barrel bushing
New arched mainspring housing
short trigger, new ignition system
.....The gun won't appear much different but it will perform  a bit more reliable.
Couple of Wilson Mags.
I will post when it is done.
Blessings

Barrel lock up---I dunno SA. I guess the meds failed to kick in. Changes it too bushing.
Thanks
Blessings

[SharonAnne]

  I do so very well know about medication induced oopsies. No worries.

[williamlayton]

Well, I got the LWC last night.
I was a little dissapointed in some aspects but I trust Vandenberg's decisions.
I was a little disappointented with his use of a Smith and Alexander  arched mainspring. He said that he preferred them over EGW because of a number of issues.
I try and not tell a professional what to do, IF, he is a true professional.
I trust Vandenberg as a true professional.
I will post some pictures and a tale of the weapons and work.
Blessings

[SharonAnne]

hmm, he likes S&A mainspring housings over EGW!?!? Interesting. Well, it is $13 cheaper.

I am eager to see Vandenbergs work. And your shooting report.

[williamlayton]

After a few discussions here was the reccomendations and acceptances.
Brown Thumb Safety
3# Trigger
Adjust grip safety--moe sensative
Brown Long, Stainless, Mag catch
Add-match grade barrel bushing
Add- Extended ejector
Trigger, 1911, short
Barrel bushing, Brown, match, 1911
Ejector-Brown
melt edges
S&A M/S housing, stainless 
I am satisfied. Work is well done. He just likes the S&A mainspring for fit, finish, tolerances and because he uses them in his own stuff.
Will post pictures as I have time