Author Topic: Colt Commander (Read 819 times)

X-man · « **on:** August 08, 2004, 09:59:58 PM »

Just cruised by the Colt website and saw that they aren't cataloging the Commander anymore. When was it discontinued? They were made in both steel and aluminum frames weren't they? Shame, they were great guns.

Iowegan · « **Reply #1 on:** August 09, 2004, 05:00:42 AM »

If you look a little closer, you'll see the Commander is still available in the 1991s and XSE series. They offer the Stainless and light weight aluminum frame in the XSE. The 1991s are available in stainless and blued. They ARE great guns!

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2004, 03:33:03 AM »

X-Man: my Commander is one of the first 2500 production guns. I have owned it for over 35 years. It has shot over 10K rounds of ball, plus lots of other stuff, lots of the bluing is worn off the frame, and I wouldn't give it up fer the world. If they are listed, get one, you won't regret it. HTH. Mikey.

X-man · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2004, 02:12:42 PM »

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the feedback. I actually just bought a new Custom Colt Commander. It comes with both a 9mm bbl and a .38 Super bbl. Very nicely done and shot almost nil. Its almost like it came out of the box. Had an accuracy/trigger job done, new beavertail grip safety, etc... plus four mags and a bunch of spare parts. I got a very good deal on it. I love the 1911, and have four .45ACP, just never bothered with the smaller calibers. Now I'm teaching my young nephew to shoot, he is 13. He was fascinated by shooting and hunting, watched all the old repeats of Tour of Duty, the old John Wayne war movies and of course Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers. Since he was seeing all this on TV anyway, I figured I'd better teach the kid proper gun safety and to destroy a lot of the "Hollywood" fantasy crap they pick up from TV/Movies/Video Games. His Dad isn't in the picture anymore, so he's growing up with his Mom and sister...not a lot of Testosterone! Couldn't be prouder of him. Very respectful young MAN, straight A's in school and just took "Top Cadet" honors at the Canadian Forces summer deployment of "Sea Cadets" (each of the three services, Army, Navy & Air Forces have their own junior cadet program, kind of like a militarized Boy Scouts, I believe there are some in the US as well) at HMCS Acadia in Nova Scotia. The friends he was hanging out with before are the terrors of the neighborhood, throwing rocks at road signs, smoking, doing poorly in school and bullying the other kids. A little discipline and responsibility from shooting made a big difference and now Adam is talking about making the Forces a career! He also shares my love of the 1911, however, he finds the .45 a little stout, so I thought I'd buy a gun that fits him a little better, and hey, who doesn't need another 1911? :grin: So this is where the Commander enters the picture. Since I never fooled around with the 9mm/.38 Super before in a 1911, wasn't sure about the magazines before going and buying a bunch of just one caliber and finding out they won't feed the other. Looks like I'll have to get a few extra of each! :grin:

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** August 12, 2004, 02:21:48 AM »

X-Man - Gooood buy on that Commander. I think that is a great deal. I really enjoy the 38 Super cartridge and to be able to pick up a Commander with a 9mm bbl just gives you the added leeway to shoot inexpensive mil-surp ammo. The 38 Super gives you a lot of room to maneuver, if you reload, with heavier plinking loads that are adequate for personal defense as well as the hotter, lighter loads that can double as a defensive round and small game getter. BTW, Col. Charles Askins liked the 38 Super and hunted Jaguar with it is South America. I believe he preferred a 125 gn bullet over a hefty charge of fast burning powder.

On Another note, I would like to both commend and thank you for the parental leadership and guidance you are showing your young nephew. It takes a lot to help guide young men along the right path these days and your efforts will, I believe, show the rewards for both of you when the time comes for him to stand straight and do the right thing.

Just one more note, if I may - please consider a set of heavy recoil springs for that Commander - the 38 Super is snappier than you might think in those lightweight pistols. Mikey.

Flint · « **Reply #5 on:** August 20, 2004, 11:52:03 AM »

Another note, the 38Super Magazine will feed 9mm, but not vice-versa.

X-man · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2004, 11:02:05 AM »

Thanks again for the extra info. In the meantime I've picked up several 9mm magazines to go along with the .38 Super I already have, so I'm good to go either way! Have to say this 1911 is rapidly becoming one of my favorite! It is exceedingly accurate in both .38 Super and 9MM. Adam loves it too and is developing into quite a marksman in his own right.