I have been toying with the idea to purchase a lightweight Commander inf 45acp.

 Is there a big enough difference to notice when carrying?

 Is the recoil a big difference?

 Pics of your lightweight setup?

 Any and all feedback will be welcome.

Big difference after carrying a steel framed Commander for 20 years
I don't notice much recoil difference, but I shoot 185 and 200 grain in the lightweight and 230 grain loads in the steel framed pistols.

Wiley Clapp lightweight commander.

I prefer the lightweight for carry for sure. The recoil increase isn't a whole lot but the carry weight is very noticeable compared to an all steel frame.

I just bought a Springfield RO Champion in 9MM last fall and love it, quickly became a gun I will never part with.

Trade LW Colt for Officers ACP when it first came out is my most regreted trade ever.
Only plus was trade of that for Browning HP.

The LW is very worth it if you carry it frequently. My Coly LW XSE Commander is a joy to carry. The recoil is stiffer but not an issue when compared to a steel frame.

I'm going to go against the flow and say the added/extra recoil was very noticeable with +P rounds to me. I had a Clapp CCO and it was great to carry, and it wasn't bad to shoot with my practice ball ammo, and it wasn't terrible with full pressure 230 ball...but the second I put my usual carry ammo in it (Golden Sabre 185gr +P) it became nearly intolerable, even with a firing pin stop that had an early-pattern radius on it. Maybe it was just how it felt to me, but it started inducing a flinch after less than 50 rounds. It was just too much.

I had a similar issue with an alloy framed Commander. It wasn't comfortable with +P at all.

I love the idea of them, and they do carry wonderfully, but that wasn't worth it to me...it just didn't work out. I don't want to carry something that, every time I pull the trigger, I'm going to think "boy, this is going to hurt..."

Yes, I shoot/practice with my carry gun often; I don't like carrying things I haven't practiced a lot with. In my full size all steel carry 1911 I can shoot that same carry ammo all day every day with no problems (and in fact have )

If you get a chance to try one before you buy it, I'd do that first. Maybe you won't have an issue with it. Maybe I'm just a sissy when it comes to that stuff

Weight difference is a HUGE plus. Recoil is minimal difference but noticeable.

My carry piece is an Ed Brown Commander bobtail in .45acp.

Yes.

Carry one all day and you will feel the difference.

Some day I'll send you this to work over. It's had a rough life, but it's fun to shoot

I carried a DW Guardian 45 with an aluminum frame for few years it carried much better than my government 1911s.  Last year I bought a Nighthawk Costa Compact CCO steel frame it has replaced my DW as my edc.  It's lighter than a government but a few ounces heavier than the DW but much more comfortable shooting for me.  The Nighthawk has became my favorite handgun & I love shooting it.

I notice quite a difference between carrying a steel 1911 and a lightweight. Recoil is not that much more, not enough to be concerned about. My first lightweight was a Star PD (not a real 1911 but close enough for the purposes of this discussion), and it's still one of my favorites. My newer lightweight is a Springfield Champion Operator.

There is a HUGE difference in carrying a LW Commander as compared to a Gov. model!  

There isn't all that much difference in recoil, but I guarantee that you will never notice any recoil at all if you have to actually USE your carry piece!  

I agree that one should practice with their carry ammo, but most of your practice can be done with lighter-recoiling rounds.  Just fire your carry rounds to rotate in fresh ammo about once a month or so.

Is good.
20160106_101822(1) by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr
20151219_083529 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

In 9mm it's fun to shoot. The size difference is minor but the weight difference is substantial.

It's nice having the option.

I prefer the 5" 45 as a shooter, but the little 9mm is not far behind.

Is that a RGrizzle holster?

+P is unnecessary in .45 ACP, IMO. If you stick to standard pressure ammo in a LW 1911 the increase in recoil and muzzle flip is very manageable. The lighter weight of the aluminum frame makes them a real joy to carry and you'll wonder how you ever carried an all-steel 1911 before.

I carried a 5" steel-framed 1911 for years.   I got my first LW Commander about 7 years ago and switched over almost exclusively to it for daily carry.  I prefer the 5" gun for long range sessions, but the Commander is by no means painful to shoot, even with duty ammo.  There is a HUGE difference in comfort for me when carrying the LWC, and mine has been just as reliable as the full size gun.

I sometimes carry the 5" gun for nostalgia, but never for more than a day.

Worth it?  Before I would have said no. After owning these, most definitely yes.

Same as me. I would have said no, but after my Colt Wiley Clapp commander, yes. The weight makes a big difference for CCW.

It's from Copper Creek Leather. I joined Etsy to get a few holsters

I have a STI Ranger II that I carried for nearly 3 years until the weight started giving my back fits. Now it's my home defense gun. I have a Colt LW Commander and it carries very nicely. The weight does make a big difference for carry. I use 230gr HPs and the increased recoil is noticeable but very manageable. There are times when my back acts up and for those times I carry a S&W Shield 9mm. I'm going to be looking for a 1911 9mm LW Commander to purchase for carry. I love my 1911s.

I prefer a 5" on an aluminum frame over any short barrel 1911.  Keeping my eyes open for a LW Government at the right price.

I broke my back years ago and the alloy frame makes a big difference in carrying it vs a steel frame 1911.I don't notice a big difference in recoil. I have a couple of CCO  type 1911s with an alloy frame that I can carry all day with no problems.