Posted: 12/9/2010 10:01:40 AM EDT
| I am shopping around for a 1911 to use a s a carry gun. I think I am sold on the Commander sized weapon, but have not yet made a decision to go with a lightweight or a standard weight weapon. I have been looking at the Colt XSE Lightweight Commander and think it may be the one. The only real questions I have are regarding the durability of the frame, how well the weapon handles, and impression of the weapon from people who own one and or have shot one extensively. In addition in comparison to the XSE Commander is the weight difference noticeable? |
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The LW Commander weighs about 10 oz less than the steel framed version, more than half a pound lighter. The lighter weight does make it less tiresome to carry the gun for long periods of time, in my experience.
The frame won't have the longevity of steel, but you will spend far more in ammo cost to wear it out than the price of the gun. Keeping up with recoil spring changes and using captured-follower magazines will go a long way toward maximizing the life of the aluminum frame. The gun will have more recoil and muzzle flip than a comparable 5" Government gun, but it's certainly no worse than any other lightweight framed .45 of comparable size, and I find it more controllable than most. The lightweight gun handles faster than a steel 5" gun. I feel like I can get it out of the holster faster and transition between targets with less effort. Personally, all I buy are LW Commanders. I don't have much use for the steel-framed Commanders. |
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Quoted:
The LW Commander weighs about 10 oz less than the steel framed version, more than half a pound lighter. The lighter weight does make it less tiresome to carry the gun for long periods of time, in my experience. The frame won't have the longevity of steel, but you will spend far more in ammo cost to wear it out than the price of the gun. Keeping up with recoil spring changes and using captured-follower magazines will go a long way toward maximizing the life of the aluminum frame. The gun will have more recoil and muzzle flip than a comparable 5" Government gun, but it's certainly no worse than any other lightweight framed .45 of comparable size, and I find it more controllable than most. The lightweight gun handles faster than a steel 5" gun. I feel like I can get it out of the holster faster and transition between targets with less effort. Personally, all I buy are LW Commanders. I don't have much use for the steel-framed Commanders. +1 JD |
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I have had one for about 1.5 - 2 years. It is my EDC. I have not got a really high round count on it (under 1000) but it has not had a single malfunction with ball. Mine also runs Ranger 230 HP with no issue. I have made no modifications to it and am satisfied with it as a carry gun. I would buy another if mine disappeared tomorrow.
My only real complaint is with the front serrations. They eat leather if you aren't careful when holstering. If you do buy one, be aware that they seem to all ship with the rear site loose. More than a few guys have cleaned them, gone to the range, and watched their rear site fly off. All you have to so is tighten the allen screw before shooting it. |