Posted: 7/9/2012 4:24:55 PM EDT
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Hey all, just wanted to come and brag on my new and very first Colt Commander. Something I've always wanted.
I was tired of all the brick and mortar shops telling me they were unobtainium andI'm really happy that I found a good buy on this NIB on Gbroker. It was advertised as just a standard NIB 04691, and the pics weren't the best but I did notice the three holes in the trigger... The price was right so I did the buy it now. It arrived and it turned out to be a "100 years of service" model- undisclosed on the description- Bonus in my opinion! I bought an Ed Brown tactical ambi safety, since I'm a lefty, installed it, cleaned and lubed and went off to the range. I burned 416 rounds, 116 of those being HP, all Winchester except the 16 Fiocci 200grHP that I had laying around in 2 magazines. I had one failure to go into battery on the first magazine and all the rest functioned perfectly! Mags used were Wilson's and the 2 Colt stock that it came with. The trigger had some creep that went away after a few mags, the trigger is now breaking clean. It's not scientific but the accuracy was fantastic. Right to point of aim near 20 yards with good groups overall for my skill level. Very happy. Towards the end there I noticed that the Ed Brown safety on the right side is sharp as hell and dug into my left thumb knuckle, leaving little bits of DNA evidence on there. Funny thing is, it's an ambi safety, so it's friendly for a lefty...? The left side is nicely beveled and blended down for the right handers, but the other side is ruthlessly sharp. Perhaps only a problem for extended range trips which I generally can't afford but I'm going to have to file that sucker down and get some color back on it afterwards.  The upside, is that I really love the design and width of the levers, and I think it looks really nice.
The Colt exhibits a decently tight slide to frame fit, crispy and straight rollmarks, and nice even finish throughout. No interior tool marks that I could find. Feels and looks like quality. It does have some sharp edges! The stock rosewood grips are fine in my opinion, and they were ambi cut from the factory which made my life easier. I think they look pretty fancy actually, and I'm going to leave them be. In closing I give you pics and this new gun a hearty endorsement. If you are like me and really can't afford a top shelf semi custom -If you can find a new Colt, buy it. I bet you'll be happy. 
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Nice find!
I purchased a Gold Cup Commander in 1991 and had James Hoag out of Canoga Park, Ca. Bevel the mag well - Squared the trigger guard & checkered the front section of it - Added front serration to the slide - True the barrel - Checkered the front section of the frame and the main spring housing. 6 months later I had him remodel the hammer due to every time I went out and shot over a 100 rounds it was seriously drawing blood on the upper front section of my hand. He told me to hold the weapon like I was firing and started laughing he said my paws were to big for the weapon he also custom built a grip safety that I had to come twice to his shop for correct fitting. The work was all done back in 1995 and was spot on. In 2000 I was working on a project in Reno NV I went to Terry Tussy's shop in Carson City. His shop was on Bunny Ranch Road (Right down the street from the Bunny Ranch) I had him look at it since I was in the area for a while. He stated James was one of the best 1911 pistol smiths he had ever known. He did a tune -up of the pistol and all I can say is that it was a laser when he got done with it "point squeeze hit". Have fun with your new weapon! |
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Quoted:
A fine pistol no doubt. Not trolling or anything, but what makes this pistol better than a ATI, RIA, SA, or other brand 1911 GI model? Having owned a Colt commander, but not any of the cheaper GI's, how do they compare? I being serious.  I have the Colt Commander, a Springfield parkerized milspec, and a Springfield Loaded Target model. I have handled Rock Island Armory pistols many times. The Colt is superior in finish to the Rock Island, slightly better than the mil spec, and nowhere near the fitting of the Loaded target. The loaded target is incredible. I just like having a real Colt. I know it isn't that big a deal maybe, but that is the fact for me. Patrick |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
A fine pistol no doubt. Not trolling or anything, but what makes this pistol better than a ATI, RIA, SA, or other brand 1911 GI model? Having owned a Colt commander, but not any of the cheaper GI's, how do they compare? I being serious. I have the Colt Commander, a Springfield parkerized milspec, and a Springfield Loaded Target model. I have handled Rock Island Armory pistols many times. The Colt is superior in finish to the Rock Island, slightly better than the mil spec, and nowhere near the fitting of the Loaded target. The loaded target is incredible. I just like having a real Colt. I know it isn't that big a deal maybe, but that is the fact for me. Patrick Colt: Made in USA to original 1911 specs (or about as close as you're going to find nowadays) Forged frame & slide Good quality barrel Good internals with a minimum of MIM and cast parts Retains resale value |