Posted: 11/6/2009 10:51:17 AM EDT
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Hey guys,
I handled a Colt 1991 Commander the other day. This model specifically (I woulda linked Colt but their site sucks the d). Anyways, I wanna know the opinions on this model for a EDC beater type 1911. I of course want reliability to be a top priority, accuracy doesn't have to be stellar, like I said, this will be EDC not a competition gun. I didn't like the trigger but thats easily fixed, but how does this model hold up to other colts/1911's of other names? I don't wanna do too much customizing to it as I have another 1911 in mind for that. I want a pistol that I wouldn't mind getting worn and scratched, but also will go bang. Opinions? Thanks. |
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I carry a 1991 Commander, but I did open the ejection port. Actually I did a shit load of work on it, but the ejection port was the only thing that would have kept me from carrying it before. IIRC it fed ok but there were some finish issues - sharp edges, plastic grip (and trigger?) and I detested the Colt parkerization but those aren't reliability things. The one linked doesn't look anything like mine did new, however.
Not a good "before" pic (but after Videki trigger installed) 
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Quoted:
I carry a 1991 Commander, but I did open the ejection port. Actually I did a shit load of work on it, but the ejection port was the only thing that would have kept me from carrying it before. IIRC it fed ok but there were some finish issues - sharp edges, plastic grip (and trigger?) and I detested the Colt parkerization but those aren't reliability things. The one linked doesn't look anything like mine did new, however. Not a good "before" pic (but after Videki trigger installed) http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H9dhXUQc144/RoLfMBeyfUI/AAAAAAAAAfM/0ZuXDLKzees/s640/commander1.jpg I had an Officer's like yours. I'm not sure Bud's is a 1991 series. Weren't they all parked? Mine came fucked from the factory 1994ish. Wouldn't feed ball. Doublefeeds out the ass. FTEs. Sent it back to Colt and they fixed it pretty quick. |
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Ok, well first off, I did not handle the one at Bud's. I handled it at a local gun shop. I think i recall it being blued but i cant remember for sure, and even then the colt website says blued.
Two, I do not care about cosmetic thigns like rough finish, scratches or grips. I don;t even care much about the trigger, I plan on changing that no matter what. What I want is a 1911 that will feed and fire reliably with most ammo. Im not looking for a tack driver but I want a pistol that i can trust to carry. So disregarding any sort of lemon type deal, do yall think this pistol would fit that bill with me having to do too much modification (might as well go all custom in that case). |
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Quoted:
Reading the link more carefully, I see that Colt has come out with a Gen 2 (or "Series 80") which seems to address quite a few of the issues seen with the original 1991A1. So my experiences probably aren't at all relevant. I wouldn't say your experience is irrelevant. Would you categorize yours as a general trend from what you heard or a lemon issue? |
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I have a 1991A1 and the 1991A1 Commander, both had ejection problems. One had feed problems with wide hollowpoints but I don't remember which one (got them both about 1995). I'd say the majority had either ejection or feeding problems from what I've seen & read of the mid 90's A1.
The only reason I bought the Commander was that I intended to do serious custom work and didn't want to start with a $1000 base (well, maybe $800 in 95). I put a thousand total into it and got what I considered to be a $1500 gun at the time. The full size needed only feed ramp & ejection port to be 99.999% reliable (nothing is 100% in my world - Murphy is always waiting) Those two problems are all that would stop me from recommending the 1991 wholeheartedly. And without a thousand rounds through the newer model I'd have to assume the same problems exist. |
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Quoted:
I have a 1991A1 and the 1991A1 Commander, both had ejection problems. One had feed problems with wide hollowpoints but I don't remember which one (got them both about 1995). I'd say the majority had either ejection or feeding problems from what I've seen & read of the mid 90's A1. The only reason I bought the Commander was that I intended to do serious custom work and didn't want to start with a $1000 base (well, maybe $800 in 95). I put a thousand total into it and got what I considered to be a $1500 gun at the time. The full size needed only feed ramp & ejection port to be 99.999% reliable (nothing is 100% in my world - Murphy is always waiting) Those two problems are all that would stop me from recommending the 1991 wholeheartedly. And without a thousand rounds through the newer model I'd have to assume the same problems exist. I hear ya. Would you have any recommendation toward another brand or model that may suit my needs more? I dont want to put too much money into a gun i plan to beat up, but I am also not ignorant to the fact that I may have to do some work. Anyone else have some hands on info with this particular gun, later models preferably to see if these problems have been corrected? |
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Quoted:
I have a 1991A1 and the 1991A1 Commander, both had ejection problems. One had feed problems with wide hollowpoints but I don't remember which one (got them both about 1995). I'd say the majority had either ejection or feeding problems from what I've seen & read of the mid 90's A1. The only reason I bought the Commander was that I intended to do serious custom work and didn't want to start with a $1000 base (well, maybe $800 in 95). I put a thousand total into it and got what I considered to be a $1500 gun at the time. The full size needed only feed ramp & ejection port to be 99.999% reliable (nothing is 100% in my world - Murphy is always waiting) Those two problems are all that would stop me from recommending the 1991 wholeheartedly. And without a thousand rounds through the newer model I'd have to assume the same problems exist. You do realize that for a while, Colt used MIM ejectors in that time frame and they caused a LOT of issues. They learned their lesson and quit using that process to make a part that should never be made in such a manner. MIM just won't keep a correct set and other companies STILL can't get that thru their heads. Replacing the MIM extractor with a quality one fixed the majority of the ejection issues. I own a M1991A1 and it eats ammo like a kid eats cotton candy. It is stone cold reliable. |
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fxntime, I didn't know that but I did retract my criticism of the 1991 series. Since people have said Colt learned lessons from those early models and I haven't touched the later ones, I just can't say
I should probably see if my gunsmith was smart enough to replace the ejector and I just forgot or didn't notice. They've both ran great since Milt Sparks got done with them (Milt did not butcher the Commander, that was Gunsmoke. Not that I expect anyone remembers my earlier rants about my poor Commander. They got it to work great but cosmetically they pissed me the hell off) |
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I would definitely carry that gun, I bought an XSE last year, it was a toss up between the two models, I should have chosen the plain matte blue commander. Don't get me wrong my XSE is great, just has a lot features I thought I needed at the time, but really did not. I don't think you will be disappointed with the colt.
Besides wear and scratches add character. I can't wait until my commander shows some honest wear. |
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Quoted:
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I carry a 1991 Commander, but I did open the ejection port. Actually I did a shit load of work on it, but the ejection port was the only thing that would have kept me from carrying it before. IIRC it fed ok but there were some finish issues - sharp edges, plastic grip (and trigger?) and I detested the Colt parkerization but those aren't reliability things. The one linked doesn't look anything like mine did new, however. Not a good "before" pic (but after Videki trigger installed) http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H9dhXUQc144/RoLfMBeyfUI/AAAAAAAAAfM/0ZuXDLKzees/s640/commander1.jpg I had an Officer's like yours. I'm not sure Bud's is a 1991 series. Weren't they all parked? Mine came fucked from the factory 1994ish. Wouldn't feed ball. Doublefeeds out the ass. FTEs. Sent it back to Colt and they fixed it pretty quick. That's what the current 1991s look like |
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I carried a 1991 for a long time....I called it Ol' Floppy. Rattled like a tank but locked up everywhere that was important. Shot straight, shot true and never failed me. Granted, it had a mod or two or three but nothing that one could actually see. Just a few good parts like a Wilson Extractor, King's G.I. style sights, Wolff Springs and Wilson mags. I wouldn't hesistate to own another. |
MY M1991A1(ORM) Commander is "stone cold" reliable and accurate. It was overhauled by Bob Miller and while it doesn't have all of the latest appearance mods, it is made to work and work right. This is my CCW.   My other Commander is an XSE. It has more bling for those that like shiny things.   |
or did they need some seriously reliability work?
I have that exact model (from Bud's $724). I've had it about 6 months with no problems at all, it feeds and ejects just fine. I am now in the process of finding someone to work on it so it can be my EDC. I think it makes a great base gun and for around say a grand you can have a damn fine carry 1911. Here's a before picture, I'll be sure to post an after picture one day when it's done.
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