[Matt VDW]

Does anyone still make a lightweight Commander? By that I mean a 1911-style pistol with non-steel frame, a 4.25" barrel and a full-sized, single stack magazine.

The current trend seems to be to use a 4" upper for both compact (short butt) and "carry" (faux Commander) models. I understand the logistical advantages of this approach for the manufacturers, but I still don't like it.

 

[Shane1911]

Neither do we in Canada. 4 1/4" is minimum barrel length allowed in Canada. Can't get 4" across the border.

I DON'T understand the logistical advantages to the manufacturer - can you clarify?
Thanks.

 

[Dane Burns]

COLT

 

[Matt VDW]

The logistical advantage of using a 4" top (as Kimber and Springfield do) instead of a 4.25" and 3.75" top (as Colt does) is simplicity. You can assemble two different products (4" top on a full length frame and 4" top on a short frame) with the same top ends. You have fewer parts to produce, test, stock and replace.

Anyway, it appears that Colt is the only maker of a lightweight Commander and Caspian is the only maker of an aluminum alloy Commander-style frame right now. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Matt VDW]

Dane, is that a hint to look at Colts? :wink:

I just checked the Colt website and the only Commander they show there is the M1991A1, which has a steel frame. I've heard about the XS and XSE Colts but I have yet to see one. Are these pistols just trickling out of the factory whenever Colt can afford to build some?

 

[Mute]

Les Baer's Concept IX and X are commander sized, aluminum frame guns. IIRC, the Baer guns have 4.375" barrels.

 

[TimB92020]

I can't comment on current availability, but I purchased a NIB Colt XS Lightweight Commander last year.

Tim

 

[Matt VDW]

Ah... I forgot about Les Baer and his Roman numerals. :wink: His pistols look good but for $1900 I'd much rather have a pistolsmith use a Caspian slide and frame to build a lightweight Commander my way, not Les's way.

 

[Desert Dog]

Dane is way too modest (honest!). I am waiting on a SuperLighweight Commander from him. It is being built of a Caspian lightweight frame with Dane's proprietary Caspian SuperLightweight slide. This should be a very trick fullhouse gun that will weight in around 23 oz. in .45 ACP. I have seen the checkered in the white frame and slide and I think this is going to be the definative Lightweight Commander. :smile:


DD

 

[Dane Burns]

I like the Colt. Doesn't take much looking around to find one. GUNLIST seems to always have several.

My persoanl Commander is a round top Series 80 which I took in trade and rebuilt. It is a keeper.

 

[Mark4-45]

Find yourself a Colt through the Gun List or at a gunshow..They are out there and not to hard to find...There's something about a Colt , you know!

 

[Matt VDW]

I'd like to hear more about Desert Dog's Super Lightweight Commander.

How can you use such a light slide with a .45 ACP? I think you'd have to have an extra-heavy recoil spring and/or an extra heavy mainspring to keep the pistol from unlocking prematurely. Or is there some tricky arrangement of the lug and link geometry?

And are you getting Caspian's steel ramp insert to avoid gouging with JHPs?

 

[Desert Dog]

Matt,

You will have to wait untill the wekend for Dane to add his thoughts about the lightened slide. You guessed correctly BTW, on the steel feedramp insert. It was an important item for me. I have had feedramps in aluminum framed guns chewed up by aggressively profiled hollowpoints before. I am really excited about this SuperLightweight BCP. :smile:

DD