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The Origin of the Commander-Size 1911

Talyn

Talyn

Emissary
Founding Member
Shortly before our entry into the Korean War, the U.S. government was searching for a lighter pistol for military officers. In hopes of securing a lucrative federal contract, Colt created an aluminum-frame, 9 mm-chambered version of the famed 1911 having a 4.25-inch barrel. Unfortunately for the company, the contract never materialized, but in 1950 Colt went ahead with production anyway, marketing the gun to civilian shooters as “The Commander.”

The Commander-size 1911 found a home on the civilian market and continues to be popular.

www.shootingillustrated.com

An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Origin of the Commander-Size 1911

Created in response to a possible military contract, the Commander-size 1911 found a home on the civilian market and continues to be popular to this day.
www.shootingillustrated.com www.shootingillustrated.com

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Anchorite said:
I prefer to carry a Commander over a FS.

I think I would get a 38 Super before a 9mm, but that’s just me.

I will acknowledge that a 1911 9mm would be a slick carry piece and even more desirable if magazine capacity bans were to come back in vogue.
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I will say the 9mm commander is an underrated carry gun. I also am in Larry Vickers camp and believe a ramped barrel is better with the 9mm in a 1911. Like how Springfield makes the Garrison 4 1/4”

I’d love for them to make that in a carry model with magwell and plain black rear with red/orange fiber/night sight combo front.
Keep the one side thumb safety and nothing else

Hint hint Springfield!!!!
 
My lightweight Smith and Wesson version has an Ed Brown barrel and bushing fitted by Bill Laughridge. While he was in there he replaced the MIM parts and slicked up the trigger and put on a proper arched mainspring housing. I wish it had a checkered front strap and no cocking serrations, but this is really close to the correct answer for concealed carry. In a Brommeland or Milt Sparks inside the waistband holster of course.

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I am also fond of my Sig "Commander" but I wish it had the fine cut cocking serrations (those wide ones look like a cheap imported copy of a 1911 to me). And all one color, or a proper two tone hard chrome lower and blued upper. But I do like the Bobtail and the chambering. This is a .357 Sig model. Flat shooting, designed to duplicate the 125 grain .357 Magnum load that got such a fearsome reputation as a stopper back when the good guys all carried revolvers. And being a bottle neck it is very reliable...almost HAS to feed because of the shape; a .355 projectile going into a 40 caliber sized chamber. I really like this cartridge.

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Winchester67 said:
I am also fond of my Sig "Commander" but I wish it had the fine cut cocking serrations (those wide ones look like a cheap imported copy of a 1911 to me). And all one color, or a proper two tone hard chrome lower and blued upper. But I do like the Bobtail and the chambering. This is a .357 Sig model. Flat shooting, designed to duplicate the 125 grain .357 Magnum load that got such a fearsome reputation as a stopper back when the good guys all carried revolvers. And being a bottle neck it is very reliable...almost HAS to feed because of the shape; a .355 projectile going into a 40 caliber sized chamber. I really like this cartridge.

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Now you done made me go and drool all over my keyboard.
 
Talyn said:
I may get a 9mm Colt LW Commander and rebarrel it to .38 Super.

Then I will be able to shoot 3 calibers.

I did the same back in the mid-90's with a full-sized (all steel) SA 9mm loaded target. Runs fine in al three with just a recoil spring change.
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What is the 3rd caliber uiu want to run?

I was told by a competent 1911 smith (because I asked as well) and he stated you can run a 9mm barrel in a 38 super 1911 but not so much the other way because the 38 Super being a semi Rimmed case the breech face was bigger but the 9mm would or should cause issues as it’s smaller.
 
ECS686 said:
What is the 3rd caliber uiu want to run?

I was told by a competent 1911 smith (because I asked as well) and he stated you can run a 9mm barrel in a 38 super 1911 but not so much the other way because the 38 Super being a semi Rimmed case the breech face was bigger but the 9mm would or should cause issues as it’s smaller.
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I mentioned above that the 9x23 Winchester will run in a 38 Super. So, 1 9mm barrel + 1 38 Super barrel that will run both .38 Super & 9x23 Win. = 3 calibers with recoil spring & barrel swaps.

I converted a full-sized RIA 9mm to 38 Super with no breech-face & functional issues. The rim diameter difference is minuscule.
 
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