Shopping for a commander-sized 1911: help me spend my money

[Iowashooter]

Yep... I never did specify my budget

After looking… decided to stay in the +/- $1,000 range

So that eliminates many (Ed Brown, Wilson Combat, ACW, GunCrafter, many Dan Wessons, etc)

A Ruger, Kimber, Bul Armory, SA may be the choices

Here's a Ruger I'm also considering

 

[Iowashooter]

Bul Armory.

Agreed.,, it’s a top contender

Here’s the one Bul Armory I already have (full-size in 9mm)

It’s one the best of all the 1911 makes and models I’ve ever had… (even compared to Ed Brown, Wilson Combat, Colt, Dan Wesson and a myriad of other brands)

 

[TipBledsoe]

Are you also considering the frame; forged vs cast, steel vs alloy, etc?

 

[Iowashooter]

Are you also considering the frame; forged vs cast, steel vs alloy, etc?

No… never I have considered forged vs cast in past purchases of my 1911s

But… I do consider alloy vs steel (as it impacts overall weight and balance)


I don’t shoot ‘em often enough for the durability or longevity to be an issue

 

[Tnhawk]

Yep... I never did specify my budget

After looking… decided to stay in the +/- $1,000 range

So that eliminates many (Ed Brown, Wilson Combat, ACW, GunCrafter, many Dan Wessons, etc)

A Ruger, Kimber, Bul Armory, SA may be the choices

I've been pleased with the SA and Ruger as both have been reliable and accurate. Rock Island is also a good choice in the price range.

 

[msharley]

I’m going out to a few LGSs tomorrow to begin my search

I’m brand agnostic - will consider anything except Turkish made

Weigh-in if you have a suggestion.

I’ve had a high-end 1911 (Ed Brown) and several good ones (Colt, Ruger, Bul Armory, Springfield and Dan Wesson) in various calibers and barrel lengths… but I now want a commander size .45

Requirements and uses

- Barrel length 4.25

- Single stack (no 2011/staccato stuff)

- Caliber .45

- exclusively for range use (I doubt I’ll ever carry it)

- has to have a decent-to-good trigger (there’s no one around here to do a trigger job and I don’t want to try)

- extended beaver tail

- no threaded barrel


Preferences, but not mandatory

- optics ready

- not ambi

- not blued (maybe a nice stainless or some other unique finish)

I have an ED BROWN Commander size 1911 in 45acp..

With the "bobbed" mainspring.

Really like it...

 

[Grumps21]

Also series 70 or series 80? Some prefer the series 70 but I’m not good enough to tell the difference. Ruger FWIW is series 70

 

[Iowashooter]

Also series 70 or series 80? Some prefer the series 70 but I’m not good enough to tell the difference. Ruger FWIW is series 70

Nor am I


This is looking good so far

Ruger® SR1911® Commander-Style Centerfire Pistol Model 6711

ruger.com

 

[Lead Belly]

Cry once. Is a $1000 if'n you round down.

 

[Texasgordo]

I have an ED BROWN Commander size 1911 in 45acp..

With the "bobbed" mainspring.

Really like it...

We're waiting for pictures of the 1911........

 

[Iowashooter]

Hit five shops this am... only one non-blued 1911 .45 commander size to be found

Was a used one of these for $750

now I'm going to continue shopping online.. seems that the only way I'll get some choices

So far I'm still leaning toward the Bul Armory or the Ruger lightweight... (both in posts above) each are new at $850 (plus tax of course, $30 shipping and $30 xfer fee)

Need to keep looking

 

[Iowashooter]

Cry once. Is a $1000 if'n you round down.

View attachment 468701

Will take a look

 

[Dred]

OP,

I have one commander. I also have one Colt. Same pistol.

You might consider looking at the Colt Wiley Clapp. It is designed as a carry piece, but works well even if it only came out for range work.

Drawback ... not optics ready. For me, I only run optics on pieces dedicated to carry. Irons are forever and it would be crap to pull out a pistol at the range only to discover I need a battery swap. My carry pieces are much better managed than my range joys.

Also, my first 1911 was a vbob. I ground it into Hwy 288 right before my helicopter ride back in '13. I loved it but never replaced it 'cause the bob worked against a consistent grip for my hands. I suggest shooting a bobbed frame before investing.

 

[Otto_Mation]

I have two of the Kimber Pro CDP 1911's, One in the Commander size and one in the Officers size and I like them and carry them often. Although it doesn't look like it in the picture on their website, mine have all the edges rounded and they feel smooth like a bar of soap. Pics of mine below (the two in the middle)

Pro CDP

CDP (Custom Defense Package) pistols combine all the best features into a package that gives them their name. Adding these features during production reduces the price of these pistols by over $600, making them an incredible value.

www.kimberamerica.com

 

[Iowashooter]

OP,

I have one commander. I also have one Colt. Same pistol.

You might consider looking at the Colt Wiley Clapp. It is designed as a carry piece, but works well even if it only came out for range work.

Drawback ... not optics ready. For me, I only run optics on pieces dedicated to carry. Irons are forever and it would be crap to pull out a pistol at the range only to discover I need a battery swap. My carry pieces are much better managed than my range joys.

Also, my first 1911 was a vbob. I ground it into Hwy 288 right before my helicopter ride back in '13. I loved it but never replaced it 'cause the bob worked against a consistent grip for my hands. I suggest shooting a bobbed frame before investing.

Had this one (Ed Brown) that was bobbed and carried it for a while

Was the most expensive gun I had ever purchased at the time

You are right… I really don’t need a bobbed one for a range gun… but would like to have an optics ready… I love optics on pistols at the range

 

[Iowashooter]

I have two of the Kimber Pro CDP 1911's, One in the Commander size and one in the Officers size and I like them and carry them often. Although it doesn't look like it in the picture on their website, mine have all the edges rounded and they feel smooth like a bar of soap. Pics of mine below (the two in the middle)

Pro CDP

CDP (Custom Defense Package) pistols combine all the best features into a package that gives them their name. Adding these features during production reduces the price of these pistols by over $600, making them an incredible value.

www.kimberamerica.com

View attachment 468715

Thanks for idea… Will look into… I had one Kimber 1911 for a while and was pleased

 

[alternative]

I have the Ruger full size and never had a problem. Ruger stands behind their products too.

 

[Lonesome Dove]

Both of these guns are 100% reliable and shoot great. The Daly is my favorite for several reasons but it's not a Commander, the Colt is a Colt and needs no reasoning.
$1000 all over the place and it will always hold that $1000 spot.

 

[MTA]

I know a place you can get a dw specialist commander in .45acp for $1500 with no sales tax

 

[msharley]

We're waiting for pictures of the 1911........



View attachment 468713