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

[OlongJohnson]

If you haven't tried a P220, it's a worthwhile alternative to a Commander 1911. Some even prefer it.

 

[Texasgordo]

and I won

Congrats

 

[NTMock]

I am going to go 2 different extremes here..

I have a Rock Island Rock Ultra FS in .45, and I liked it so much I bought it again but in 10mm. I bought them both for $400 each.

I also have a Bul Armory 1911 Commander EDC that I paid $1200 for.

The only difference in the two brands is the trigger weight is lighter on the Bul Armory, and the slide is smoother on the Bul Armory. I think the RIAs are around 4.5-5 lbs, and the Bul Armory is about 3.5. Nothing an upgraded trigger can't fix.

Is that worth an $800 difference? To some, maybe, but not to me.

Bottom line is they all shoot, they all hit the mark at 20-25 yards, and none of them have failed on me at all after about 500+ rounds through each.

I will say I'd probably rather sell all 3 of them and grab a Bul Armory SAS II EDC Pro even though it only comes in 9mm, it's just sexy.

 

[psledoux]

I have two Dan Wesson Valors. Great 1911's. One is a full size and the other is the commander version. I call them "the twins". They are great guns. I bought them used from individuals that were selling on TGT.

Now that my eyes are getting too bad for iron sights, I've switch to green dots. I would recommend getting a 1911 with an RMR cut for either Trijicon or Holosun optics. Dan Wesson Specialist looks pretty cool. I'm sure they make a commander version.

 

[Coyote9]

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)

Hard to beat a Kimber Pro Covert carry II Custom Shop....I carry one and it shoots close range as well as my 70 series Gold Cup National Match

 

[Iowashooter]

After some research… it appears the commander sized lightweights are more expensive than the full size. Sometimes $300+ more for the commander than the same model in full size.

Since this will be a range gun… I’m now also considering full-size, non-blued, lightweight .45cal 1911s… as well as commander-sized.

That expands some of the selection/options I have.

Hope to see/handle a few at the gun show starting tomorrow eve.

The Ruger LW full size .45 can be had for about $550… (same model in commander is $850)… so that has possibilities.

 

[Moonpie]

After some research… it appears the commander sized lightweights are more expensive than the full size. Sometimes $300+ more for the commander than the same model in full size.

Since this will be a range gun… I’m now also considering full-size, non-blued, lightweight .45cal 1911s… as well as commander-sized.

That expands some of the selection/options I have.

Hope to see/handle a few at the gun show starting tomorrow eve.

The Ruger LW full size .45 can be had for about $550… (same model in commander is $850)… so that has possibilities.

Range gun?
45?

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/104959/colt+gold+cup+lite+.45+acp+5+stainless+adjustable+sights+g10+grips

 

[Iowashooter]

Range gun?
45?

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/104959/colt+gold+cup+lite+.45+acp+5+stainless+adjustable+sights+g10+grips

Yep… that’s near my $1000 budget… but so are a few others…

The Colt has possibilities!

#edited# it says lite but I believe is in reference to the lite color of the stainless… not the type of frame. I don’t believe it is a lightweight (based upon my 10 seconds of research)

 

[MTA]

If you are dead set on the lightweight fulllsize I would check these guys out. They dont charge sales tax for Texas and I would imagine it would be the same for Iowa. I have ordered 4 firearms from them with zero issues, all tax free

Product Search Results | Family Firearms

www.familyfirearms.com

 

[Iowashooter]

If you are dead set on the lightweight fulllsize I would check these guys out. They dont charge sales tax for Texas and I would imagine it would be the same for Iowa. I have ordered 4 firearms from them with zero issues, all tax free

Product Search Results | Family Firearms

www.familyfirearms.com

Yep..

Here’s one that is in the running $539 (plus shipping and my LGS xfer fee of $30)

RUGER SR1911 45ACP 5' LTW ALMN 8RD (+$21.99 Shipping)

<p>Ruger SR1911, Semi-Automatic, Aluminum Frame Pistol, 1911, 45 ACP, 5' Barrel, Anodized Finish, Black, Low-Glare Stainless Slide, G10 Grips, Extended Thumb Safety, Skeletonized Trigger, Drift Adjustable Novak 3 Dot Sights, 2 Magazines, (1) 8 Round, (1) 7 Round, Bushing Wrench 06792</p>

www.familyfirearms.com

 

[Dred]

You sure you want a lightweight for a dedicated to range gun? They be kick'n ... noticeably. And, the service life of steel definitely exceeds alloy service life.

In my mind, alloy is a carry thing.

If that's not a concern, pull the trigger on that Ruger and stop stretching the thread. It's a heck of a deal.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

 

[Texasgordo]

Yep..

Here’s one that is in the running $539 (plus shipping and my LGS xfer fee of $30)

RUGER SR1911 45ACP 5' LTW ALMN 8RD (+$21.99 Shipping)

<p>Ruger SR1911, Semi-Automatic, Aluminum Frame Pistol, 1911, 45 ACP, 5' Barrel, Anodized Finish, Black, Low-Glare Stainless Slide, G10 Grips, Extended Thumb Safety, Skeletonized Trigger, Drift Adjustable Novak 3 Dot Sights, 2 Magazines, (1) 8 Round, (1) 7 Round, Bushing Wrench 06792</p>

www.familyfirearms.com

That's a good price. Leaves plenty of money for ammo.

 

[MTA]

You sure you want a lightweight for a dedicated to range gun? They be kick'n ... noticeably. And, the service life of steel definitely exceeds alloy service life.

In my mind, alloy is a carry thing.

If that's not a concern, pull the trigger on that Ruger and stop stretching the thread. It's a heck of a deal.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

^^^ This why I typically avoid alloy or aluminum frame 1911s

 

[Iowashooter]

You sure you want a lightweight for a dedicated to range gun? They be kick'n ... noticeably. And, the service life of steel definitely exceeds alloy service life.

In my mind, alloy is a carry thing.

If that's not a concern, pull the trigger on that Ruger and stop stretching the thread. It's a heck of a deal.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

Ha ha… have to go to the gun show this weekend and look, feel, touch before I pull the trigger

I might have to stretch my budget vs the thread

 

[Iowashooter]

^^^ This why I typically avoid alloy or aluminum frame 1911s

Understood… and agree in principle…

- but I’ll be long dead before I wear out even an alloy or aluminum frame

- I go to the range infrequently these days

- and I shoot powder puff loads of .45acp (essentially ‘cowboy loads’… which I buy from choice ammunition in Montana)—- so the recoil in quite manageable

 

[Byrd666]

https://www.familyfirearms.com/product-details?id=91216078

American Classic brand is good. I have a 9mm Commander, and I know a couple guys on the east coast that use this brand for competition. Used to be imported from the P.I. by Eagle Imports. I think Military Armament Corporation is doing so now.

 

[Pistol Pete]

I have 3. A 9mm Dan Wesson Valkyrie , a Colt .45 Wyley Clapp and a Ruger .45 CMD. I like all 3, the Dan Wesson is the best, has the best trigger pull. The Colt has a great deal of creep but it's a carry gun, I can live with it. The Ruger and the DW only got a Colt Sear spring. Boosted the hammer on the Ruger. Only the spring on the DW as it had a good trigger pull to start with I just wanted a little lighter pull. That's all I know but please note that production guns vary greatly from one to another.

 

[KTXdm9]

Lightweight is for carry, IMO. If it's just a range toy, get steel to soak up more of the recoil.

It's a buyers' market. There are some great deals on Dan Wessons and some of the better known semi-custom makers if you expand you budget a bit more.

If you are firmly in the stick to the budget camp, what about a RIA?

 

[Iowashooter]

In search of... "Case closed"

Thanks everyone for your insights

Bought a NIB LW Ruger SR1911 (full size lightweight) in .45 at the gun show this afternoon for $575. Came with a 7rd flush mag and an 8rd mag with bumper.

Also bought a KelTec P15 to be my new 9mm carry gun for $375. Came with a 12rd flush mag and a 15rd extended. Now to find a holster for it.

Trigger and reset, plus ergos are nice on both.

Was nice to get hold, touch, try out (all but shooting) many guns before I purchased these.

 

[Jakashh]

Or this guy, who worked over my WC Sentinel:

Vanden Berg Custom – Vanden Berg Custom

vandenbergcustom.com

Ed is awesome. He’s worked on a few of my guns. He even offers packages on his website assuming you’ve got a good base gun.

Also, have you ruled out Colt guns?