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Commander(ish) 1911s in 9mm

Posted on 1/3/17 at 9:12 am
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
82922 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 9:12 am
Seems like guns are the product hardest to find actually in stock. So, I am probably going to have to go mostly on reviews on this one. Looks like there are a bunch in the $800ish range then a jump to the beautiful CZ DW stuff that I probably can't justify.

Looks like there's:
Colt LW Commander
Ruger LW Commander-style
Springfield Armory Champion and EMP(4")
Rock Island Combo (TCM and 9mm barrels)
Magnum Research
Other stuff I know even less about.

As luck would have it, there is a SO Range Officer Champion in a shop across the river. There is a Colt too, but in .45 so I can at least hold that model. Also a Metro or some such. I doubt I will see another here. I am not in a hurry, so I guess I could travel.

Anyway, any reason to favor or eliminate any of those? Any I left out worth seeing? Finally, is there a store any of you can think of in La. best known for having this type of thing in stock?
Posted by TexasTiger
Katy TX
Member since Sep 2003
5328 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 9:16 am to
quote:

Ruger LW Commander-style


I own this one, I think I paid under 700 out the door for it. I carry this gun about 80% of the time.

I took it to the range yesterday, and my son and I put about 100 rds thru it with no problems.

Has been a great gun and shoots extremely well for being the LW option.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
82922 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 9:22 am to


If you were to change the grips, how do you go about it? Are they normal size?
Posted by TexasTiger
Katy TX
Member since Sep 2003
5328 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 10:04 am to
The grips can be swapped out with other 1911 grips from what I was told. The LW's grips are just thinner than normal 1911 to help with the carry aspect of it.
Posted by bapple
Capital City
Member since Oct 2010
12042 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 10:49 am to
quote:

If you were to change the grips, how do you go about it? Are they normal size?


Unless a 1911 has an officer-sized frame or is one of those double stack models, they will all have the same sized grips. The other thing to keep an eye on is whether or not the gun is a bob-tailed model, in which case it will have a little rounded edge on the bottom corner.

The grips are as easy to change as anything else. Take the screws out and swap the grips, then put the screws back in.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
82922 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 10:53 am to
quote:

The other thing to keep an eye on is whether or not the gun is a bob-tailed model, in which case it will have a little rounded edge on the bottom corner.
That is what I wanted initially, but options are limited and expensive. Have thought about finding someone to do it to one of the above.
Posted by bapple
Capital City
Member since Oct 2010
12042 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 11:01 am to
quote:

Have thought about finding someone to do it to one of the above.


If you want someone to bobtail one of your own guns do some extensive research on them first because it could be an easy job to screw up. The cuts and trimming have to be precise.

But in all honesty, I think that would put you over your budget limit because I would guess a gunsmith would charge quite a bit for a job that big. I could be wrong though.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
82922 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 11:06 am to
I would certainly ask about cost. It would have to be about $1K to get me to Wesson territory. I don't know of any other 9s off hand.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
82922 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 1:54 pm to
Just found a Kimber Pro Carry II at the local range for $750. Hmmmm
Posted by bapple
Capital City
Member since Oct 2010
12042 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 2:23 pm to
quote:

Just found a Kimber Pro Carry II


Not a bad choice.

My beef with Kimber's commander and officer sized 1911s is the bushingless barrel design. If you don't have the tool to retain that recoil spring you won't be able to disassemble it.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
82922 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 2:26 pm to
quote:

My beef with Kimber's commander and officer sized 1911s is the bushingless barrel design
Just now learning about that. Isn't it common on that size?
Posted by bapple
Capital City
Member since Oct 2010
12042 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 2:47 pm to
I don't know if I've ever seen an officer sized 1911 with a standard bushing but I know Ruger and Remington both make a commander-sized 1911 with a standard barrel and bushing. It's much easier to take apart.

I'm sure you already have the link to my Ruger 1911 Commander YouTube review...
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
82922 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 2:52 pm to
quote:

I'm sure you already have the link to my Ruger 1911 Commander YouTube review...

I watched a few. Not sure I saw yours. I don't like the black grip on that dark frame so I have already been searching VZs ten billion versions for a gun I don't own. Liking Dirty Olive.
Posted by Riseupfromtherubble
You'll Never Walk Alone
Member since Jun 2011
38628 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 3:15 pm to
quote:

you don't have the tool to retain that recoil spring you won't be able to disassemble it.


A small Allen wrench works fine for this

Kimber makes a few that are smaller than the commander size too but still have all the 1911 features. The ultra carry 2 has a 3 inch barrel and weighs 25 ounces. There's one on gunbroker right now for $740 new in box
This post was edited on 1/5/17 at 3:23 pm
Posted by bapple
Capital City
Member since Oct 2010
12042 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 5:19 pm to
quote:

I watched a few. Not sure I saw yours. I don't like the black grip on that dark frame so I have already been searching VZs ten billion versions for a gun I don't own. Liking Dirty Olive.




I'll link it for you because I'm nice like that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKSOa-xCv28&t=86s

quote:

A small Allen wrench works fine for this


The fact that a specific tool is still required is bothersome to me. There are better options out there that don't require a tool to disassemble.
Posted by UF
Florida
Member since Nov 2016
2696 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 6:53 pm to
If I was going to look at 9mm in a 1911 style weapon, I would start and end at Wilson Combat. Save up the money and get it from them. Alternatively the Beretta M9A3 may feel suitably close to being 1911-ish.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
82922 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 7:38 pm to
quote:

would start and end at Wilson Combat.
I am sure those are fine items, but I do not understand paying $3,700.00 for a pistol.

quote:

Alternatively the Beretta M9A3 may feel suitably close to being 1911-ish.
I considered that, but a CZ would be higher on my list.
Posted by UF
Florida
Member since Nov 2016
2696 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 8:08 pm to
CZ is good, they just don't happen to feel right in my hands.

The 1911 wasn't initially designed for ammunition with the type of shape/length 9mm has, which created some problems. So, I'm a bit biased in favor of a custom shop to produce a reliable platform. Just a personal bias.
Posted by civiltiger07
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2011
14287 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 9:01 pm to
Dan Wesson FTW!
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
82922 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 9:15 pm to
Maybe.

I really don't understand how anyone decides really. Unlike long guns, so many of these would have to be internet purchased. Hell, I can't even see a Ruger in person. I've been just about everywhere here and all I've seen is the Springfield and Kimber.
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