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Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on April 14, 2014, 06:06 PM:
So while I've tried to like a 1911, I've yet to find one I could bet my life on, at least one I could afford. It's been brought to my attention that I may not have given them a fair chance so I'm game to try another one. I'm not gonna pay Yost, Vickers, or even Wilson money to get one but I want a decent pistol.
So tell me about your favorite 1911.
Posted by CrossJ (Member # 884) on April 14, 2014, 06:55 PM:
Ha, I have a generic interarms 1911. It rattles like a can of rocks, gets treated like a red haired step child, but always goes bang. Never understood the concept of 'accurizing' a 1911.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on April 14, 2014, 09:52 PM:
I bought my Combat Commander in about 1972. Original satin nickel but when it was stolen, and returned, it was kind of rough so I had it redone in hard chrome.
I'm partial to it, as might be understood? I have a lot of confidence in it.
As I said above, the gun went missing for ten years, taken from a Mexican just this side of the border. I'd sure like to know the history of those missing ten years.
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by MI VHNTR (Member # 3370) on April 15, 2014, 05:47 PM:
Colt SS XSE LWT Commander in 45 ACP. It's short and light enough for concealed carry and it's accurate. No FTF/FTE since new. It's too nice for woods carry though.
I picked up a 5" Para SS Expert in 45 ACP last year for woods carry. It is converted to 45 Super for more power if needed against 4 legged, or 2 legged, varmints in the woods. They aren't overly expensive and, more importantly, they are made in the USA.
Posted by DiYi (Member # 3785) on April 16, 2014, 06:04 AM:
Know little about this but...
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/04/15/colts-wiley-clapp-lw-commander/
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on April 24, 2014, 04:29 AM:
Isn't this what I've been saying all along?
http://modernserviceweapons.com/?p=6631#comments
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on April 24, 2014, 09:37 AM:
Geeze! That bad, eh? I didn't know?
The high prices should come down a lot, maybe I should get rid of mine before it does?
Thanks for the heads up. LB
Posted by booger (Member # 3602) on April 24, 2014, 01:12 PM:
I have a two-tone Colt Commander, stainless steel frame and blue slide.
I really like it. It is very accurate and I have never had a failure to feed, even with my reloads.
I do carry it coyote hunting with the Ciener .22 conversion kit.
It is fun to shoot in .45, but really fun with the .22 slide on it.
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on April 24, 2014, 03:09 PM:
I was in a shop yesterday with a large selection of $1500 Kimbers. I just need to borrow some money so I can pick one up, anyone???
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on June 16, 2014, 02:18 PM:
Might have found a Colt Combat Commander in SS to trade for, gonna go look at it Wednesday.
But I still ain't sold on the idea.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 16, 2014, 02:54 PM:
I hear ya, when it's a hundred year old design, how could you possibly be sold on it?
But, it's like other stuff that works and has a long history of reliable service. I'm very unimpressed by 30'06 Springfield but love the hell out of 270W. I don't care for Colt SA stuff where the design hails from the 1870's, but as a nostalgia piece, it has a lot of intrinsic value. Look at the prices they get for Luger's!
What, (exactly) is the big deal about "striker fired" pistols? To me, not withstanding all the technology involved, the workings of this M&P Shield reminds me of an Underwood typewriter. It's probably a matter of getting used to it?
But, in reading an article in G&A this month, there is still a market for something like a lite 5 shot Taurus 38 with a 1" barrel and Lexan side plate. I hate to think how old that basic design is?
Look at the nostalgia involved in those TV commercials for Henry Rifles. First, of course, you have to dress up with a red bandanna and a buckskin jacket, w/fringe. Apparently, there is a lot of interest in cowboy stuff I went to my club on a Sunday a while ago, which I hardly ever do, and you wouldn't believe the people dressed up for a cattle drive and competing in some type of shooting contests. My lack of interest did not allow me to discover what, (exactly) they were up to?
Anyway, in a pinch, a 1911 will still settle most social disputes for another 100 years or so....my guess?
So, tell me about the big deal with "striker fired" pistols, why they are the greatest thing since sliced bread and poontang.
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on June 16, 2014, 09:16 PM:
Well first off, weight or lack there of. Polymer pistols are lighter than SS or even alloy frames. They don't rust. They soak up recoil better than either too.
Striker fired pistols have a trigger that requires no external safety or a backup safety either. The triggers are safer than a 3 lb single action trigger when your heart rate is up and adrenalin is taking over yet just as easy to shoot.
I'll quit there for now before I talk myself out of even going to look at the antique. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on June 18, 2014, 03:04 PM:
Ok Leonard, I'm gonna give it another shot.
New grips
[ June 19, 2014, 01:49 PM: Message edited by: TOM64 ]
Posted by MI VHNTR (Member # 3370) on June 18, 2014, 05:56 PM:
My little Kel-Tec 9mm is light, but it's not a full size handgun. It does weigh less than a Ruger Super Redhawk though, but it's not a fair comparison.
If you compare comparable guns, there's little difference in weight. My Colt XSE LWT Commander weighs in at about 27 ounces empty. The glock 20 that I replaced weighed in at 27 ounces. IMHO, there's no comparison between the two either. The Colt is, by far, the superior handgun. I could never warm up to the glock "dart gun" trigger either. It just plain sucks.
Posted by Aznative (Member # 506) on June 19, 2014, 06:59 AM:
I purchase a colt gold cup 70 series in the early 70s. Still one of the best shooting guns I own. The only mod I've done to it is a recoil buffer and a heavier trigger. The original gold cup trigger would sometimes double on me. I had it increased to 4lb but it is still very crisp trigger.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 19, 2014, 10:17 AM:
Show and tell. There may be others, but this one is mine, purchased in 1971.
edit: I think I paid $109?
[ June 19, 2014, 10:19 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on June 19, 2014, 01:17 PM:
Just to show you I'm trying real hard to like the 1911, I'll give you $218 for it.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 19, 2014, 05:03 PM:
Let me think about it.
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on June 21, 2014, 02:04 PM:
Well I shot the antiquated noise maker today. Set up a silhouette target at 25 yards and the first thing I found was the mag catch needs work, I have to push the release to insert a mag. Second thing I found was it hits point of aim and made me look good. Fist sized full mag groups. I found the Eagle mag wouldn't work, big surprise. The MecGar mag worked only part time but the cheap looking extended 10 rd mag, which I later learned is a Chip McCormick, works fine. I have 4 new Colt mags that I didn't bring with me but will next time.
All in all, I like the dang thing, it's real easy to shoot and just needs a little tuning, oh Mikey...
I may acquire a few more of these old things.
Posted by Prune Picker (Member # 4107) on June 21, 2014, 02:40 PM:
You added new grips, maybe one of the grip screws is a hair long, or the grips mite be a little long? Regardless it a minor issue but I have always be told to number the magazines in a 1911, some are better than others.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 21, 2014, 08:22 PM:
I think the same.
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on June 22, 2014, 04:50 AM:
Grip screws were clear, took a little off the mag catch and all is well.
Posted by Prune Picker (Member # 4107) on July 02, 2014, 09:23 PM:
I was re-visiting this thread, noticed Tom changed out the plastic trigger on his Commander. And LB who did the work on your pistol(squared trigger guard & Millet(?) sights. In my opinion the Colt Commander is my favorite style 1911.
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on July 03, 2014, 03:53 AM:
Don't tell anyone but I picked up another one.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 03, 2014, 06:36 AM:
Yeah, that whole dress up was kind of a congratulatory present to myself when I got the gun back after ten years stolen.
It started out satin nickel. I had it hard chromed and a few other doodads by Mathews and Sons in Paramount, CA.
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on July 25, 2014, 04:23 PM:
So I've been playing with the 1911 and as usual it had a few issues (I've yet to see one run 100%) but anyway since I have to have one, my world renowned 1911smith told me to throw money at it and I did. Including a new finish.
One day while I was aggravated at the range, I was putting the clunker back together for the umpteenth time, I pulled a rookie mistake and scratched the frame. Mike, uh I mean the smith, said he could fix it.
He's one fine pistol smith ain't he?
[ July 25, 2014, 04:47 PM: Message edited by: TOM64 ]
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on July 25, 2014, 05:31 PM:
So here's the deal if anyone is interested. Colt Combat Commander 45 caliber shooting Rem, Win and S&B 230 gr ball ammo.
Fails to feed on the last round more times than not with me shooting it. Mike shot 3-4 mags with no problems and another guy shot 3 mags with no problems. I can get it to run now and then but then the last round fails to feed, always just the last round.
The first thing I did was order a Wolf 18# and 20# recoil spring. Did it with both springs. Bought 4 new Colt magazines, same thing.
The other guy that shot it, is a 1911 shooter and watched me shoot it. He noticed my thumb was riding under the safety and wondered if I was putting pressure on the slide slowing it down. I changed my grip with thumb on top of safety and it ran a few mags then did the same thing. Had my left thumb touching the slide stop so I changed that, same thing. Mike says I ain't limp wristing it. I did move my support hand lower and ran 3 or 4 mags with no problem but it shouldn't be that touchy.
The safety was poorly fit so I ordered a new one along with Pachmyer followers that are supposed to eliminate the last round FTF (so at least someone else has had this problem), a spring kit, Springco recoil system guide rod, a new barrel bushing, Magpul grip panels, an aluminum trigger and maybe a few other things.
Mike found several burrs and is polishing things out. Gonna bead blast the shine off it and fit everything back together. He can tell you anything I missed but if I didn't shoot the thing so well when it does shoot, I'd trade it for a plastic pistol tomorrow.
Any ides?
Posted by Prune Picker (Member # 4107) on July 25, 2014, 06:48 PM:
This pistol & it's problems (undersized & ill fitted safety) most likely came from the factory is this aggravating condition. Not a problem because I have fixed several. But! if all you want is a nice shooter and or a reliable self defense handgun, buy a S&W pistol or revolver -or- a Glock OR locate a gunsmith that you trust.
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on July 25, 2014, 07:43 PM:
Good thing my gunsmith is on speed dial.
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