By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
In the aftermath of WWII, Colt’s Manufacturing Company developed a pistol it hoped would replace the Government Model 1911 as a lighter-weight version of the standard-issue sidearm, for use by officers.
This pistol, according to a history at Wikipedia, would be chambered for the 9mm cartridge, rather than the .45 ACP, with an aluminum alloy frame and a shorter (4.25 inches) barrel.
While that pistol didn’t replace “Ol’ Slabsides,” it was introduced by Colt in 1950, in both .45 ACP and.38 Super, and it soon gained acceptance. Twenty years later, an all-steel version of the pistol, dubbed the “Combat Commander,” arrived and to differentiate between the two, the earlier aluminum-frame model became known as the Lightweight Commander.
They’re both good pistols, and over the years, it has been noticeable how other makers of 1911-type pistols have introduced models with the 4.25-inch barrel. There’s a good reason for this, in my humble opinion. The Commander just might be the best version of the .45 auto ever produced. It is more compact, weighs less either in the all-steel and definitely the alloy-framed gun than the old warhorse Model 1911, and as a result it carries a little better, is a bit more concealable when worn in a belt holster, and if one is handy enough with a handgun, it clears leather just a teensy bit faster.
As for accuracy, I’ve never scoffed at the Commander-sized guns. My Colts can keep them in the black at 25 yards, and beyond when I pace my shots, and I once tested a Ruger 1911 that was a dandy, especially with its titanium feed ramp.
My Commanders both wear Trijicon tritium night sights, dovetailed front and rear. Both guns were worked over a bit by the late gunsmith extraordinaire Richard Niemer, and I’ve gone a bit fancy by decorating them with stag grips. Otherwise, they’re pretty much stock pistols, featuring high-rise beavertail grip safeties.
The old Texas Ranger Joaquin Jackson carried a Commander—he once showed me part of his collection of Commanders—and if it’s good enough for a Ranger, it’s definitely good enough for me!
Loaded with either 230-grain FMJ or JHP rounds, or 230-grain plated projectiles over a stiff dose of HP-38 or CFE Pistol, the Commander is definitely up to any fight-stopping task. I’ve sidelined any 7-round magazines for Chip McCormick 8-round Power Mags, and never regretted it.
I have carried a Commander in a Yaqui Slide, a pancake-type belt slide rig, an IWB rough-out holster and even a shoulder holster.
One variation with a 4-inch barrel has been produced by Kimber, and it’s also an accurate platform.
If these pistols are kept up, with lubrication on the rails and a bristle brush down the bore, they ought to keep working through thousands of rounds, in all kinds of weather.
A pal of mine owned a Colt Gold Cup Commander, which was an absolute gem, and when he passed away, I hope that gun found a good home with his heirs.
I’ve seen blued Commanders and stainless Commanders, two-tone guns and models which had been spruced up with adjustable rear sights including one on which a Smith & Wesson adjustable sight had been installed.
If I were shopping for another Commander—which, of course, I’m not!—I might want one with the titanium feed ramp. I plan to spend my golden years making a lot of noise!
