By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
The Colt Commander .45 is a capable personal defense piece carried by many experienced handgunners.
Quite a few of us have been lost in the storm or worse and an effective handgun we are competent with makes for greater safety. The Colt Commander illustrated is among the newest examples of the Commander platform, which was introduced in 1950.
But the Night Commander is something different, a highly developed example of a simple and effective handgun.
The Colt Model 1911 pistol made a magnificent reputation for itself in the hands of our military beginning in the Philippines in 1913 and continuing to Mexico and World War One. Designed to take down a war horse or motivated warriors the Colt and the .45 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP) cartridge were easily the most effective military handgun and caliber combination ever designed.
There is possibly one criticism that may be leveled against the 1911 and this only applied for constant carry in personal defense. The pistol is heavy at over 40 ounces loaded. Shortly after World War Two Colt offered a modified 1911 pistol. The grip frame is the same as the Government Model. The slide and barrel are shortened by ¾-inch. The frame is manufactured from aircraft grade aluminum alloy. The result was favorable weight savings. My Colt Competition Government .45 as an example weighs in at 38 ounces while the Colt Night Commander illustrated weighs 29 ounces. This makes carrying the Night Commander .45 easier. But then there is greater recoil. It is unwillingness rather than inability that causes problems in learning to control this pistol.
The Night Commander
The Night Commander is a true personal defense carry gun. There are no forward cocking serrations and no light rail. The pistol is dark finished save for certain controls left in bare stainless steel.
Colt’s Night Commander derives its name from the dark finish and three dot Tritium night sights. The sight picture is ideal and the sights are valuable in dim light shooting.
The trigger action is smooth breaking at 5.5 pounds; trigger pull is measured good or bad by weight but often enough deliberation requires attention to length of travel. The Night Commander trigger is straight to the rear and reset is sharp. This pistol’s grip safety is properly set to release its hold on the trigger halfway into its travel. The feed ramp’s two halves feature the requisite 1/32-inch gap and are properly polished.
Looking at the barrel, the locking lugs roll smoothly into their locking mortises, and the barrel bushing is snug but not tight. The recoil spring is a modern dual wound spring-within-a-spring design. This spring should enhance reliability and aid in controlling recoil.
The pistol is supplied with a single Colt magazine, but spares are available from a number of sources. A feature worth noting is G10 grips, similar to the Colt Competition Model. Meanwhile, the front strap is serrated, not the equal of true checkering but gets the job done without a great deal of expense.
Firing Tests
The Commander has been offered in in 9mm Luger, .38 ACP Super, and .45 ACP. My example is in .45 ACP.
The .45-caliber model features a low operating pressure, excellent wound ballistics, and a muzzle signature that is most often a few sparks. Originally, the .45 Colt ACP loading was a full metal jacketed round nose bullet of 230 grains. Velocity is 830 fps in most maker’s specifications. This is a proven anti-personnel load that relies on frontal diameter and weight for effect.
I laid in a good supply of Black Hills Ammunition in this type some time ago, and fired 60 rounds during the first range session. The Commander is ten ounces lighter than a Government Model, so recoil is sharper, but controllable.
The longer the shooting session, the more strain on the wrists and hands. I fired at man sized targets at 5, 7, and 10 yards. Results were good. The pistol is fast from leather and fast on target. There is no handgun faster to an accurate first shot than a cocked and locked 1911. The first few shots are everything. Get a hit, allow the trigger to reset during recoil, and get back on target. Combat accuracy cannot be faulted. I executed a number of speed loads as well. The pistol handles as well as any Commander .45. The tritium sights make a great deal of difference in dim light.
Absolute Accuracy
Absolute accuracy is the least important attribute of a .45-caliber Commander. They are intended for defense use at relatively short range five to fifteen yards. Just the same, firing from a benchrest for accuracy confirms sight regulation and tells us something about how well the pistol is fitted.
I chose four loads proven for accuracy in previous testing. During the test program, combat shooting and accuracy testing, there were no failures to feed, chamber, fire or eject, and all loads were accurate enough for personal defense. In the end the 230-grain JHP was chosen as a carry load. This load offers a good balance of expansion and penetration. The powder burn is clean and overall this is an outstanding personal defense loading.
Accuracy groups, 15 yards distance
Load 5 shot group in inches
Black Hills 135-grain Honey Badger 2.0 in.
Black Hills 230-grain FMJ 1.5 in.
Black Hills 185-grain JHP 2.2 in.
Black Hills 230-grain JHP 2.0 in.
The Colt Night Commander is a great all around pistol well suited to personal defense. It isn’t inexpensive but then it isn’t a cheaply made gun, either. A cheap 1911 is repugnant in many ways as the Colt pistols have always been well made of the best materials. The Colt Night Commander is well worth its price.
The right carry
I often carry the 1911 when hiking or exploring. The great outdoors is made a bit safer by the presence of a first aid kit, a light bibby in case of bad weather, plenty of water, and a good .45. Crossdraw holsters keep the handgun out of the way when climbing or hiking but also when seated. The RGrizzle holster illustrated is one of many good designs from this maker. (Rgrizzleleather.com) Fit and finish are superb. The holster features a strong spine and reinforced holstering welt. The draw is sharp when properly executed.
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Colt’s Mfg. Co.; (800) 962-2658; www.coltsmfg.com
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Recoil-operated, single-action semi-automatic pistol
Frame: Forged aluminum alloy
Barrel: Stainless steel, 4.25″
Rifling: Six-groove, 1:16″ LH twist
Magazine: Detachable steel box, seven-round capacity
Sights: Novak Tritium
Trigger Pull: 5.4 lbs.
Overall Length: 7 7⁄8 inches
Width: 15⁄16-inch
Height: 5 7⁄16 inches
Weight: 29.0 ozs.
