Colt 1911 LW Commander 9mm

[drew]

Just picked up a Colt 1911 Light Weight Commander in 9mm. Did some research on the gun, and found out that the Commander model was built around the 9mm cartridge. The gunsmith I bought it off of, said that the one I bought, is the first 9mm version he has had in his work shop period. I do know the 9mm version was never adopted for the Military for whom Colt designed it for. I also know the 9mm version never took off in the civillian market either, does anyone else have one in 9mm or know of anyone who has one in 9mm. The gun I have is all original and Manufactured in 1961 according to Colt, matching serial numbers, alloy frame and is in about 90% condition. Cant wait to get it to the range and shoot the little beauty... At first I was going to sell it, then I came to my senses and decided to keep what I have for now on.... I'll probably continue to add to the collection as time goes by.... Any info on the 9mm version would be greatly appreciated....

Thank you in Advance,

~Drew

 

[mr_hao]

There are some 9mm 1911 floating around. S&W makes one but in full size. Dan Wesson has a commander sized one that came out recently. I think it's called the Guardian.

 

[Sir_Macadoo]

I have a Star BM (commander size 9mm). Its great. Good size and shoots really well. Star, Llama and Ballester all make decent clones, and I think they all have 9mm versions. Good guns for short money.

Edit: though dubbed 1911 clones, many of the internals are NOT interchangeable with true 1911s.

 

[drew]

Thank you for your responses, I'm trying to figure out if I want to keep it or sell it. If I keep her, it will need a little more work done to it, long trigger, new sights(maybe) better safety, maybe a new heavy duty finish on her. Then after all that money, I'll have to keep her. She already has a Larocca trigger job and beaver grip installed. What to do? What to do? And maybe put a new caliber slide and barrel on her, HMMMM! Or should I just buy something already set up?

~Drew

 

[Chuck]

Had one once. Liked it well enough but liked the higher capacity of some newer models and decided not to carry in Condition 1.

 

[FPrice]

Hey Drew!

 

[SeanT]

Hey Drew!

HA, you read my mind!!!

 

[drew]

I'll have to see if I can down load some pics, I dont think I have the privs though.

~Drew

 

[drew]

The action is really tight on this gun, If I repeatedly rack the slide (with forward guidance every time of course) while empty with no magazine in it, will it help the break in procedure? Or do I just have to take it to the range and break it in the old fashioned way?

~Drew

 

[FPrice]

The action is really tight on this gun, If I repeatedly rack the slide (with forward guidance every time of course) while empty with no magazine in it, will it help the break in procedure? Or do I just have to take it to the range and break it in the old fashioned way?

~Drew

It will somewhat but taking it to the range and shooting it is the best way. Just clean and lube it beforehand, especially the grooves where the slide and frame mate along with the barrel lugs and you should be good.

 

[drew]

Quote:
Just clean and lube it beforehand, especially the grooves where the slide and frame mate along with the barrel lugs and you should be good.

Thank you for the tip, I will definately be doing that, as for that is what I do with all my guns bfore firing them for the first time. I realize how important it is to have well maintained firearm with proper lubrication. Fortunately for me that stuff was drilled into my head along with the basic safety rules from when I was a toddler. The reason why I am asking though, is because I am not to familliar with all the techniques used for breaking-in of all the different platforms of guns. I just know most, if not all guns, need a live fire break-in period to loosen up the action and perform a little better as you go. I figured dry-action operation is pretty much the same as live-fire action operation, but I wanted to be sure.

~Drew

 

[drew]

I am wondering if I should polish the throat area though? When looking into the chamber, it looks like there is about 1/8" of a shelf where the chamber sits on the frame. Is that common with alot of the Colts, my S&W's dont have that much of a shelf. Or is just because of the age and erra of the production date?

~Drew

 

[drew]

I have made up my mind and I am going to sell it after all. I posted a thread in the WTS Handguns section.

Drew