opinions needed on a commander style 1911

[oc shooter]

I've been thinking of adding a commander style 1911 to my collection pretty much narrowed the choice to a colt combat commander or a KimberTLE Pro (em) upfront I'm a big fan of Kimber a little more money than the colt but I've yet to shoot 1 on the other hand I've had the opportunity to shoot a couple of Colts 1 a little older and 1 of recent manufacture really liked them a lot. anything that I would buy must be all steel I'm sort of done with aluminum and plastic not that they don't work but I prefer all steel I also shot a real old remington commander that was all steel but it doesn't seem to be listed in there catalouge also shot a Springer that just didn't work for me. opinions please and can we forgo all the brand bashing just some honest feed back

 

[togmaster]

I already own 2 Kimbers and my next 1911 will be the TLE Pro RL.

That's all I got.

 

[thegatman]

Love the Colts. Try to find a 70 series Colt lightweight commander.

 

[redtail]

My list, In order of affordability.

R1- carry or enhanced models.
Ruger / Colt -
Dan Wesson-
STI-

What didn't you like about the SA ?

 

[HEX]

I'm not a huge fan of Kimber, but if I'm being honest my reasoning is not entirely fair...sort of. There was a point, now many years ago I suppose, where Kimber's ability to produce in quantity wasn't able to keep up with sales (particularly during changing production facilities if I remember correctly). Instead of losing any sales to keep up quality, their quality control dropped like a rock in a river and they put out a lot of complete garbage guns for a number of years (and refused to admit it). I don't recall exactly the years, maybe somewhere around 2006 to 2010 (I could easily be off on this). Obviously things have changed and QC has been back up to standards for many years, but it left a sour taste in my mouth for them forver.

When it comes to 1911s, honestly I think it's extremely hard for anyone to offer more bang for your buck right now than SIG. The owners of three gun shops I can name off the tip of my tongue all agree with me. They've been putting out good quality and more 'custom' features' for a lower cost than anyone else in 1911s for a while now.

Their Fastback Nightmare Carry (or normal fastback carry) is one sweet commander that can be found for around $850 if you shop around hard enough. Of course it is a bit non-traditional, with the squared slide and all, but I don't mind it on the Tac-Ops variant I have (except that holster selection can be limited)

 

[dsdmmat]

Remington R1 For Sale - Buy Remington R1 Online at GunBroker.com

Remington bought para USA had them make pistols under the Reminton name and killed the para Brand. From the search on top of this post there are plenty out there to be had if you are set on Reminton being your first choice.

I have a couple of kimbers, a sig a few SPringfields and a ton of paras. Can't really go wrong with any of them.

 

[Saltwater60]

I love my para 3.5” barrel p-12. Great gun shoots fantastic. Personally I’d go with the Kimber between those two.

 

[redtail]

I'm not a huge fan of Kimber, but if I'm being honest my reasoning is not entirely fair...sort of. There was a point, now many years ago I suppose, where Kimber's ability to produce in quantity wasn't able to keep up with sales (particularly during changing production facilities if I remember correctly). Instead of losing any sales to keep up quality, their quality control dropped like a rock in a river and they put out a lot of complete garbage guns for a number of years (and refused to admit it). I don't recall exactly the years, maybe somewhere around 2006 to 2010 (I could easily be off on this). Obviously things have changed and QC has been back up to standards for many years, but it left a sour taste in my mouth for them forver.

When it comes to 1911s, honestly I think it's extremely hard for anyone to offer more bang for your buck right now than SIG. The owners of three gun shops I can name off the tip of my tongue all agree with me. They've been putting out good quality and more 'custom' features' for a lower cost than anyone else in 1911s for a while now.

Their Fastback Nightmare Carry (or normal fastback carry) is one sweet commander that can be found for around $850 if you shop around hard enough. Of course it is a bit non-traditional, with the squared slide and all, but I don't mind it on the Tac-Ops variant I have (except that holster selection can be limited)

Solid post. I almost posted the Kimber warning myself, but decided against it.
Sigs are nice, I just can’t get past the oddball cut top slides.

 

[oc shooter]

thanx guys all good posts. keep them coming as far as the springer goes the 1 I had a chance to shoot shot perfectly just didn't feel right don't know why

 

[JaguarJaguarGolf]

I have an R-1 Carry Commander that I like very much.

 

[redtail]

thanx guys all good posts. keep them coming as far as the springer goes the 1 I had a chance to shoot shot perfectly just didn't feel right don't know why

Could be as simple as the difference of an arched mainspring vs. flat.

 

[oc shooter]

if I read it right isn't the R1 carry commander built on an aluminum frame if not it's in the mix for me

 

[VietnamEraVet]

My 1911 collection includes a stainless Colt Commander, a Kimber Stainless II with an optional 22LR upper and mags, and a stainless Remington R1S, and a Rock Island.

What can I say, except that I love them all! That, and the Remington R1S and the Kimber Stainless II are very soft shooters.

 

[ECU Pirates]

If you go steel what’s the reason for a commander? You aren’t saving much weight and it’s not that much smaller.

 

[oc shooter]

lets see where to start Um just like steel ! it's not a weight issue for me. but the length is. some folks like chevy some like Fords. I like steel

 

[ECU Pirates]

lets see where to start Um just like steel ! it's not a weight issue for me. but the length is. some folks like chevy some like Fords. I like steel

It’s tougher for sure. I carry a gov model steel quite a bit. Most seem to go for light commanders.

 

[redtail]

if I read it right isn't the R1 carry commander built on an aluminum frame if not it's in the mix for me

No. All steel.
They do have an “ultralight” built with Aluminum frame.

 

[redtail]

My R1 carry is just as tight as my Dan Wesson fwiw.

 

[JaguarJaguarGolf]

if I read it right isn't the R1 carry commander built on an aluminum frame if not it's in the mix for me

Mine is not a lightweight. It has a carbon steel frame. I think they call it "carry" because it has that "melt" treatment with all the edges rounded.

 

[Saltwater60]

My R1 carry is just as tight as my Dan Wesson fwiw.

Interesting. Those R1’s can be had for a steal. I might just have to buy me one.

 

[VietnamEraVet]

Interesting. Those R1’s can be had for a steal. I might just have to buy me one.

IIRC, I saw new stainless R1S’s available on Gun Broker for $500.

 

[Saltwater60]

IIRC, I saw new stainless R1S’s available on Gun Broker for $500.

You can get them on grab a gun for less than that.

 

[redtail]

IIRC, I saw new stainless R1S’s available on Gun Broker for $500.

The standard R1s are going for 5 now, even the commanders can be had for a bit more.
I haven’t seen the carry model that cheap, I think GAG has the 5” for 570.
Rem has a 75. rebate offer going on right now also,makes it hard not to buy another one.