GOVT vs CMD

[Bushwack]

Besides the barrel, are there any other difference between the SR1911 Govt & CMD (stainless models)? Are grips interchangeable? Same recoil & mainsprings? Thanks.

 

[Pat-inCO]

No, yes, and I have not tried it.


P.S. Are you sure you want everyone on the internet
to know what guns you have?

 

[DGW1949]

I can't say for sure about the Ruger, but the Colt version uses a shorter barrel bushing and a shorter/stronger recoil (slide) spring than is found in the "Government Model". It also has a somewhat larger ejection port and a different ejector.

DGW

 

[loaded round]

Big difference between the CDR and CDR-LWT models though. Check it out on the Ruger website.

 

[s4s4u]

You would likely have issues trying to use a 5" model recoil spring on a 4-1/4 barrel, and vice versa. The handle is the same so I'm sure the MS and MSH would also be the same, as well as the grip panels.

 

[wayned]

Doesn't the commander model have a shorter grip?

 

[s4s4u]

Doesn't the commander model have a shorter grip?

Same length. An officer 1911 has a shorter handle.

 

[DGW1949]

Doesn't the commander model have a shorter grip?

No, aside from the shorter grip safety tang and rounded hammer on the originals, nothing is smaller about the Commander except it's 3/4" shorter barrel/slide Ass'y.

DGW

 

[wayned]

OK had my models mixed up. Thanks

 

[1911Tuner]

There are several differences between the 5-inch and the Colt Commander length pistols besides the shorter barrel and slide.

Shorter recoil spring, guide rod, and plug. Shorter barrel bushing.

The extension forward of the 3rd barrel lug has been removed.

The frame rails and impact abutment are moved .100 inch rearward.

The frame's spring tunnel/dust cover is shorter.

The front of the lower barrel lug is 90 degrees instead of the slight ramp.

The slide spring tunnel is shorter.

The takedown notch is located farther rearward on the slide.

 

[Rodfac]

1911 Tuner, great post...as concise a summary as I've ever seen. Rod

 

[Bushwack]

Thanks all for the replies. FWIW, picked up a SR1911 CMD yesterday to compliment my government model. It is not easy finding/owning both in California, where one can't by any Ruger semi-automatics (except the LC380) as they are not on the state's gun roster. Can only purchase thru a ppt.

 

[Bushwack]

For a follow up, picked up my SR1911 CMD today out of California jail. The government model was purchase last month.

 

[loaded round]

Nice pair.

 

[Bushwack]

There are several differences between the 5-inch and the Colt Commander length pistols besides the shorter barrel and slide.

Shorter recoil spring, guide rod, and plug. Shorter barrel bushing.

The extension forward of the 3rd barrel lug has been removed.

The frame rails and impact abutment are moved .100 inch rearward.

The frame's spring tunnel/dust cover is shorter.

The front of the lower barrel lug is 90 degrees instead of the slight ramp.

The slide spring tunnel is shorter.

The takedown notch is located farther rearward on the slide.

Now owning both models, I was surprised the guide rods were different...but they are.

The CMD model's rod is hollow and lighter. Just because....I placed the CMD's guide rod in the govt model and the govt model's guide rod in the CMD.

The govt model passes safety check but with the CMD, the slide doesn't lock back using the govt model's guide rod. Other then the size not sure why that is. On the shopruger.com site, they only have one guide rod for sale (doesn't differentiate between 1911 models). Same for the recoil spring. Magazines are interchangeable.

On a side note, a full length guide rod (purchased from Brownells) doesn't fit in the govt model. It is 1/16" too long.

One more thing...I notice on the guide rods for either pistol, there is a notch at the base that requires some effort to 'secure' the spring in place. Haven't seen such a design in my other 1911s. Any idea why?

 

[1911Tuner]

The govt model passes safety check but with the CMD, the slide doesn't lock back using the govt model's guide rod. Other then the size not sure why that is.

Because the slide is being stopped short by the end of the longer guide rod bearing against the inner face of the spring plug. The same thing will happen if you install the GM-size barrel bushing in the Commander, but the contact will be between the rear edge of the bushing and the front of the third barrel lug.

One more thing...I notice on the guide rods for either pistol, there is a notch at the base that requires some effort to 'secure' the spring in place. Haven't seen such a design in my other 1911s. Any idea why?

If by "notch" you mean a larger diameter step...the closed end of the spring is supposed to be a press fit to the rod so that in the event that the plug slips, the spring won't launch out of the gun.

And...by correct specs...the plug itself should have a punch cut that allows it to be threaded onto the spring, so the plug won't launch and get lost. I've never seen a Commander-length plug with the cut, and for a time...I didn't see it on plugs in 5-inch pistols...but there seems to be a return to it recently with certain makers.

 

[dakota1911]

And the grips between the CMD and 5 inch are the same except the lightweight cmd which has the thin grips. As the CMDs started to become more popular in my group of shooters I bought some grips off the shopruger website to put on mine but tried them on the 5 inch version also.

 

[Rodfac]

If by "notch" you mean a larger diameter step...the closed end of the spring is supposed to be a press fit to the rod so that in the event that the plug slips, the spring won't launch out of the gun...And...by correct specs...the plug itself should have a punch cut that allows it to be threaded onto the spring, so the plug won't launch and get lost.

And just to help those that have or will launch the plug while reassembling their pistols, you can use a spent .45 ACP case as a recoil spring plug until a new one can be ordered! JMB was one hell of an engineer! That little design innovation once got me back in working order 46 years ago while cleaning a 1911A1 in a muddy bunker.

Rod

 

[1911Tuner]

And just to help those that have or will launch the plug while reassembling their pistols, you can use a spent .45 ACP case as a recoil spring plug until a new one can be ordered! JMB was one hell of an engineer!

If the clone makers would use a proper spring plug with the punch cut that allowed us to thread the plug onto the open end of the spring...along with a correctly sized spring guide that required the closed end of the spring to be pressed on...we wouldn't have a problem at all. The whole assembly would stay put when a thumb slipped off the end of the plug.

 

[eveled]

And just to help those that have or will launch the plug while reassembling their pistols, you can use a spent .45 ACP case as a recoil spring plug until a new one can be ordered! JMB was one hell of an engineer! That little design innovation once got me back in working order 46 years ago while cleaning a 1911A1 in a muddy bunker.

Rod

Just one more reason to say "no" to FLGRs.