Opinions please (update)

[AlanJ65]

My LGS told me they were getting in a SR1911 this week so I stopped in today to see if it had come in. It hadn't so I was a bit disappointed but didn't worry about it too much. He said it would probably be in next week. Then he said he was also (hopefully) getting one of the new Commander sized pistols. Now this will be my first 1911 so I'm wondering if there are any differences besides the obvious ones. This will mostly be a range gun if that helps. Should I just grab the Commander because it's new? Of course I may be over thinking this and one or the other may just appeal to me once they are both in front of me.

 

[revhigh]

If it's gonna be a range toy .... get the full size for sure.

I never saw a real use for commander sized guns. If you can carry a commander ... you can carry a full size 1911.

The extra sight radius will also help at the range in accuracy.

The full size1911's are also the real 1911, and are balanced perfectly.

REV

 

[dlay]

I agree, cant and won't carry either, so get full size to shoot.

 

[justbill2013]

I prefer a Commander-length pistol for concealed carry. For me, IWB and horizontal shoulder carry are noticeably more comfortable and discrete compared to a full-length Government. I also prefer the balance of a Commander.

It's probably best to compare an SR1911 and SR1911CMD side-by-side to see which one feels best in your hand. Good luck whichever way you go. Once you've fired a 1911, you're likely to relegate other defensive handguns to the back of the safe.

 

[Snake45]

I prefer a Commander-length pistol for concealed carry. For me, IWB and horizontal shoulder carry are noticeably more comfortable and discrete compared to a full-length Government. I also prefer the balance of a Commander.

It's probably best to compare an SR1911 and SR1911CMD side-by-side to see which one feels best in your hand. Good luck whichever way you go. Once you've fired a 1911, you're likely to relegate other defensive handguns to the back of the safe.

I too like the balance of a Commander or Combat Commander.

The Combat Commander (steel frame, short slide) gun has less felt recoil than the full-size 1911 due to the lighter slide weight. Strange but true.

 

[Richbaker]

If it's gonna be a range toy .... get the full size for sure.

I never saw a real use for commander sized guns. If you can carry a commander ... you can carry a full size 1911.

The extra sight radius will also help at the range in accuracy.

The full size1911's are also the real 1911, and are balanced perfectly.

REV

I LIKE the Commander sized 1911s, but I like a 4 5/8" barrel SSS or BH, also.... Has nothing to do with making it easier to carry, I just LIKE that barrel length. :roll:

Who cares what anyone else thinks....... :mrgreen:

 

[revhigh]

That's why the title of the thread was ..... 'Opinions ?'

REV

 

[MOUNTAIN WILLIAM]

I've owned 1911's since '73 and have always preferred all steel Commanders, they balance better and for me the sight radius is perfect. Currently all of my semi autos are stainless and Commander length.
As far as carry is concerned the 3/4" difference in barrel length doesn't make much difference but the grip length might. If so, an Officers model might suit you better.

 

[AlanJ65]

Well I just got home from the LGS with my latest purchase. Got the full size SR1911 and not only because that was the only one that came in. Had pretty much decided that if I was to only have one 1911 ( I know, I know) it might as well be a full sized one. Now to pour over the owners manual learn what I don't know. Any advice and tips would be greatly appreciated. I've read that it takes about 500 rounds to properly break it in. Does this sound about right? Hopefully I can get to the range next week sometime.

Oh, in case people were interested....it was test fired on 12-13-12 and has a blue dot with a black inner dot.

 

[revhigh]

Well I just got home from the LGS with my latest purchase.

Congrats !!!

Got the full size SR1911 and not only because that was the only one that came in.

Good choice !!

Had pretty much decided that if I was to only have one 1911

LOL !!!!

Any advice and tips would be greatly appreciated.

Shoot it ... alot !

I've read that it takes about 500 rounds to properly break it in.

BS.

Does this sound about right?

No ... a good 1911 should work perfectly out of the box, just like any other gun.

REV

 

[Sax.45]

^^^
What he said.

 

[OnTheSide]

Mine, nor my son's required any "breaking in". No FTFs or FTEs for either one of them. My son buys cheap Russian ammo from somewhere, and I use whatever I can get at Walmart at the range. Not sure what the manual is talking about.

 

[AlanJ65]

Took it to the range today and put 200 rounds through it. Had a couple of FTF from the last box I shot. It could have been me or the ammo. Not so sure it was the guns fault at this point. Really like the gun. Gonna be a lot of fun in the future.

 

[wapiti22]

It shopuld work perfectly right out of the box. It will work even better after 500 rounds. Plus your shooting technique will have improved substantially after 500 rounds. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jimk60]

Took it to the range today and put 200 rounds through it. Had a couple of FTF from the last box I shot. It could have been me or the ammo. Not so sure it was the guns fault at this point. Really like the gun. Gonna be a lot of fun in the future.

Hmmm, they wouldn't happen to have been WWB would they?

 

[AlanJ65]

Nope, Federal Champion. More than likely it was me. I probably didn't have as firm a grip as I should have. It was near the end of my session and I might have been a bit too relaxed shooting.

 

[Rodfac]

a good 1911 should work perfectly out of the box, just like any other gun

....Well said, Rev...and I would add that anything short of that, ie. "break-in" periods for basic reliability is just BS from a manf. too cheap or lazy to fit their products properly. Although I will grant that most of my guns, handguns as well as rifles, have gradually improved in accuracy and general smoothness with some age on them. Leading too, diminishes with some age (and use of jacketed bullets) on them.

As to the Commander vs. full size 1911 (which is not to say longer than 5" barreled models)...I'd go with the Commander length, and with an all steel frame as well. For me, it balances just as well as the full length model, but allows hip pocket carry when I'm wearing jeans here on the farm and don't care to put on a dedicated holster. Too, if anecdotal evidence is any indication, 1911's with shorter than 4-1/4" barrels are prone to feeding issues due to the shortened spring length.

And one final note...the effort to rack the slide on a Commander length 1911 is considerably greater than the 5" model and is about all I care to deal with, personally...the shorter barreled models are one royal PITA to rack for my aged, decrepit hands.

Rod

 

[dakota1911]

Having both. They are both just about the same.

 

[foilist]

I think Ruger should have rounded the grip on commander 1911,like Kimber Carry, and provided ambi thumb safeties. That would make the CMD 1911 better for concealed carry and would have added more distinctiveness to the CMD from the full sized version.