What vintage Commander? If it's new it will have great sights on it. Why the ambi? Are you a southpaw? Beaver is Ok but hard to do on a lower end that is very expensive to re finish. I carry a '54 LW Commander. I have 8 rounds of 1954 GI hardball in it. I use an 8 round mag but go one light. I think a real good smith could install a Smith / Alexander Beaver tail for you. I did one on a Coltguard Commander and it looks pretty good.I don't know which hollow points eat these feed ramps for lunch so I use hardball. One box of 50 of the wrong ammo and you will go to a ramped barrel. I would not have an ambi on any carry gun. Unless you are left handed, of course. These are frisky shooting guns so I carry mine alot , but rarely shoot it. Lots of luck
lightweight commander alterations
I have a Colt lightweight commander xse coming in next week. I'll have my smith install ambi safties, a beavertail, and do a trigger job. I also might change the sights.
Are there any changes you would recommend that are not on this list. Any especially related to the alloy frame?
Thanks in advance for your good advice.
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The Humongously Adventuresome * E the B *
Are there any changes you would recommend that are not on this list. Any especially related to the alloy frame?
Thanks in advance for your good advice.
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The Humongously Adventuresome * E the B *
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
E the B,
IMHO,if your budget allows, I would suggest having a steel throat put in the alloy frame and having it Accu-Railed.Having the slide run on steel and cartridges feed on steel will avoid a bunch of potential problems in the future if you are going to do a lot of shooting with this gun. Also,it will "feel " totally different when it cycles. However, if its going to be carried alot and shot a little I wouldn't bother with these modifications.
IMHO,if your budget allows, I would suggest having a steel throat put in the alloy frame and having it Accu-Railed.Having the slide run on steel and cartridges feed on steel will avoid a bunch of potential problems in the future if you are going to do a lot of shooting with this gun. Also,it will "feel " totally different when it cycles. However, if its going to be carried alot and shot a little I wouldn't bother with these modifications.
The LW Commander is a new XSE model. Yes, I am a lefty (and a righty). I'll shoot it a bunch before making any sight and reliability changes.
I'll check-out the SA beavertail. Why do you like that one over others? Also, please provide more info on the steel ramping and accu-rails. What work is done and how much does it cost.
Thanks again!
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The Humongously Adventuresome * E the B *
I'll check-out the SA beavertail. Why do you like that one over others? Also, please provide more info on the steel ramping and accu-rails. What work is done and how much does it cost.
Thanks again!
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The Humongously Adventuresome * E the B *
What about a shock buffer? Is that important with an alloy frame?
EtB
EtB
...Call George at EGW for a quote on the steel throat and call Joe Cominolli At Accu-rail east for a quote. The Accu-railing is a patented process developed by Kreiger whereby the slide and frame have opposing 180 degree half circle cuts milled in them and a tool steel pin inserted on each side of the frame for the slide to run on. This takes out all play between the frame and slide in 3 planes or axes(left-right, forward -back , and up -down). If you plan on putting a match barrel in the gun in the future this will squeeze out the last 10 to 15% of accuracy out of your gun if your 'smith does his part on the barrel installation.
3
With your shock buff question...Personally I don't like to run buffs in commanders...you need all the recoil spring you can get as slides get shorter to handle the recoil. That's why I don't like to shorten the spring to make room for the buff. Maybe some of the other 'smiths here will jump in on the spring question ...I'm up for trying new
combinations if someone wants to jump in here. And , if anyone has experience with double spring recoil reducers , e.g. Sprinco.
Hart reducers seem to change the perception of the recoil. Although standard hardball, and HP loads should run just fine. I don't see any reason to use loads that are off the charts and maybe damage your breechface or frame to try to be the biggest and baddest guy on the block. Why punish yourself and the gun, especially with an alloy frame. Keep everything reasonable, find out what works best for accuracy in your gun, and go on down the road and enjoy it!
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combinations if someone wants to jump in here. And , if anyone has experience with double spring recoil reducers , e.g. Sprinco.
Hart reducers seem to change the perception of the recoil. Although standard hardball, and HP loads should run just fine. I don't see any reason to use loads that are off the charts and maybe damage your breechface or frame to try to be the biggest and baddest guy on the block. Why punish yourself and the gun, especially with an alloy frame. Keep everything reasonable, find out what works best for accuracy in your gun, and go on down the road and enjoy it!
Which beavertail safety, if any, will fit the lightweight commander xse without frame modification?
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The Humongously Adventuresome * E the B *
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The Humongously Adventuresome * E the B *
BJG, Thank you
E the B
Hopefully you will be fine with the hard coat anodized frame for quite a wile as it is. Try to avoid really agressive hollow points like the black talon style and see if you can fine a more round nose looking bullet.
I believe Chuck and someone else offers an insert steel feedramp for the 1911 frame? Someone had a really clean instlation on the boards with pictures a wile back and it was very well done.
If you do not use a "brown" beavertail you will not have to cut the frame (finish) as much and may be able to go without re finishing the gun? hopefully.
best I could offer you is SHOOT IT! see how you like it, put in an ambi and beavertail and see what is good and what needs attention.
geo ><>
[This message has been edited by George Smith (edited 11-10-2001).]
E the B
Hopefully you will be fine with the hard coat anodized frame for quite a wile as it is. Try to avoid really agressive hollow points like the black talon style and see if you can fine a more round nose looking bullet.
I believe Chuck and someone else offers an insert steel feedramp for the 1911 frame? Someone had a really clean instlation on the boards with pictures a wile back and it was very well done.
If you do not use a "brown" beavertail you will not have to cut the frame (finish) as much and may be able to go without re finishing the gun? hopefully.
best I could offer you is SHOOT IT! see how you like it, put in an ambi and beavertail and see what is good and what needs attention.
geo ><>
[This message has been edited by George Smith (edited 11-10-2001).]
{quote]...I believe Chuck and someone else offers an insert steel feedramp for the 1911 frame? Someone had a really clean instlation on the boards with pictures a wile back and it was very well done... [/quote]
Chuck Rogers and Ned Christianson both do really nice jobs on this mod.
Chuck Rogers and Ned Christianson both do really nice jobs on this mod.
What beavertail do y'all recommend for minimizing frame alteration and matching the XSE ??
I must add that I have a Wilson on my Gold Cup Commander, and I do mot like that chunk of metal at the bottom that they refer to as a palm swell. "Swell" it ain't !! The Brown memory groove looks more comfortable.
I read good comments about the beavertail that Colt put on the XS series. Who makes those?
Thanks again !!
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The Humongously Adventuresome * E the B *
I must add that I have a Wilson on my Gold Cup Commander, and I do mot like that chunk of metal at the bottom that they refer to as a palm swell. "Swell" it ain't !! The Brown memory groove looks more comfortable.
I read good comments about the beavertail that Colt put on the XS series. Who makes those?
Thanks again !!
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The Humongously Adventuresome * E the B *
The reason I suggested an S/A is because it takes less off of the rear of the frame tangs and can be fit so it will look good. Clark also used to make a beaver tail that would work without the hump. I belive the new Colt beavers are Kimber or Caspian. I don't like them, but who cares. Also, good advice on the Accu-rails, but I would just have one of the guys install a ramped barrel. It should be cheaper and easier to it that way.Don , Chuck, or George can do it.I personally have a different view of Commanders than most on the Forum. I view them as belly carry guns for 3 to 7 yards and not much else. I would spend the big money on a government model and have it done by one of great smiths. Then you would have something. I do not like shock buffs in any Commander.Nor Guide rods.
Other than an ambi safety, since you're a left, and possibly a beavertail, this gun doesn't need much of anything.
i only changed the trigger in my 70. i like to keep the rest plain jane with the classics. good luck with whatever work you have done on yours.Peace.
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Nothing like the smell of Breakfree to make my day complete.
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Nothing like the smell of Breakfree to make my day complete.
Kings makes a pretty good drop-in unit.If your frame isn't super glossy,it'll match real well.
Yes, As Rock said for the Leftys I like the Kings unit as well, they locate on a dovetail on the hammer pin and don't (can't) walk out. Also kings marks where you need to trim it to fit the sear, and that is pretty kool.Originally posted by Rocklobster:
Kings makes a pretty good drop-in unit.If your frame isn't super glossy,it'll match real well.
geo ><>
Surprise ! The XSE came with an ambi-safety. Elizabeth Colt on the Colt forum said they are coming, and now they're here.
The gun was also exceptionally tight and polished. My smith said it looked like a custom shop effort.
Do most manufacturers make sights for this model?
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The Humongously Adventuresome * E the B *
The gun was also exceptionally tight and polished. My smith said it looked like a custom shop effort.
Do most manufacturers make sights for this model?
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The Humongously Adventuresome * E the B *
The Wilson drop in beavertail on my 70 series Commander was a bit of a disappointment. It did drop right in, but there's like a 1/32" of space between each side and the frame. I didn't notice this till I saw it side by side with my Para. And, of course, now that I've seen the gap, I can feel it...
-- PG
-- PG
Does Colt make upgrade parts (like beavertails) for its pistols? I'd like a good color match.
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The Humongously Adventuresome * E the B *
[This message has been edited by E the B (edited 11-19-2001).]
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The Humongously Adventuresome * E the B *
[This message has been edited by E the B (edited 11-19-2001).]
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
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