I had a 9mm Commander, currently have a 45ACP Commander. I'm probably going to sell it as I simply don't really like Commanders. I'd get one in Gov't size, but I already have a Colt I sent to the custom shop for similar work and more...I don't really need a CCE since that niche is filled.

If you want a checkered Colt, there really isn't a better option short of sending a plain one back to the Custom Shop (which is what I did since I couldn't find Gov't CCE), or waiting for a rare 1 of XXX custom shop model to come out (I happen to have a SS Colt Competition 1 of 100 in 38 Super which came with a checkered front strap, as an example)...

The Combat Elite is probably Colt's best factory offering for a combat/fighting/carry gun. That said, they're still basically line Colts that then go through their checkering CNC and after the gun is built, goes for some special finishing (black Ionbond with the flats polished after). They don't get any custom or fitting touches like they're not dehorned, and the extractor doesn't get any special attention above what any normal line gun would get. If you want a factory fighting/carry gun, the CCE is Colt's pinnacle. If you want something fancy that happens to have front strap checkering...I'd either wait for a Talo or other distributor exclusive that ticks those boxes (like the Eli Whitney/ELW that's currently all over Gunbroker), or just send something to the Custom Shop and let them do their magic..YMMV!

 

I could be talking out of my ass here but to me it seems like the Combat Elite is better put together than the other Colts. My experience with the Combat Elite Government Model that I own plus a Combat Elite Commander that I shot during a Colt demo day back in summer of 2019.

The demo day experience prompted me to buy the Combat Elite Government in late 2020 when I finally came across one for sales. I would love to own the Commander and Defender to round out the Combat Elite family.

As far as factory Colts with checkered front strap, there is the Competition Plus which isn’t being in the current lineup. There is the Gold Cup Trophy.

 

I could be talking out of my ass here but to me it seems like the Combat Elite is better put together than the other Colts. My experience with the Combat Elite Government Model that I own plus a Combat Elite Commander that I shot during a Colt demo day back in summer of 2019.

The demo day experience prompted me to buy the Combat Elite Government in late 2020 when I finally came across one for sales. I would love to own the Commander and Defender to round out the Combat Elite family.

As far as factory Colts with checkered front strap, there is the Competition Plus which isn’t being in the current lineup. There is the Gold Cup Trophy.

View attachment 661769

Beautiful gun, however I feel like the black parts (ion bond??) are susceptible to easily showing scratches. Would you agree?

 

How many years has this model been out? I've never seen one in a local gun shop, ever.

 

Around here by the time they show up at the LGS they are already spoken for. No need to put them out on display. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

 

On mine, I found the stainless would show scratches easier than the Ionbond would...but that's just me, sample size of one

 

Same here. I’ve got a couple minor scratches on the slide, but the black parts are solid.

 

I looked at some online write-ups. The three traditional sizes, but no CCO configuration?? the 3" barrel would just have too much muzzle blast for me.

If I could find a decent CCO configuration in both 9mm Para and 45ACP, at a reasonable price, I'd get both.

 

I have a full size in .45 ACP and it’s amazing. It’s literally my favorite gun to shoot now.

I also sprang for an expensive shoulder holster so I could carry it. It’s so easy to be accurate, the gun practically shoots itself.

 

Ive wanted one of the CE Defenders since they came out, guess I havent been at the right place at the right time yet. Another possibility would be the Wiley Clapp series of pistols, they are great pistols and have front strap checkering.

 

I bought one about six months ago. I consider it money well spent. I would buy the Commander version of one if I could find one.

 

Well, to be truthful the only 1911s I usually see in gun shops are Rock Islands, SIGs and Kimbers. Once in a blue moon a Colt Competition will show up, and I was shocked to see a Springfield Garrison one time. Otherwise it's just Glock, Glock, Glock, Glock, Glock...

 

I have a defender combat elite . I love this weapon . Steel frame , checkered front and rear straps , feels solid in the hand . Excellent trigger and accuracy . Goes bang everytime . My new carry weapon .

 

Have 1986 not sure who did the work. But love shooting it .

 

It’s a Colt gun done right, imo.
they’re generally hard to find too. A lot of diligent looking and lucky right place .. right time too.

the black on the two tone finish is what Colt calls DLC. (Diamond Like Coating). I hear it makes Cerakote seem like wet paint . But that may be just a funny description.
the whole gun is done black and they polish it off of the flats to get the stainless flats finish. . It’s said to be tougher than tough. The stainless flats is where the handling marks will show up, and that’s generally fixable if need be.

 

AGuns, that is fantastic!

 

Thanks brad . I like it

 

I tripped over one of these last week at the LGS. It was in 9mm, full-sized, and fairly nice, but the trigger was atrocious, I'd expect better if it's supposedly one of Colt's "better" pistols. It had 80 Series lockwork, which I don't much care for, one way or another, and the checkering was sharp enough to cut a feller if he's not careful. I left it there, and don't feel bad about it. I have enough 9mm 1911s (all Springfields, come to think of it), which suit my coarse needs well enough.
I will say, that if it had been a .38 Super, I'd have bought it anyway.....................but they don't make them in Super .38, so my wallet was safe from that.

 

Hello and Merry Christmas! I have question about the front strap checkering. Is that done in-house or outsourced to Mr. Single as other Colt models were?

 

Done in house, same as most of the rest of Colt's offerings (Combat Unit, etc). Pete's checkering is pretty distinctive, especially when you compare it side by side with Colt's CNC program for checkering...

 

I have Defenders, in both 9mm and .45. I did a write up of the .45 here: Defender Combat Elite Range Report

The target photo is 25 yards.

I liked the .45 so much I picked up a 9mm.

My only grip is the G10 grips, I'm not a fan, but that's personal preference. Some love them.

I found the fit and finish to be very good. Both guns are very reliable and accurate. If you can find one, I recommend picking it up.

 

I have one. Got it nearly two years back commander size. It’s excellent. Very accurate, hangs in there with my NHC and Ed Brown as far is I can tell. If you can get one, get one. Nice looking pistol too.

my fit and finish is decent. Some edges sharper than others, and some rattle on slide to frame fit.

 

https://www.gunsamerica.com/970895103/COLT-COMBAT-ELITE-4.htm?isPartner=false

$1899...I'm not coughin up 2k for a gun.

 

I bought a 9mm Government Model Combat Elite off of Gunbroker last winter. It’s a beautiful pistol and I love the checkered front strap. I don’t care for the Novak night sites because this will be a range pistol so I would have preferred Heinies or 10-8’s with a fiber optic front.

Unfortunately it had a some scratches on the brushed flats, the thumb safety didn’t go up all the way into position and it didn’t feed Gold Dots which are my go to hollow points. I sent it back to Colt and they fixed the safety, didn’t fix the scratches and loosened up the extractor so now it failed to extract FMJ bullets and still wouldn’t feed the hollow points. I used a maroon Scotchbrite pad and got rid of the scratches so that looks better and tightened up the extractor. The slide to frame fit could definitely be tighter as it rattles when shook.

Overall I’m happy with it but for what they cost I wish it was flawless when I received it.

 

Yeah, I don't know what the hell these people are thinking. I'm looking for a colt lightweight commander. There's a new one for sale out there. Msrp is $999. Gun store listing it wants $1550. They can choke on it. If colt gave a damn about their customers they wouldn't sell to price gougers.

 

Distributors sell the guns to the retailers. I don’t think it’s Colts fault that there are crooks and price gougers in the world. What’s happened is customers have bought up all the stock at reasonable prices and that’s the only one left. The gouger now has a chance to sell to the person who doesn’t care how much it costs.. and there are some out there.
Colt can help the gouging by building more. Supply and demand. Only issue right now is every Colt in every model that hits the streets is being bought up. Colt can’t keep up but I believe they’re doing the best they can. Colt pistols did not used to fly off the shelves a decade ago. They’ve always been little pricey compared to most other brands, but There’s been a rush since Covid slowed production for a while and then CZ buyout has enticed a buying boom.


The grips on these Elites are the physically sharpest of any Colt factory stocks of mine. I like wearing gloves to shoot this one.

 

I believe I will stick to the Colt I have been carrying and using for more years than I care to remember. The new ones are nice and pretty but put them thru years of hard use and abuse that is when they will shine

 

Um, ok. Just trying to get your post count up? Thanks for the useless comment.