Colt Commander 45 ACP Pistol

Published on June 21, 2011
Duration: 10:17

The Colt Commander, introduced in 1949, was the first major production handgun with an aluminum alloy frame, dubbed 'Coltalloy'. It features a shortened 4.25-inch barrel, making it more compact than the Government Model. The Commander also introduced the 'Commander Hammer' to prevent hammer bite. Variations include the Lightweight Commander (27 oz) and the all-steel Combat Commander (36 oz).

Quick Summary

The Colt Commander, introduced in 1949, was the first major production handgun with an aluminum alloy frame ('Coltalloy'), weighing 27 oz. It features a 4.25-inch barrel, shorter than the 5-inch Government Model, and the 'Commander Hammer' to prevent hammer bite.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Shooting
  2. 00:35Historical Context & Development
  3. 01:24Commander vs. Government Model Comparison
  4. 03:48Variations: Lightweight & Combat Commander
  5. 04:51Controls and Safety Features
  6. 06:43Field Stripping & Reassembly Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Colt Commander unique among early handguns?

The Colt Commander was groundbreaking as the first major production handgun to feature an aluminum alloy frame, which Colt called 'Coltalloy'. This design choice significantly reduced its weight compared to all-steel pistols.

How does the Colt Commander differ from the 1911 Government Model?

The Commander features a shorter 4.25-inch barrel and a slightly shorter frame than the full-size 1911 Government Model's 5-inch barrel. It also introduced the 'Commander Hammer' to prevent hammer bite.

What are the weight differences between Colt Commander variants?

The Lightweight Commander, with its aluminum frame, weighs around 27 oz. The all-steel Combat Commander weighs approximately 36 oz, while the full-size Government Model is heavier, typically 38-39 oz.

What safety features does the Colt Commander have?

As a single-action pistol, the Colt Commander relies on a manual thumb safety and also incorporates a grip safety. The grip safety must be depressed for the pistol to fire.

Related News

All News →

More Reviews Videos You Might Like

More from sootch00

View all →