Advice from someone who has had commander AND fullsized 1911s

[Kb! Bob]

Hey all,
So, for anyone who has owned/carried/shot both commander length and ful-sized 1911's, is their really that big a difference? I will end up carrying it on weekends I'm sure, but I am 5'10" 230lbs. Reliability, balance, accuracy, maintainance, etc: Any real pluses or minus's in these areas for with either size? If it makes any difference, I'm making a last minute decision between a Dan Wesson Valor and VBob.

[TonyF]

I've carried both. Actually all three meaning the 5 inch, steel commander and LW commander.

Not much difference between a 5 inch and steel commander both in terms of portability, conceal-ability, and shoot-ability (recoil, ect.).

The LW commander has a distinct advantage in portability weighing only 27 ounces but recoil is noticeably different.

There are issues with durability with regard to the feed ramp of the LW frame. Magazine followers have a tendency to impact the feed ramp as rounds are stripped and fed into the chamber so a magazine with a metal follower vs. an aluminum frame will cause wear. One way of addressing it is a barrel with an extended, blended feed ramp. Now you're into custom features.

Most of the "cognoscenti" who carry a 1911 for a living carry a 5 inch format.

[3per]

Go with the VBOB and dont look back, for carrying you will appreciate the attributes of the VBOB no matter your size. Then buy the Valor also, both are great guns!
BTW, I like your avatar!

I would , however, suggest that if you want a high end 1911 Bobtail, that you bite the bullet and spend a little more and get the Ed Brown Kobra Carry.
I LOVE mine!

[sid]

I have 3 wilson's a tactical elite, a KZ (both 5") and a stealth (4.25").

I have found that they are all accurate however the commander size (stealth) due to the shorter sight radius takes more practice to get accurate with.

I must admit I really like the 1911 platform.

Sid

[Nic]

The grips are the same size, and you wont really notice the extra inch on the barrel, so I would say go for the full size 5".

[kpw]

There are issues with durability with regard to the feed ramp of the LW frame. Magazine followers have a tendency to impact the feed ramp as rounds are stripped and fed into the chamber so a magazine with a metal follower vs. an aluminum frame will cause wear. One way of addressing it is a barrel with an extended, blended feed ramp. Now you're into custom features.

The easiest way to avoid feed ramp damage to AL framed 1911s is to use mags that don't allow the follower to move forward after the last round. Wilson & Tripp Research are the way to go.

[Noah_Zark]

The easiest way to avoid feed ramp damage to AL framed 1911s is to use mags that don't allow the follower to move forward after the last round. Wilson & Tripp Research are the way to go.

+1. Beat me to it.

Either get mags with polymer followers or get replacement poly followers from Tripp and you'll never have to worry about FR damage on LW 1911 frames.

As to the original question, I own 5", 4", and Officers/Compact/Micro Compact 1911 variants, and the 5" will peek below a pullover moreso than a 4" 1911. Both 4" and 5" have the same frame and the butts of both will tend to print the same under the pullover in the same style holster. Purchase a holster that cants the weapon forward to reduce the signature of the butt toward the back.

A Compact or Micro Compact has a shorter grip frame and will tend to print less in the same style holster as compare to a full-size framed 1911. But that's not one of your choices; just sayin'.

Noah

[Mity2]

I ve owned/shot/carried both full and commander length, and commander is for me.
Infact, I bought CBOB, and never looked back. Perfect combination of size, and portability. And with bob tail, its easy to break up the inprints too



pretty damn accurate too...



I was so happy, I thought I'd never ever look at another 1911.
then I saw a new VBOB......

[TonyF]

The easiest way to avoid feed ramp damage to AL framed 1911s is to use mags that don't allow the follower to move forward after the last round. Wilson & Tripp Research are the way to go.

I was just pointing "one" of the issues.

[TonyF]

Here's another piece of data.

Inquire of any of the dozen or so top tier 1911 pistolsmiths in the country and you'll find most, if not all, will only work on the 5 inch steel format.