Sidearms & Scatterguns Help with 1911 commander choice

[bobo]

I need (spelled w.a.n.t.) a commander. Dont wanna spend all out wilson or brown price. Been lookin at the colt wiley clapp (1350ish) and the dan wesson vbob (1600ish). I like the bobtail frame. Vbob is probably as high as i wuld want to go as it is not far from les baer prices. Will be a carry gun.

What are your thoughts and specific experiences? Shuld i be considering something else?

 

[Flatland308]

I have a Springfield Champion Operator and it rocks! It is one of the most accurate pistols I own and comes stock with ambi-safety and night sights. You will even save some money over the other selections for some new VZ grips for it as well.

 

[strike33]

I bought a S&W 1911 E series Commander Bobtail. Absolute beautiful and well built pistol. For the money I haven't seen anything that compares. I owned and sold a Wilson CQB light rail, own a TRP Armory coat and did own a Springfield. I would but another Smith before any of the others
Aren't too many production guns that have a flush fit and crowned barrel!

 

[wusscvr]

+1 for the Springfield Champion Operator. Extremely accurate and reliable. Great choice for <$1000.

 

[chakup]

I'm a big Springfield fan. If you're patient you should be able to find a used Vbob for a deal- prices on DW's are all over the board sometimes, but they are VERY nice guns.

 

[RangerWalker71]

I just picked up a SA EMP 40, Very happy with it, Shoot 100 rds yesterday. Just a Start. It ran great, Just shoot ball ammo, very accurate, no function errors couldn't be happier.
Hitting it again today, gonna run 100-150 through it. Can't go crazy will ammo shortages. Big pain in the ASS.

 

[Magstang1]

I own and carry a Dan Wesson CCO. Its lightweight, accurate and reliable. If the VBOB were an option at the time, I might have opted for it.

You can confidently choose Dan Wesson.

 

[Genius.]

A few years ago I was in the same boat you were in.

When it was all said and done I ended up with a Les Baer Custom Carry in the commander length.

I absolutely love the thing and it has been flawless once I switched to Wilson mags

 

[verdugo60]

You guys are making my mouth water for getting back into the 1911 game. I think a Springfield Champion Operator is in my near future as a graduation present! A Wilson Magwell, five 8 round mags and some new grips and maybe a surefire light and she will be ready to rock! I did the Kimber thing and while it shot great, reliability was a major issue, to the point that I just got rid of it. I have missed having a "slab-sides" ever since.

 

[wusscvr]

You guys are making my mouth water for getting back into the 1911 game. I think a Springfield Champion Operator is in my near future as a graduation present! A Wilson Magwell, five 8 round mags and some new grips and maybe a surefire light and she will be ready to rock! I did the Kimber thing and while it shot great, reliability was a major issue, to the point that I just got rid of it. I have missed having a "slab-sides" ever since.

Just to help you over the edge, pardon the crappy photos...

 

[verdugo60]

Just to help you over the edge, pardon the crappy photos...

Very pretty man, especially with the magwell added. Thanks for the pics. Just don't shoot it with the first round loaded backwards like in the pic!

 

[former naval person]

AD prevention.

 

[mikemcg9mm]

Go with the VBOB, you will be very happy.

Mike

 

[Cartman]

I have a Dan Wesson Commander Classic Bobtail and an Ed Brown Kobra Carry. The Dan Wesson is every bit of the Ed Brown and, when I got it, less than half the price. Assuming Dan Wesson is still making them MIM free and they're still less than Brown, Wilson, Baer, et al., I think they are the best bang for the buck out there. A noticeable step above the Kimber and regular Springer lines. I don't think you'll regret the VBOB. In fact, I think you'll be hard pressed to find someone who regrets their CZ era Dan Wesson auto. I did a lot of research several years ago when I got mine and, if I remember correctly, they were still being built as they are in a custom shop -- DW is (was?) a small, independent, branch of CZ and did not have an assembly line type shop and made in USA. And the parts used were all high end (a lot of Ed Brown stuff back then). Tight (if that appeals to you), hand fit, slide to frame fit, etc.

 

[verdugo60]

Any other pics of those Champion Operators would be welcome, help me through these long, cold nights with just a polymer pistol by my bedside...any other 1911 commanders would be welcome too.

 

[vetski]

here's my VBOB with ivories.

 

[mikemcg9mm]

My VBOB.

 

[wfjames22]

Here's a crappy cell phone pic I just took on my desk of my Colt Lightweight Commander in 38 super. Just picked it up last week and ran some rounds through it yesterday. It's my first 38 Super and I was really impressed when I shot it yesterday.

 

[squish]

Since we're throwing up 1911 pics here's a little more gun porn for y'all

 

[Chris James]

how about like this

 

[vetski]

Chris, when you finish my 9mm commander we are going to have to have a talk about getting her a big brother in 45!

 

[verdugo60]

Chris, when you finish my 9mm commander we are going to have to have a talk about getting her a big brother in 45!

Well done boys. I like the function of the vbob, on a straight gi 1911 the grip digs into the heel of my hand. A good magwell alleviates that problem though. That's what I plan to install first on my soon to come Springer champion operator. Then some grips and a light.

 

[BigAndy]

Spend some cash if it's going to be anything other than a play-toy. I listened to some other forums and bought a Filipino 4"er. Trust me when I say my Kimber is much more reliable. First off, when the sights didn't fit the factory decided to grind the slide, not the site. Little shortcuts like this are the reason I will go Les Baer next time I want a fancy 1911. Just my opinion, but finely crafted and highly reliable pistols are like a good woman; extremely hard-to-find, but when you do, it's gonna cost you. -JA

 

[bobo]

Just to chime back in... I ended up finding a good buy on a colt wiley clapp commander. Not disappointed in the least. It is a sweet shooter. I wuld actually like the govt model to match now. I wuld recommend the clapp to anyone........