Sidearms & Scatterguns Colt 1911

[HotAirBaloonInstructor]

I own a Colt Commander XSE something or another. It's a 4.25" barrel and has an aluminum frame. Stainless. You get the idea. I was curious after my range session today, can I buy a standard slide and barrel that would fit and function properly on my current frame? I'm still learning the 1911 platform and only have about 500 rounds through this bad lady but it really starts to spread out past about 10 feet. I'm sure a lot of that is user error seeing as I'm used to shooting glocks and sigs.

As a defensive handgun, I understand that it's not a long range precision pistol. Just a thought.

<a href='http://postimage.org/image/hxet9cust/' target='_blank'><img src='http://s6.postimage.org/hxet9cust/photo.jpg' border='0' alt="photo" /></a>

 

[HotAirBaloonInstructor]

also, my sights are shit. any way to change the cowitness?

 

[seanh]

Yes, you can get a gov't slide and barrel for that frame...you'll have to have it fit. You can go with some general drop-in but it will likely be crap.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with it due to it being aluminum. I'd suggest keeping the gun you've got and just purchasing a pistol with the specs you want. If you want a gov't style 1911, then just buy a standard 1911...quite a few available.

Yes, you can get different sights...changing the sights isn't that difficult. Just look-up Novak rear sights (adjustable if you'd like),... A drift punch, hammer and a piece of tape is all that's required. That said, it's a combat pistol...I wouldn't change anything. ((my combat piece has no sights--it's completely unnecessary under 20 yards))


want to look at sights...here is what Novak has to offer
http://www.novaksights.com/products/sights/index.html

target type
http://springfield-armory.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21_27&products_id=221

 

[BillCh]

I can see how the recoil of a Lightweight Commander would cause problems. There was a NIB lightweight government model for sale here locally a few months ago. The price was right but I wasn't quick enough. I would have bought even it knowing that they can be harder to tame. The only thing I have that would recoil like a lightweight is my 3 inch Kimber.

The first 1911 I shot was property of the USMC. I remember how uncomfortable it was. Not so much the pistol but the stance. As much as I liked shooting over the years I always thought it was hard work until I saw the light. I don't know how they teach it these days, but the way they taught me is for the birds. Now I'm not saying they taught me the wrong way, just the hard way.

It's pretty hard to see all that much in the pic you posted. The first thing I notice is that your arms are straight. Bend those monster arms. It will help you grip better. Use the 'straight thumbs' method. It works like this basically, your left hand provides the grip and your right hand works the steering and the trigger. The right thumb shouldn't be doing anything after you flick off the safety. Don't use it to grip the pistol. Bent elbows absorb the recoil backwards. If you're trying to stop the recoil by muscling it, don't. It will just translate the recoil to muzzle flip. Relax.

This is one of the best vid's I've seen on grip.

B

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MplfXiPbU3k

 

[HotAirBaloonInstructor]

GRIP! Thanks guys. I guess I just need to get used to it, considering I'm new to the platform. Also, I didn't even take into consideration the part about it being lightweight. I'll fix my grip and report back. The sights are already novack and are supposed to be nice but I'll be damned if i have to completely cover what I'm aiming at with the damn pistol. I'll be in my office...