I've been trying to research this and something always messes me up, so I thought I'd ask here.

I bought my buddy's Glock 36 and like it fine, but have always liked the lightweight Commander.

I'm looking for one with an alloy frame, that's rounded off, stainless slide (blackened is fine as long as it's stainless) and commander length. I carry IWB and this is Florida where my sweat eats a firearm's finish like termites eat wood.

I thought Smith still made the 1911SC-E in that configuration, but my local Shoot Straight says they might not be able to find one.

I believe Kimber makes one in the $1500 range (MSRP)but I am not sure about Kimber's reliability.

Thanks in advance.

Bob

Dan Wesson and Ed Brown

Dan Wesson has several alloy framed commander 1911s with round butts. (Dan Wesson is the best bang for the buck in $1000ish 1911s. They're semi-custom guns that are a noticeable step up in quality from standard factory 1911s.)

Their various alloy-framed round butt Commanders aren't available in bare stainless/silver. Instead, they all have stainless steel slides finished with a black Duty Finish coating, which is a fantastic combination that will easily stand up to your sweat.


The Dan Wesson Guardian is a traditional alloy-framed 4.25" Commander Bobtail:
https://danwessonfirearms.com/product/guardian/




The Dan Wesson ECP is a quasi-Commander Bobtail, having a 4" bushingless barrel instead of the traditional 4.25" barrel with bushing:
https://danwessonfirearms.com/product/ecp/




And the Dan Wesson Vigil Commander is another alloy-framed traditional 4.25" Commander with bushing, but it only has a slightly rounded butt, so it's not a true round butt/bobtail frame.
https://danwessonfirearms.com/...uct/vigil-commander/




Or, the Vigil is also offered in a CCO configuration, with an alloy Officer frame and Commander slide, if you'd like the grip to be even shorter and more concealable.
https://danwessonfirearms.com/product/vigil-cco/

I really like my S&W Performance series.



Photo Feb 04, 11 56 10 AM by Dave Steier, on Flickr

Go with the Dan Wesson guardian. Their finish is superb. Plus of any 1911s in that price range they blow the others away.

Another vote for DW, they make multiple models that fit what you are looking for. The new ECP is very nice.

i prefer these

I have a smith lightweight with rounded butt and it works perfect. Carries great.
Where kimber and even sig had trouble with their external extractors, smith did it right.

I like the DW Guardian and the Smith (probably without the slide cuts). Brown and Wilson are just a bit (or a lot) more than I am willing to pend.

Thank you for all the answers.

Bob

I've since sold my KC to a forum member here, but honestly it was one on the most comfortable 1911's in hand to operate. I did however eventually end up selling my 9MM EMP to this member also. One of the things I never enjoyed about operating the EMP was that for the size of my hand (average) the butt always seemed to dig more into my palm when shooting. For extended use here in the South Florida humidity when shooting it started to annoy me. I called the Springfield Custom Shop and they said they could round off the frame butt if I requested. So in addition to some other customizations when I finally sent it into them, they did a great job in rounding the frame off at the butt. Amazing what a difference in shooting it comfortably afterwards. Additionally since, I often went for different front/rear strap treatments for my tastes like opting for the chainlink treatments instead of the traditional checkering in various sizes on custom built 1911's from Nighthawk or Wilson.

This just came over the wire. Not sure if you have found anything yet.

https://grabagun.com/s-w-1911s...mpaign=Daily%20Email

Thanks,Nick and all the other posters, too. I have not yet bought one, yet. Pretty seriously thinking of the DW, but this one would work, too.

Thanks again,

Bob

Have 2 DW guardians. One in 38 super and one in 9 mm. Both are fantastic out of the box.

Try FUSION ARMS in VENICE FL they work on my 1911's well the CBOB I have.
One of the gunsmiths is ex DAN WESSON!!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cyberphobia,

Smith “E” series. I have one. Very pleased.

quote:

Originally posted by maxdog:
Smith “E” series. I have one. Very pleased.

That E series is very nice wish I had seen one of them 4 weeks ago

I've been on a Dan Wesson tear for the past year. If you want an alloy frame, stainless slide, round butt (not bobbed), check out the Vigil commander or discontinued Valkyrie commander. In CCO size (officer frame w/ commander slide), check out the Valkyrie or Vigil CCOs. In officer size, check out the ECO. All are available in 9mm or .45. I have both sizes of Valkyrie and an ECO, all in 9mm in my carry rotation. The Valkyrie commander is my favorite. I've bought most of mine from twogunjay on GunBroker.

OK, a couple of points.

The Dan Wesson is a GREAT gun and I highly recommend it. I have their Classic Bobtail and it carries really well. Great trigger out of the box and reliable as a rock.

I had the lightweight S&W and it was a really nice handgun. I am not adverse to recoil as someone fond of the .45 and .40 but the recoil on this gun was severe.

I don't know if they still do it but for $250 Wilson used to turn your regular 1911 into a bobtail. So you could buy any 1911.