Difference between Gov. and Commander 1911's?

[Alldowntheline]

I realize the commander has a shorter slide, but beyond that, what kind of differences are we talking?

[Valor1]

I think not much difference. Well, the barrels are different and the recoil springs (16 lbs for Govt and 18 lbs for Commander) too.

[Alldowntheline]

Frame size? Standard magazine capacity?

[Wildpony]

Shorter barrel ofthe Commander means a loss of velocity and also energy. The shorter slide means it will have a shorer sight radius and therefore more skill is required to shoot it as proficiently. (In Theroy)

However the velocity loss is not significant enough to cause great worry, -100 to 150 FPS and the Commander type handguns seem to have very good pointability and balance.

I can pick up a Commander pistol and shoot it just as accurately as and rapidly a comparable govt size 1911. I think most people who have shot both models much will tell you the same thing. That combined with it being easier to conceal makes it a winning little pistol in spite of the velocity and energy loss.

[Nalapombu]

Government model has a 5 inch barrel while the Commander has a 4 1/4 inch barrel. They both have the same size frame and therefore are equal in magazine capacity. Commanders usually come with a round "Commander" style hammer while the Government will come with a regular hammer.
As for the internals and springs I think they are the same except the recoil spring.

Nala

[Wildpony]

Frame size except for the dust cover is the same as a fullsize 1911 and they use the same magazines and have the same grip length.

[Nalapombu]

Sorry, forgot about magazine capacity. Usually with facotry mags each will hold 7+1. If you use Wilson 47D magazines like I (and MANY others do) you'll get 8+1.

Nala

[Jim Watson]

There were several changes made to get the Commander down to 4.25". The barrel, slide, recoil spring guide, plug, and bushing are all shorter. Higher load recoil spring in fewer coils. The barrel contour at link lug and ahead of locking lugs is different.
The receiver has shorter rails, dustcover, rear tang and grip safety. Longer ejector. Burr hammer.
Same length butt and magazine. Other parts same.

If you are losing 100 fps in 3/4 inch of barrel, you need to change ammo or powder.

[Brian Dover]

As usual, for someone with "a few facts", you managed to stuff a whole lot of them into your post, which was spot-on, like pretty much all your replies..^c

[Mushinto]

... plus, the original Commander had an aluminum frame and mainspring housing.

Then, Colt made a steel framed Commander and called it the Combat Commander.

Then people started referring to the original Commander as the Lightweight Commander. This was before GlockTalk, so there was no one around to correct them.

Then, Colt starting calling the Commander "the Lightweight Commander" and the Combat Commander "the Commander."

And then, it got confusing.

ML

[Wildpony]

"If you are losing 100 fps in 3/4 inch of barrel, you need to change ammo or powder"

Ok I overestimated the velocity loss just a little bit. But my point was that the velocity and energy losses caused by a 3/4" shorter barrel are not enough to render the 45ACP significantly less potent.