View Full Version : 1911PD Commander Size
So is this 1911 one you would carry concealed and fill comfortable you have something as reliable as a Glock?
Yes and absofreakinloutely.:supergrin:
Great carry guns, the scandium frame is very durable. All the examples I have encountered have been very reliable.
OHHHHHHHHH, YEAHHHHHHHHHHH!:thumbsup:
Without a doubt!!! I have the Gunsite edition and the 1911SC. Both are GREAT!
How would you compare it to the Kimber CDP "commander size" lightweight?
I have shot both, if I was choosing right now it would be the Smith. It is softer shooting of the two.
Originally posted by AWMP
How would you compare it to the Kimber CDP "commander size" lightweight?
My Smiths are all great guns including my 1911sc. Smith and Wesson has awesome customer service. My gunsmith couldn't locate novack night sights for my 1911 sc. The S&W sales rep happened to be in the gun shop showing off the M&P 45's and 357's with the night sight. I spoke to him about my 1911sc. He called his guy at S&W and had a set of sights mailed to my gunsmith.
I had one Kimber. It had numerous problems. Kimber's customer service was awful. I sold my Kimber. I do have some Kimber mags that function quite well in my Smith. I may give Kimber another try though. Not everyone is as unhappy with them as I was. Search "Kimber Customer Service" and see what folks say. I'm not the only one that had problems with one of their guns and got treated poorly.
I finally decided and bought a SW1911PD Commander Size, best purchase I have ever made.
Carry great, shoots even better. It replaced my Glock as my primary carry pistol. They are still close by, just not being carried on a daily basis.
I have always loved 1911s and had just about ever brand made and was never comfortable with two things, the weight and the reliability for daily carry.
The weight of the pistol is a huge plus in my book. Being 10 or so ounces lighter does not sound like much but when you wear it all day you understand how much that 10 ounces can really make a difference.
Reliability, that is something you don't hear too often when you talk about 1911s. I took the pistol new out of the box and fired it right then, knowing you should clean it first but I thought if it was going fail it would do it now and to my surprise it took everything. I have fired a mixture of ball and hollow points and not a single problem. No break in period needed for this puppy.
I have used the factory supplied magazines (yes you do get 3 magazines, not just one like other manufactures).
I recently purchased some Kimber Tac Mags that I would but up against any magazine maker. The Kimber magazines come with two different base pads if you choose to use them and they lock up perfectly and fit just right. With my Wilson mags I always had about an 1/8" below the grip that showed the magazine, I was always thinking I did not have the magazine all the way into the weapon. The Kimbers fit perfect.
The finish on the SW1911PD is a nice blue, but is already showing a little holster wear. I may look at getting it refinished some time down the road, (way down the road) but I'm not sure I would be able to let it go, unless I get another one to have while it is being refinished, :).
One thing I did check was customer service. I called one company and asked about their warranty policy and if I had a problem how would I get the pistol back to them. The answer was one year warranty and I got to back about $60.00 or so dollars for shipping both ways. So I'm going to spend about $1000.00 for a product that your company only believes will last for a year and if it breaks before then I get to pay for the shipping. This is the same product I might have to use and depend on to defend myself or my family? (I know that sounds simple, but..) So I called Smith and Wesson, their answer was, if I did ever have a problem just call them and they would pay for shipping both ways. (that is why I like Dillion Reloading equipment as well) Their warranty is lifetime. I asked twice just to make sure I was not dreaming, LOL.
The sights on the pistol are the standard 3 dot Novak style, which I would like to replace with night sights or atleast a front night sight, the jury is still out on which ones, any ideas? One thing that does bother me is the small gap between the rear sight and the slide, I have no idea why it is there, but is shoots so well I got over it.
Bottom line I searched , read and talked to others for months until I finally made my decision and I could not be happier.
Good choice. I contacted Smith and Wesson and they sent me a set of Novac nightsights that are the same as the novacs that come on the gun but with Trigicon inserts.
Short Cut
05-31-2007, 09:14
Originally posted by AWMP
How would you compare it to the Kimber CDP "commander size" lightweight?
I like my 1911PD Commander a lot, however I would say that the Kimber is better fit and machined. My CDP not only has all of the exterior edges beveled, but it also is considerably more finished inside the slide and lacks the tool marks of the PD. The thumb safety on the Kimber has a more solid snick/snick engagement than the PD too. I also like the checkered front strap of the Kimber quite a bit better than the serrated version on the PD.
Yet I carry the PD fairly regularly. I improved the engagement of the thumb safety, the gun finally stopped pelting me in the forehead regularly after 500 rounds and the gun is quite accurate and solidly reliable.
For a front sight only go here
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/smwe59sefrni.html
Will that fit the 1911PD?
Yup, the 1911PD sights are the same ones used on the Smith 9mm 3rd gen full size.
edrobert
06-07-2007, 11:37
That's good info to know on the front night sight from CDNN for $20! I absolutely love my new 1911SC. It's very accurate and shoots as soft as my Kimber TLE! Plus is the perfect everyday carry piece!
Anyone find any nice smooth grips for their 1911PD? Been looking for some nice rosewood smooth grips.
Short Cut
06-07-2007, 17:22
I picked these up from the Gun Grip Guys on ebay for under 30 bucks.
http://home.comcast.net/~1911brass/SW_1911PD_and_Dempsey_APU.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~1911brass/SW_1911PD_Dempsey_spine.jpg
edrobert
06-07-2007, 19:26
You can check with www.fusionfirearms.com as they have smooth grips in stock. Bought this 1911SC from another GT Member with these nice Oak Grip Panels....not sure who makes them though.http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb244/a996hawk/8675910.jpg
ShortCUT nice grips. Just sent my 1911PD slide off to Novak for front night sight and rear all black Novak, already miss it but my SIG SAS 229 in .40SW is nice too.
You'll get it back quick, I bet.
SilverState
06-07-2007, 21:27
jes
Cartouche
06-20-2007, 12:06
I love mine wearing it now. I also have the Custom Combat Carry from Kimber. They are really close in prefrence. They both wear great. The only thing I would do to the SW1911PD is night sights and a melt job. Both are on the Kimber.Nice thing, the Kimber has a shorter grip, but with the scandium the weight is about the same full grip! I like that.Get one. :thumbsup:
I have one and love it! The only problem I've found with carrying it is convincing the wife that it's mine. ;) It came equipped with the desert tan Crimson Trace grips which the wife used for the very first time. She was literally eating up the ten ring with defensive drills from seven yards and under. We also did some pelvic/head shots and strong side hip at contact distance and using the CT she had absolutely no trouble effectively engaging the target(s), including multiples. Both of us were surprised with how quickly and efficiently she made the transition.
Her times did slow down when we switched to +p's but not by much. With some additional training I'm sure she could increase her times but in truth she'd probably be just as well (or better) off with standard pressure loads. She also did noticeably better with the 1911PD than the Model 21TR.
At this point we are seriously considering purchasing another 1911PD Commander identical to the first one. So I guess I can't give it a better endorsement than that!
Dave
Retired Squid
07-07-2007, 21:50
Here is my two 1911's, both RIA's and under $500 NIB and neither has had FTF or FTE and out shoot's Kimber's with ease, but not quite as good as my Tanfoglio Witness 10mm which is awesome. One is 5" Tactical and other is 3.5" Tactical Officer's model. My next 1911 will be a Wesson, but it's a Dan Wesson Commander Bobtail 10mm hell raiser for the car. I use the 1911 Officer's for a CCW unless it's not possible due to what I am wearing, then I go with a Bretta Bobcat or a Walther P22 with laser bith loaded with CCI 1650 fps 32 grain HP for in the pocket. They never print and beat carrying a pocket knife.
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x245/oldnavy6393/Gun-07.jpg
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