The Colt 1911 Commander is a single-action, recoil-operated, semi-automatic that was introduced in 1949. Design of the gun is based on the original J. Browning M1911. It was the first aluminum alloy, large framed pistol in mass-production and the first Colt’s model chambered in 9mm Parabellum.
Colt included also .45 ACP and .38 Super calibers within the first year of production. Measurements of the pistol are the barrel length of 4.25”, with the total length of 7.75”.
The Colt brought up later on several gun variants of 1911 Commander model, made of different materials, with different degrees of factory refinement.
In 1949, the Colt Commander was one of gun candidates to get a military contract with the U.S Government. The main aim was to find a lighter replacement for the Colt M911 model that would be used by the officers Requirements were that semi-automatic should be chambered for 9mm and with total length of the gun shorter than 7”, with the weight less than 25 ounces. Since 1950, this gun model was moved into standard production.
In 1970, The Colt Combat Commander model was designed with an all-steel frame and with an optional satin nickel version. The all-aluminum frame model was named as “the Lightweight Commander. It is a cut-down version of the 1911, with a redesigned hammer spur, a shorter barrel, frame, and slide.
There were several other gun variants of the Colt Commander introduced, designed up to different demands and specifications. The "Colt Commander Gold Cup" was designed to satisfy needs of sport shooters of the National Match competition. The Colt Combat Elite model was specialized for combat-style shooters. The C.C.O model (or Concealed Carry Officers) pistol that was mated the barrel assembly and the slide of the Commander with the shorter frame of the Lightweight Officer model.
The U.S Army used the Colt Commander within the major conflicts during the World War I, in the World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War and Gulf War.
