20th April : Colt Commander

Name     :     Colt Combat Commander


AKA       :     The Lightweight Commander, Combat Commander

Caliber     :   .45 ACP, 9x19mm Para, 7.65x21mm Para, .38 Super


Capacity   :   7 & 8 Rounds (.45 ACP) and 9 rounds (9mm,.38 Super)


Weight     :   32.5 oz or 961g (steel frame) 27oz or 765g (lightweight)


Length     :   7.75in or 197mm (1991A1 Commander)


Action      :   Browning Swing Link Type, Single Action, Semi Automatic


Origin      :   U.S.A.


The story of the M1911 is a long and interesting one spanning more than 100 years, and through its evolution it has borne a mass of variants by almost every major pistol manufacturer in just about as many calibers and as of 2012 it shows NO intention of slowing down even with the popularity of polymer wonderguns, of which through the INFINITY series of pistols it has even become a part of.  Today however is not the day that I spent more than six hours trying to explain just a tiny portion of the 1911's history, no today we look at a great size variant, the wonderful Colt Commander series.


As early as 1949 the U.S. Army was looking to replace the M1911A1, a pistol that had given great service, but concerns were raised about the size and weight of this full sized service pistol, thus a requirement was sent out for a pistol chambered in .45 ACP with a weight of 25 ounces or less, and an overall length of 7 inches. Colt entered this race with the what was then called the Commander made from a lightweight aluminium called ColtAlloy, though it nor any of the other contestants won a contract.  Colt decided to put the Commander in the civilian market in several calibers including the 7.65x21mm para (.30 Luger) for export to countries that forbid civilians to possess pistols in a military caliber.  In 1970 the Commander was re-named to become the lightweight Commander and a new full steel version was released with the name Combat Commander.


The name Commander has now become a size designation, with each certain Colt models coming out in sizes Government (full size 5 inch barrel), Commander (Shorter than Government 4+/- inch barrel) and Officers ACP (Compact with a 3.5 inch barrel).  As of 2012 Colt models 1991A1 and XSE have Commander sized pistols that are very popular as "Carry" pistols and are also seen on the sports shooting scene.


The modern XSE Commander is a well made and accurate firearm with a 4.25 inch barrel, series 80 locking, 3 hole aluminium trigger, Drop safety and weighs about 33.5oz.  The sights are NOVAK Carry Sights, these sights have white dots for easy target acquisition and are well liked for their snag free design.  The pistol is chambered in .45 ACP and has many other desirable features.

COLT XSE Commander in .45ACP

The .45 ACP round is a subsonic round with well documented stopping power, but it is also used as a sporting caliber.  The .45 ACP in traditional form is a 230gr full metal jacket round known as "ball" ammunition, this type of round was the standard U.S. Military pistol caliber for over 70 years.  For personal protection however jacketed hollow point rounds should be used, with great expansion and reasonable penetration the .45 will continue to be on the carry circuit for some time with all the major ammunition manufacturers making a variety of types for all applications.  


INTERESTING FACT : Frank White a Drug Enforcement Agency Officer carried a Colt Combat Commander, Frank was part of the inspiration for T.V. show Miami Vice, he was given a set of Ivory grips by the Vice President for his Colt Combat Commander for his exceptional service.


PRO's   :   Good Size 1911, Top Quality, Very Customisable, .45 ACP


CON's   :   Requires lots of practice to master


COOL FACTOR : 9/10

15th April : Sig Sauer P238

Name     :     SIG Sauer P238


AKA       :      SIG's Mini 1911

Caliber   :     .380 ACP (9x18mm Short)


Capacity :     6 Rounds


Weight   :     15.2oz or 430g


Length   :      5.5in or 139.7mm


Action    :      Single Action, Semi Automatic


Locking   :     Browning sliding lock, (not swinging link)


Origin     :     U.S.A. / Switzerland


As concealed carry permits are on the rise in the United States the need for concealable, easy to handle and shoot well pistols has increased.  SIG Sauer who has a considerable marketplace presence has heeded this call with it's new "Mini 1911" called the P238.  With no less than 17 variations SIG is looking to find something for everyone.  As an example you may purchase the P238 with a matt black, bi-tone, rainbow, Equinox, natural stainless, or even red finish.  


Introduced in 2009, this compact .380 has some resemblance to the Colt Mustang, which itself was designed to appear like a mini 1911.  Unlike a standard 1911 however the P238 does not have a swing link below the barrel or a barrel bushing.  Surprisingly for a .380 caliber pistol the P238 has a locked breech which has advantages such as a lighter recoil spring so that anyone can easily manipulate the slide and the barrel can be easily replaced. The only real disadvantage with this system of locking a breech on a caliber that doesn't require it, is that you no longer have a fixed barrel like the Walther PP, which does contribute to accuracy.  After much consideration I feel that for the ranges that this pistol is designed to be used in and seeing some shooting results, this disadvantage would be negligible.  


The safety switch on this pistol is interesting when compared to the 1911.  On inspection of the slide you will see there is no cut out for the safety lever to move up into when the weapon is made safe, thus when it is engaged the slide may still be manipulated.  Sights, much is said about pistols and the visibility of their sights, SIG for as long as I can remember has always put quality sights on their pistols and the P238 is no exception.  SIGLITE Night Sights are fitted as standard, these sights have white circles with tritium inserts which glow during low light conditions.  SIGLITE Night Sights are said to have a 10-15 year life span before they should be replaced.


The trigger on the P238 has received some criticism for it's heavy pull weight of 7.5-8.5 pounds.  For a single action pistol it is a little on the heavy side though it does have a clean break without or little stacking when the trigger is pulled, certainly better than lighter mushy trigger. 


INTERESTING FACT :  In the short period of time this pistol has been out it has had one significant safety recall and is now in its third magazine revision, though people that like it :  "LOVE IT" 


PRO's     :    Easy to maintain and use, Good quality finish, Great brand


CON's     :    Sensitivity to some ammo, heavy trigger, Some bad mags


COOL FACTOR : 5/10