Posted: 3/2/2011 10:14:18 AM EDT
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Hello all,
I am about to pick up a 1991 commander for use as a carry gun, basically i want it to be reliable and usable not a safe queen. I want to keep it mostly stock, but plan on replacing trigger, grips, thumb safety and maybe main spring housing. Sights are going to be a game-time decision since i haven't had much time behind them. But what are the best options for all these parts? |
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are you going to be replacing the parts or are you sending it out to get done? if you are doing it, how much experience fitting parts do you have? Most won't be a problem, but home-gunsmithed trigger replacements are generally not advised I have no experience so unless any parts are true drop in (other than grips obviously) I'd be sending it out to a smithy. I just wanted to get some ideas about what you guys thought would be good. Specifically sights. If I do chose to replace them would cutting the slide to fit novaks be the only option? |
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First, I hope you like your new Commander as much as I like mine. It's been perfect straight out of the box. I have the SS 1991 model.
I replaced the MSH with a Colt SS part ordered from MidwayUSA for about $35 bucks. Spent another $60 on some VZ grips. That's it. I don't plan on any further mods. The SS model comes with a factory installed beavertail as well. Some like it, some don't. I have relatively large hands and it fits my grip just fine. Everyone has a preference, but I find the sights to be excellent. Others that have handled the gun have commented that the 3-dot military style sights are very easy to acquire. Anyway, this is the best "base model" pistol I've ever bought. Love it. Obligatory pic of parts mentioned....(eta: since the pic was taken, I've had the grip bottoms beveled.) 
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I have the full size 1991. I've done most of the items on your list except for sights. Mine had a standard grip safety that bit me so I replaced it with a Wilson drop in beavertail. Since I needed the commander hammer to go with the beavertail I replaced my stock parts with a Wilson trigger, sear, and Commander hammer. It's not tremendously difficult if you are handy. A site like Blindhogg.com can guide you. I also replaced the thumb safety with a larger one. I find the stock sights work well for me and are very rugged so I haven't replaced them. Bellow is a pic of mine. I've replaced the stock grips w/ VZ Aliens since the pic was taken. I left the mainpring housing stock since it saves a few ounces in a non-critical area of my carry gun.
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You need to run about 500 rds. through it before you do anything. You need to figure out what you need to change. Maybe it won't need any changes or maybe a lot. The point is YOU need to decide. I think this is the best advice anyone can give. I have a blue 1991 Commander and I thought about changing most of what you've mentioned when I first got it. After a few hundred rounds, I've decided against changing much of anything at all. Even the plastic trigger works fine and no longer bothers me. The more I shoot it, the smoother it becomes and the more I like the way it is already from the factory. I have a Norinco that I'm building up, so I have no fear about changing things out I don't like. Shoot it first. You may decide to change nothing, you may decide to change more of it. It's better if you shoot it and know what needs to be changed and go to the smith once. |
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Quoted:
You need to run about 500 rds. through it before you do anything. You need to figure out what you need to change. Maybe it won't need any changes or maybe a lot. The point is YOU need to decide. I think this is the best advice anyone can give. I have a blue 1991 Commander and I thought about changing most of what you've mentioned when I first got it. After a few hundred rounds, I've decided against changing much of anything at all. Even the plastic trigger works fine and no longer bothers me. The more I shoot it, the smoother it becomes and the more I like the way it is already from the factory. I have a Norinco that I'm building up, so I have no fear about changing things out I don't like. Shoot it first. You may decide to change nothing, you may decide to change more of it. It's better if you shoot it and know what needs to be changed and go to the smith once. I hear y'all about shooting it first, hell I can't even find one right now. But the last time i saw one I am sure the trigger was a tad too long for me (small hands smells like cabbage). I am almost positive I wont be doing anything other than that and maybe sights if I dont like the 3-dots (I do not like them on my other weapons). |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
You need to run about 500 rds. through it before you do anything. You need to figure out what you need to change. Maybe it won't need any changes or maybe a lot. The point is YOU need to decide. I think this is the best advice anyone can give. I have a blue 1991 Commander and I thought about changing most of what you've mentioned when I first got it. After a few hundred rounds, I've decided against changing much of anything at all. Even the plastic trigger works fine and no longer bothers me. The more I shoot it, the smoother it becomes and the more I like the way it is already from the factory. I have a Norinco that I'm building up, so I have no fear about changing things out I don't like. Shoot it first. You may decide to change nothing, you may decide to change more of it. It's better if you shoot it and know what needs to be changed and go to the smith once. I've seen reference to the "plastic" trigger before. Both of my 1991 S80 guns have an aluminum trigger. Colt's website even states aluminum triggers are on these guns. Not doubting you sir, just wonder if there was a change somewhere along the line. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
You need to run about 500 rds. through it before you do anything. You need to figure out what you need to change. Maybe it won't need any changes or maybe a lot. The point is YOU need to decide. I think this is the best advice anyone can give. I have a blue 1991 Commander and I thought about changing most of what you've mentioned when I first got it. After a few hundred rounds, I've decided against changing much of anything at all. Even the plastic trigger works fine and no longer bothers me. The more I shoot it, the smoother it becomes and the more I like the way it is already from the factory. I have a Norinco that I'm building up, so I have no fear about changing things out I don't like. Shoot it first. You may decide to change nothing, you may decide to change more of it. It's better if you shoot it and know what needs to be changed and go to the smith once. I've seen reference to the "plastic" trigger before. Both of my 1991 S80 guns have an aluminum trigger. Colt's website even states aluminum triggers are on these guns. Not doubting you sir, just wonder if there was a change somewhere along the line. My 1991 purchased in 1998 had a plastic trigger. It was actually nice for winter shooting as it didn't freeze my trigger finger like the replacement aluminum trigger does. |
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Quoted:
Hello all, I am about to pick up a 1991 commander for use as a carry gun, basically i want it to be reliable and usable not a safe queen. I want to keep it mostly stock, but plan on replacing trigger, grips, thumb safety and maybe main spring housing. Sights are going to be a game-time decision since i haven't had much time behind them. But what are the best options for all these parts? Why not go with the new Commander and it will be done the way you want it, ...just got mine today...  (show off)
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Thanks for all the input guys, I was thinking XSE but just do not like a stainless finish and in commander sized i believe they do not offer a blued model, correct?
Also, my plan is to get a few colts. This commander for carry and GP, two series 70 repro's. One of which will be kept "stock." by that I plan on taking the series 80's parts out and getting is as close as possible to real GI issue. The second will be a base for my ultimate custom 1911. Plans for it are unknown. |
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Thanks for all the input guys, I was thinking XSE but just do not like a stainless finish and in commander sized i believe they do not offer a blued model, correct? Also, my plan is to get a few colts. This commander for carry and GP, two series 70 repro's. One of which will be kept "stock." by that I plan on taking the series 80's parts out and getting is as close as possible to real GI issue. The second will be a base for my ultimate custom 1911. Plans for it are unknown. Not in the XSE series. But they do in the 1991 Series which is what you were going for according to your OP. Am I reading that correctly? 
ETA: Tip for ya....Colt's website is much improved over the last year or two. Very easy to compare models and specs. |
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Si. It is my understanding that the repro's have 80 FP, extractors and sometimes hammers. I am sure the parts are great, but just to get it the way i want it. Am I incorrect? (Colt's history is confusing to say the least.) Got me there. I'd be interested to know as well. Maybe one of the experts will clue us in. |