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I'm considering getting a Yost 1* or *1 enhanced. I've onlt owned Commander sized guns in the past, but I'm thinking about a full sized.

What would be the befefits/drawback to either? Is there an accuracy decrease in the commander (other than perceived due the shorter sight radius)?

Any help is appreciated.

Unless you are something special, both guns will shoot better than you can, and thus any help you'd get from length wouldn't be noticed by you. At least that is how it works for the majority of us.

Theo

" perceived due the shorter sight radius "

You nailed it, Patrick. Some of my most accurate guns (fired from human hands or the machine rest everyone seems to use as a standard these days) are Commanders, and one of them was a lightweight. I use the past tense since I was recently talked out of that particular gun

Commanders, when set up properly, run every bit as well as a 5" gun. No reason I can come up with not to go with a Commander if that's your choice.

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TR

I find the full size to be more comfortable to carry. In a VM II it sits just right on my hip bone whereas the commander dug in a little. You'll notice the weight a little bit, but it's not been a factor or issue for me.

I love my 1* COMMANDER!! It is a grat shooting gun and I have never had a problem carrying it. I do not see any darwbacks to a Commander versus a Full sized 1911.

Kendall

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I carry a Commander quite often and as others have stated do not see any drawbacks to their length. Alot of builders narrow down their builds to 5" guns because that is what most people want.

There are benefits to a Commander length gun for carry purposes IMO. But, some would have you believe that if you are going in the most dangerous places in the world day after day, "operating" under the most violent conditions which 1% of us actually do, then ease of carry, function, aesthetics, etc...come into play for 99% of us.

Ned, made a good point not long ago. If you put a Commander side by side with a Gov't size gun and ran them round for round the Commander would probably give problems first. I figure that would be after a great deal of rounds.

Alot of respected people have said that the last 3/4" of an inch was a waste anyway. Not sure I agree because I love a full sized gun. BUT, don't let anyone tell you that a Commander length gun is less reliable for any reason, perceived, real, internet based, or otherwise. Not the case at our shop nor any other shop here on LTW that I can think of.

Ask some of the smiths, or guys who carry all day every day what they carry...You start to get an idea of what is possible. Alot of guys carry full sized 1911's and for good reason. I have a friend I lovingly call the 4 foot ninja, he carries a Gov't sized gun all day, sometimes two probably, and he does it well. Doesn't mean anything other than that is not going to work for someone. JMO.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

I have both. I like the way the 5" points. I don't know why and don't know how to explain it either. It just feels more natural to me. For carrying IWB, either is just as comfortable for me.

I probably wasn't much help at all

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Sic Semper Tyrannis

My carry 1911 is a commander. Relative to reliability and accuracy: I have never had a properly set-up commander hick-up on me and I can't tell the difference between mine and a similiar full-size for accuracy.

Where I wear my gun in an IWB holster, a full-sized gun can interfere with my wallet and is not as comfortable to me in a seated postion vs. the commander.

Personally, I also prefer the balance of the Commander when shooting even though it has a slightly shorter sight radius. Therefore, I shoot it better.

To each his own. Make your decision on which is the most comfortable for you and your application. Don't worry about any perceived accuracy or reliability differences.

Best,

Ray



Here is mine. It was also the first 1911 that I built.

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http://www.harmscustomdesigns.com

I carry a Commander on duty. Picked up a 1976 vintage awhile ago and went over it for duty use. I work plain clothes, ala jeans & t-shirt, it shoots just as well as all my 5" 1911's...........

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troutlakepackstation.com

Frankly, I've never had a problem getting a Commander to run, and in fact, until it was "permanently borrowed" by an ex-friend some years back I had a personal Lightweight '80 series. This gun would feed and fire with complete reliabilty anything put into it, including 255 gr. Keith bullets intended for the 45 Colt loaded into 45 ACP cases. I know any of my fellow LTW guys won't have any trouble making one run either.

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Don Williams
http://www.theactionworks.com
http://www.ltwguns.com

Commander's are way kewl.

Commanding Officer's are even better..... Best of both worlds.

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CT Brian Custom
'Blending Art With Firepower'

Agreed

The key to keeping a Commander running revolves around spring weights and strong magazine spings.

I use 20lb recoil springs, 20-23 lb hammer springs and strongly sprung mags (usually Novaks) and never, ever have a problem. I use the Novak 6rd mags for my "Commanding Officer".

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The Commander-length guns probably have less margin for error than the Government-length guns (i.e., more likely to have problems with out-of-the-box examples), but I do believe that the knowledge, skills, and abilities of LTW-caliber 'smiths is sufficient to make one run reliably.

The Commander generally requires heavier recoil springs, which could be an issue for strength-challenged shooters. Spring maintenenance intervals may be slightly more critical for the shorter guns.

The idea that longer barrels are more accurate is a common misconception for rifles as well. For a given diameter, the shorter barrel will be stiffer and theoretically more accurate. However, there are many other factors that contribute to the practical accuracy of a 1911 pistol. I have been told by a couple of shooters that they shoot their Commanders more accurately than their 5" pistols, and their idea was that it was due to a magnification of shooter error by the longer configuration.

I don't see a big advantage in comfort for carry between either unless you're comparing a steel Gov't to an alloy Commander/CCO. The shorter Commander will conceal slightly easier in an OWB holster, but there is no difference in concealment with IWB.

For me, the most significant difference between a 4.25" gun and a 5" gun is the difference in velocity for a given load. Given enough shootings, this could translate into a difference in stopping power, because the .45ACP is velocity-challenged when it comes to bullet expansion. Choosing +P loads will help the velocity, but these loads may have unacceptable muzzle blast (especially with the Lightweights). Muzzle flash may also be more pronounced, which is an issue for reduced-light shooting (i.e., what you're likely to encounter in the Real World).

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Aubrey<><

My first 1911 was a Combat Commander. It's off at Tripp Research getting a face lift, a tune up, and a new hard chrome skin.

The biggest issue I have seen is what is mentioned above. Spring weight is more critical and I go through them faster. So long as I keep the pistol sprung properly it has never hiccuped.

Not that it really says anything about Commanders versus full sized 1911's, but mine is the only 1911 I have that has 100% eaten the Speer flying ashtrays I used to use before I switched to Hornady TAP.

I should get the Commander back in early June and look forward to seeing what Virgil and his people have pulled off for me.

I do think it carries a little easier for the reasons Ray mentioned. It is easier for me to sit with one then a 5" pistol.

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Jeff

In regards to the Full size vs. Commander length guns debate let me add that I like them both but prefer the way the full size gun points and recoils. One of the more comforatble carry guns that I've had the chance to shoot and carry was a 5" Kimber (sorry guys, please don't beat me up) on an aluminum frame. It's a full half pound lighter than a steel frame yet my double tap splits were every bit as fast. Accuracy was pretty darn good too! If you haven't tried an aluminum full size gun yet give it a try.

No shortage of input here but I'll add mine anyway

Bottom line is that the choice depends on your preferences and intended use for the gun. Either Government or Commander length will get the job done, the differences are in the finer details.

I prefer to shoot a Government length pistol because the Commander recoils slightly more and I am able to get back on target a bit quicker with the longer slide. For a duty rig or exposed carry I would choose a Government Model without hesitation.

That having been said, I also find the Commander more comfortable to conceal. It's a function of individual body shape, but a Commander is comfortable for me IWB while a Government Model "hits bottom" when I sit down. Also, for plainclothes duty I find the Commander's shorter slide comes out of the holster a bit faster, and the gun handles better during searches due to the better balance in my hand.

-Tim

I am 5'7" - 166lbs. I use a Galco CCP212 paddle holster for my Government from November through May when I usually wear a light jacket and another Galco CCP212 paddle holster for my commander from June through September when I wear a T-shirt.

Neither pistol is uncomfortable to wear on my hip. However, I find that even the slight difference in weight does make a difference in our exceptionally hot climate. Thus, I change of pistols based on the season; not because one functions better than the other.

Allthough my Commander is an excellently accurate shooter, my accuracy is more consistent when I shoot the Government. That longer sight radius does make a difference when I shoot.

I have not found any reliability difference between these two sizes. Nor have I encounted more mechanical failures to occur more often with one than the other. In fact, my custom Colts have been failure free since they were first recieved.

Both pistols fit well in my hands. The balance and recoil of each is about the same. Both quickly realign on target after recoil.

I think both sizes are great.