First basic difference is barrel length: Government - 5"; Commander - 4.25"; Officers - 3.75/3.5". Officers-sized also has a shortened grip length which means a shorter magazine. You will note two sizes for officers-sized barrels, 3.75" is the more common.
There are also six-inch guns built for special purposes like hunting and target shooting.
Overall, it's about 3/4" shorter on the barrel/slide and also shorter by 3/4" on the grip. The mags are one round shorter than Commander/Government models. Keep in mind, there are several "Officers" like models out there by various companies, which are not exactly like the original Colt Officers model. Springfield Micro and RIA/Armscor have "Officer" size 1911s, but they are not 100% like the original Colt.
This is my RIA compact 1911. Has the 3.5" bull barrel, so no barrel bushing to deal with like the original Colt, which I heard was prone to breaking. The SA Micro is 3" barrel I believe and just shorter.
I have three full size 1911 and one commander size i was just wondering the how much smaller the offcier was thanks for all the reply's, been kiccking it around to get a officer size 1911
You should realize that the original "Officers" 1911's were not really built by Colts. They were made by government arsenals (mostly Rock Island) for presentation to General Officers who wanted something more than the 1900 or 1905 Colt autos or M1917 revolvers usually available. They weren't considered really "combat-operational" but more like the sidearm of European forces, an emblem of rank and status. "Commander"-sized pistols were intended for Field-grade officers (Major, Lt.Colonel and Colonel) and usually ended up with staff officers far to the rear. Psychologically, the idea of having an ever-smaller gun as the rank gets ever-higher seems counter-intuitive but I guess Freudian analysis of the process never came to mind though the increased caliber from .32 to .45 ACP must have pleased the Generals. I really like my compact Rock and I was a lowly E-5!
RIA does not call their pistols Officer, Commander, they are marked as FS= Full size, MS=Midsize, CS= Compact Size.
The FS is 5''
The MS is either 4'' or 4.1/4''on some, I guess? not sure, maybe they may have changed, in the last yr. mine is 4"
The CS is either 31/2" or 3.3/4''on some I guess? not sure, maybe they have changed in the last year, mine is 3 1/2"..............Maybe..:scratch:...:rofl:
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
1911Forum
7.6M posts
204.2K members
Since 2000
A forum community dedicated to all 1911 firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!