Colt Series 70 9mm 1911 - Commander or Government?

[Paradiddle]

I have an opportunity to purchase either a Commander or a Government in 9mm. Both are Colts series 70. They are both in the same condition and are factory stock.

For you guys who shoot 9mm 1911s which one do you prefer. I will do some work on it (triggers, sights, beavertail, magwell, etc.) and compete with it a little. My 45 1911 is a 5" as a reference.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Jeff

Edited April 19, 2011 by Paradiddle

[The_Vigilante]

For competition, I prefer the Government-heavier helps control the recoil. For carry the Commander-lighter and smaller.

[sfinney]

Commanders are cool, handy guns in 9mm. If its IDPA or casual occasional Single Stack USPSA, I'd consider the Commander.

For full out competition gun the Government is the way to go.

Buy both and sell me the other!

[Paradiddle]

Hmmm - one for each....

My 9mm comp gun is a CZ 75 SA converted to DA. So that is my current 9mm reference point. The Commander is the same weight but .25" shorter. The Government is 5 oz heavier and only .25" longer then the CZ. Decisions, decisions...

[Joe D]

There is no way I would ever bet my life on a 9mm 1911. They are way too difficult to make run with defensive ammo. OTOH I quit carrying my lwt Commander years ago in favor of a Glock 23.

[2alpha]

The 9mm Commander is more rare and should be worth more. No problem for a good smith to make either run 100% with any ammo.

[Gregory_k]

For competition, I prefer the Government

[Black Dog]

I`ve owned that period Colts as well and What Joe D. said, the Series 70`s, especially the 9mm`s, always had big problems feeding HP`s ( if that`s important to you )

Also if it`s an alloy frame commander be sure no one polished the feed ramp thereby removing the anodizing hardness, it should be blued like the rest of the gun.