I think I have it narrowed down to 3 choices now. A Colt Lightweight Commander, S&W 1911 SC, Sig Spartan Carry. They are all .45s and about the same price. This will be my EDC in an IWB Kelly Gun leather C-Flex holster. Anyone compared these guns?

Not a thing wrong with the Colt. I'd personally recommend considering a Springfield loaded model and the new Ruger Commander if price is a concern

I have no experience with your options but I do have a Ruger commander that has really become a favorite to carry and shoot.

Not much to choose from between the Colt & the S&W but for me I'd surely take the S&W Bobtail Commander Sc; as for the Sig, I'd pass on it given the other 2 options.

If you want to spend a few bucks more, a Dan Wesson Guardian would be a step up from the other 3.

MM

S&W Bobtail Sc



Dan Wesson Guardian

I just found the Ruger Night watchman version that has night sights and is still cheaper than the others.

The Smith PC is a few bucks more, too.
The round-butts just 'feel' better....hint

Yes, that's a nice gun too, for the money.

But Huntsman22 points out, the roundbutt/bobtail just feels better.

Choose carefully, but you really have to go through a few pieces to eventually discover what subtle differences can make & what you really prefer.

If you only ever eat vanilla ice cream, you have no idea what chocolate almond tastes like.

MM

Something about round butts...

as I once described my S&W 66 short barrel

"Petite with a round butt, what's not to like?"

S&W Scandium Gunsite Commander.

Thank me later.

You mean like this one............nice gun, shoots well, 100% reliable, but I prefer the roundbutt/bobtail version.

Gunsite S&W Sc With CT Grips



MM

I did carry a Dan Wesson CBob 10mm for a couple years and sold it like an idiot. I do like the round butt

When Ruger comes out with a Lightweight Commander Night Watchman I am seriously considering getting one and having it bobbed.

Only thing wrong with that gun is carrying around the weight all day.

MM

You may want to consider the Springfield Range Officer Compact. Commander slide & Officer frame. Comes with 2 6 round mags, easily replaced with Kimber (or other) 7 round SS mags of your choice. Factory equipped with Novak RS & fiber optic FS.

Mine replaced a Kimber Ultra HD and now wears Novak tritiums. Reliable, LW, good trigger out of the box, ramped barrel, and reasonably priced 45 ACP EDC. Can't say anything against any of the other recommendations - all good choices - but I know the RO Compact works. Good luck.

I will likely be picking up a DW Guardian when I get home. A beautifully assembled piece that feels real good with its narrowed grips and bobtail.

my pick has always been a steel, Colt's Combat Commander

A Dan Wesson CCO is the 4th Commander size pistol I've owned, and by far my favorite.
If you can't live with the Officer size frame, then the Guardian is a close second.

The round butt makes all the difference to me, I've got the standard Sc and love it.

I have the S&W and it's been a good pistol for me, but if I had it all to do over again, I'd buy the Colt.

Colt's Lightweight Commander and accessories work just fine for me and have for many years.



L.W.

….extremely good choice……with the price of good used Commanders, by the time you put good sights on like yours, it's almost cheaper to just buy the new Wiley Clapp Model---added perc of a checkered frame.

Found a Guardian for $1000 so thinking seriously about it

Jump on it ASAP.

The choice is now the Guardian in .45 ACP or do I try it in .38 Super since I found one of those $5 cheaper than the .45?

I don't know about your area but around here .45 ACP ammo is easier and cheaper to find than .38 Super. Spare mags for .38 Super are also at a premium, whereas Colt .45 ACP mags are easy to find and inexpensive.

FWIW.

L.W.

Check out Turnbull for a Commander. Very nice, and extremely well made.

Look around for a Colt 21st Century Commander.

Well worth the money and will stay that way.

Better move quick!

Yeah but about $2k more than my current choices.

I'd snatch that up and giggle all the way home. Dan Wesson's are very nice pistols.

Well the dealer that had the .38 Super Guardian didn't realize one of his employees had already sold it. It must by karma so it l9ks like the .45 is the way to go