Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Who carries a Lightweight Commander

Sounds like you have it covered nicely.

Bob,

One of these days I'll bag me a LWC in .38 Super. Right now my only Super is my full sized government, and I only carry that once or twice a year...I didn't exactly buy it for a carry gun. When I'm carrying a LWC in Super on a regular basis, I'll take my ammunition choice a little more seriously. Silvertips are more out of convenience than preference. I'm confident they'll do the job when called upon, but I know there are much better loads in that wonderful cartridge.

I bagged two medium sized hogs in the same day with factory .357 Silvertips back in the '80's and all 3 rounds fired did exactly what I would expect them to do. I doubt the current Silvertips are the same bullet I used in the '80's, I know Winchester has played with jacket thickness and the metallurgy of the core over the years to improve the Silvertip line...so that 1980's experience seems about worthless today.

When I lived in Arkansas I did take a "coyote of convenience" with my .38 Super while toting Silvertips. Riding in the back of the trailer picking up hay bails, he just ran right out in front of us and stood there... Pretty much leveled the Yote at just under 50 yards. Bullet wasn't recovered (which kinda surprised me a bit). So clearly it works, but as I said; there are much better loads. I love the Buffalo Bore 147gr JHP at around 1150fps.

I have not had much luck with BB ammo. They never meet specs in several of my guns. Shoots dirty too.

I am looking forward to trying out the BB 220gr 10mm stuff someone gave me. The chronograph will be there when I do. Box states 1200fps. We will see.

I'm not currently carrying a lightweight commander daily, but have at times. For one period of about 3 years, it went with me everywhere in all seasons.

What Brand gun: Kimber Pro Crimson Carry II (w/ night sights added)
Why: I handled it at the gun counter. It looked good and felt good. No science to the decision whatsoever.



Caliber: .45
Why: Because I wanted a .45.

Factory Loads: Yes, currently it's loaded with Hornady 230 gr XTP +P for EDC
Why: I had a list of different types of ammo that I was willing to carry for EDC. This round made my list. When I went shopping it was the only round on the list in stock. I bought a box and tested it for feed-function-accuracy and it worked. I went back and bought more. I plan on switching to Fed HST's, however.

Hand loads: Yes, for practice, classes, and bowling pin shooting.
Why: Cheaper and to have specific loads for specific tasks.

Practice Loads: 230 gr cast lead, 230 gr ball, 230 grain Rainier plated HP's, 185 gr Nosler, 185 gr Rainier plated HP's. Most everything gets shot over Titegroup. My wife's practice loads are over low-book W231.
Why: I shoot lead and Rainiers because they are cheap and accurate. Titegroup gives more rounds per pound of powder and meters well. Bullets go where I aim. I might have gone with AA5 or something else had it been available, but during the big shortage, I scored about 12 lbs of Titegroup. I have no reason to switch away from it.

Holsters: I bought two built by a member here on the fire--gregintenn. One is a basic black leather IWB, and the other an OWB. For the price, they are a sweet! I'm very blessed to have them. If gregintenn ever comes through my area, I'd be pleased to meet him and buy dinner.
Why: See above.



And I'll add to the list of inquiries...

Magazines Kimber or Tripp Research.
Why: Magazines aren't crazy expensive. The difference in price between the cheapest and the most expensive isn't enough to make it a factor in your decision making process. You can get cheap mags for $15 and expensive ones for $45. I have had two Wilson Combat mags fail to feed properly (one in this 1911 and one in another). My Tripps and, surprisingly, my Kimber Tac's have been flawless. I know it's cool to hate on Kimber mags, but I go with what works. Like most of you, I can afford to run any mag I want. It's Tripp Research and Kimber for me.

Great rig there Waders.