American Classic Commander 1911

[OM44]

In early January, 2015 I acquired a 1911 all steel Commander that was made in
the Philippians by a company called "Metro Arms." Pre-purchase research found
about half of the new owners didn't like the gun and about half thought it was
a great gun.

My new gun was a "Jam-a-matic" at first and I began to agree with those who
thought the American Classic Commander was less than advertised. I didn't have
much time to shoot the weapon to break it in, but I have finally reached 500
rounds through the weapon and I have come to a conclusion. The gun is better
than a lot of people thought, including me. The problem all along has been with
the magazine. The one that came with the gun really looks good, but doesn't
work as well as it should. The magazine I found that works without fail every
time is one of two 1911 magazines that I purchased with a Colt 1911 A1 in 1970.
I sold that Colt in 1976 but kept one of the magazines which has been lying
around in my gun safe since then. That Colt magazine works perfectly.
No problems of any kind.

So, if you have an American Classic Commander 1911 and have trouble with it,
get yourself a Colt magazine or as was recommended to me a Wilson Combat
magazine. I haven't tried a Wilson magazine yet. The price is a lot higher
than the Colt magazines that are available.

I found I can use the 8 round mag that came with the gun if I only load 7
rounds in it.

Your mileage may vary...Good Luck!

 

[Deanimator]

I recently bought a Citadel 3.5 CS compact M1911, also made in the Philippines.

I had failure to feed issues, but ONLY if the magazines were loaded with seven rounds. I literally could not manually load a round from a fully loaded magazine. If loaded with six, they were flawless.

I was advised to buy Chip McCormick magazines, and indeed the gun feeds flawlessly from them.

These Philippine M1911s are a great bargain, rivaling the value of the now unavailable Norinco M1911s, while requiring no parts replacement out of the box. My Citadel has an ASTOUNDINGLY good trigger for an out of the box gun.

I would not hesitate to buy another Philippine M1911, and am looking at a full sized .38 Super.

 

[OM44]

My Commander came with a two-stage trigger. I couldn't stand it. I talked to a local
gunsmith who stated he would make it a four pound trigger that felt like "breaking a
glass rod." I let him work on the gun....Breaking glass? NOPE. It still had the two
stage trigger when he finished. I made him do it over. He was upset and stated
that he would have to replace the sear. I said go for it.

He charged me an arm and a leg and the trigger is still not like breaking glass. It is
better than it was, but it still is not what he claimed it would be.

I have given up on him. He will never work on any of my guns again.

Does anyone know a competent 1911 smith in the Las Cruces, NM area or El Paso
Texas? How about anywhere in New Mexico? Thanks.

 

[Stengun]

Howdy OM44,

Most hiccups with 1911s are due to the magazine and your gun is a fine example of this happening.

Back when I only owned and shot 1911s I had a numerous GI surplus mags that sold for 5 for $10.00 at the gun shows. If any of them hiccuped they got thrown into the trash can.

Paul

 

[drleephd6530]

To me the classic Commander 1911 is the Colt M1991A1 Commander. It is small durable and shoots like a Colt should. Carry it all the time, never be without it and 2 more mags.
I am an instructor in CC and am a Master Ipsc, Master Defensive Pistol Shooter.