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In mytest firearms adventure, I tested Colt's 0401 2XSE Commander, a 4.25-inch barrel version of the M 19 1 1 style .45 ACP handgun. My Commander shot well, handled well and was equally at home for uniform and non-uniform duty. Colt has a reputation for superior quality control, and the fit and finish of this gun could be compared to guns that cost hundreds more.
The Colt XSE series, which includes the Government, Commander and Lightweight Commander model handguns with common features like front and rear slide serrations, checkered double diamond rosewood grips, an extended ambidextrous safety, a threehole adjustable aluminum trigger, and enhanced hammer and low profile white dot sights. The grip safety has a generous upswept portion with a narrow combatstyle beaver tail.
I prefer this barrel length to the M19 11 s full-length, 5-inch barrel. The shorter slide is ideal for pancake style holsters because the seated user doesn t have a muzzle pushing up the belt line or the butt twisting the trunk. It has the advantages of the 5-inch barrel, including respectable velocities from duty cartridges. There is enough sight radius for well placed hits and enough forward weight to control muzzle flip.
During testing I ran several different brands of ammunition: .45 ACP for law enforcement duty generally ranges between 180-230 grains. There are lighter options out there, but even extreme velocity bullets like the CorBon DPX cartridges run 185 grains. The Commander appeared to prefer the 200-grain Hornady +P (Hornady 9113) cartridge, an excellent choice for duty. Groups were generally between 2.5 and 3 inches at 25 yards, an acceptable accuracy for a duty gun. The most accurate bullet/cartridge combination I fired was the one I cooked up in my garage using my own 185-grain bullet mould and some AA#5.
I favor the .45, especially M 191 1 style .45s. The initial concept to replace an "anemic" cartridge with a more effective one for military duty was born out of an immediate and tangible necessity. No one has ever complained about the inherent effectiveness of the .45 ACP.
The Ml 91 1 -style .45 is optimal for concealed carry because the single stack magazine design and flat slide make it easy to carry discreetly. Most law enforcement...