TexasCHLforum.com

Although I'm still waiting for my CHL plastic I'm already starting to wonder what weapon will be better to carry. I currently own a new Colt Government Model XSE that is blued. It's a wonderful pistol, very accurate! My Colt looks new but I'm concerned that it's going to get fairly beat-up and scratched as a carry weapon. I'm wondering if I'd be better off with a stainless steel Colt Commander or Kimber (Commander size). I'm thinking that the stainles Commander will wear much better than the blued Colt GM XSE. I'd like to get some thoughts on that logic.

And, if anyone knows where I might get a good trade-in for the GM towards a SS Commander in the North Houston area, that would be a great help!

My normal carry gun is a stainless Champion. It picks up a few scratches too. Nothing to worry about. Blue can wear, but that just adds dignity.

If you want a shorter 1911 I'd say go for it. But...don't trade or sell your GM. Save your pennies and buy a second gun.

I'm with 135boomer. It's obvious you really like the Colt GM and you shoot well with it so keep it and buy a Commander later, if you wish. I also wouldn't worry about the blue wearing over time. Just don't let it rust and that's easy to do. I teach a lot of handgun classes and seeing a well-maintained but holster-worn pistol is more comforting for the instructor than seeing a brand new pistol, new holster and a price tag on both! (To all of my students who came to class with a new gun -- I'm only kidding!!)

Chas.

Easy for me.

Stainless will be more maintenance friendly for the person who carries regularly, also...it will not require refinishing if you need to knock a sharp edge off of it etc...

Gov't length vs. Commander is a matter of personal preference. I don't shoot one better than the other... so I opted for the 3/4" shorter barrel of the Commander.

If finances allow, keep the GM and buy a Commander to compliment it.

I dont see how you could go wrong with both. Only that itll hurt your wallet a little. that will heal with (over)time I know I would like to have a GM to keep my Ultra Carry company.

If you have to choose, keep your GM. Put away the extra change for a while and get a compact later.

Almost forgot, stainless is alot easier to maintain and will stand up to daily rigors better than blued. Just my .02 cents.

I've got a stainless Commander and I love it. In fact, it is on my right hip as I write this.

The shorter barrel makes for much easier carry, especially sitting down. Of course this partly depends on the size of the person carrying it. A big guy probably wouldn't notice the extra length.

I like stainless or the duracoat type coatings for carry guns. Kimber's is "Kimpro", Springer's is something else, they've all got different names for them. That being said though, there's just something reassuring about the well worn, but taken care of look a good blued gun has when it has holster wear and patina. Kinda warm and fuzzy.