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The pistol that would eventually be named the Colt Commander was Colt's Manufacturing Company's candidate in a U.S. government post-World War II trial to find a lighter replacement for the M1911 that would be issued to officers. Requirements were issued in 1949 that the pistol had to be chambered for 9 mm Parabellum and could not exceed 7 inches in length or weigh more than 25 ounces.

Candidates included Browning Hi-Power variants by Canada's Inglis and Belgium's Fabrique Nationale, and Smith & Wesson's S&W Model 39.

Colt entered a modified version of their M1911 pistol that was chambered for 9 mm Parabellum, had an aluminum alloy frame, a short 4.25-inch barrel, and a 9-round magazine. In 1951, Colt rushed their candidate into regular production. It was the first aluminum-framed large frame pistol in major production and the first Colt pistol to be originally chambered in 9 mm Parabellum.

In 1970, Colt introduced the all-steel Colt Combat Commander, with an optional model in satin nickel. To differentiate between the two models, the aluminum-framed model was re-named the Lightweight Commander.

The Colt Commander Gold Cup was designed to offer competition-ready out-of-the-box performance in National Match competition. It comes with one 8-round magazine plus a separate recoil spring and one 7-round magazine for wadcutter ammunition.

The Colt Combat Elite is specialized for combat-style match shooters. The .45 ACP model comes with two 8-round magazines and the .38 Super model with two 9-round magazines.

The C.C.O. or Concealed Carry Officer's pistol mated the slide and barrel assembly of the Commander with the shorter frame of the Colt Lightweight Officer's ACP.

• Chambering: 9x19 mm Parabellum, .45 ACP, .38 Super.
• Barrel Length: 4.25-inch.
• Overall Length: 7.75-inch.
• Weight: 27 oz. / 1.68 lb. (0.76 kg.)
• Magazine: Single column box magazine. 7-round (.45 ACP), 9-round (9 mm, .38 Super).
• Finish: Blued Steel.
• Features: Aluminum Coltalloy (tm) frame.

• Chambering: 9x19 mm Parabellum, .45 ACP, .38 Super.
• Barrel Length: 4.25-inch.
• Overall Length: 7.75-inch.
• Weight: 36 oz. / 2.25 lb. (1.02 kg.)[Steel model]. 37 oz. / 2.31 lb (1.05 kg.)[Stainless Steel model]
• Magazine: Single-column box magazine. 7-round (.45 ACP), 9-round (9 mm, .38 Super).
• Finish: Available in Blued and Nickel-Plated steel or Stainless Steel.
• Features: All-steel construction (frame and slide).

• Action: Single Action
• Chambering: .45 ACP or .38 Super.
• Barrel Length: 4.25 Inches
• Overall Length:
• Weight: 36 oz. / 2.25 lb. (1.02 kg.)[Steel model]. 37 oz. / 2.31 lb (1.05 kg.)[Stainless Steel model]
• Magazine: Single-column box magazine. 8-round (.45 ACP), 9-round (9 mm, .38 Super).
• Finish: Blued steel and Matte or Bright Stainless steel.
• Features: Undercut front and Colt Fully Adjustable Elliason rear sights; one-piece wraparound Checkered Rubber Composite grips.

• Official Safety and Instruction Manual (.pdf)