The Night Commander is the latest iteration of the lightweight aluminum frame Colt Commander first introduced in 1949. The line stands out for its compactness and lighter weight in a 1911 market dominated by all-steel designs. Weighing 2 lbs. 4.1 oz and featuring a smaller Commander hammer and 4.25 inch barrel, the Night Commander is among the most carriable 1911 variants out there. The two-toned appearance and Novak tritium sights denotes the Night Commander’s theme for low light situations.
Available in either 9mm with a 9+1 capacity or .45 ACP with an 8+1 capacity. For consideration is the traditional .45 option. On the firing line, this version of the Night Commander is mostly worry free. Out of an initial three hundred round battery of tests, I suffered two failures to feed early on and none afterwards. The ergonomics are spot on, but the slide release, manual thumb safety, and magazine release are all set up for right-handed shooters. The 80 Series trigger is surprisingly crisp with a 4 lb. 15 oz. break. The inclusion of dual recoil springs to dampen recoil does decrease muzzle rise, an important consideration with the heavy recoiling .45 ACP round. But the springs do make the slide more difficult to rack.
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The Colt Night Commander in .45 ACP is an ideal platform for 1911 aficionados and those subject to magazine and projectile restrictions. For a slim package in a big caliber, the Night Commander is the head of a small pack.
