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Well, as it turned out, the rifle I wanted (a rather specific "Made Specially For ZAR" Westley Richards Martini-Henry) was something I lost out on. Fortunately, two things happened: my grades were a bit higher than I expected them to be (meaning a higher budget) and, on the gun side of things, I did find a nice, matching, RAF-marked Enfield No. 2 Mk. I revolver with an intact hammer (the first and only gun where I sincerely believe I overpaid for it, but like it enough to justify it) as well as the pistol in the title...a pre-Series 70 Colt Commander...with some finish wear (looks like holster wear, to be honest). I.e., enough to be affordable but still shootable.

I've spoken with two local guys (one works in the gun shop, the other is a family friend) who have owned 9mm Commanders (Combat and Lightweight) over the years. I asked them whether they'd hold out for a Combat Commander or get the pre-Series 70 gun with an alloy frame. They both recommended the pre-Series 70 gun ("especially since it's a 1950, first year civilian production, and you like history" commented one) and assured me it wouldn't shoot loose...that was apparently a recurring problem with the pre-Series 70 .45's (which they told me to steer clear of...in no uncertain terms they said if I wanted a .45, it should be a Combat Commander, Series 70 or Series 80), but, as mentioned, because it was designed to take the punishment of a 9mm round's recoil, it should not give me any problems. They did, interestingly, describe OTHER problems, albeit less serious than being shot loose.

The first of these problems is the magazine. I'm not particularly sure why, but some of the early guns had feeding problems directly relating to the magazine (one guy said he heard the mags tended to be out of spec on occassion, but doesn't know if that's "gunshow gossip" or the truth). Fortunately, that can be rectified by getting a Series 70 or Series 80 magazine. Since I'm only going to be punching paper as mentioned, one functional mag is pretty much all I'm going to need. Both guys said that some of the older mags do work well, but they tend to be a little inconsistent.

A second problem was that apparently, the chamber throat design changed over time. The earlier throats had no problems feeding FMJ ammunition of any kind, but may experience problems with HP ammo. Apparently, it depends on the gun and while one guy said to stick with FMJ, the other said trying HP's was at least worth a shot.

A third, somewhat stranger problem cropped up when I said that I traced the gun I'm purchasing to 1950 production (first year civilian production...guns numbered 1-65 were produced in 1949 for the NATO trials). "That means it has plastic grips with really uncomfortable checkering," said one of the two guys. He recommended I wear a glove while shooting the gun or just change the grips out. He further noted that the grips may have deformed over time (although he stressed that this occured in a minority of cases); something he guessed was a result of whatever early plastic the grips were made of and it just not aging well.

Finally, they both reassured me about the "substantial" nature of the Combat Commander vs. the pre-Series 70 alloy frame Commander. "You're not taking it into a war zone or even carrying it, so you should be set to go with the lighter frame," said one guy. He noted that although the Combat Commander had less felt recoil, the alloy frame gun didn't kick inordinately hard, at least not in 9mm. And he added: "You're a college boy with a few weekends worth of time to shoot it and a truckload of other guns to shoot. It's not going to shoot loose." Both DID recommend, however, that if I wanted to carry a Colt Commander as opposed to just shoot targets, they would overwhelmingly recommend the Combat Commander in either .45 ACP or 9mm. Since I plan on an IWI Jericho .45 as my eventual carry piece, I don't really view this as a problem. But, speaking with these two gents, I will sincerely have to look at a Colt Combat Commander in .45 ACP for the upcoming semester. I do like how it feels after having held one.

Thanks for the tips! I wound up buying the Colt Commander 9mm from 1950, which we'll see more of once it arrives here (bought off gunbroker, but the seller was very good about photos and even test-firing the gun, which he said cycled perfectly with the FMJ he had on hand). However, dfariswheel, as I said, I'm going to ultimately wind up getting a .45 Combat Commander, though I'm not sure if I'd carry it. Basically everything you mentioned, but stock and I've always liked the blued finish, so that's what I'd get. Photos will be up of the Colt Commander when it gets here!