SAM "Commander Special" - Compact 1911 Officer Frame & Commander Slide 108mm barrel
I've just received this fun little 1911 from Wolverine Supplies, and would like to share some initial impression/observation of it. This is not a review, because I haven't received the off-white registration paper yet, and have not been to the range for a test fire.
First of all, a big thumbs up to Wolverine's speedy service. It only took them 2 days to finish the transfer and got the pistol in the mail. It arrived even before the transfer notice.
This one is a compact 1911 with Commander slide and Officer frame, same size as a Glock 19. I like this size because, with the single stack width, it is just the perfect small size that fits the hand, and not a bit more. I already have quite a few 1911s, the 5" Governments and 4.25" Commanders, both have the same standard grip size. I don't have prohib license, so the more compact Officer Model (shorter grip and 3" barrel) is out of my reach. Quite a few years ago, we discussed here "how about a Commander slide on an Officer frame? with this we have the most compact single stack 1911 we can have, without a protruding barrel." I was told that Colt had once made these, called the CCO Model (Concealed Carry Officer), and had a price tag of around USD1,500. Those were limited runs, and were not common. A few other manufacturers make them (Dan Wesson, etc), but I haven't seen them in Canada, although it is 100% Canadian legal. I have probably missed some models available somewhere, though.
Although I think such a setup would be ideal if it is 9mm, I still bought Wolverine's SAM Commander Special .45 ACP, since it is a Commander built on the Officer frame, and the price seems reasonable.
So now I have received it, and I'd like to share what I think about this SAM Commander Special, compared to other makes.
Things I like:
1. Good fit and finish.
The gun is in matte black. All surfaces look smooth, no machine marks. Slide to frame fit is tight enough. No slide play. With the hammer back, safety disengaged, I shook the gun in my hand. Nothing wobbled.
The gun has a blank left side of slide, and is marked "Commander Special" on the right side of the slide. I'm glad that they did not put any laser etching on the gun, which would look pretty bad. The Philippines made 1911s in the U.S. market always have big ugly laser etched logos on them, making them look cheap. Good call, Wolverine Supplies.
2. Mostly right parts/features.
One thing about 1911s is that you may have to replace parts (sights, beavertail, trigger, grips, etc.) as soon as you receive the gun. This one has most of the right parts already installed, so at this moment I don't think I really need to replace anything. The sights are good (white dot front + serrated black back Novak style). Beavertail is good. Trigger is not pretty, but the length is just right. I may change grip panels in the future, but only after I find better looking Officer grips.
The front strap checkering is a nice surprise, since it is usually "custom work" that costs extra. More on this later.
There is also some trigger guard undercut done by the factory. Nice touch, especially on an Officer grip.
3. Nice trigger.
The SAM has a very nice trigger out of the box. It has a smooth 2mm take-up, and then a crisp break at, I don't know (I don't have a gauge), around 3 - 4 lbs. This is after I put a little oil inside and did some slide racking and dry firing. In a word, surprisingly good trigger.
4. ACT-MAG mag:
It comes with a glossy polished ACT-Mag with plastic base pad. 7 rounds. This is a good quality mag instead of crappy factory 6 round mag with no base pad.
Things I don't like:
1. It is not compatible with some drop-in aftermarket 1911 parts.
The cut inside the slide will only allow a shorter version of guide rod plug. And the frame (or maybe the barrel) is made in a way, that if another guide rod (Wilson Combat) is put in, the slide will have about 0.5mm backward slide play.
I found this when I tried to put in a full length guide rod, mainly for some extra weight, but I failed. I filed the Wilson Commander plug to the SAM length (about 1mm shorter), but it still won't work because of the slide play issue. I guess the Wilson guide rod somehow does not sit right in the frame. It works on every other 1911 I have though (Colt, Norinco, Dlask, etc.).
So I have to use the SAM guide rod and plug. It works, but a big part of the fun of 1911s is interchangeable parts, right?
2. Frame saftey has sharp edges.
Thumb skin hurts when I push the safety up and down. I will need to file and blacken it later.
3. Only one mag.
Only one mag in the box! This is a little cheap, considering Officer mags are not widely available, and I will have to purchase a few. Manufactuer should have included a couple extra mags, at least one more, which for them won't be the same price as the retail price that we pay, right?
4. The front strap checkering a little too agressive.
It is a little too sharp. It would be perfect if it is slightly easier. Tiny issue.
5. I don't like the partially polished carbon steel barrel.
To my personal taste, it is either a fully blued carbon steel barrel, or an unfinished stainless steel (or chromed carbon steel) barrel. The partial polishing looks weird. And I guess it may rust, if not well taken care of? I may blue it later. Another tiny issue, which could be a non-issue with others.
(NEW edit) 6. It doesn't take aftermarket Officer grips, either!
I tried putting two different makes of aftermarket Officer grips on it, and failed on both occasions. It seems that the lower grip bushing on the SAM grip is a little too forward (by about 1.5mm), so aftermarket Officer grips would be too close to the front strap, and too far from the back strap, and the bottom will be tilted. This is another disappointment with the compatibility of the SAM 1911.
So far I like the look and feel of this SAM, but really don't like it being incompatible with aftermarket 1911 parts (which takes away most of the fun of having a 1911). I have just received the registration papers from CFO (took too long), and will post an update after I range test it.
I've just received this fun little 1911 from Wolverine Supplies, and would like to share some initial impression/observation of it. This is not a review, because I haven't received the off-white registration paper yet, and have not been to the range for a test fire.
First of all, a big thumbs up to Wolverine's speedy service. It only took them 2 days to finish the transfer and got the pistol in the mail. It arrived even before the transfer notice.
This one is a compact 1911 with Commander slide and Officer frame, same size as a Glock 19. I like this size because, with the single stack width, it is just the perfect small size that fits the hand, and not a bit more. I already have quite a few 1911s, the 5" Governments and 4.25" Commanders, both have the same standard grip size. I don't have prohib license, so the more compact Officer Model (shorter grip and 3" barrel) is out of my reach. Quite a few years ago, we discussed here "how about a Commander slide on an Officer frame? with this we have the most compact single stack 1911 we can have, without a protruding barrel." I was told that Colt had once made these, called the CCO Model (Concealed Carry Officer), and had a price tag of around USD1,500. Those were limited runs, and were not common. A few other manufacturers make them (Dan Wesson, etc), but I haven't seen them in Canada, although it is 100% Canadian legal. I have probably missed some models available somewhere, though.
Although I think such a setup would be ideal if it is 9mm, I still bought Wolverine's SAM Commander Special .45 ACP, since it is a Commander built on the Officer frame, and the price seems reasonable.
So now I have received it, and I'd like to share what I think about this SAM Commander Special, compared to other makes.
Things I like:
1. Good fit and finish.
The gun is in matte black. All surfaces look smooth, no machine marks. Slide to frame fit is tight enough. No slide play. With the hammer back, safety disengaged, I shook the gun in my hand. Nothing wobbled.
The gun has a blank left side of slide, and is marked "Commander Special" on the right side of the slide. I'm glad that they did not put any laser etching on the gun, which would look pretty bad. The Philippines made 1911s in the U.S. market always have big ugly laser etched logos on them, making them look cheap. Good call, Wolverine Supplies.
2. Mostly right parts/features.
One thing about 1911s is that you may have to replace parts (sights, beavertail, trigger, grips, etc.) as soon as you receive the gun. This one has most of the right parts already installed, so at this moment I don't think I really need to replace anything. The sights are good (white dot front + serrated black back Novak style). Beavertail is good. Trigger is not pretty, but the length is just right. I may change grip panels in the future, but only after I find better looking Officer grips.
The front strap checkering is a nice surprise, since it is usually "custom work" that costs extra. More on this later.
There is also some trigger guard undercut done by the factory. Nice touch, especially on an Officer grip.
3. Nice trigger.
The SAM has a very nice trigger out of the box. It has a smooth 2mm take-up, and then a crisp break at, I don't know (I don't have a gauge), around 3 - 4 lbs. This is after I put a little oil inside and did some slide racking and dry firing. In a word, surprisingly good trigger.
4. ACT-MAG mag:
It comes with a glossy polished ACT-Mag with plastic base pad. 7 rounds. This is a good quality mag instead of crappy factory 6 round mag with no base pad.
Things I don't like:
1. It is not compatible with some drop-in aftermarket 1911 parts.
The cut inside the slide will only allow a shorter version of guide rod plug. And the frame (or maybe the barrel) is made in a way, that if another guide rod (Wilson Combat) is put in, the slide will have about 0.5mm backward slide play.
I found this when I tried to put in a full length guide rod, mainly for some extra weight, but I failed. I filed the Wilson Commander plug to the SAM length (about 1mm shorter), but it still won't work because of the slide play issue. I guess the Wilson guide rod somehow does not sit right in the frame. It works on every other 1911 I have though (Colt, Norinco, Dlask, etc.).
So I have to use the SAM guide rod and plug. It works, but a big part of the fun of 1911s is interchangeable parts, right?
2. Frame saftey has sharp edges.
Thumb skin hurts when I push the safety up and down. I will need to file and blacken it later.
3. Only one mag.
Only one mag in the box! This is a little cheap, considering Officer mags are not widely available, and I will have to purchase a few. Manufactuer should have included a couple extra mags, at least one more, which for them won't be the same price as the retail price that we pay, right?
4. The front strap checkering a little too agressive.
It is a little too sharp. It would be perfect if it is slightly easier. Tiny issue.
5. I don't like the partially polished carbon steel barrel.
To my personal taste, it is either a fully blued carbon steel barrel, or an unfinished stainless steel (or chromed carbon steel) barrel. The partial polishing looks weird. And I guess it may rust, if not well taken care of? I may blue it later. Another tiny issue, which could be a non-issue with others.
(NEW edit) 6. It doesn't take aftermarket Officer grips, either!
I tried putting two different makes of aftermarket Officer grips on it, and failed on both occasions. It seems that the lower grip bushing on the SAM grip is a little too forward (by about 1.5mm), so aftermarket Officer grips would be too close to the front strap, and too far from the back strap, and the bottom will be tilted. This is another disappointment with the compatibility of the SAM 1911.
So far I like the look and feel of this SAM, but really don't like it being incompatible with aftermarket 1911 parts (which takes away most of the fun of having a 1911). I have just received the registration papers from CFO (took too long), and will post an update after I range test it.
Last edited:
