If you search you will probably find a dozen or so threads on this. Aluminum vs steel is a personal pref with most people suggesting steel for competition or other high round counts. Some of us have aluminum guns with as many as 60k rounds so they can last. Recoil is also subjective and proper grip can minimize the additional felt recoil from the lighter frame. Many folks discourage +P with aluminum but that may depend on why you want to use +P over standard velocity ammo.

 

I never could understand why anyone would choose aluminum over steel for a pistol frame. Aluminum is for beer cans and airplanes. I must be too old.

 

Less weight. It ain't rocket science.

 

Doing the math on recoil of a steel (33.5 oz) versus an aluminum (27.0 oz) commander frame shows a 24% increase with a 230 grain bullet at 850 fps.

Some discussion on longevity here:

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=353706

 

I have both and prefer the steel. For me, the difference in weight is not an issue. However, as others point out, the weight can make a difference for some.

 

You're gonna hear tales of aluminum frames cracking. But so do steel frames.

There are aluminum frames with unbelievable round counts through them, and others that broke after a couple hundred rounds.

The thing is that anything can happen with any gun and there's always a tiny risk of something bad happening. Aluminum frames may be more risky. You gotta roll the dice.

I'll say this, the aluminum frames being made today are very tough compared to the older versions. And carrying a light weight commander vs. a full size steel IS noticeable, and I'm not a 100 years old or a wimpy 90 lbs. weakling, its just nicer to carry.:rock:

And that doesn't mean I don't love the government in steel, I shoot that plenty. And carry it sometimes. Just for EDC I prefer the Aluminum, even if that means I cannot blast 100,000 rounds through it. I don't have the money to crack my frame!

 

Sounds like I'm not alone. With multiple spine/neck injuries, every ounce makes a difference. Well, that is if you are really dedicated to EDC and/or LEO on the job. After 18 hours of every single day of your life, the inch shaved off the slide/barrel, and aluminum frame can make the difference of being able to manage well, or ending the day in real pain.

Every trade-off discussion (argument), steel/alum, 3"/4"/5", caliber, rifle/handgun, pistol/revolver, round count, etc...... all come down to one thing...an individual choice based on personal compromise for their own circumstances.

If I'm going to be poking hundreds of holes at the range, I rather like the heavy boys. But for EDC, I'm willing to compromise to maintain my personal pain threshold.

Although it does make me smile a little when these topics pop up. How many of us joe schmoes are really going to be able to afford the ammo and range time to wear out any frame, even if a whimpy aluminum.

Let's say the little alloy has a max life of 25,000 rounds before frame goes kaput. Win White Box 45 still running around $50/100. You're looking at $12,500.00 in ammo alone before over-taxing a properly cared for frame. Now you live in a city, and the best/only option is an indoor range, running $13 per hour (cost of the one I frequent), and you average around 200 rounds per session. That's 125 range trips to get you there, costing around $1,625 in range fee's. So all in to wear out your lightweight hip hugger..... $14,125.00.

Yeah, yeah, I know, stupid example. So in short, buy what you like, use what you buy, run it to death, and enjoy the entire ride.

Damn, I really need to get out and shoot. It's been way too long. Now if I could only decide on what to take....full sized steel, of shorty alloy, no wait, maybe should go 9mm because of a headache....oy, but I have all those polymers sitting in the safe with no recent love....maybe one of each....crap, I'm never going to hear the end of it from the wheel guns.....Oh, maybe my boy will want to go, so should consider some 22's and an AR. Ah, just forget it....too much to decide on a Friday...maybe I'll just go home and work on another holster. Oh Noooooooo, holster for a heavy all steel, or compact aluminum?

 

Good post. And yeah, most of the time if you can afford the ammo to crack an alloy frame you can afford to buy a new gun. and you should take ALL your guns with you.

 

Sometimes the fit, weight, and balance of the gun is "just right". Each has his own preference. For me it was an aluminum framed gun. I went from a .22 cal pistol to a .45 cal 1911 aluminum framed and the recoil isn't an issue for me.

 

alloy for carry
steel for range and home defense

recoil is noticeably more (if you shot one, then immediately shot the other) but not the least bit unmanageable

if you can shoot a steel Commander, you can handle an alloy Commander

..L.T.A.

 

See sig line.

Bob

 

Hopefully you can try both. I have both and carry an all steel Colt Commander. In a gunstore the Aluminum alloy frame if fluffy when compared to a steel frame of the same size, but add in the holster, the ammo, and a couple extra mags with ammo then not so much of a difference.