With the formation of NATO following the Second World War, the U.S. military explored adopting a 9mm Luger handgun to help standardize small arms ammunition among allies.
Colt, in hopes of securing a government contract, built the first of what would later become known as the Colt Commander. The Commander was based on the 1911 Government Model but featured a shorter barrel and slide. To shave weight, Colt used an aluminum frame — a novel idea 75 years ago.
Neither the Colt Commander nor the 9mm Luger was adopted by the U.S. military at the time, but Colt recognized the gun’s potential and introduced it to the public. The Colt Commander remains in production today and has been sold in 9mm Luger, .38 Super, and the tried-and-true .45 Auto.
The Commander’s role in law enforcement
The Commander in .45 Auto proved popular with many police officers from its introduction in 1950 onward. Its lighter weight and slightly shorter overall length made it easier to carry day after day. However, lighter weight meant more recoil, and the aluminum frame was known to crack under the punishment of the .45 cartridge. Some users also reported feed ramp wear in the relatively soft aluminum alloy.
To address these issues, Colt introduced a steel-frame version called the Combat Commander. While the steel frame added weight, it also made the handgun more durable. The similarity in model names caused confusion, leading people to refer to steel-frame versions as “Commanders” and aluminum-frame versions as “Lightweight Commanders.”
Springfield’s take on the Commander
Springfield Armory entered the 1911 market some four decades ago with pistols manufactured in Brazil. Over time, Springfield transitioned to machining nearly all 1911 products in-house. The company recently revamped several 1911s, including the popular TRP series, and has begun offering optic-ready models across its lineup. Oddly, the TRP series has not yet received this update.
Our test gun, provided by Springfield Armory, is the lightweight Commander format chambered in 9mm Luger.
Springfield 1911 Operator 4.25 AOS: First impressions
This pistol, product number PO9227AOS, stays true to the Commander design with its 4.25” bushing barrel and short recoil spring guide. The Commander’s slide travel is slightly shorter than that of the Government Model, which can occasionally cause reliability issues — especially in .45 caliber guns. Our test sample had trouble in below-freezing temperatures, occasionally failing to go fully into battery. A slightly stronger recoil spring might have helped in the cold, but the pistol functioned flawlessly in warmer weather, so no modifications were made.
Magazine compatibility and performance
Magazines tested included the two factory OEM nine-round mags, as well as extended 10-round mags from Tripp Research. Tripp’s mag tube extends slightly beyond the grip frame, with a base plate that covers this extra length. The result is a magazine that holds ten 9mm rounds while maintaining a compact profile.
One minor issue: the Tripp mags occasionally popped a round loose during magazine exchanges or when removing the mag to verify round count. In all instances, the loose round simply fell to the ground — more of an annoyance than a serious concern.
Fit, finish and ergonomics
The test gun was well-assembled, with a tight frame-to-slide fit and a snug barrel lockup. The trigger was fairly crisp, with only a slight hint of creep about halfway through its travel. Out of the box, it measured four pounds.
Really the only things to complain about might be the fitment of the grip safety, which took 100% of its travel before releasing the trigger. The other is the small loaded chamber indicator notch cut into the top of the barrel. This vents some firing residue upward and onto the optic window.
Optics and weapon light compatibility
As part of Springfield’s “Operator” series, the pistol features a railed frame for attaching a weapon light. We tested it with Streamlight’s TLR-1 HL and TLR-7 HL-X, both of which fit without issue. With a light attached, the Operator fit well in a Safariland 6390RDSO holster designed for the 4.25” Springfield Prodigy.
The “AOS” designation means this pistol is optic-ready. Springfield collaborated with Agency Arms to design the optic plates, which are available for purchase separately. The gun ships with an iron sight plate installed. Plate options accommodate optics with Holosun HE509T, Aimpoint ACRO, Trijicon RMR and RMSC footprints. Additional plates are available from Dawson Precision, CHPWS and other vendors.
The aluminum frame: A tradeoff
Aluminum saves weight and makes carrying more comfortable, but it also takes more wear and tear. The mag well opening is particularly vulnerable — speed reloads and slight misalignment can lead to dents and dings. To mitigate this, we installed an extended mainspring housing with an external steel mag well. This added a small amount of length and weight, but the tradeoff in durability and reload speed made it worthwhile.
The case for a 9mm 1911
Some purists argue that a 1911 chambered in anything other than .45 Auto — especially 9mm — is sacrilege. But 1911s in 9mm date back nearly a century, originating with the .38 Super, which was popular with law enforcement in the 1930s for its ability to penetrate automobile sheet metal and early body armor. And as mentioned earlier, Colt originally developed the Commander in 9mm before selling it commercially in .45 Auto.
Today, 9mm 1911s have surged in popularity, largely due to ammo cost and availability. Modern defensive 9mm loads are highly effective, and when paired with quality magazines — such as those from Tripp Research — there’s no reason 1911 fans shouldn’t be happy with Springfield’s latest offering.
Springfield 1911 Operator 4.25 AOS Specs
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Capacity: 9+1 (OEM magazines)
- Barrel: 4.25” 1x16 RH twist
- Sights: Optic-ready with Agency Arms adapter plates (multiple options available)
- Length: 7.90”
- Width: 1.34”
- Height: 5.25” (without mag well)
- Weight: 23.2 oz unloaded
- Finish: Black cerakote; barrel and bushing unfinished
- MSRP: $1,184
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