Colt listened. American Rifleman Field Editor Wiley Clapp has been writing about handguns—especially defensive handguns—for a living for 35 years. In that time, let alone his time as Marine infantry officer in Vietnam and as a sheriff's deputy in Southern California, Wiley has learned a thing or two and formed some strong opinions, opinions implemented on the factory floor at Colt. This stainless steel Wiley Clapp Commander has "Everything you need and nothing you don't." A gun with Series 70 lockwork, Altamont Tactical Oval grips, Pete Single 25 line-per-inch front strap checkering and genuine Novak sights—including a brass front bead and a wide rear—this piece of "fighting iron" is our Gun of the Week.
Specifications:
Model: Wiley Clapp Stainless Commander
Manufacturer: Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC
Chambering: .45 ACP
Action: single action, recoil-operated, semi-automatic center-fire pistol
Frame: stainless steel
Slide: stainless steel
Sights: Novak drift-adjustable; brass bead front, wide notch rear
Magazine: detachable-box, eight-round capacity
Trigger: 3-lb., 3-oz. pull
Barrel Length: 4.25”, stainless steel
Stocks: Tactical Oval grips with fingerprint checkering
Weight: 36 ozs.
MSRP: $1,259
NRA Gun of the Week: Colt Wiley Clapp Stainless Commander Pistol
More like this from around the NRA
Latest
Short & Classic: Auto-Ordnance M1 Carbine SBR
While many short-barreled rifles available today are based on the latest designs, there are a few classic models in the mix, too, such as Auto-Ordnance's M1 Carbine SBR.
Review: Garmin Xero C2 Chronograph
Garmin doubled down and, hot off the introduction of its Xero C1 chronograph, introduced its next-generation Xero C2, which provides some added capabilities and features over the original.
The "Nub Sub:" KelTec's Ultra-Compact SUB-SDP
KelTec is expanding its SUB2000 line yet again with the SUB-SDP, a foldable, braced pistol that KelTec folks colloquially refer to as the "Nub Sub."
Gun of the Week: EAA Girsan Witness2311 CMXX
One of the latest options in EAA's line of 2011-style handguns is the Witness2311 CMXX, which incorporates a large, single-port compensator at the muzzle end.
The Armed Citizen® July 24, 2026
Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.
Review: Freedom Ordnance FM-9D
New small arms with groundbreaking designs are rare in an industry where new products tend to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Fortunately, Freedom Ordnance marches to the beat of a different drum and invested its creative energy into developing the unique, innovative FM-9D.
Interests
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
