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
The Guns Of Dr. Maynard
Dr. Edward Maynard, a Washington, D.C.-based dentist, developed a number of mechanical innovations for firearms, including a new ignition system and a cavalry carbine that saw use in the American Civil War.
Preview: Holosun P.ID Dual
Holosun’s P.ID line of weapon lights is compatible with nearly any pistol featuring a Picatinny rail thanks to a pair of interchangeable mounting adapters.
New For 2025: TriStar Arms Protégé X Sub Compact
TriStar Arms expanded its handgun offerings with the M1911-style Protégé X Sub Compact chambered in 9 mm Luger.
Preview: Federal Hi-Bird Fiber Wad Bismuth
When it comes to hunting, knockdown power matters, and so does being friendly on the environment, which is where Federal’s Hi-Bird Fiber Wad Bismuth loads come into play.
Gun Of The Week: Iver Johnson MF20
In this video, we’re taking a closer look at an AR-style, semi-automatic shotgun that’s made in Turkey by Izmir Armed and carries the name of an iconic American firearm manufacturer. This is the Iver Johnson MF20.
The Armed Citizen® June 13, 2025
Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.
Interests
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
