Colt Optics Ready Night Commander Handgun .45 ACP 8rd Magazine 4.25" Barrel Black

The Colt Optics Ready Night Commander is a .45 ACP pistol built for shooters who want a modern duty or tactical carry gun without sacrificing the proven reliability of the Commander platform. With a 4.25" barrel and optics-ready steel slide, this handgun bridges classic Colt engineering and current defensive trends—giving you a semi-automatic .45 that's equally at home on the range, in a duty holster, or as a serious carry piece.

The optics-ready slide is precision-cut to accept red dot sights and comes with a removable cover plate and factory-installed G-style dovetail rear sight, allowing you to run your optic of choice while maintaining lower-third co-witness capability if you keep iron sights in the fight. The steel slide pairs with a lightweight aluminum frame finished in matte black CERAKOTE, giving you durability and corrosion resistance without unnecessary weight. At 29.4 ounces unloaded, the Night Commander carries more like a compact than it weighs.

Control and ergonomics matter in a .45, and Colt equipped this one with thoughtful details: a Novak tritium night sight up front for low-light work, an upswept beavertail grip safety, an undercut trigger guard for a high, secure grip, and slim G10 grips with half-checkering. The Series 80 single-action trigger system delivers a crisp, predictable break. An aluminum three-hole skeletonized trigger keeps the action clean and responsive. The extended thumb safety is exactly where you expect it, and the 8+1 capacity gives you a fighting load in the most powerful common defensive round.

This is a purpose-built .45 for shooters who know what they want: traditional 1911 handling, modern optics mounting, and the stopping power of .45 ACP.

Key Features

• Optics-ready steel slide with removable cover plate and lower-third co-witness capability
• Factory-installed Novak tritium night sight for rapid target acquisition in low light
• Lightweight aluminum alloy frame with matte black CERAKOTE finish
• Series 80 single-action trigger system for consistent performance and follow-up shots
• Ergonomic controls: aluminum three-hole skeletonized trigger, extended thumb safety, undercut trigger guard
• Slim G10 grips with half-checkering for secure handling
• Upswept beavertail grip safety for a high, confident grip
• 1:16 LH 6-groove barrel for reliable function
• 8+1 round capacity in .45 ACP

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mount a red dot sight on the Colt Night Commander?

Yes. The slide is optics-ready with a precision cut for red dot mounts and includes a removable cover plate. It also comes with a factory-installed G-style dovetail rear sight for lower-third co-witness if you want to keep iron sights available.

What's the capacity and what does "8rd" mean?

The pistol ships with an 8-round magazine. Combined with one round in the chamber, you have 8+1 capacity—a full fighting load in .45 ACP.

Is this a good carry gun or duty pistol?

The Night Commander is designed with both roles in mind. At 29.4 ounces unloaded, it's light enough for daily carry, and features like the Novak tritium night sight, upswept beavertail grip safety, undercut trigger guard, and optics-ready slide make it well-suited to duty or defensive use.

What kind of trigger does it have?

The Colt Series 80 single-action trigger system delivers a crisp break and consistent performance. The trigger itself is aluminum, three-hole skeletonized design for a clean, responsive action.