[Whitewolf 508]

I saw a seris 80 Colt Combat Commander in stainless today at a local gunshop. The asking price with box, additional rubber grips and 1 extra 7 round magazine is $799. The frame appeared to be short as compared to a regular GM. It also has 3 dot high profile sights. The gun appears to be 97% with only one small scratch on the frame.

First, is the price out of line?

Second, is there a possibilty that this gun has a Defender frame with a Combat Commander slide and barrel? If so, would that raise or lower the price?

The gun has been at this shop for over 6 months on consignment. They said that the owner does not want to lower the price. I have noted that their retail prices appear to be high i.e. a brand new blue FNP 40 with 3 10 round mags for $600.(10 rounders because we are in NY):confused:

[Baba Louie]

Considering location... I dunno. I do know that I can order a brand new Colt Combat Commander from Davidsons (if they've got any in stock) for $729 and pay my dealer an additional $60 for his time and paperwork for $789 total... but this is Las Vegas NV, not NY State. Last year I bought a new blue Colt Commander for $675 so to me $799 is kinda high for a used pistol.

[The Lone Haranguer]

Could it be a CCO? This was a model produced c. the late 1990s or early 2000s. It is essentially a Commander slide/barrel on an Officer's ACP frame. Because of its relative rarity, the price is high but not outrageously so.

$600 for a FNP40? Cabela's here has them on sale for $405.

[Starter52]

The Commander should have the same frame as the Gov't 1911, with the barrel & slide 3/4" shorter. The Officers Model has the shorter frame.

Since the gun in question takes the 7-shot magazine, it likely has the larger 1911 frame. The Officers Model takes a 6-shot mag.

Colt prices have climbed recently, and all Colt 1911A1 pistols are desireable. Still, I wouldn't pay $800 for this gun.

[XavierBreath]

In my area, if you know where to go, you can still buy a new Colt Combat Commander, Series 80, in stainless for $750. At other places in Louisiana, they sell for closer to $850.

I don't think $750 out the door would be bad for a used one, especially in New York, Mass, or Calif. Of course, $650 would be better.......;)

If it is a CCO, the price is about right.

[Steelharp]

I have my Commander and Gov. frame right next to each other right now... the Commander is definitely shorter, looks to be about 1/4" or so. They're not supposed to be the same size.

[hmp32]

The duscover on a Commander is shorter and is suppose to be shorter.

[Whitewolf 508]

I checked the slide markings. There was no CCO marking at all. The grips came even exactly with the bottom of the grip frame. I have small hands and my little finger comes just at the edge of the grips and the corner of the backstrap digs into the heel of my hand.

Thanks for the advice on the price. I think that I will pass for now and see if the owner drops the price after the beginning of the year. If so, I will go for it . If not, the gun can sit in the case for a while.

If I could fire the gun for function(or there was a warranty), it would be a different matter. I am hesitant to spend a whole year's gun budget on an unknown.

:p

[Starter52]

Steelharp, good call. You are correct. I took both guns and compared them side-by-side and the 1911A1 (mine's a series 70 Gold Cup) frame is longer than the Commander. About 1/4" longer. Funny that I had never noticed this before.

[BsChoy]

Whitewolf, Were are you located? I am in the Albany area and that sounds just a little high to me, but no more than about 50.00-70.00...

[10-Ring]

That seems like a fair price - a good price if that Commander is what you're collection is missing ;)

[Whitewolf 508]

I am going to continue to wait and to look. The first handgun I ever fired was a Colt Commander in satin nickel back in 1980. I had a choice between that and a brand new Walther ppk/s (Interarms) at the time. I chose the Walther because of the DA. Still wish that I could have bought both at the time.

[gunslinger720]

I owned a combat commander a few years ago but after I took it home and shot it I really didn't think too highly about it so I had a heavier recoil spring put in, a beavertail safty and abbextrious safty and a fitted accuracy bushing it shot very well but the prices then ( I lived in texas ) were much lower in fact with all the parts and gunsmith work I paid slightly less but I guess its the times and location if there numerous or scarce. I will say though that a little while later I bought a Para Ordenance P-13 which is about the same size externally but I believe the barrel is slightly longer for a few dollars less ans was really suprised. The Gun shot whatever I put through it without any hang ups or jams and for a Gun right out of the box I'm inclined to try anothjer of their models more on the full size version Gunslinger720
P.S.Then again it could have been the perticular model Colt that had a few glitches as I've owned many Colts without a problem and everyone has their chevy and Ford Battle as well

[Ultima-Ratio]

Buy it now, prices on firearms (and everything else) is in flux and expect a 25-35% increase very soon.
Inflation is an ugly by product of too much printed money.

What something cost last year has absolutely no relation to prices now.