I am looking at selling my XD-40 Subcompact. Well I had a guy that called me and asked me if I would want to trade. He has a Colt Mark 4 70 Series .45. I know that they are a more expensive gun, but do you think it would be a smart trade? I want to look at the quality of the gun as well, what are some things that I should look for?
Colt Mark 4 70 Series for a Springfield XD-40 Subcompact
- Thread starter The Gaint
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dogtown tom
Member
'70's Series featured a collet style bushing that improved accuracy, but also proved to be more fragile than the standard bushing. Check to see if all the "fingers" are on the collet. (Commander models never had this style bushing).
Inspecting a used 1911:
http://www.coolgunsite.com/buying/buying.htm
What kind of finish? Back then the Colt Bright Nickel & Satin Nickel finishes were less than durable. If they get scratched and the copper underlayer is exposed, you better keep Hoppes and other cleaning solvents far away or you'll lose that nickel plate pretty quick.
Black Knight
Member
I believe I would go buy a box of ammo in order to sweeten the deal. If the Colt is in good shape you should be getting the better end of the deal. Like thousands of folks I have a Colt MK IV Series 70 and love it. If you don't like the collet bushing it can easily be changed for the standard. Mine is blue but I'm in the process of changing some of the exterior parts for stainless steel. Some of the parts being changed are the barrel bushing, thumb safety, mainspring housing, and a few others. The idea is to give it my own two tone effect. About 25 years ago I saw one that was factory Electroless Nickle with blue exterior parts. I'm looking at reversing the look.
rklessdriver
Member
FIRST thing you need to look at is the feed ramp on the frame. Make sure no one has been "polishing" it. Lots of "good deals" out there on used Govt models because someone over cut the feed ramp trying to polish it up and the gun won't feed anymore....
Second thing - as others have already said. Check the collet bushing.
A few other things to keep in mind. Be aware that the more orginal that 70 Series COLT is - the more it's worth per say.
If it has a bunch of ill fitting "drop in" parts hung off it - the value is considerabally less. Yes most of those "reversable" things are easily fixable - but you have to track down factory replacement parts.... If the rear tang has been hacked up in some horrid attempt to install a beaver tail grip saftey - it's value is even less... Now on the flip side if a first class smith installed and fitted some top quality aftermarket parts.... it could very well be worth more depending on your taste and intended useage.
Lot of "what if's" when buying a used Govt Model... for me anyway.
Will
Second thing - as others have already said. Check the collet bushing.
A few other things to keep in mind. Be aware that the more orginal that 70 Series COLT is - the more it's worth per say.
If it has a bunch of ill fitting "drop in" parts hung off it - the value is considerabally less. Yes most of those "reversable" things are easily fixable - but you have to track down factory replacement parts.... If the rear tang has been hacked up in some horrid attempt to install a beaver tail grip saftey - it's value is even less... Now on the flip side if a first class smith installed and fitted some top quality aftermarket parts.... it could very well be worth more depending on your taste and intended useage.
Lot of "what if's" when buying a used Govt Model... for me anyway.
Will
Thanks for the replies..
I just talked to the guy again and he said that it is blued and government issued. He says he has some aftermarket stuff on the gun, and says that it is in excellent shape. I am just wondering why is he willing to trade a gun work 800-1200 dollars for a gun worth only 500-600. Doesn't make sense and seems kind of fishy to me. What do you guys think?
I just talked to the guy again and he said that it is blued and government issued. He says he has some aftermarket stuff on the gun, and says that it is in excellent shape. I am just wondering why is he willing to trade a gun work 800-1200 dollars for a gun worth only 500-600. Doesn't make sense and seems kind of fishy to me. What do you guys think?
smoothdraw
Member
ask what the aftermarket stuff he added. Ask how much riffling the barrel still have? Are the thumb safety and grip safety working properly. Ask for a picture.
dogtown tom
Member
Doubtful that it is both.
He is probably mistaking the rollmark:
"Colt Mk IV Series 70 Government Model" for a gun that is issued by the US Government.
While I'm sure there are Series 70's that are blued and were issued by some .gov agency, the odds would be pretty long that he would have one.
tommyintx
Member
inspect the gun first. fit and finish, feed ramp and barrel. if it checks out, i wouldn't hesitate a second longer. as long as the feel FITS YOU. if not, let someone else become a colt fan, that doesn't feel the XD as you do.
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