An Uncommon Colt

[ugaarguy]

According to my reading online the Colt Night Officer, Night Officer II, and Night Officer III were small runs of pistols made for distributor Lew Horton in the early 1990s. Apparently there were no more than 300 of each series made. They're somewhat unique as they have an Officers ACP slide assembly mounted on a Commander frame. All three versions shipped with basic three dot night sights.

Yesterday I encountered a first series Night Officer in my local gun shop. The pistol was clearly neglected as it's plain to see that the finish was scrubbed to remove surface rust. While there are spots of discoloration on the metal, the engraving is still sharp, and the corrosion was removed before any pitting occurred. The previous owner also put dots of what appears to be nail polish (red in color) on the sights when, I assume, they dimmed out.

Despite the external flaws the bore is excellent, the barrel locks up tight, and the rest of the pistol is mechanically sound. The poor finish resulted in a fairly low price, and the serial number is the teens. The Commander sized frame made it compatible with the magazines & grips I already own for my Government size 1911s. Because of those factors I bought it. I'll post pics, and a range report later today (or early tomorrow morning).

 

[bdb benzino]

Sounds like a nice find, and possibly a candidate for a refinish project. Congrats and good luck!

 

[ugaarguy]

A bit late, but getting back to this. The pistol shoots waaay low, but I suspect it's from my hand compensating for the rat tail grip safety digging into it. I'll order a beaver tail style grip safety this coming week, and get it installed. I suspect that once I get the more comfortable grip safety in there, and I can grip it like my full size 1911s already so equipped, it'll shoot true to POA. I'll update once the new grip safety is installed & the pistol is tested again. Unfortunately, the grip safety issues ruined my fun at the range.

I did confirm that it will run 230gr ball like a champ. When firing 230gr JHP (Speer Gold Dot & Winchester SXT) using both the factory Colt mag, and my McCormick Power Mags, the final round from the magazine would jam with the nose wedged against the top rear of the chamber. Thankfully, the pistol really likes 185gr Gold Dots.

 

[Rogerschrisj]

No pics?

 

[ppcgm]

Sounds like an interesting piece. I carry sort of the opposite, commander length slide on an officer length frame, the Sig RCS. Very light gun and kicks like an angry mule but shoots right to the point of aim, has yet to malfunction though I've only put about 350 rounds through it so far and carries much more comfortably than the Colt XSE and Kimber Custom II TLE I had been carrying.

Yours sounds like a prime candidate for an IWB since with the short nose it won't dig into you where a full size 1911 does, especially when you're sitting in a car. Are you planning to carry it ? Your reactions to how it carries would be interesting.

 

[ugaarguy]

PPCGM,

The SIG RCS is their version equivalent of the old Colt CCO, which is a darn nice pistol. I've already pocket carried the Night Officer in an Uncle Mikes size 3 pocket holster that I already had on hand. The short slide lets it sit deep in the pocket; and the long butt hits the rear of the pocket, preventing cant, and keeping the pistol oriented upward.

IWB carry is comfy in a full size Galco Summer Comfort, but will be great once I get an officer's length IWB holster. Pics below.

ETA: It came with Hogue wraparounds, which were correct to the pistol, I swapped it to the plain rubber clones of the GI wood grips seen in the pics.

 

[MattTheHat]

I've got a Colt Commanding Officer that I really enjoy shooting. The Commander grip and Officer's just seems to balance perfectly for me. I hope to get it customized one of these days soon.

-Matt

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I honestly don't think anyone is going to steal the serial number of your gun, really.

 

[357 Terms]

What kind of sights are you thinking about?

 

[chicharrones]

I honestly don't think anyone is going to steal the serial number of your gun, really.

You know that many, many people are completely comfortable with concealing serial numbers. Otherwise, that is an OT comment.

 

[bannockburn]

ugaarguy

Congrats on a nice find! I have always like the Commander and Officer sized M1911's and it looks like you've found a real diamond in the rough with that one. I have found over the years my shorter slide Colts seem to prefer 185 and 200 gr. ammo. In 185 gr. JHP configuration, Winchester Silvertips and Gold Dots have been totally reliable through my guns.

 

[ugaarguy]

357, I'm going to get the beavertail on it first and see if that helps with the POA/POI issue. After that, I'm looking at plane Jane Trijicons, or a serrated blade rear with brass or gold bead front.

Bannock, thanks for the good words. I'm thinking I may try my hand at stove top parkerizing to refinish this one.