Colt 1911 with two different rollmarks?

[ACP]

I have this on hold at the LGS.

It's a Colt Combat Target Model that has been customized.
Or it's a Colt Combat Government Model that has been customized.
Two different Colt models... but both rollmarks on either side of the slide.

Leftover Series 80 CG slide used on a 1997 CT??
Serial number prefix is CT, suffix is E (for "enhanced")

Thoughts?

 

[Snyper]

I'd be asking Colt

 

[ACP]

Colt only made the Combat Target for one year, I think 1996 or 1997, and only made about 300-500 of them, I have read online while doing research.

This looks like a screw-up, but it's from 20 years ago.

 

[bannockburn]

ACP

I would also be of the opinion that it's a factory mix-up. I remember a friend of my Dad's who had a company car that had Ford emblems on one side and Mercury emblems on the other!

 

[ACP]

Bannockburn, what do you make of the workmanship?

I believe it is by a local 'smith with a long and good reputation.

 

[ACP]

Well, after speaking with the 'smith, I bought it.

I'll let you know how it shoots, from the left AND the right.

 

[243winxb]

http://www.colt.com/Customer-Services/Serial-Number-Lookup What makes you think its a Colt?

 

[ACP]

The rollmarks on the slide are identical to the 80's and 90's Colt rollmarks

The frame is stamped Colt with the address

And Colt customer service telling me today it was made in February 2001.

The Colt blue plastic box it came with with Colt affixed ID sticker and factory paperwork also lists the serial number and model.

 

[ACP]

Five rounds into a half-inch center-to-center at 25 feet tonight. Not much of a challenge. The gun appears unfired and needs to be broken in.

 

[bannockburn]

ACP

From the two photos the gun looks to be decent enough and as you say appeared to be unfired. Keep us in the loop as far as the range sessions go.

 

[BSA1]

You are braver (or have more cash) than I do.

It may be a Colt frame but I don't think it is a Colt slide. The stamps on the side of slides are too proud and no Colt name or Pony on it.

As the saying goes; "Buy the gun, not the story."

 

[ACP]

Links to slide pictures:

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/8704703

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/7735834

http://s153.photobucket.com/user/badbird94/media/guns/D4660A111.jpg.html

 

[wojownik]

Slide looks legit to me, at a glance, but there has clearly been work done on this piece. Rollmarks on the slide seem right for a Combat Target Model. Angled slide serrations are right.

Trigger is aftermarket (factory trigger was one hole, IIRC). Grip stocks are obviously aftermarket, as is the grip safety.

Not 100% sure about the sights, but they seem to look like factory.

If I may ask, how much does your LGS want for it?

 

[ACP]

I spoke to the gunsmith, who I have known for 20 years, before I purchased it. I gave him the serial number and he looked it up in his log book.

Gun was brought into his shop in mid-August unfired by a longtime customer; gunsmith estimated its value at about $1,000, though I don't know how much he purchased it for.

Gunsmith put $1,200 parts and work into it: FLGR, fitted bushing, Colt National Match barrel, Wilson? slide stop and thumb safety, Ed Brown grip safety, extended magazine release, checkered front strap, trijicon staked front night sight and two dot tritium inserts in factory rear sight blade, VZ grips, deburr pistol internally, refinish. Trigger breaks new at about 4 lbs. 8-10 ozs. on my Lyman digital scale.

The gunsmith sold it two weeks ago in his shop for $1750. The buyer then turned right around and traded/sold this unfired, customized Colt Combat Target to my LGS, where I then purchased it a few days later for the grand sum of $760.

 

[wojownik]

Gun was brought into his shop in mid-August unfired by a longtime customer; gunsmith estimated its value at about $1,000, though I don't know how much he purchased it for.

Gunsmith put $1,200 parts and work into it: FLGR, fitted bushing, Colt National Match barrel, Wilson? slide stop and thumb safety, Ed Brown grip safety, extended magazine release, checkered front strap, trijicon staked front night sight and two dot tritium inserts in factory rear sight blade, VZ grips, deburr pistol internally, refinish. Trigger breaks new at about 4 lbs. 8-10 ozs. on my Lyman digital scale.

The gunsmith sold it two weeks ago in his shop for $1750. The buyer then turned right around and traded/sold this unfired, customized Colt Combat Target to my LGS, where I then purchased it a few days later for the grand sum of $760.

Nice - I was going to estimate a value in the low to mid 800s, based on what I saw in the picture (though a catalog puts the value at $875 in excellent condition). I think the gunsmith's valuation was rather high. That's the thing about custom work - you rarely get back a fraction of what you put into a gun. Such is the case here, much to your favor.

Congrats and post a range report.

 

[ACP]

16 rounds offhand at 25 feet last night.

Distance between the eyes is 2 inches; between the ears 4.5 inches.

Yes, my final shot was the one low and left near the ear.

I usually aim for the 3x5" "index card area" above the eyebrows.

I also used the bridge of the nose as a point of aim.

150 rounds though the gun in its first 24 hours with me, just breaking it in now.

 

[ACP]

Thank you Wojownik!

Quite frankly the gun reminds me -- features-wise -- of the $1800 DW Silverback.

 

[bannockburn]

ACP

Methinks you definitely made out on this customized Colt Combat Target!

 

[Rinspeed]

That's very sharp and I think you got a hell of a deal on it.

 

[Rock185]

Yep! You got a heck of a deal. I remember when those were in production. Looked at a couple, but for whatever reason didn't buy. Regretted it as they were soon out of production.

BTW, those have a very desirable change to rear adjustable sight mounting vs. the Gold Cup. The Combat Target rear sights used a larger diameter transverse pin at the front of the rear sight. May not seem like a big deal, and undoubtedly most shooters never noticed. Having owned several Gold Cups with the smaller diameter cross pin, I can tell you it's a very desirable improvement. Enjoy!