Colt Custom Combat 10 - pic

[Brass Balls]

A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate to read a week old message from aspen, who is a very considerate member of this forum, that although he wasn't interested in it this gun was for sale. He knew the town he saw the gun in, but not the name of the shop. Some creative internet searching came up with one FFL in the town and some more searching on the name gave me their phone number, however they were closed. A little more searching gave me the owner's home phone number and when I called she told me the gun was still in stock and they opened in a couple of hours. I was at the door when they opened.

The gun was completely stock and unfired. Although I thought I was going to see a Delta Elite the gun turned out to be a "Colt Custom Combat 10". They were asking $800 for it which I ponied up immediately before they could change their mind. The serial number is 10MM 33x A call to Colt revealed that this was a special run of 425 units and it was made in 1988.

The first day I shot it I put a box through the gun and then replaced the stock dual recoil springs & plastic guide rod which was already starting to show wear. I replaced it with a FLGR and a 26# Wolfe recoil spring; the stock spring is 23#. This worked fine with the hot 200 grain XTP Doubletap ammo I had with me, but when I shot some reduced pressure Federal Hydra Shoks the gun had a couple of failures with the rounds nosediving into the bottom of the feed ramp. I then went to a 24# recoil spring which still worked great with the Doubletaps and also with the lighter loads.

I bought a Sprinco recoil reducing FLGR for the gun from Brownells for $74.95 although I haven't shot the gun with it installed yet. Also picked up 5 Chip McCormick 9 round 10mm magazines from Midway for $23.89 each. I also found these same mags for $1.90 less at CDNN which was the best price I found on them, however I needed some other stuff that Midway had in stock and bought from them.

To date the gun has 400 rounds through it and it's been reliable once I sorted out the spring rate. The lack of a beavertail I can live with and the GI thumb safety is serviceable even though these parts are different than what I am accustomed to. The trigger has a smooth face and is on the heavy side. I'm guessing it's around 5.5-6# and I would like to have it tuned and lightened.

I'm still considering this gun's fate. Should I leave it stock or at least only change parts that are easily put back in place or should it be the basis for a custom?

 

[zen_grasshopper]

Full Custom.

I recommend Ted Yost.

Jon

 

[Brass Balls]

Ted would be an excellent choice. It's not about degrading the value I'm just not sure if I want to significantly alter a pistol that is fairly cool & unique.

 

[Brass Balls]

All these views and only one response? C'mon guys I know you have opinions, give 'em up.

 

[TRK2AJK]

your decision

I'm still considering this gun's fate. Should I leave it stock or at least only change parts that are easily put back in place or should it be the basis for a custom?

if you allready have a custom 1911, i would leave it as is or do as you suggested. nothing like a custom 1911 ('cept maybe a custom hi-power ).
a pistol made in such low numbers will definitly have collecto interest someday, and i am sure that one, being a 10mm allready does.
i have owned several custom pistols, that when i bought and had them customized, i swore i would have them forever, because they were "just the way i wanted them". i don't have any of those pistols anymore, and i promise, i never got back what i put into them.
i have a colt 1991a1 that should be coming back from clarks this month. i put $700 over the price of the gun, and i swear, i'll keep this one forever 'cause it will BE JUST THE WAY I WANT IT" LOL!
the only colts i still have are the stock, unmodified ones that i always seem to hold onto. .
my advice, is if you can't put it back the way it came, don't do it.

that is a fine looking pistol, btw.

 

[Brass Balls]

the only colts i still have are the stock, unmodified ones that i always seem to hold onto.

Interesting history that you've had, TRK2AJK. Thanks for posting that.

 

[Bob R]

If it were me, I would keep this one just like you have it. I would then save my money (if needed) for a year or so and get a Delta Elite and send it off to Ted Yost.

Of course, I can say that because I have a Delta down at Ted's right now. I last saw it in June, so it should be coming home soon. But, it sure is going to make a dent in my meager savings.

The rarity may or may not make this one more desirable in the future. All I know it the 10mm is getting pretty popular around some areas.

bob

i put $700 over the price of the gun

Man, you got off cheap!!

 

[gulogulo1970]

I wouldn't change anything that you couldn't change right back. 425 units is pretty low number. Frankly I've never heard of this gun before.

Keep it stock, it is very cool as it is.

 

[BluesBear]

I'd keep it just the way it is.

I'd shoot it, but I wouldn't alter it with anything other than drop in parts.

TRK2AJK is right. Your idea of perfectly customized today might be different next year. And you'll never get back what you put into it because the next guy will have his own idea of what perfectly customized should be.

But there will always be a demand from collectors and Colt fans for an original specimen.

 

[GoRon]

Personally I would only put drop in parts in it. 425 units is a low amount of units.

An action job with a trigger and safety you like would still allow you to put it back to stock configuration.

Thats a nice gun you got there.

 

[Skyviking]

I just picked up a virtually LNIB stainless Colt Delta Elite. Compelely stock save for a trigger job by Barry Mowry. This one will be going off to Chuck Rogers for an ambi. safety, EB grip safety, mild carry bevel package, Heinie Slant-Pros, barrel bushing, re-crown, reliability pkg., and anything else Chuck thinks it ought to have done to it.

For collector value, your Custom Combat 10 should have been left unfired. I'd clean it, put the stock parts back in, grease it up, and leave it virtually mint if you envision this as an investment. Go out and get a run of the mill DE and make it whatever you want it to be. Your Custom Combat 10 will always be something you can pull out of the safe and say, They only built 425 of these before they realized, "I could do better."

 

[medmo]

Ted wouldn't have the nerve to go slicing and dicing on that pistol. If you insist on "customizing" this piece I won't like you. We won't like you. Your family might not like you either. 425 manufactured? You will REALLY regret it if you do, (not just because we won't like you). Go get a Dan Wesson 10mm or put the mud flaps and whip antenae on a Delta. For the sake of humanity and those who love guns.... please leave this one alone.

 

[stans]

If I stumbled across a LNIB Colt 10mm today, especially one of these very limited production models, I think I would keep it as is. There are plenty of Delta Elites out there and now Dan Wesson and Kimber have 1911's chambered in 10mm. My Delta is highly customized by me. When I bought mine there was no collector interest so mine had its guts replaced, Ed Brown beavertail grip safety, and S&A mainspring housing and magwell.

 

[Chuck Perry]

Make it what you want. It's a gun, not an archeological relic.

 

[Mgraff]

Chuck just nailed it...do what you want ....I'd send it to Ted Yost, or Chuck Rogers.

 

[medmo]

Now I finally realize how rare guns become more rare and why the ones in orginal condition increase in value so much over the years.

Thanks for the lesson guys.

 

[Soap]

Nice gun! What model Porsche do you drive?

 

[Brass Balls]

Great comments guys! I appreciate the feedback.

Daniel I sent you a PM.