Help me decide...Colt Series 70 1911

[nwilliams]

My local shop has a Colt Government Model MK IV Series 70 with the Bo-Mar sight rib system on the top for $600.

The gun is in good condition but there is some wear to it, the guy who owned it before obviously used it quite a bit but took good care of it. I would say that it would rate in neighborhood of 80-85%. The trigger is fantastic and I'm thinking this would make a great target pistol.

My big concern is whether or not it's worth the price. In its condition I would say that $600-700 would be a fair price for this Government MK IV Series 70 if it was unmodified. However seeing as though it has had the Bo-Mar sight rib added to it I don't know if $600 is asking too much or if it's a good deal.

I can't decide, should I buy this gun!:banghead:

 

[Coal Dragger]

Depends on who did the work putting that sight rib on. Could be an old Clark custom or some other good smith who may have done more than just a simple sight rib and trigger job.

 

[nwilliams]

Is there anything I should look for that might tell me who did the work?

What should I look for in terms of judging the quality of the work?

Thanks

 

[texagun]

$600 would be a very good price for a 70 Series Colt in the condition you describe in my area. If you are looking for a target gun, the Bo-Mars would be very desirable. If you are looking for a carry gun, they might not be so desirable.

 

[bannockburn]

nwilliams

I don't know if there is any way to find out who did the work, short of asking the previous owner. I take it there's no other paper work/info available on the gun from the gunshop.

I suppose I would look to see if the rib was properly installed, how secure are the set screws to the slide, and how is the barrel to slide/slide to frame fit. Also does it still have the factory barrel with the collett bushing, or was a match grade barrel with a solid bushing installed. This might tell you if this is more of a casual target shooter or if it's a dedicated match gun.

For that price, even if the Bo-Mar rib is a problem, you could certainly add a new slide and still be money ahead on the deal. I think I would take a chance and go for it.

 

[nwilliams]

Yeah the more I think about the more I kind of want it.

I was thinking I might even send it to the Colt Custom Shop to have it customized even more at some point.

I'll probably stop by later today and take another look at it.

 

[gordy]

At that price it may not be there, And that would suck big time.
If it is there you may want to bring it home.

 

[Gordon]

$600 is a great price and that would make a great range/target gun as is! Actually I have found the MK4 collet bushing works very well on a non combat piece. A Colt barrel with one of those bushings shoots right up there with a fitted match barrel for all practical purposes. I have never had one break in 5k plus range shots with the 2 I have kept thus equipted. I have seen them break when used at API in the early 80s, the Blessed Col. certainly hated them, but I have been less dogmatic about them these last 10 years!

 

[earplug]

Buy it

You will not have to upgrade any of the parts if you decide to work on it.
It's a pile of forged and machined parts.

 

[nwilliams]

Well I went down to see about maybe buying this gun but the shop was closed since it was new years day. If the shop is open tomorrow I'll go pick it up. It's actually been there on the shelf for a few weeks now, so I'm sure it will probably still be there the next time I go in.

 

[skoro]

I can't decide, should I buy this gun!

$600 is a very good price on a Series 70 1911. Grab it quick or it'll be gone.

 

[SwampWolf]

Sounds like a great Bullseye pistol selling at a good price. Because the gun is new, I'm wondering if you can shoot it before buying it? It'd be nice to verify accuracy and function prior to committing to a purchase.

 

[nwilliams]

I ended up buying it today! Pics to come!

The gun is actually in better condition than I previously thought. It was quite oily and had a lot of finger prints on it but once I wiped it down I saw there is actually much less wear to the finish than I remembered the first time I looked at it.

Sounds like a great Bullseye pistol selling at a good price. Because the gun is new, I'm wondering if you can shoot it before buying it? It'd be nice to verify accuracy and function prior to committing to a purchase.

The gun was used and on consignment actually so I had to buy it without testing it first.

 

[Fred_G]

If it was on consignment, and you have bought it, I am sure the previous owner would tell you what all was done to it. Maybe you can ask the shop tell the former owner you are curious about it's history.

Sounds like you got a good deal. Enjoy!

 

[nwilliams]

If it was on consignment, and you have bought it, I am sure the previous owner would tell you what all was done to it. Maybe you can ask the shop tell the former owner you are curious about it's history.

Yeah the guy who owned the gun is an employee at the gun shop and is a really cool guy. He's on vacation now and so he doesn't know that I bought his old gun, next time I see him in there I will ask him all about it.

 

[Slamfire]

Don't worry about whether the Gunsmith was known at a National Level. I have two M1911's that were worked on by Gunsmiths no one has every heard of. And they shoot fine.

And that is all that matters. If it shoots good, it is good.

 

[bannockburn]

nwilliams

Congrats; sounds like it worked out very nicely for you. Not only that but you will be able to learn the actual history of the gun from someone you know. That's a win-win situation all the way around. Hope the new Colt proves to be reliable and accurate. Enjoy.

 

[nwilliams]

Finally got around to taking some pics of my new toy!

 

[Jim Watson]

It looks like a serious effort at a pre-scope NRA Bigbore pistol.

The Accurizor bushing has apparently been deleted in favor of a straight barrel and fitted bushing.
It has a long trigger but retains the arched housing to suit the grip of the previous owner, and the walnut grip panels look a little thicker than stock.

Magazine is a late replacement or gunshow fake thereof, but it only has to feed five rounds in a string.

 

[SwampWolf]

Quote:
Sounds like a great Bullseye pistol selling at a good price. Because the gun is new, I'm wondering if you can shoot it before buying it? It'd be nice to verify accuracy and function prior to committing to a purchase.

The gun was used and on consignment actually so I had to buy it without testing it first.

I meant to say used-you made that clear in your original post... In any event, I think you got a splendid pistol for a very good price. I'm a Bullseye shooter who is way too stubborn to shoot any pistol in competition with "enhanced" optics. It's hard to beat the iron sight set-up you have on your new pistol. Enjoy!