Help me pick out my birthday present to myself (Colts)

[Frandy]

Okay, I am happy with my Dan Wesson and my Smith 1911s, both fullsize.

But, my dealer has 3 Commanders for sale. I want one for carry.

The 70 Series is a LW Commander with plenty of use behind it, no doubt. Blue has some wear that looks like holster wear. It's sporting a bobtail that looks reblued/refinished. One Springfield mag. $599

The second is an 80 Series Commander (not LW). Less wear and age, no bobtail. Three dot sites...3 mags and original box $495 We have an idiot mark on it. Oh, well.

Third up is a used Series 80 alloy LW Commander, one mag $625. This one is either never fired or minimally fired.

I'm so afraid of getting a used Colt 1911...but it's ma' birfday!

Any good advice on which to consider over the others...too many factors? HELP!!!!!!

Thanks.

 

[dev_null]

Tough choice. I think I'd lean towards the Lightweight, but it's hard to say sight-unseen.

Hippo Birdies, by the way.

 

[Puppy]

I think the better of the 3 deals sounds like this one:

80 Series Commander (not LW). Less wear and age, no bobtail. Three dot sites...3 mags and original box $495.

Even with an "idiot mark" that's a damn good price.

 

[Steelharp]

If you won't grab the Series 80...

POST A PHONE NUMBER FOR THAT DEALER, PLEEEEZZZEEEE!!!!!!!

 

[Black Majik]

I'd go for the S80 steel commander instead of the two lightweights.

Definitely pass on the hard used LW commander. The close 2nd would be the lightly used LW.

Don't the lightweight commanders have a problem with short life spans on their frames?

 

[Frandy]

So, what do you think? The extra hundred is for the fact that it's a LW and a Series 70?

 

[10-Ring]

I prefer steel 1911's, so I'd go w/ the series 80. Sight unseen, it's tough to determine value. Personally, I'll take a pistol that was carried alot but hardly shot vs. one that is shot out or has some home grown gunsmithing on it but w/ a pretty exterior.

 

[Frandy]

Yeah, well...I screwed up in my post. the "steel" one isn't. It's a LW - an alloy...

 

[BigG]

The later ones are marked COMBAT COMMANDER if they are steel, iirc.

I would take the one with the idiot mark or the $625 one judging from your description. Which one depends on how you want to treat yourself. If the idiot mark is truly a non issue, get that one. If you like a clean piece, then you need to buy the one in better shape.

RE: the one with the beavertail. I am usually leary of guns with aftermarket parts. Who changed what? YMMV

I've also seen Commanders with the frame ramp dremeled out. They should be the same color as the rest of the frame. If it's shiny, well somebody mechaniced on it. Alloy usually doesn't take kindly to alteration. The anodizing is on there to make a tough surface. Again, YMMV.

 

[1911Tuner]

Commanders

Commanders are all alloy-framed.
Combat Commanders are steel-framed
Both are available in Series 80.
Neither is available in Series 70.

If ya go with the LW Commander and ya don't like it...come see me!

 

[Frandy]

BigG...good info. I too am leary of the beavertail... I think it's the alloy/steel/whatever or the least expensive one, the one for $495.

I guess I fear getting one with problems... Of course, if I do, I just spend dough getting it worked on, right. That makes the Series 80 non-LW for $495 much more attractive.

 

[Frandy]

TUNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was hoping you would see this.

Yeah, you know I will. I need to get down and see you and Flyer sometime soon anyway!

Thanks.

Frandy