Which Colt Government and Commander?

[Cameron Lamont]

After reading the host of valuable information that the contributors to this site provide I would like to see if anyone could help me with finding the right Colt models.

As my business is now out of the ‘start up’ stage and I am able to take a little time, and enjoy some of the profits. I am purchasing three new carry guns (I have been carrying an H&K USP Compact for several years).

I need:
5" Colt 1911 Government Model blue steel
4" Colt 1911 Commander Model blue steel slide / blue aluminum frame
I will also get for my wife:
4†Colt 1911 Officers Model (perhaps a Defender model, she currently carries a G26 and G19)

I will need both pistols to be modified/customized for cosmetics and carry, dehorned, sights, checkering, ambi safety, slim grips (genuine ivory), trigger job, and reliability (most important), I also want all plastic or MIM parts replaced with the best available. (I know there is nothing wrong with MIM, I just don’t want any in there, if I want plastic I have the H&K)

My question to you gentlemen is which ‘model’ Colt should I buy.
From reading this and other forums I have information that would lead me to acquiring a:

Colt Series 70 Pistol (with the New Roll Marks) Model O1970A1CS Government Model
Is it possible to get a commander as close as possible to the Series 70 in cosmetics as well as in function, with an aluminum frame. I would rather have a pistol that has 1911 on the slide not 1991. The devil is in the details. I would like the pistols to be as close to identical as possible.

Additionally I would appreciate any information regarding the prices I should expect to pay for basic the pistols.

Thanks again for the valuable source of information that you provide on this site. I appreciate it.
Once the pistols are acquired and the work completed I would love to post the pictures and a range report

Regards,
Cameron Lamont
[email protected]

 

[BigG]

The Colts do not say "1911" on the slide. They say "Government Model," "1991", or "Commander" ("Combat Commander"). Commander is 4 1/4" barrel, by the way.

There is actually a "Concealed Carry" model Colt that answers your specifications about perfectly, for the Commander, at least. Dehorned, trigger, ambi safety, Commander bbl/Slide, alloy Officer's frame, cocobolo stocks, Novak style sights, etc. It is in stainless steel, however.

I think the Series 80 Enhanced pistols make a nice gun to start with. You can get them in blue Government Models and Commanders.

 

[Cameron Lamont]

I was just out shopping and found a new:

Colt MarkIV Series 70 blue
Government Model
for $959.99

is that reasonable?

Regards,
Cameron Lamont
[email protected]

 

[CWatson]

Try [www.kingsgunworks.com]they not only sell all models of Colt 1911s but do all the customizing you want.CW

 

[farscott]

The 1991 Colts with the current rollmarks say "Government Model" or "Commander"; the "1991A1" rollmarks are no longer used.

The Officers ACP is no longer in production; the current Colt short barrel is the Defender. It is currently available only in stainless.

Your choices for the Government Model are the blued 1991 Government and the Series 70 Government. I bet the 1991 Government can be found for under $600. The biggest difference, since you are planning to gut the pistol, is the 1991 Government has the Series 80 firing pin safety. I would not buy a new Series 70 if you are going to do serious custom work; no need to pay the premium when you can buy a used one for much less.

The only Lightweight Commander in production at present is the XSE stainless version. I would look for a used pistol if you really want a blued one.

 

[Cameron Lamont]

CWatson FYI I just got off the phone with Kings Gun Works.

They are unable to get a New Series 70 Colt. Due to the idiotic laws in the Soviet Socialist Republik of Kali.

Regards,
Cameron

 

[Art Eatman]

My favorite carry critter is an old Lightweight Commander. It's been pretty thoroughly dehorned and worked over. We stripped the anodizing off the frame and Nitexed it, using double-strength solution and twice the normal time in the "vat".

If you're gonna work over a full-size 1911, find an old GI model that's a bit beat up and not a collector critter, or a Sistema. If you find the latter in about a 1934 version, it's from Hartford.

After the mechanics suit you, then get it all reblued and purtified.

Still a cheapskate,

Art

 

[gptrent]

In my opinion (and it is only an opinion) you can not go wrong with a 1911 pattern pistol from Les Baer and you can get them in the PRK.

I have had more than my fair share of 1911 pattern pistols, primarily Colt 70 & 80 series, and had a couple done by big name smtih's.

I was fortunate enough to get to handle and shoot extensively 1911's that were from Armand Swenson.

In my opinion the Les Baer is as good as the best of them, but you pay for it. At Les Baer TR Special will cost you about $1600, but it will run out of the box and comes with two fantastic magazines.

I have a friend that says the same thing about the Wilson CQB models and he shoots his daily.

DVC

GPT

 

[BigG]

Goldcup

I have heard all the warnings about how the sights fly off and recoil from full-power ammo will batter the gun and to that I say PPPfffffttt! This one has had a couple thousand rounds of hardball through it with nary a bobble.

I'm glad somebody else said something about this urban legend. I have several Colt GCs that have never exhibited any of the "problems" so often decried on the 'net.

 

[Cameron Lamont]

SaxonPig, that is certainly the look I was thinking of.

I wanted a 'matching' pair that I can use for CCW the fullsize for winter the Commander lightweight for summer...

I wanted something that has a little history, only Colt has that legacy. Kimber, Les Baer, Wilson all fantastic guns, but they don't have Colt name and history stamped onto the slide.

I found a New Roll Mark Series 70 here in Colorado yesterday. It felt great, good trigger, smooth and tight slide fit, and was in perfect shape (no scratches etc.) They just want far too much money for it $959. So I am now sure I want to get the NRM S70. It is the Commander I need to find that will match it.

Regards,
Cameron

 

[farscott]

I have lost the rear sight rollpin on two Gold Cup National Match pistols. One was a Series 70, and the other was a Series 80. I replaced the rollpin with a solid pin in each case and went on my way. Other than that, the pistols have been flawless. I do struggle with getting the sear depressor and spring back into the pistol after a detail strip, but that is just from my lack of practice.

 

[Cameron Lamont]

Cut and pasted.

Looking at it now.

Thanks again

Cameron