My new #1.

[Softail Mike]

I was given this pistol by my wife and mother in law when her brother passed away a month ago. I know basically what it is but not exactly sure what model it is. I know that he bought it new in Dec. of 2005 and it had never been fired.

My friends told me it would be worth more if I never fired it, FAT CHANCE!

I have taken it to the range and I can say that it is a great pistol. It has a nice trigger and is just fun to shoot. I’m not overly concerned with the exact model, I don’t anticipate any customizing or upgrades but you never know.

The one strange thing that I noticed is a strong desire to own more of these. It just makes no sense; I never figured I would own a Colt 1911 but now I’m wondering why I didn’t get one sooner. I guess us black powder guys succumb slowly. It does look cool sitting next to my flintlock.

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/32/32540/folders/15723/1869884Colt19118X6copy.JPG

[Jeffrey]

I'm not sure what model that is either but I'm sure some of our resident experts will let you know. In the meantime, congrats to you on your new Colt.

[Dr. Dickie]

I was given this pistol by me wife and mother in law when her brother passed away a month ago. I know basically what it is but not exactly sure what model it is. I know that he bought it new in Dec. of 2005 and it had never been fired.

My friends told me it would be worth more if I never fired it, FAT CHANCE!

I have taken it to the range and I can say that it is a great pistol. It has a nice trigger and is just fun to shoot. I’m not overly concerned with the exact model, I don’t anticipate any customizing or upgrades but you never know.

The one strange thing that I noticed is a strong desire to own more of these. It just makes no sense; I never figured I would own a Colt 1911 but now I’m wondering why I didn’t get one sooner. I guess us black powder guys succumb slowly. It does look cool sitting next to my flintlock.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/37804500/2119037740033885154OXdpNP#

Looks to be an XSE.
You can call Colt and give them the serial #, and they can tell you the exact type and born on date.
It does look like someone put a new beavertail on it.
Fine looking pistol
And that feeling of wanting another, it doesn't go away, it NEVER goes away, it only gets stronger and stronger :D

[John]

Puzzled! That looks like a parts gun. The frame appears as if it is of late vintage (cut below the trigger guard), but there is no way to be sure without a serial number. The slide appears as if it was one of the old Colt barrels, with the pony on the rear one, I've never seen a Colt slide with the pony at that position, in recent production (but I could be wrong, of course).

[Dr. Dickie]

Puzzled! That looks like a parts gun. The frame appears as if it is of late vintage (cut below the trigger guard), but there is no way to be sure without a serial number. The slide appears as if it was one of the old Colt barrels, with the pony on the rear one, I've never seen a Colt slide with the pony at that position, in recent production (but I could be wrong, of course).
Yeah, I wan't sure about that. I figured maybe some of the XSE's had that.
Since he said he "knew" it was bought in 2005, the slide serations seemed to be a XSE.
On the web site, it looks like something is back there on the slide of the Gunsite pistol, maybe it is one of those.

[OD*]

The "Enhanced" (XS, XSE, etc.) models have the pony at the rear of the slide. It looks like an earlier XS Government Model to me (before the Novack sites). http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/c1484.htm

Nice pistol Mike.

[Softail Mike]

Thanks, I called Colt this morning and talked with Carol. She told me it was manufactured in 2001 and is a model O 1070XSE. . It has differences compared to the new ones shown on the Colt site. The beaver tail is different but similar to other models like the Gunsite and Special Combat.

I found this one on GunBroker.com http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=46700221 that has the same type sights.

The pistol in that link is the closest I've seen so far, Thanks.

[John]

As I said, this is not the first time I am WAAAAAYYYYY off! Sorry Softail Mike!

[Dr. Dickie]

As I said, this is not the first time I am WAAAAAYYYYY off! Sorry Softail Mike!

Hey John. Not knowing means there is an opportunity to learn.
Learning means an opportunity to grow.
If you don't grow, you are dead.
So, our ingnorance keeps us alive! :confused:
(at least that is my story and I'm sticking to it!) :D

[Jeffrey]

So, our ignorance keeps us alive!

That means I'm going to live for a looooong time. :D

[Softail Mike]

John, you had a much better handle on it than I did. I truly appreciate the help.

The next step is realoding for this pistol and that will be another whole learning curve.

[OD*]

Thanks for the update, Mike.

[Ric4509]

The beavertail grip safety was changed to a Wilsons drop-in b'tail for a government. A Commander drop-in b'tail will look better. The frame tang on yours is shorter than most gov't mdl. The trigger is original Colt XSE early models.

[Hunter]

Very nice Colt and the feelings you are having about owning more Colts are normal and healthy. My only release from the Coltitis (as John calls it) is to but another and I will be satisfied for a while but the feeling will began to creep up on you again (depending on your checking account)

[RickB]

It looks like the orginal owner installed the wrong Wilson Combat drop-in grip safety. The XSE, regardless of model, should use the Wilson safety for the Commander.

[Softail Mike]

Thanks for all the information.
I wonder why the grip safety would have been changed. Would there be any benefit to doing so?

It makes me wonder what other modifications have been made, it’s just curiosity, the pistol shoots fine, I would just like to know exactly what it is and what is in it. At least at this point I know the model, when it was made and at least 2 variations from stock.