what have i got?

[keithmonty]

hi guys, new here with the classic story of the porsche in the barn. my uncle died and after the funeral my aunt jeanie gave me his guns. a 30-06 rifle, a ruger .22 revolver and a colt commander lightweight special .38...this is still in the original box with the sales receipt of july '72. it looks for all the world to be a colt 45 but in a 38 caliber? the thing looks almost new and i doubt it has had more than one clip ever fired thru it. my uncle never hunted even though they lived out on some land in kentucky. on the barrel on the left side it says commander model then colt in larger letters then, super .38 automatic. on the right sidecolts pt. f. a. mfg. co. hartford conn. usa and the serial no. begins with clw. so, does anyone out there know what i have besides a very attractive (yet in need of a good cleaning) colt semi-auto .38? you can email me at kklamonty@yahoo.com or i will try to keep up with the thread here. thanks for your help keithm

[Chuck S]

It's just what it says it it, a Commander in .38 Super. As a Commander is has the lightweight, alloy frame which makes it an ideal carry pistol.

If it's truly LNIB you should have no problem selling it if you don't want it.

-- Chuck

[santa]

Wrong forum fellows

[John]

First of all, welcome to this forums site, I am sure you will enjoy the staying.

Second, congrats on your new toys, it's not everyday that one gets three new firearms, including a LNIB 1911.

A few words, which will make your staying here more pleasurable.

1) Read the site rules. They can be found in the site, but also in the e-mail we send you when you registered.
2) Use the most appropriate forum for your posts. The question you post about your newly acquired Commander, was posted in a Forum which is to be used for questions or suggestions about the site, not about pistols. It is clearly mentioned, at the forum description, right below its name.
3) Posting in the wrong forum incures a warning point. If you collect 10 points, from various offences (read the FAQ), you get banned from the site for 7 days. The only reason I didn't warn you this time, is because you are a new member and not familiar (I assume) with the procedures, hense this message.

Please respect the rules and the other members, as much as you would like to be respected by them.

Again, welcome, and enjoy your staying.

[swampertwo]

Keith, you have a 70 series lightweight commander manufactured 1970-1983 and obviously was a very early model by the receipt. Per Blue Book, value runs somewhere in the $775-950 range for 95%-100%.
A good takedown and clean to see what you do have and to make sure there are no hidden rust spots and you should have a really nice platform for a 1911.
Jeff

[keithmonty]

thanks for all the help guys and sorry for the wrong post. i downloaded the breakdown/cleaning instructions for it and have gone over it completely. no rust and now it moves like it did from the factory. my main concern was that i did not want to go thru 2 boxes of shells if i had a true collectors item but now cant wait to get to the range. really a beautiful gun. kinda hard to put back together tho. anyway, thanks for all the help and i promise my next post will b in the proper place (after the range!). thanks uncle bill.

[Cameron]

Remember it is a .38 SUPER not a .38 SPECIAL...