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MacEntyre
5th March 2007, 15:02
There is a Colt Commander .45 in good condition, in it's original box, with one Colt mag, four page manual and the original wax paper, serial number 497XXLW, asking $950. I am researching it to see if it is worth that price, since it has been available for several months.

What do you think it is worth?
JustinTime
5th March 2007, 15:22
There is a Colt Commander .45 in good condition, in it's original box, with one Colt mag, four page manual and the original wax paper, serial number 497XXLW, asking $950. I am researching it to see if it is worth that price, since it has been available for several months.

Where can I find out when it was manufactured?

Do you have picture of it you can post. If it is on gun broker or auction arms you can post a link. Is it a series 70 or series 80 firing pin set up?
MacEntyre
5th March 2007, 15:26
Sorry, I edited my original post before I saw your response. It is a 1967 model, so pre-series 70, right?

I have no picture.
JustinTime
5th March 2007, 15:32
Sorry, I edited my original post before I saw your response. It is a 1967 model.

I have no picture.

In that case, if it is in the shape you describe. I'd say it is worth the money but I'm a sucker for the LTW commanders as others here will tell you. OD* is the expert on the matter of worth and I'm sure he'll be in here shortly to let you know.

One more question...does it have an idiot scratch on the left side of the frame from reinsertion of the slide stop? Kinda lets you know if the person whom had it before knew what they were doing.
MacEntyre
5th March 2007, 15:40
I did not see a scratch at the slide stop. I disassembled it, and it all looked good to me. My problem is that I am no good at judging the condition, and I know nothing about the value of Colts. I like this one a lot!

I'll see if I can get some pictures.
JustinTime
5th March 2007, 15:48
I did not see a scratch at the slide stop. I disassembled it, and it all looked good to me. My problem is that I am no good at judging the condition, and I know nothing about the value of Colts. I like this one a lot!

I'll see if I can get some pictures.

Although I don't think you'd be over paying at $950.00 I think if you keep looking you can possibly find a series 70 for a couple hundred less but maybe not with all the papers and box to go along with it. These are the ones I've bought recently if it helps you.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=66781822

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=66655160

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=65356596

Like I said before I'm a sucker for LTW commanders. Good luck
MacEntyre
5th March 2007, 15:54
I like 'em! You're right, they are a good bit better bargains.

I know the series 80 introduced the firing pin safety. What's the difference between the pre-70 and series 70?
JustinTime
5th March 2007, 15:57
I like 'em! You're right, they are a good bit better bargains.

I know the series 80 introduced the firing pin safety. What's the difference between the pre-70 and series 70?

Well you have just move past my realm of knowledge at this point. Again I'm going to have to refer you to my buddy OD*. I'm sure he'll be here shortly to give your futher guidance.

Good day
John
5th March 2007, 16:17
There are no Series 70 Commanders. Series 70 usually means the guns which had the collet bushings, Commanders never had this thing. So Commanders are either Series 80 or pre-Series 80.
1911Tuner
5th March 2007, 20:06
There are no Series 70 Commanders.


Wait for it...
RickB
5th March 2007, 20:16
Commanders made during the Series 70 period (call it '73-'83) had "70" worked into their serial numbers, even though the guns did not have the changes made to the Government Models and Gold Cups. Calling them "Series 70" isn't strictly correct, but it does describe that period in Colt's history.
I passed on a lot of very middling LW Commanders, from the '50s and '60s, priced in the $650-$750 range, when I was shopping for one. A minty LW from that era, with the box and papers, could certainly be a $950 gun, but I wouldn't pay much for the "extras" if the gun wasn't mint. If the gun is in 80% condition, like ones I didn't buy, then the extras certainly don't add up to another $200-$300 worth. I ended up paying $485 for an early Series 80 gun, in 99% condition, and have never regretted it.
1911Tuner
5th March 2007, 20:23
Commanders made during the Series 70 period (call it '73-'83) had "70" worked into their serial

And some had "80" worked into the number...from the same period. Check it out...This Combat Commander is an early one.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e243/1911Tuner/CombatCommander2.jpg
dakota1911
5th March 2007, 23:00
Unless 1967 means something special to you then $950 seems way too high even in todays market. All Commanders were "LW" until the Combat Commander with the steel frame introduced in the 70's. There were no 70 series Commanders, but there were many Commanders made in the 70's without the 80's series firing pin safety.
OD*
5th March 2007, 23:35
OD* is the expert on the matter of worth and I'm sure he'll be in here shortly to let you know.
No sir, I'm no expert. :o
I just follow what they bring in my little piece of the world. ;)
Hawkmoon
6th March 2007, 00:34
What do you think it is worth?
$1200

Seriously, that's what the price is in this neck of the woods. $950 would be a fair price for an all-steel Combat Commander.
saltydog
6th March 2007, 01:16
If its in near Mint condidtion on a 'net auction, eventually a motivated buyer/collector would cause it fetch close to 1200.

If you are considering buying this Commander off the 'net, please be sure that you ask the seller lots of questions and do not accept vauge answers.

I bought a 70 series that would not reliably chamber from slide lock. Chuck Rogers at Rogers Precision installed a steel insert feed ramp in the aluminum frame. So far, it now digests everything that I feed it. It doesn't seem to care which ammunition or mags are used.

If you have feed problems with a 'working' LW or CLW Commander, it'd be worth your while to give Mr. Rogers a call.

salty.
JustinTime
6th March 2007, 01:42
No sir, I'm no expert. :o

Professional???
1911Tuner
6th March 2007, 06:36
Mac...Any way that you can bring it by to let me check it out before you buy?
MacEntyre
6th March 2007, 07:12
Mac...Any way that you can bring it by to let me check it out before you buy?
What a nice offer, Johnny! I'll ask if they will allow me to do that.

BTW, both sights are dovetailed, the front is higher than the one in your picture, and the rear is adjustable. Looks like the original sights have been been replaced.
1911Tuner
6th March 2007, 07:16
Looks like the original sights have been been replaced.


Whoops! Price comes down 150 bucks for non-originality. Back up 50 if he has the original rear sight. Front sight is dead in the water. Once removed, restaking is a waste of time.
MacEntyre
6th March 2007, 08:58
I'll probably have to buy it before bringing it to you, Johnny... the seller is an FFL, and could get in trouble for letting me take it without all the paperwork. If I can get it for $200 off the asking price, with a 3 day inspection period so I can return it for any reason, I'll let you know. Is short notice ok this week?
OD*
6th March 2007, 11:04
Professional???
Professional enabler. :p
1911Tuner
6th March 2007, 11:07
Is short notice ok this week?

Any day except Friday is good. Gotta take a dog to the vet Thursday early, but I should be here after 10:00
saltydog
6th March 2007, 11:33
Tuner,

PM inbound requesting up-date on wide spur hammer and lube.

salty
MacEntyre
6th March 2007, 12:21
I got them to drop the price by $125, but they would go no lower. I did not buy it, but they let me take pictures.

In addition to the original sights being replaced, the mag does not look original.

The first picture shows the only blemish, at the rear of the slide, just in front of the hammer.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/MacEntyre/cmdrb.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/MacEntyre/cmdra.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/MacEntyre/cmdrrearsight.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/MacEntyre/cmdrfrontsight.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/MacEntyre/cmdrmagfloorplate.jpg
JustinTime
6th March 2007, 13:14
Professional enabler. :p

I'm in troube then. I'm thinking of what to sell right now. Hmmmm. Keep comin up with nothin. Just need to bite the bullet. Only a grand..... :D
OD*
6th March 2007, 13:18
MacEntyre,

The magazine is marked correctly for a 1960s era Colt pistol.
1911Tuner
6th March 2007, 13:36
Not a bad-lookin' Commander, but...

Tunefucious say:

Finish, like beauty, only skin-deep. Outward appearance irrelevant to inside story.
MacEntyre
6th March 2007, 13:58
Tuner-san, if it is possible that your inspection will reveal beauty of the inside, worthy of the price that must be paid, then I will inquire about the 3 day inspection.

Update:

I talked them down another $30, got 1911Tuner's advice over the phone while looking at the stripped pistol through a magnifying lamp, and bought it. Then I took it directly to Tuner, whose pronounced it a lightly used firearm in good mechanical shape. The mag is original, but Tuner says the nylon backstrap is not.

I'm pleased! Thank you very much, Johnny!

...and thanks to the rest of you too!