1991 Commander S-80

[Blackhawk]

Just purchased a new in box Colt 1991 Commander with blued finish for $557. Do you guys think this was a good price? I know this gun will have series 80 internals and a 3 dot non-adj sight. Definately want to upgrade sights and leaning toward Novak but any suggestions will be appreciated. (Do not need nor want to pay additional expense for night sights). Also need info on production statistics and serial numbers for this gun if anybody is privy to this info.

[Hawkmoon]

Not a Colt expert, but that sounds like a god price to me.

As to the sights, try shooting it and see how you like it. I have Novak-style sights on a Para Ordnance and I don't like them. They are set up so the dot on the front sight has to COVER the intended point-of-aim at 25 yards, rather than line up the three dots and set the bullseye on top of the sight picture like I was taught to shoot more than 50 years ago.

Since every other firearm I own is set up with sights that work the traditional way, this is a problem. The only saving grace is that it's a carry pistol and I don't plan on using it at 25-yard distances.

[mitchjoe]

Blackhawk:

Congrats on the purchase; that's a square deal. :D Novak sights look good on semi-custom/ custom guns, and the sight picture is good (although I've noticed the same POA thing that Hawkmoon mentions).

I'd just be reluctant to chop the slide for Novak's. What's the primary intended use for the pistol?

mitchjoe

[1911.45]

Blackhawk:

That is a good price for a 1991A1, IMO. I live in MA where Colts are rare because of the gun laws, and I recently paid $550.00 for a used ORM 1991A1, and my friends and I think that I got a good deal.

I have Novak's on two 1911s. They are fine sights and particularly good for carry pistols. I have the Novak extreme duty adjustable sights on one of the pistols and have been very happy with them. I have the standard non-adjustable low mounts on a Commander and am also very pleased with them. I have the Wilson Combat low mount Combat Pyramid night sights on my CQB Compact, and I find the sights rather small for my middle-aged eyes.

MMC also makes an adjustable low mount sight, if you are concerned about POA and want an adjustable combat-style sight.

There are other replacement sights that do not require slide modification, however, and are available at Brownells (everything, well almost everything, is available at Brownells).

I suppose the sight that you chose depends on whether or not you will carry the pistol, the type of sights with which you shoot the best, the style/appearance of the sights, and the cost. If you have any friends with pistols with different sights, you might want to shoot them to see which sight picture you find most useable.

Regardless, I am sure that you will enjoy the Colt.