Pony problems

[road toad]

I have a 70 series made in 1974 that had a horribly disfigured nickel finish so I had decided to get it refinished in matte blue with a bunch of goodies added like Novak sights,beaver tail and a really sweet trigger job. It is certainly not original any more but it looks and shoots much better that it ever has. But here is the problem. I have been offered in an even trade for my Colt another series 70 and a Buckmark. Both are in excellent ORIGINAL condition but the Colt has a "70B" prefix so that puts it somewhere between 81 and 83. The add ons on mine were just something to do since once the nickle came off originality went out the window anyways. The Browning would be nice but I really don't need one. What would you guys do? I'm on the fence about this and I need some advice before Monday. Please help, Thanks.

[JustinTime]

It really depends on whether you'd rather your customized Colt with the options you picked or an original. Here in the Colt forum you will probably get more people favoring an original Colt. I'm in that category as well but I have one fully customized to my liking and I wouldn't trade it for anything I can think of. One senario to think about which way you'd prefer your Colt is...imagine walking around a gunshow and looking at all the guns on the tables. Which Colt would peak you interest more initially if you say it layign on a table...an original government model or a customized government model?

Hope all that rambling made sense.

[road toad]

Well I've had a customized series 70 in the past and honestly as nice as it was it kind of detracted from the classic original lines but it did feel great. I suppose what I'm really having trouble with is the year model, either 1974 or 1980's. Would it really make much difference in the value of either one? I kind of lean towards the older the better but the newer one is still original so that most assuredly adds to the value of the newer. Is there a difference in quality between them? They look the same but somehow the older one feels different, I cant quite describe it. Any thoughts on the Buckmark?

[Hawkmoon]

The Buckmark is an excellent pistol.

As to the value of the two Colts, there is no question. The original pistol is worth at least twice as much as your refinished pistol. Unless there's something you really love about your gun, IMHO this deal is a no-brainer. You unload a Colt that has little real value, and in exchange you get a Colt that's worth at least twice as much as yours, plus you get another gun too? How can there be any question about this?

[paul45]

Hawkmoon makes a very good point and I agree with him! Make the trade....

[larry starling]

I agree with Hawkmoon as well. Make the trade. :)

[swampthang]

Agree also, sounds like a good trade!

[road toad]

OK then. Thanks for the advice,I'm supposed to let him know on Monday, so by noon I should have the two pistols. If you want Mon. evening I could post pics but there just bone stock pistols.

[clughog]

Hey, road toad---pictures would be GREAT! And, it sounds like you've found yourself a really good deal.

[swampthang]

.......................... If you want Mon. evening I could post pics but there just bone stock pistols.

Bone Stock is GOOD!!!!!!!!!

[road toad]

Well I know I'm a day late on the pics but the series 70 wasn't all I thought it would be...so the new trade ended up being the Buckmark and a Lightweight OACP. It eats anything from my homebrew wadcutters to hollowpoints. Well what do yall think? http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q56/roadtoad2/OACP.jpg

[OD*]

Looks good. http://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon14.gif

[JaimeZX]

Cool. Pics of your previous gun too?

My Colt has a lot of Wilson internals but I still have all the Colt bits in case I want to change it back. :)

[road toad]

Thanks OD*. JaimeZX sorry but no I sure don't have any pics of the other pistol. I have pics of it when it was still nickeled but not after it was modified. Was the lightweight officers a regular run? because everytime I've seen one it said Officers Model on the right side of the slide and mine says lightweight officers. Is there any difference?