Help in IDing a Colt, please

[mzimmers]

Hi, all -

I just joined. There looks like a wealth of information and good people here.

I'm wondering if I could get some help determining the model of a particular Colt. A friend of mine showed it to me at the range today; he wants to sell it. I don't have any pics, but I can provide the following information:

On the right side of the body is stamped "Colt PT FA SM18330" and on the left side of the slide is stamped "7790314". The gun looks blued and has rosewood grips. He bought it used at a gun show a couple years ago.

Can anyone tell me the model/age/anything else about it? I don't currently own a 1911 and might consider buying it from him if people here say it's a decent model.

Thanks for any help...

Mike

[DENDEN]

Mike , the SM means Service Model and these numbers were used on the "ACE" which is a .22lr pistol. The frame in question was probably made in 1978 or 79. A .45 slide and barrel could be installed on this frame. If the slide says ACE then that,s what it is. See a picture of mine at post 2495 in "pictures of your Colt " thread.

[Rich-D]

Mike, You can call Colt customer service with the info and they can tell you the exact model and year made.


Rich

[mzimmers]

So, Denden...if I understand you right, it appears that this pistol began life as a .22 and someone "promoted" it to .45? Would I be correct in assuming that such a modified gun isn't worth much money?

[jeff1124]

Aces are worth a lot usually, if it was complete as the original gun, if you can, ask where the gun came from. Maybe a little research will find the original parts. As it is, value is hard to say without being able to see it.

[RickB]

That's a military replacement slide. Someone pieced together a .45 conversion kit for their Ace.

[dakota1911]

Too bad it didn't come with the original ACE slide also. Colt at one time made a .45 ACP upper "conversion unit" that went on a .22 ACE pistol. Too bad they don't do stuff like that anymore.

[Rich-D]

mzimmers did not mention the guns caliber, could it be a .22 ?


Rich

[dakota1911]

In post 4 of this thread I thought mzimmers said it was "promoted" to a .45, thus it now exists as a .45 cal.

[Rich-D]

In post 4 of this thread I thought mzimmers said it was "promoted" to a .45, thus it now exists as a .45 cal.
Opps! My bad! Sometimes even genius minds make small mistakes. :p :D :p

Rich

[jeff1124]

Opps! My bad! Sometimes even genius minds make small mistakes. :p :D :p

Rich

When did I make a mistake!!???? :mad: :p ;)

[DENDEN]

Mike: How about checking with your friend - maybe he has the original parts. A nice original Ace would be a great find. I wouldn't sell mine for $1200. Unlike most of my stocks, the Ace and most Colts have increased in value each year.