Hello, from a new member and new Colt owner

[Black Templar]

Hello from NYC. I'm new to Colt pistols and unfortunately got sold a false bill of goods my first time around. I finally decided to get a Colt 1911 after wanting one for over 10 years. Visiting my sister in South Carolina, I visited a well know gun shop nearby on the North Carolina border of Ft. Mill. I saw a used Colt for 799.99 that one of the people there said was and pre series 70 gun. Another salesman said it was series 70 gun. not knowing anything about Colts, I didn't pay too much mind to it. Anyway I liked the way it looked(not beat up and seemed to be in good condition) and had classic lines to it. I paid for it and transferred it to my ffl dealer in NY. Well when I got back home my dealer called me and said gun was in and I went down to pick it up. He's a Colt afficianado and examined the gun for me. The look on his face told me everything I needed to know. I bought a parts gun. He pulled out his pre 70 gun and a series 70 gun and compared it with mine. It had a pre series 70 slide with a collett bushing. The slide had a 70 series serial number dated to around 78/79 with a military wide hammer instead of the stainless hammer. It also had a trigger from a WW2 issue Ithaca 1911, a short trigger with checkering(?) on the pad. A moderator from another 1911 forum confirmed I had Franken gun. Boy am I a sucker. Anyway I wasn't discouraged and my dealer in feeling sorry for me sold me series 70 Combat Commander he had in the back from an estate sale. Moral of the story, do your research if you want a genuine classic firearm. I'm sending the Franken gun to Novaks for a complete build up. Lemons into lemonade I guess. :o

[Rich-D]

Look at the bright side, you have learned a valuable lesson and obtained a Series 70 Combat Commander. We have all made errors in judgement, it is a place like this, that assists us in making good decisions.


Rich

[OD*]

Welcome to the form.

Sorry to hear of your trouble, the pistol could still turn out to be a fine gun though. For what it's worth, the original Series 70 never came in stainless, the '70s hammer were carbon steel with the sides polished.

[daveohno]

Welcome to the forum! I'm sure Novak's will tune it up for you. Sounds like you got a nice Commander because of what happened.

[Hunter]

Welcome to the forum. When life gives you lemons find a friend with a bottle of Tequila.
Do you have any pictures of your Pre Series 80 Commander?

[elijdub]

Welcome to the forum Black Templar. Sorry to hear about your experience, BUT as others have said the gun could still be a good one "as is" (lot's of good "parts" guns out there)....of course with a trip to Novak's on the horizon that's a guarantee ;)! I'd actually prefer to send a not-so-perfect gun to a custom shop...that way you're not "chopping into" an out-of-production gun (and this is actually a current project of mine...to locate a "very used" Commander to send to YoBo)!
I've seen Novak's work and it is VERY GOOD!
Hope to see some pics of that Commander soon ;)!

[Black Templar]

I really don't like to have classic guns chopped and would have felt guilty sending a true Pre-70 gun out but I just love the way a Novak built gun looks. My only regret is that they aren't being done by the man himself anymore or Joe Bonnar(sp) since he passed away. I would have sent it to Yost but his wait times have probably increased since splitting with Bonitz. Tell me, this Colt disease, does it ever go away or at least subside for a little while like herpes? ;)

[Hunter]

Well I am sorry to say once you have been bitten by the Colt bug it is not something that goes away......ever. It is good that you are able to see the good in your parts gun and I imagine you will have a nice pistol when it is all said and done.
Collecting Colts (at least for me) is more of an obsession than just a run of the mill hobby but I can think of far worse things to spend money on.

[dakota1911]

No cure for Coltitis, and it will not go away. Money will not cure it. It seems like the more you have the more you want.

[ColtCustom45]

No cure for Coltitis, and it will not go away. Money will not cure it. It seems like the more you have the more you want.

+1 I am a long time Colt addict.

[Joni Lynn]

Welcome to the forum.
Sounds like while you didn't quite get what you thought you were getting you may have done okay anyhow.

[elijdub]

I really don't like to have classic guns chopped and would have felt guilty sending a true Pre-70 gun out but I just love the way a Novak built gun looks. My only regret is that they aren't being done by the man himself anymore or Joe Bonnar(sp) since he passed away. I would have sent it to Yost but his wait times have probably increased since splitting with Bonitz.
Even still, the one's they're putting out now are absolutely stellar guns.
I'm on the wait-list with Heirloom Custom (YoBo's new name...rather, Yost's new name with Jason Burton, etc.). In 10 months i get to send off my two guns for "treatment" :D!..so i'm looking at about a year from today before i get 'em back.
I sure would like to see some pics of the Commander...and for that matter, the "parts" gun too.
Tell me, this Colt disease, does it ever go away or at least subside for a little while like herpes? ;)
NOPE!! You've apparently been bitten (as many of us have) by the more virulent strain of Coltitis ;). All i can say is...you've got friends who understand here....:D :D :D! You should also count on having an outbreak of one or more of Winchesteritis, Customgunsitis, etc...and i'm starting to hear reports of a very vicious condition known as LesBaeritis ;) :D!
The good news is, as Hunter said, there are much worse things you could be doing with your time (and money) ;).

[azreloader]

Tell me, this Colt disease, does it ever go away or at least subside for a little while like herpes? ;)
It just gets worse. It's a disease for which the only cure is another COLT. Welcome to the Forum.....and the madness! :)

[Tommy D]

It just gets worse. It's a disease for which the only cure is another COLT. Welcome to the Forum.....and the madness! :)

Amen brother.

Welcome Black Templar, and good luck with your new project.

[Black Templar]

Thanks everyone. The Commander is in pristine condition and would almost be a crime to send out for work. This came from an estate sale of a Colt collector who passed away and the wife and family had no desire it hang onto them. From what I understand he had a fantastic collection most of which were sold off prior to pay off medical bills. He had 6 SAA's in various calibers and finishes, 3 Colt 60's era Pythons (Royal Blue, Matte Chrome/ Polished Chrome), 6 series 70's, 2 Commanders(bought 1) and a Delta. As soon as I get an account with imageshack I will post.