1978 colt commandr

[niknare]

I have a 1978 colt commander, nickle finish, I was thinking about puttin on a .250 radius beavertail. mavbe a nwe rrigger and wilson hammer and sear, will these things devalue the gun, having the radius for the beavertail is the only thing that I couldnt put back to original, Is there a value for a stock 1911 of this year,?

[kcshooter]

I wouldn't cut the frame. Check out the Wilson "drop-in" beavertail grip safety. It isn't Drop in completely, the engagemnet area will most definitely need some fitting, but you don't have to cut the frame for it. If you find it is more valuable in a few years with the original configuration, pop a few pins out and it's back to stock!

[Hill]

+1 on kcshooter and there's an additional factor to consider because of the nickle plating. If you make the cuts to the tangs you'll either have to have the area renickled or risk letting moisture, solvents, and whatever else get under the plating to corrode the pistol's steel frame.

[elijdub]

There is definitely more "value" to having a Colt in factory original condition. From what i've seen, buyers much prefer this... If the gun is in good shape, i say try the Wilson drop-in and see if you like the way it looks/feels. You could always make the modifcation later. If the gun is in poor condition then maybe it's worth making the mods you want in an effor to enjoy the gun more. My two cents ;).

[lksstbls]

I recently acquired a pre-80 Series nickle plated Combat Commander and had the trigger, grip safety, and sights replaced, without altering the original frame/slide. Kept the old parts to pass on to anyone interested in restoring it to the "original". Also had the smith (at his suggestion) very lightly bead blast the frame/slide which restored the finish to 98%+. I have more $$ in it than it will ever be worth, but it's now a very nice looking, shootable piece, whereas before the refurb, it was pretty rough.

[niknare]

thanks for the input, I bought this gun allmost 30 years ago brand new, it probalby doesnt have 500 rounds through it, I have taken it on many trips so it has more travel wear than shooting wear , I have just gotten in to idpa shooting and thought I might like to use thhis size of a gun, but I think I will just park it in the salfe and use my caspian or my kimber and leave alone

[elijdub]

Sounds like a good plan niknare....and a belated Welcome to the forum ;).

[44 Man]

Definately go with the Wilson 'drop in'. It's a good fit, comfortable to use, and the gun can always be returned to original. You could take a stainless one and bring it up to a high polish or a blue one and have it nickled after you have fit it. Enjoy that gun! 44 Man

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b15/clare44man/WilsonSafety.jpg

[elijdub]

44Man, That's a really good looking drop-in fit. Much better than most WC's i've seen. Did you do any work on it to make it look so "clean"? Thanks.