Combat Commander Bright S/S

[lmetmort]

OK, here we go again, I'm going to need a second job to feed my Colt Habit. Was in a local store here and they have a bright, and I mean brightly polished Stainless Steel Combat Commander ( Build date 1995) Original Box ( Blue plastic with the Brown box cover. All the tags etc. Really nice Shape.....Looking at $800.

What do you think ??? Go for it ??

[FlameRed]

No don't go for it. Peice of junk. Way too much money, and they don't shoot worth a darn. And all the scratches will make you sick.

BTW - What shop had that?

Just kidding if you can't tell. That is a smoking deal for around here. I would not have left without it.

[paul45]

Jump on it.....ANYTHING Colt made in Ultimate or Bright SS brings a premium over other finishes.

[larry starling]

Sounds like a good deal to me. I would jump on it if it were available around here...... :D

[gfavaron]

I already have more pistols than I know what to do with - but that would sure tempt me!

[Desperado]

Is it a 'Lightweight' Commander?? If so, I purchased one several years ago NIB and paid around $800 for it. It has been a fabulous pistol!!! I'm wanting to change out the sights for night sights and then it will be 'perfect'!!!

Go back right now and pick it up!!! (Or tell us where it is!!).

[paul45]

I believe the OP said Combat Commander.....and a bright SS finish would not be combined with an alloy frame.

[lmetmort]

I believe the OP said Combat Commander.....and a bright SS finish would not be combined with an alloy.

Right you are Paul... it is a combat commander. I went back and put a few bucks down on it and will probably pick it up in a few weeks, when the cash flow is a little better :)

[elijdub]

Congrats lmetmort!!! That sounds like a fantastic Colt and good price taboot. Please don't forget to post a bunch o' pics when you bring 'im home ;).

[d90king]

Its a no brainer. There are very few of those out there. Look forward to the pics of a great Colt.

[Desperado]

I believe the OP said Combat Commander.....and a bright SS finish would not be combined with an alloy frame.

Paul --- Aluminum frame -- stainless steel slide, (polished ss). I have the gun and it is a real pleasure to carry!!!

http://www.ozarkguns.com/Colt%20Pistol/Commander/colt_COMMANDER.htm

This one happens to be a 'brushed stainless'. Mine is a bright, polished finish on the sides of the slide.

A steel Combat Commander for the price you indicated is still a heck of a deal!!!

[elijdub]

Desperado, The gun in question in the OP is a very different animal than the XSE's. They were produced in very limited numbers and were not produced with alloy frames, AFAIK. Colt did not put the bright SS finish on alloy.
Paul was not implying that Colt doesn't make alloy frame guns......only that they didn't make any alloy framed bright SS finish Commanders (i think) ;).

Here's and example, c/o gunbroker:
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u311/elijdub/brightstainlesscolt.jpg


BTW, congrats on your XSE!

[Desperado]

Eli --- I may have a 'rare' pistol. Colt's website shows the 'Lightweight Commander' XSE series manufactured in 'brushed stainless'. The model number is 04860XSE. http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/XSE.asp

The gun I have is model #04860XS with a 'Nickel/Stainless' finish. No 'E' at the end of the model number on the box.

As I indicated, the sides of the slide are a 'bright, polished' finish. Different gun??

(I will call Colt this morning as soon as they are open for clarification).

Thanks!

[Desperado]

Eli --- it seems I do indeed have an 'unusual' pistol. According to Colt, it is an XS model Lightweight Commander, produced before the XSE series. My particular firearm was manufactured in 1999 and shipped to "Lou Horton" in Mass. --- known by Colt to order 'specialty guns'.

I purchased the pistol new in Oct. 1999 in Kansas. Colt was unable to give me much information about the finish on this particular gun but since the box indicates "Nickel/Stainless Finish" they said "that must be what it is".

Thanks for the interesting discussion and making me research what I have!!

[lmetmort]

Eli --- it seems I do indeed have an 'unusual' pistol. According to Colt, it is an XS model Lightweight Commander, produced before the XSE series. My particular firearm was manufactured in 1999 and shipped to "Lou Horton" in Mass. --- known by Colt to order 'specialty guns'.

I purchased the pistol new in Oct. 1999 in Kansas. Colt was unable to give me much information about the finish on this particular gun but since the box indicates "Nickel/Stainless Finish" they said "that must be what it is".

Thanks for the interesting discussion and making me research what I have!!

From your description you have an aluminum alloy frame (i.e the lightweight aspect of the firearm) with a stainless nickle plated slide ?? Or is a Stainless frame ( wouldn't be very lightweight) with a nickel plated steel slide. Pictures would sure help !

[Desperado]

I really have no good answer for your question.
The frame is aluminum alloy --that's a given. The slide is described as "Nickel/Stainless", according to Colt's description on the case/box. I'd have to be a metalurgist to be able to analyze whether it's polished stainless or nickel.

I'd love to post pictures but the ones I have are way too large for this forum.

Sorry!!

[paul45]

Perhaps we can assume Desperado's XS has its slide flats finely polished. Ultimate or Bright SS from Colt indicates polishing of SS to a Chrome or Mirror finish, and is so indicated on the end label. Lew Horton, while commissioning custom Colts, sells way, way more regular production Colts.

XS's are fine Colts, not rare....they just come before the XSE's time wise.

[elijdub]

Eli --- it seems I do indeed have an 'unusual' pistol. According to Colt, it is an XS model Lightweight Commander, produced before the XSE series. My particular firearm was manufactured in 1999 and shipped to "Lou Horton" in Mass. --- known by Colt to order 'specialty guns'.

I purchased the pistol new in Oct. 1999 in Kansas. Colt was unable to give me much information about the finish on this particular gun but since the box indicates "Nickel/Stainless Finish" they said "that must be what it is".

Thanks for the interesting discussion and making me research what I have!!
Desperado,
Lew Horton does sell specialized Colt's and has put out several "runs" over the years. He's listed in the BLUE BOOK is you're intersted in doing further research.
I think Paul is right though, and that this particular model is a Colt XS model (the predecessor to the XSE's), with polished flats.
Do you have any close ups of you gun? I'd like to see some more pics ;).

[stoneypete]

OK, here we go again, I'm going to need a second job to feed my Colt Habit.
I so resemble that statement. I personally don't like stainless for aesthetic reasons. If the pistol pleases you and your not using credit card and putting the family in $$ jeapardy then go for it.

[dakota1911]

The price sounds within reason. I would go for it.

[lmetmort]

The price sounds within reason. I would go for it.


Picking it up today, I'll see if I can get some pix in later.

[elijdub]

Congrats, lmetmort! Please post some pics for us....:D

[lmetmort]

Congrats, lmetmort! Please post some pics for us....:D

Well here it is Bright S/S. It does not look like it has been fired much at all. Grips look new as does the internal workings. Only questions I have are do you think it is an original Colt Trigger. At first I would say no, but then I just saw the post about the SS-7 with the same trigger (of course that could be aftermarket too), but my newer LW commander also came with that trigger. Second is the MSH. It is 30LPI, not sure if that was Colt Factory either. Your opinions are always welcome and valued greatly.

Mort

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o319/lmetmort/IMG_1014.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o319/lmetmort/IMG_1015.jpg

[OD*]

Trigger, MSH, grip safety and thumb safety are not original to the Series 80 MKIVs.

It's still a nice looking pistol that wouldn't take much to put back to near original condition.

[elijdub]

Trigger, MSH, grip safety and thumb safety are not original to the Series 80 MKIVs.

It's still a nice looking pistol that wouldn't take much to put back to near original condition.
+1! Nice lookin' pistol, Mort! Looks like a winner :).
When do you plan on shooting it?

Edit: i just noticed it has "enhanced" cocking serrations... I wonder, were these used on all the "ultimate" Colts?

[OD*]

+1! Nice lookin' pistol, Mort! Looks like a winner :).
When do you plan on shooting it?

Edit: i just noticed it has "enhanced" cocking serrations... I wonder, were these used on all the "ultimate" Colts?
It's an "Enhanced" pistol, look at the receiver where the trigger guard meets the front strap. The angled serrations were not used on all of the "Ultimate Finish" Colts.

[lmetmort]

It's an "Enhanced" pistol, look at the receiver where the trigger guard meets the front strap. The angled serrations were not used on all of the "Ultimate Finish" Colts.

I noticed that too. I was very lucky to pick up a Gold Cup Commander a few years ago and the slide is very similar to the the slide on the GC. The only real difference is the ribbing in the top of the slide. The "flat" is there, but it is just not ribbed.

I was going to go out and shoot it tomorrow, but they're predicting another snow storm up here in Good old Buffalo. Have to see if that materializes tomorrow.

[OD*]

I noticed that too. I was very lucky to pick up a Gold Cup Commander a few years ago and the slide is very similar to the the slide on the GC. The only real difference is the ribbing in the top of the slide. The "flat" is there, but it is just not ribbed.

I was going to go out and shoot it tomorrow, but they're predicting another snow storm up here in Good old Buffalo. Have to see if that materializes tomorrow.
Stay safe up there amigo, you guys don't play around when it comes to snow storms. ;)

[elijdub]

It's an "Enhanced" pistol, look at the receiver where the trigger guard meets the front strap. The angled serrations were not used on all of the "Ultimate Finish" Colts.
Yeah, i noticed the undercut triggerguard as well...i just forgot to mention it in my post :o. So...THIS pistol is an "Enhanced, Ultimate, Colt"?! Wow.

Thanks OD*.

[lmetmort]

Stay safe up there amigo, you guys don't play around when it comes to snow storms. ;)

Well I got out before the snow started to fall and ran about 100 rounds through it, including some BLAZER FMJ and some Federal Star Fire HP. Everything fed right through without any hic-cups. Much easier on the hands with that extra weight in the frame as opposed to my LW.

Even with a few non-original parts, I think I did OK on this. I don't think there is any doubt that some work may have been performed by the previous owner, the Trigger pull is right around 4-4.25 lbs. In my experience that is rather light for right out of the box. But either way it functioned Flawlessy

Nothing like a COLT !

Mort.....(Gotta go start the snow blower, it's starting to accumulate)

[OD*]

I think you did well also, it's a nice looking pistol.
Glad to hear it's not a finicky eater. ;)

[Intercessor]

Looks like an Enhanced stainless Combat Commander with bright (all polished) finish. The pistol shipped with rubber wrap around grips and gray serrated flat polymer MSH(Govt 5" shipped with gray serrated arched polymer MSH). With the real wood grips w/silver Colt medallions, steel checkered MSH, and ring combat hammer, plus its in great condition - great pistol for $800! ;)

Your pistol has had the elongated 'Enhanced' combat hammer replaced with the traditional ring Commander hammer. Chances are some one did a trigger job on it at that time

Enhanced models were made 2 yrs(1991--1992 I think): Enhanced models featured elongated combat hammer, flat paddle grip safety, undercut trigger guard, slide with angle serrations/flat top rib (like GC)/flared ejection port. Stainless models also offered in 'Bright' finish.

[OD*]

The pistol shipped with ... and gray serrated flat polymer MSH(Govt 5" shipped with gray serrated arched polymer MSH)
Not if they left the factory with the Ultimate Finish, the MSH were polished STS.

[Intercessor]

Not if they left the factory with the Ultimate Finish, the MSH were polished STS.Probably so huh. Its hard to polish poloymer! :D

[OD*]

Probably so huh. Its hard to polish poloymer! :D
I'm pretty sure, got one settin' in the safe. ;)

[lmetmort]

Looks like an Enhanced stainless Combat Commander with bright (all polished) finish. The pistol shipped with rubber wrap around grips and gray serrated flat polymer MSH(Govt 5" shipped with gray serrated arched polymer MSH). With the real wood grips w/silver Colt medallions, steel checkered MSH, and ring combat hammer, plus its in great condition - great pistol for $800! ;)

Your pistol has had the elongated 'Enhanced' combat hammer replaced with the traditional ring Commander hammer. Chances are some one did a trigger job on it at that time

Enhanced models were made 2 yrs(1991--1992 I think): Enhanced models featured elongated combat hammer, flat paddle grip safety, undercut trigger guard, slide with angle serrations/flat top rib (like GC)/flared ejection port. Stainless models also offered in 'Bright' finish.

This one had the wood (gold colt medallion) grips, and a steel checkered MSH, I agree that the action may have had some work done to it, Grip safety sure looks like a colt, undercut is there, flat rib is on top but not lined like the GC, I called colt and this one was made in 1995

Intercessor, this is great info, really appreciate it. Probably won't carry it too much, but it shoots and looks great.

I have a question, when I opened it up, it was very clean( I really question if this had been fired at all) and there was a light coating of what looked like Lithium grease ( kind of a cream color) on the sear, hammer, disconnector and along the rails Do you or anyone know what this is and is it recommended. I've always used light gun oil and have never had any issues with any of my guns. they all perform great. But if this stuff is better, for the wear, i'll go with that.

Thanks Again
Mort

[OD*]

I called colt and this one was made in 1995
The Enhanced models were intro'd in the late '80s early '90s and were produced until the MKIV models were discontinued, they were made longer than two years. Also, not all of them came with the rubber stocks.