Hoping for some info on Commanding Officers 9mm

[wc145]

I'm new here and looking for some help. I've searched everything with the word "commanding" in it and found no mention of this gun. The left side of the slide says "Commanding Officers" with "9mm Lightweight" below it and a pony to the right of the text. The right side of the frame says "Colt" and is stamped "1 of 500" after that. The serial number starts with a letter (can't remember which, sorry) then it is 100041, I believe. It has an officers length slide on an alloy commander size frame.

I called Colt yesterday and was told it was part of the third issue of "Commanding Officers" models, the first being a .45 from 1985, then another .45 from 1988 and these 9mm's from 1990. The lady that helped me said it was called an "Officers Lightweight Commander" in their system.

Anyway, it is at the local gun shop, either on consignment or a trade in. I was in Monday and the manager made a point of showing it to me since it was different and obviously a limited edition. They're closed tues and wed so I haven't been able to go back and see it but I'll be at the door when they open tomorrow to check it out again. I don't know if it has the box or anything with it, based on my brief inspection of it the other day I'd call it at least 95%. They are asking $650 for it. I'd appreciate any thoughts, comments, or info you all might have.
Thanks,
Scott

[Jim Watson]

I know what you are talking about, I looked at one of those several years ago, wanting a gun to bobtail. The price was high for a project gun with a lot of "Limited Edition" nonsense, so I did not bite. I don't know the present market so I can't say if it is a good deal now at $650. Just depends on how bad you want it and what the alternative is.

[Hill]

Colt seems to have been trying everything they could think to do to increase sales and came out with all number of "special" models that were assorted combinations of their existing parts. They put names to them and then sold each one in limited numbers.

I've lost track of them all, and interest too, but $650. is an OK price for an officer's model in good condition.

[paul45]

If it is really in 9mm, I would be all over it right now. 9mm makes it especially scarce.

[Hunter]

Hill it is not so much as Colt trying to increase sales by producing special models of assorted parts but many were built by distributor request such as Lew Horton.

[Hawkmoon]

I'm going to guess that it's a mixed configuration model -- either a Commander slide on an Officers frame, or an Officers slide on a Commander frame. Either way, if it's in 95% condition and you have the $$$ available ... buy it.

[Hill]

"It has an officers length slide on an alloy commander size frame.

Yeah, better grab it.

[daveohno]

If the pistol hasn't been modified by some goof with a dreml, you might have something interesting to buy. 9mm Colt's are hard to find at reasonable prices. If the pistol looks to be pretty clean and unmolested by "dreml man", I'd seriously look to buy it.

[daveohno]

Almost forgot, wc145, welcome to the forum!

[wc145]

Thanks for the responses and the welcome. I'll be at the shop when it opens tomorrow to check it out again and see what I can work out. If I buy it I'll post pics for you all to see.
And, yes, it is definitely a 9mm. That's the reason the guy pointed it out to me, he knows I bought 3 different 9's in the last month or so.

[John]

We can hardly wait for the pictures.

[elijdub]

Welcome to the forum wc145!! If this pistol hasn't been modified and is in 95% condition, i'd say that's an excellent price! I'd buy it without question.

[paul45]

Hill it is not so much as Colt trying to increase sales by producing special models of assorted parts but many were built by distributor request such as Lew Horton.Good call, Hunter. The huge majority of limited runs were commissioned as you said. Which makes Colt, in my mind, willing to go way far and above to satisfy the customer. I must disagree with Hill.