Colt Commander Trigger

[villachaise]

Hello,
Bought my first Colt a couple months ago... a Colt Lightweight Commander.
Serial Number~CLW035XXX. I paid $590 for it which seemed like a lot as it does have holster wear on the muzzle but it's tight as a drum.

It doesn't have the original trigger and I would like to get a correct one. Also, what preventative measures should I use when shooting?

I'm loading Winchester FMJ RED DOT reloads for now and it had a Wilson blue shock buff in it. I shoot it once a week maybe 14 rounds... I use tetra on the rails, but wondered if I could keep shooting it regularly and not have to worry about frame wear.

It shoots well. Second shot hit a pop can at 20-25 yards which made me happy. Hit some clays I set up on the ground at 40yds. or so, nothing consistent, but two in a row put a smile on my face out of 20rds. :D

The trigger's heavy to break, so I think that fix would get groups tighter, but I want an original looking trigger and not the aluminum skeleton on there now.

Sorry for the long post, but I'm happy with it and hope I can get a good life out of it... so, any original trigger sources?
Thanks in advance,
Mark.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p222/villachaise/Colt%20Commander/CLW2.jpg

[Hawkmoon]

For a genuine Colt trigger, I'd suggest Numrich. I think the web site is www.e-gunparts.com

[elijdub]

That's an excellent looking Commander villachaise!!! I think the price is just fine (and if you don't want it... ;)). There's nothing wrong with a little honest wear!

[paul45]

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=4680&title=TRIGGER

[Hill]

It's not in stock, Paul. Unfortunately the Brownell's inventory is out of stock for most genuine Colt parts.

Sarco has some passable triggers in short, medium, and long lengths. I used one of them, the midlength I think, in my 1991a1 remake to "I like it" configuration. It's a stamped steel affair with noticable spotwelds similar to some used in late production 1911a1's (except for the length).

[1911Tuner]

The correct trigger for that pistol has been out of print for some time. It's a two-piece trigger with the finger pad silver-soldered onto the bow, and they're very good triggers. I have a few here...but I'm hangin' onto'em. You can scrouge around at gun shows or ask around. There are many custom smiths who have'em piled up in a spare parts drawer. Those two sources are my main ones whenever I need a correct, factory part that's no longer stocked. I've picked'em up at shows for as little as 5 bucks, and as high as 20. You may get lucky and find a one-piece milled short trigger out of a Sistema or even an original early 40s production Colt. Those are NICE. The faces have fine checkering that's infinitely more finger-friendly than the original Colt serrated triggers.

[John]

Ah, the Colt solid black long trigger!!!! A personal favorite of mine.

Johnny, have I ever thanked you enough for that one you send me?

[1911Tuner]

Ah, the Colt solid black long trigger!!!!

There's also short ones with checkered faces. Very nice.


Johnny, have I ever thanked you enough for that one you send me?


Hmmm There's the matter of that raise...

:D

[John]

Hmmm There's the matter of that raise...

Sure thing man! Why not? 30% good enough for you (30% of zero is again zero!).

[1911Tuner]

Tell ya what...Send Lena over for a week and we'll call it even.

[villachaise]

Thanks for the replies, all. I think I'll check ebay a bit and see if I can't find one, too. That's where I got all my old 300 H&H ammo way back when...

The trigger doesn't have to be exact, just one that looks like it belongs.

If I do get the trigger replaced, what suggestions could you give for some good drop in parts to lighten the trigger a bit? If I had to guess, the pull feels 5lbs. I'd like to keep the original hammer style too, so I don't know how much of an improvement I can get.


Thanks again,
Mark.

[Landman]

I don't think eBay allows anything like triggers anymore. Your best bet would be to look on GunBroker.

[elijdub]

I checked GB for ya' yesterday, unsuccessfully. I'd keep looking though....

[1911Tuner]

Well...Lemme go take inventory and see how many of those things I've got...and calculate how many I might need in the comin' years. Since I ain't gettin' any younger, I can probably do with one less.

[flintsghost]

If you really want an original for the commander pictured, I have quite a few. Send me an email and we can discuss it. I'll send you one for a very nominal fee to cover the postage and a padded envelope and my cost to drive to the post office.

[villachaise]

Hello again,

I checked ebay yesterday and they had one 70-series trigger, but I don't know if the Commanders differ. Anyways, I think the auction ended as I didn't see it today.

I'll keep checking gunbroker, too. Lots of the same on there for parts (aftermarket), not much original.


mark

[1911Tuner]

I checked ebay yesterday and they had one 70-series trigger, but I don't know if the Commanders differ.

Ther is no difference. Commander...Government Model...Officer's Model. The triggers are identical in design if not in actual dimensions. There is also no difference between Series 80...Series 70...or pre-Series 70. A trigger out of a 1912 USGI pistol will work in a Series 80 Commander or Government Model, assuming that it will physically fit the channel.

[flintsghost]

Ther is no difference. Commander...Government Model...Officer's Model. The triggers are identical in design if not in actual dimensions. There is also no difference between Series 80...Series 70...or pre-Series 70. A trigger out of a 1912 USGI pistol will work in a Series 80 Commander or Government Model, assuming that it will physically fit the channel.

As far as fit, that is true with the sole exception of the Gold Cup and the .38 mid range. As far as trying to put in the correct one to restore originality, it is a different story. All LW commander triggers from 1949 to 1981 are the same, blue with verticle serrations. Government triggers from approximately 1947 to 1969 are the same as commanders. In late 1969 Colt added a satin nickle trigger of the same design to series 70 governments which lasted till about 1975 or so when they reverted to the same blue trigger they always used. In approx 1982 all the triggers started transitioning to plastic. During the 70's Colt added a long smooth faced trigger for the WWI commemoratives and also used it in the Combat Governments at the end of the series 70 period. The trigger you are after, and the one I mentioned to you is a all blue, vertical serrated. By the way, Villachaise, I returned your email.

[1911Tuner]

Styling changes notwithstanding...Dimentionally, they're the same...from the 19210 prototypes to date...and as long as the tolerance stacking doesn't preclude physically entering the channel...or bad specs don't cause stirrup contact with the sear spring...they'll interchange freely.