NIB Colt Combat Commander 9mm

[Sloo50]

I picked this heirloom up from a gentleman who frequents this site. Pre series 80 Colt Combat Commander. What a beauty!


http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u16/sloo50/IMG_0220.jpg

My questions are:

What are the recommended long term storage options?

If this pistol becomes a "shooter", do they typically feed self defense rounds easily?

Which parts could be swapped w/out and later returned to stock and still keep the value up? Trigger? Beavertail? Thumb safety?

This is my only Colt so any info is greatly appreciated!


Wes

[d90king]

Very nice Commander, that is a nice find on a great Colt.

[John]

Don't change anything. Fire it and enjoy it, just make sure you replace the springs on a regular basis. Have fun with it.

[MoneyTree]

Very nice Commander Sloo50 , congratulations .

[clughog]

Extremely nice...Congratulations! Shoot it and enjoy it--that's what I did with the one I got NIB a couple of years ago. No regrets! I have not shot self defense rounds in mine, but it certainly fed a variety of regular jacketed ammunition without any problems. Haven't taken it out lately, but your post has inspired me to dig it out and go to the range.

[Hawkmoon]

This is my only Colt so any info is greatly appreciated!
I hate to break this to you, but Colts are junk and that pistol is worthless even as a paperweight.

Don't risk your life shooting it. Just package it up and send it to me, and I'll dispose of it for you.

Oh my Gawd! A NIB 9mm Combat Commander! :butthead:

[MoneyTree]

I hate to break this to you, but Colts are junk and that pistol is worthless even as a paperweight.

Don't risk your life shooting it. Just package it up and send it to me, and I'll dispose of it for you. Hawkmoon know what he's talking about , you really ought to do as he says . Just PM me for his new address .:D

[dogdollar]

To me, that's one of the "Holy Grail" Colts......I am very envious of you, my friend.
Great find, enjoy....
DD

[k217sc]

Beautiful gun, and an extraordinary find!!!

[Nic]

What are the recommended long term storage options?




Long term storage option:

Break the gun down completely. Store your removed grips separately. You may want to store your sights separately as well. Clean the bore. Soak the parts in a commercial pistol cleaning solvent that cleans down to the pores and removes all firing residue, carbon deposits, lead, copper, and other fouling material and contaminants. Every part needs to be immaculate, as an insignificant bit of residue will cause trouble over time. After it is thoroughly cleaned, apply Break-Free Collector long term gun storage preservative oil or similar product to each part.

Place your clean, coated and reassembled pistol into a Z-Corr or Kleen Bore Inhibitor type preservation storage bag for long-term corrosion protection. Inhibitor bags incorporate a Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor to shield your gun from corrosive atmospheres for years. Some name-brand bags allow you to remove the handgun for inspection periodically. The inhibitors and desiccant protects against humidity, oxidation and marine-type climates. A lesser alternative would be to use a gun sock.

Finally, store your pistol in a safe with a dehumidifier, or at least a similar archival storage container with a long term desiccant. Nic

[John]

Ahem, sorry, but isn't it simpler to shoot it and clean it every now and then? :D :) :p

[kansas_plainsman]

Man Nic, what a kill-joy. (just kidding).

Seriously, I understand why you give the advice you do - if you *really* want to keep it PERFECT as a collector's item, then you probably should go to that extent. Fifty years from now it might be the only perfect 9mm Commander in existence.

Fact is, I'll never be that serious a collector - my guns go to the range regularly; if I have to 'put it up on blocks' I'm not interested.

[paul45]

Long term storage option:

Break the gun down completely. Store your removed grips separately. You may want to store your sights separately as well. Clean the bore. Soak the parts in a commercial pistol cleaning solvent that cleans down to the pores and removes all firing residue, carbon deposits, lead, copper, and other fouling material and contaminants. Every part needs to be immaculate, as an insignificant bit of residue will cause trouble over time. After it is thoroughly cleaned, apply Break-Free Collector long term gun storage preservative oil or similar product to each part.

Place your clean, coated and reassembled pistol into a Z-Corr or Kleen Bore Inhibitor type preservation storage bag for long-term corrosion protection. Inhibitor bags incorporate a Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor to shield your gun from corrosive atmospheres for years. Some name-brand bags allow you to remove the handgun for inspection periodically. The inhibitors and desiccant protects against humidity, oxidation and marine-type climates. A lesser alternative would be to use a gun sock.

Finally, store your pistol in a safe with a dehumidifier, or at least a similar archival storage container with a long term desiccant. NicOMG!!
Are you serious?? :scared: :D

[Nic]

LOL - I didn't realize how far I took that! I would rather shoot it than store it long term as a collector's piece, but Sloo50 asked, and since no one had given the long term storage option he asked about, I gave him one that all but gaurantees it will look brand new to the grandkids. It was a kill joy though, you are right! On a more serious note however, I have two collector's revolvers preserved in this archival manner and they still look like they did when I stored them years ago. If you are going to actually preserve a collection piece, you take the steps necessary to do so... which also includes not firing them. Yes, I'm serious, but it really was a killjoy! Nic

[Hill]

Both of my 9mm Commanders feed everything I put on their plate, even the Speer flatnosed "frangible" ammo that gives fits to some of my other 9mm pistols, including both Browning High powers.

Anything that you do to the exterior will be UGLY, IMO.

[elijdub]

CONGRATS Sloo50!!!!!!
I agree with Dogdollar, that is also my "holy grail" of Colt's. I am green with envy :( :D.
You could certainly change out a few components if you wanted while maintaining the option of easily returning the pistol to "stock".
A Wilson "drop-in" BT grip safety should work; the trigger; MSH; grip-safety; mag release; stocks. I think it looks great "as is" though...and would probably leave it in that configuration.
What a beauty!

[dogdollar]

I can offer you a long-term storage package on that baby at an extremely good price if you are interested.
DD

[daveohno]

I could offer you a storage option also, the only problem is that I would wear it out for you! :D That is quite a find if you want to shoot or even store it away.

[bobbarrios]

Have one identical to yours. Box and papers got lost in divorce many years ago. With all respect to those who would lock it up in a safe, it is a sweet pistol to fire. Taught my son to shoot hand guns with this pistol (he now swears the M9 is superior, oh well) and has been my nightstand weapon for over 25 years.

Mine has taken ball and hp without a hitch except for two fte from same lot of handloads I bought cheap. Last time I did that. Except for springs I would not change a thing.

Enjoy

Weapon also saved my life two years ago. Priceless to me and will go to son some day and hopefully to his and so on.

[EchoBravoKilo]

Taught my son to shoot hand guns with this pistol (he now swears the M9 is superior, oh well)

Argh!!!!! My son was shooting M9 qual last year and the slide fell off. He yelled, "Give me a 1911!!!" Got a few laughs and a few not so kind looks.

Seriously though - great idea to pass the pistol on. I have a couple that will go the same route.

[daveohno]

Bobbarriios, Hopefully the youngster will realize the error of his ways! M9, pfffft. :rolleyes:

[bobbarrios]

He and I have had the perpetual battle of 1911 vs. M9 and 45ACP vs. 9mm. since he joined Army. I carried a Colt 1911 in Army a long time ago. I believe my son thinks I served with Custer. He came home on leave last Christmas and we took the Combat Commander 9mm to the range and he proceeded to tell me all the reasons the Baretta was better. The fact that I outshot him with my old eyes (and with original sights, wouldn't change anything on that weapon) may have been part of the reason.

His unit apparently allows some personal choice on side arms when deployed but he still sticks with M9. He says two or three 9mm equal one 45 ACP. I hope he is right.

Bob

[John]

Good Lord, the fact that the Beretta was selected from a "lower bidder" process should be enough to convince him. Have you shown him how the slide is removed from the pistol? Scarry! :)

[cliff731]

He and I have had the perpetual battle of 1911 vs. M9 and 45ACP vs. 9mm. since he joined Army. I carried a Colt 1911 in Army a long time ago. I believe my son thinks I served with Custer...

Bob,

I'm going to opine that it's simply a generational thing... :(

I was visiting with a cousin yesterday and her twelve year old granddaughter was there and chatty as a child that age usually is. She reminded me of just how "old" I am... letting me know there was "her culture"... and "ours"... and I reckon to her I am as ancient as dirt!

It was all I could do to keep from falling out the chair laughing... but there was a valid point in her remarks... it's all about perceptions.

To your son, that M9 is a superior sidearm. Of course, he's probably heard this reinforced in his training, which stands to reason. I doubt many of his instructor NCO types have ever handled a M1911A1... which is likely due to their age also.

Give him some time... and I bet he'll come around to your Colt. It's bound to happen... and surely "eventual" as they say. I suspect that someone in authority has told him the Colt 1911 is an outdated antiquated relic of a bygone era... :eek:

FWIW, I have both... 1911A1 (several) and the M9 (with 92FS and 96 also). I like both designs... and IMHO each does very well in its intended role. To me it simply not a case of "either - or" in regards to what's in my gunsafe.

I recall when first hearing and reading of the military deciding to replace the M1911A1 and the .45ACP cartridge... I thought the world was being turned upside down.

I'm sure someday down the road, your son is going to be howling when the Beretta M9 is replaced... and likely the 9mm cartridge also. It will probably be some plastic gun and a totally different caliber that will have your son traumatized good and proper! :butthead: :p

Cliff

[Sloo50]

I took the Commander shooting on Sunday. I ran 100 rounds of PMC through her, and she ran flawlessly.

Thanks to all who encouraged me to shoot her! I am glad I did.
The "old school" sights took alittle getting used to. After a few magizines I was putting nice groups together at 21 feet and 20 yards. I have a high grip so the hammer or slide was impacting the web of my hand. A grip adjustment took care of that.

Thanks again to all who encouraged me to shoot her!


Wes

[daveohno]

Hey, didn't Hannibal use a Colt during his conquests? Now THAT"S old and a long time ago....

There is a certain comfort one derives from having a pistol that holds 15 or 17 rounds per magazine with 2 more mags on the belt. If carrying a 357 magnum or a 45 acp, 6, 7 or 8 should be enough to handle anything you're going to run into. If not, then you reload.

[cliff731]

Hey, didn't Hannibal use a Colt during his conquests?...

Yeah... I "heard" that too.. he had a Colt cap & ball revolver... :)

I can find solice in the fact that two of my three sons are 1911 fanciers and their preference is for the .45 ACP... :D

Please don't ask me about the other son... :o

[billybadd]

Glad you shot her. Very nice piece. Congrats.

[daveohno]

Yeah... I "heard" that too.. he had a Colt cap & ball revolver... :)

I can find solice in the fact that two of my three sons are 1911 fanciers and their preference is for the .45 ACP... :D

Please don't ask me about the other son... :o
You did good, 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

[d90king]

I took the Commander shooting on Sunday. I ran 100 rounds of PMC through her, and she ran flawlessly.

Thanks to all who encouraged me to shoot her! I am glad I did.
The "old school" sights took alittle getting used to. After a few magizines I was putting nice groups together at 21 feet and 20 yards. I have a high grip so the hammer or slide was impacting the web of my hand. A grip adjustment took care of that.

Thanks again to all who encouraged me to shoot her!


Wes


Glad you took your new Colt out to stretch it's legs. ;) The first shot is the hardest to get past. You can shoot a pistol a fair amount and still keep it in great condition. Best of luck with your new Colt, you got a good one. :appld:

[cliff731]

You did good, 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

Thanks, Dave... I appreciate the kind words. For what it's worth, I'm working on son #3 very hard... and I have a plan... :)

[daveohno]

Thanks, Dave... I appreciate the kind words. For what it's worth, I'm working on son #3 very hard... and I have a plan... :)

About all you have to do is let him shoot a Colt and the pistol should win him over.

[cliff731]

About all you have to do is let him shoot a Colt and the pistol should win him over.

He's a huge .40 S&W fan... and I'm a even bigger .45 ACP fan... so if I place one of these Colt 1911A1 pistols in his hands... how could he possibly not grasp the significance of an additional .05" as an advantage! :cool:

Of course, were he to receive a Colt as a gift from his dad someday... hmmm... I suspect that might win him over too. ;)

The perfect combo would be a Colt 1911A1 chambered for the .40 S&W... and I don't think this one is available... :confused:

[daveohno]

Colt is missing out on quite a few pistol sales. They don't make 9mm and it is a very popular caliber now. It is cheap to shoot and from a Government sized pistol, a powderpuff round. The new police caliber for the moment at least is the 40 caliber. Colt should make some of those with a fully supported barrel, unlike those plastic abominations that go kaboom in 40 caliber because the barrel isn't fully supported

I was shooting my John Harrison 9mm conversion SCG today and one of the other shooters was admiring my pistol and asked what make it was. I told him it was a 9mm Colt and he was very surprised that it was a 9mm Colt. I explained how I lost most of the brass at the last shoot I was at where we were and decided that for matches where the brass is lost, 9mm would be MUCH cheaper to shoot than reloaded Super 38. I'm not a particularly good shot, but I did just fine with my 9mm Special Combat Government today. :) Colt should offer these in 9mm as well as a few other models.

These old fine examples of Colt 9mm's like Sloo50's are tough to find.

[cliff731]

Colt is missing out on quite a few pistol sales. They don't make 9mm and it is a very popular caliber now.

That's a point well made, Dave... a offering of Colt Government and Commander models in 9mm and .40 S&W should be done!



These old fine examples of Colt 9mm's like Sloo50's are tough to find.

I'm reassured by reading your words in this regard... thanks!