Buying Nickel Mark IV - 70 Series..Question

[GeorgeM461]

I just put on hold Mark IV - Series 70 Government Model in a satin nickel finish. The is #70B5432X. From what I read I think is was made around 1982. No pic's till I get it home soon. I live in NJ and waiting on the Handgun purchasers Permit so I can finish the purchase. It has a Wilson Combat rear sight and black Pachmayr grips. Getting it for a little over $700(No box or manuals). The finish looks good to me. Just asking if anyone can narrow down the manufacture date and wondering if it sounds like a good deal. I think so.

Thanks, George :D

[Joni Lynn]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your Colt.
If it's in good shape that's probably a fair price on it.

[GeorgeM461]

Thanks Joni! I thought it was good. Anybody able to zero in a little on when it was built?? I'll check the forum but any hints on maintaining the satin nickel finish?

[Joni Lynn]

Any of the sources for serial number info that I have don't go far enough to help you on the date.
I'd recommend a call to Colt, they can pin down the date for you.

[lksstbls]

The most-used data base doesn't go beyond 1978. Best to call Colt at 1-800-962-colt during East Coast business hours, and they'll tell you what year it was built.

I have a satin nickle Combat Commander. I shoot it a lot, but don't carry it because the finish has a rep for not being very durable and when I got it, it was a basketcase, finish-wise. It rejuvenates well with a light bead blast, if the surface hasn't been penetrated down to the base steel. Its an urban legend that Hoppes #9 will stain the finish. I've been using Breakfree CLP with good results.

[paul45]

That is a '83. Last year of the Series 70 Gov'ts.

[GeorgeM461]

Thanks all for the help!! I'll use the Breakfree for the finish and post pic's after I pick it up....George

[bigshunner]

Congrats George! I just picked up my 1971 series 70 in nickel finish today! Sounds like a great deal on yours, I paid a little more than that and didn't get some of the things you did. Wonderful gun, enjoy.

[kenhwind]

The gun shop close to me has a Colt Combat Commander in satin nickle for $739 I believe. Six seventy five would probably buy it. The satin nickle is less common in the GM Model than the CC.
Read the warnings on the Hoppes' No. 9 about nickle guns.
This gun has Kings' sights and fancy grips.
I live in user friendly Florida.
In Jersey that is probably a very good price.

Ken

I like Colts and will die that wat

[daveohno]

Congrats on your Series 70! No Hoppes!!!! No copper cleaners at all on nickel. I use Flitz on my nickel and bright stainless pistols to polish them. I use CLP to clean the nickel ones.

kenwind, I'm glad that nickel Commander is safe in Florida away from me, because if I saw it up here in Illinois for that price, I'd have another Colt in my safe and I don't really need any more pistols!

[paul45]

Its an urban legend that Hoppes #9 will stain the finish. Sorry, I must disagree. Hoppes doesn't really "stain" the finish......it attacks the copper that is under the satin nickel. The pistol/parts are plated in copper before being nickeled. Any copper solvent will damage the finish over time.

[Rio Vista Slim]

Sorry, I must disagree. Hoppes doesn't really "stain" the finish......it attacks the copper that is under the satin nickel. The pistol/parts are plated in copper before being nickeled. Any copper solvent will damage the finish over time.

Paul is absolutely correct!

[Grumpa72]

Paul is absolutely correct!

Straight from the horse's mouth.


http://www.hoppes.com/au_faq2.html

[daveohno]

I have a nickel Trooper that I used to use Hoppes on. I didn't notice that it had yellowed until I bought a nickel Python and had them next to each other. The Trooper was a noticeable shade of yellow.

[GeorgeM461]

Thanks for all the info!! I think I got it...No Hoppes 9 or copper cleaners at all on nickel. Use Flitz on nickel and bright stainless pistols to polish them and BreakFree CLP to clean them. I've got Breakfree CLP already, but I only see the Flitz available online. That's fine.. I would think I need to order the Flitz Paste Polish for Metal, Plastic & Fiberglass and not the liquid, right?
Thanks, George

[lksstbls]

Thanks for all the info!! I think I got it...No Hoppes 9 or copper cleaners at all on nickel. Use Flitz on nickel and bright stainless pistols to polish them and BreakFree CLP to clean them. I've got Breakfree CLP already, but I only see the Flitz available online. That's fine.. I would think I need to order the Flitz Paste Polish for Metal, Plastic & Fiberglass and not the liquid, right?
Thanks, George


I've found Flitz at my local (Phx) ACE Hardware, but I question using Flitz on satin nickle. E-nickle, yes, but I'd get a conformation on the compatibility of Flitz and sn before using.

[focus2]

Colt say's to use Flitz on nickle finish.Not sure if they ment both satin nickle and E-nickle though.....

[GeorgeM461]

Thanks all!! I ordered the Flitz Starter Polishing Kit for Metal and More from them online. I can always use it on my Harley.. Still waiting on the permit. I'll post pic's when I get it..George