Series 70 Combat Government

[Stitch King]

I have one that is like new. No box however. Does not look like anything other than factory test rounds. Should I shoot the thing or leave it in the safe? Does it make a huge difference in value if I do shoot it???

[RickB]

The difference between NIB and 98% value can be 25% or more, especially if the gun us considered "collectible". If you're never going to sell it, what difference does it make? If you need a gun to shoot, you maximize your position by selling it unfired and buying a shooter. I'd say it's not doing anyone any good, sitting in the safe. :)

[paul45]

I have come to think that only pieces with the box and all paperwork should be fretted over as to whether to shoot them or not.

Otherwise, I say shoot away. just my thought, though

[wichaka]

Can you post some pics of it?

[kenhwind]

I wo auld greatly appreciate a picture

JustinTime

This is the gun I was refering to, my oops here. Not the one they make now.
I've only seen two of these in 30 years, and the one I mention is the only one for sale. They were not available for very long.

Ken

[Stitch King]

Actually after I looked at it a bit closer it looks like it's been shot more than the test rounds. (not by much though) I haven't had this out in the bright light in a while.

http://i40.tinypic.com/25f4klh.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/jscdq1.jpg

[kenhwind]

That is the same Model that my friend had. His was stolen. I remember when then were first advertised, boy oh boy, did we want one. He bought his used because Colt did not make them for very long.
I do think, after 30 years, that his had the straight mainspring housing, and the beavertail grip safety. Other than that it was the same.
I patterened my Series 70 .45 Auto and .38 Super after it, but used Kings Hardball sights.

Ken

[Bacon]

That one is very nice. Is that a standard Colt long trigger?

[Stitch King]

Yes, the trigger is long and smooth faced. From what I have read that's what they came with.
The gun looks to be factory original. Based on the info I could find everything is correct. The only thing I find that does not make sense is the arched MSH. Everything I've read says they had flat MSH's. Then again, although it has the correct Pachmayer grips, they cover up the fluted frontstrap. Why Colt did that really makes no sense to me.

[Stitch King]

He bought his used because Colt did not make them for very long.

The Series 70's CG's were only made for a year (1983) from what I've read. The Series 80 version was only made for a couple years after that and was replaced by the Elite series.

[kenhwind]

The trigger is a carry over from the 1911 Commeratives' that Colt produced. I've used three of them. The left overs were available from Colt - Guns Parts Corp. It is a replica of the original 1911 trigger and was used in the "Delta Elite" also.

Stich King; Where did you get your info I'm relying on my poor ole brain.

Ken
"I like colts and will die that way"

[Stitch King]

Here's a pretty good link. The only dispute I have with it is the flat MSH statement. I also have a bunch of notes from blurbs pucked up over time at gun shows, on line and so on. Google the name and all kinds of stuff pops up too.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-9146.html

On the trigger, there must be something to a smooth face as I have polished the face of the trigger on my carry gun where my finger rests which is a Detonics Combat Master. I almost lost my Rh trigger finger above the distal joint a few years back. As a result I have limited mobility and no feeling from that joint to the tip. Because I can't feel it I have a tendancy to slap the trigger, to solve that I ride the bottom of the trigger guard. The bottom edge of the trigger was pretty sharp there and chewed up my finger until I polished and radiused the edge. Now the finger rolls along the face nicely and I can place the shot's quite well.

[kenhwind]

Found this on the Combat Model;

COLT AMERICAN HANDGUNNING 1983; Copyright © 1982 by aqua-Field Publications, Inc.page 39, 54-5. “new combat .45 aimed at the experts” Massad Ayoob
Title:
“new combat .45 aimed at the experts”
“Colt meets the demands of the Gold Team of the International Practical Shooting Confederation”
Excerpts:
“Colt Firearms has been listening to the consumer more in the last year than anyone else in the gun industry. The results include the introduction of the new Combat Model .45 Auto.”
“Pick up a Colt Combat Government Model .45. Heft it, try the action, feel the fit of its superior “human engineering” in your hands”
“A high-profile front sight on the front of Combat Model’s slide is the spitting image of the Gold Cup’s post, but ii is brazed in place to ensure longevity”
“The rear sight is fixed…”; “The sight stands high…”, “A white outline…”
“…the top of the slide is sandblasted with a special 80-grit process.”
“The Combat Model has the same long, smooth trigger as the 1911,”
“The mainspring housing is flat as…”
“The magazine well…….is beveled out…”
“…the ejection port has been widened…”
“Optional, genuine Colt parts available from Colt dealers for this gun include: ambidextrous, low- profile thumb safety, wide-grip safety which tends to better distribute recoil and Colt medallion grips of Pachmayr’s neoprene”
“Initially 5,000 Combat Model pistols will be made…”

Pictures in this review show a pistol with the following: Colt/Pachmayr grips, wide grip safety, ambi safety, and a checkered mainspring housing. It also seems to have the “Series 70” roll markings. I do not have a scanner.

Ken

http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv64/kenhwind/HPIM0307.jpg

[Stitch King]

Wow! That's a nice article. The Colt world would owe you a debt of gratitude if you could take a pic of the article that the print would show up in.

So it looks as if the Arched Checkerd MSH I have was a dealer option.

Thanks! Ken

[kenhwind]

That is the article. That is the title page, the magazine was a 1983 anual and the publishers info is given. I only quoted technical info, with a few exceptions.
Some do not even know this Model exists

Could very well be, Colt had "Service Centers" in those days and parts etc. were ordered through them. I ordered some parts from Colt and they sent me a list of dealers.

Ken

[OD*]

Very interesting, thanks Ken.

[kenhwind]

Wow! That's a nice article. The Colt world would owe you a debt of gratitude if you could take a pic of the article that the print would show up in.

So it looks as if the Arched Checkerd MSH I have was a dealer option.

Thanks! Ken
You will find it here:
Colt American Handgunning Annual 1983 © is published by Aqua-Field Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 721, Point Pleasant, New Jersey, 08742
http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv64/kenhwind/HPIM0311.jpg

[kenhwind]

Very interesting, thanks Ken.
OD, you will find this of interest
Here is another pic from “new combat .45…” Massad Ayoob, page 54
http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv64/kenhwind/HPIM0312.jpg

[paul45]

I told member, Larry, to post pics of his, as it is a beauty. I'm still mad.....I found it and he bought it cause I wasn't ready with the dough!

[kenhwind]

I told member, Larry, to post pics of his, as it is a beauty. I'm still mad.....I found it and he bought it cause I wasn't ready with the dough!
Cool
That's how my friend got his, I found it he bought it, but I already had a Colt .45. His was stolen, needless to sat he was upset, the gun was used, but LN.
Ken

[OD*]

OD, you will find this of interest
Here is another pic from “new combat .45…” Massad Ayoob, page 54
http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv64/kenhwind/HPIM0312.jpg
Indeed I do, thank you.