The M1911 Pistols Organization Forums Site - Combat Commander 9mm Information?

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Ming696

8th May 2009, 07:22

I'm buying a older combat commander from a neighbor and unlike Phantomace's, this one is probably 75%, but it has a low serial number. Can anyone tell me how old it is and if it's worth much? I'll get pictures as soon as I can. The serial starts with CLW 010xxx.

Thanks all

daveohno

8th May 2009, 09:02

Welcome to the forum! You can call Colt at 1800-962- Colt to find out when you Colt was made.

PhantomAce

8th May 2009, 20:57

Ming:

If you go to www.proofhouse.com you can pull up date ranges for serial numbers.
Looking at the site, it appears that all the "CLW" prefix units have two "0" at the beginning, not just one.
That being the case, I would assume you meant "CLW0010XXX".
If so, then it was probably manufactured in 1969 if it has a 9-character serial number, or 1971 if it has a 10-character serial number, if I'm reading their page correctly.

Regardless, I would recommend you go the site and take a look with the complete serial number in front of you.

Good luck, and WELCOME to the forum!

(PS: Do NOT forget to post pictures on this thread, you don't want Gunny after you!)

Ming696

8th May 2009, 23:37

Ming:

Good luck, and WELCOME to the forum!

(PS: Do NOT forget to post pictures on this thread, you don't want Gunny after you!)

Thanks for the info! I'll put up pictures as soon as I get it. In the meantime will a picture of my Springer suffice?

About a third of the way down the page:

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=21248&page=13&pp=50

John

9th May 2009, 04:09

Buy it, buy it!!!!!

Ming696

16th May 2009, 22:30

Well here it is. It's not in the best of shape as you can see. I'd like some ideas from you guys on what I should do with it. I would like to get it refinished, and put some new goodies on it, but I don't know how it will affect the collector value. It's a 1972 model which isn't too old and I only gave $300 for it, so I don't think it will hurt the value much by refinishing, and updating it a bit. I plan on keeping everything I take off or replace.

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/7771/colt1.jpg
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/293/colt2.jpg
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/8900/colt3.jpg
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/4139/colt4.jpg
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/8286/colt5.jpg

Hawkmoon

16th May 2009, 22:57

Personally, I would send it to Colt to have them reblue it, and install a set of the current 1991 series sights on it. They'll look correct, but they're a bit easier to see plus they have white dots.

That's it, unless it needs a trigger job. I like mine at between 4-1/2 and 5 pounds.

John

17th May 2009, 04:00

PhantomAce

17th May 2009, 10:36

If it shoots good, then that looks like a great deal for $300 to me!
Congratulations!

Hersh

17th May 2009, 12:25

Yeah you did well with that Commander!!

My preference is for Novaks with a wide-notch rear and high-ride beavertails, but everyone's mileage can and will vary.

kenhwind

17th May 2009, 12:56

Gee I kind of like it the way it is.
Electrolees nickel frame, MSH, grip safety, 1911 length alum trigger, and blue slide, safety lock, slide stop and mag release.
+ 2 on sending to Colt and the 1991 sights.

gfavaron

17th May 2009, 17:09

There are a lot of possibilities as to sights. I personally prefer Milletts. Here is my 1980 built 9mm commander. I do agree that a Colt refinish is the way to go.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w27/gnoravaf/9mmfullleft.jpg

Ming696

17th May 2009, 23:38

The only concern I have about sending it to Colt is the turn around time. I've heard they are very back logged and could take a long time to get the gun back. Another option I have locally is this guy:

http://www.gunsmithingonly.com/

Check out his photo gallery, and he is only a few miles from me.

PhantomAce

18th May 2009, 00:26

Ming:

If it were me, I would shoot the snot out of it, then get it refinished by Colt's later. After all, if you refinish it the collector value (if it has any) will take a serious hit regardless. But, I think if the work was done by Colt's and documented, it might not be as bad of a hit. I'm NOT an expert, but that is the way I understand it.
In any case, if it's a good working gun, why refinish unless you're planning on displaying it?

Something I noticed in the pics:
Did someone already de-bur it (knock down the sharp edges)? Looks like it's had some file work, but it could be the lighting.
If so, then I would definitely use Colt's to clean it up. After all, you have your Springer for defensive and range duties in the meantime, so if you're going to get it refinished, get it done right. Maybe get it tweaked a bit while it's there.
Again though, just my amateur opinion.

In any case, I still think you got a great deal on it.
(The slide and barrel are probably worth close to what you paid for it!)
Have you had it to the range yet?
How's it shoot?

Congrats again!

Ming696

18th May 2009, 00:40

Thanks for the input. No I haven't shot it yet. This is my first 9mm so I had to find ammo for it. I don't know about where you live, but here ammo is scarce to say the least. I'm hoping sometime this week to put a box or two through it and see how it does. As for the de-burring, I don't believe it has been. I think it's just holster wear.

-Paul

PhantomAce

18th May 2009, 01:01

Ming:

I "fell" into my recent 9mm Combat Commander, and since I have an "itty bitty" wife, it was an easy sell. (She can shoot a 45, but the 9mm in her hands is much more comfortable.)
But, I have to tell you, having taken it to the range, they shoot SWEET.
Enough of a kick to remind you to respect it, but doesn't feel like a cannon after 2 or 3 fast changed clips.
Probably my favorite gun now, and I started shooting 1911 45acp's when I was about 12, so it's not like I'm not used to them.
You WILL enjoy that gun, and the fact that ammo usually runs about 35% less than 45acp helps a lot too.
I live in a decent size city (Las Vegas), so ammo is pretty scarce these days, but I've managed to buy 750 rounds of 9mm total locally at Wallyworld in the last 3 weeks or so compared to only 200 local and 150 on-line in 45acp during the same timeframe.
So, in my opinion, 9mm is more readily available these days.
You just need to call early in the morning, and ask the guy at the sporting goods counter directly if they have any in. If so, take a ride...
I think you'll find WWB 115's at least once or twice a week, I know I did.

Good luck with it, and don't forget that range report!
;-)

rekladan

18th May 2009, 09:18

It doesn't look deburred to me, just... very nicely worn in!

A Colt re-finish will give new life to it, but its current condition sure gives it some character..!

+1 for shooting it some first and then sending it back to its momma!

Ming696

19th May 2009, 22:06

Well I took it out and shot it for the first time today. I was happy with the performance, and accuracy but I had quite a few failure to eject the empty shells. Upon tear down my suspicion was correct. The extractor is pretty badly worn down. So it looks like I'm in the market for an extractor. Anyone have any good suggestions? I'm looking at a Nowlin tuff stuff, or maybe a Wilson Combat heavy duty.

kenhwind

19th May 2009, 22:27

Just make sure that you get a 9mm/.38 Super/10mm extractor, there is a difference.

OD*

19th May 2009, 22:49

kenhwind

19th May 2009, 23:02

You may want to look at the Cylinder & Slide extractor also;
http://www.cylinder-slide.com/index...show&ref=CS182B
Or maybe a Wilson Combat:
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=16410&title=1911%20AUTO%20HEAVY-DUTY%20EXTRACTOR

Ming696

20th May 2009, 00:37

You may want to look at the Cylinder & Slide extractor also;
http://www.cylinder-slide.com/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=prodshow&ref=CS182B

I already ordered the Wilson Combat. Thanks for the info though.