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piledrive
10th May 2009, 13:03
Recently acquired this Commander and I didn't see this until I now. To me it doesn't look like misuse or mishandling. Although a circa 1950 my estimate would be better than 75%. The only real wear seems to be from the Holster that came with it. Any opinions out there?
PhantomAce
10th May 2009, 13:11
What Commander?
You need to post a picture, or MANY!
(Kind of a requirement here.)
;-)

Congrats by the way, and welcome to the forum!
kenhwind
10th May 2009, 13:27
Front and Center!
:fp:
:wc:
PhantomAce
10th May 2009, 13:28
Darn, I knew it wouldn't be long until the wrath of Gunny was felt on this thread!
piledrive
10th May 2009, 13:52
New Computer. Windows Vista. Can't post pics. HELP!
kenhwind
10th May 2009, 14:48
Don't do what I would, you'll need a new computer.
Tim Orrock
10th May 2009, 15:01
If you like, you can email me the pics to timorrock at yahoo.com and I'll host them on my photobucket account and post them here for you.
Rio Vista Slim
10th May 2009, 17:19
If you like, you can email me the pics to timorrock at yahoo.com and I'll host them on my photobucket account and post them here for you.
And..................

If our friend Tim doesn't do it, I will. Just follow the same instructions, but e-mail them to steveclark@m1911.org
John
11th May 2009, 03:52
Anyone can post pictures, just read the FAQ.
smokey
11th May 2009, 05:31
Piledrive, 1950 Commander yes,Combat Commander[steel frame]much later,not 1950. Nick
Rio Vista Slim
11th May 2009, 05:45
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/RioVistaSlim/Coltframe2.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/RioVistaSlim/Coltframe.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/RioVistaSlim/DSC03795.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/RioVistaSlim/Coltframe3.jpg

These photos were e-mailed to me by member piledrive.
Please view them, and give him your opinions, please.

Thanks,

"Slim"
John
11th May 2009, 05:56
WEll, cracked frame for sure, and weird marks inside the frame. This baby needs to go back to Colt for some serious work (and a new frame).
Landman
11th May 2009, 06:33
I agree with John. I would see if Colt could repair it.

Also, though it is not all visible, the serial number looks pretty unique.
paul45
11th May 2009, 07:40
Recently acquired this Commander and I didn't see this until I now. To me it doesn't look like misuse or mishandling. Although a circa 1950 my estimate would be better than 75%. The only real wear seems to be from the Holster that came with it. Any opinions out there?

You didn't see a cracked frame when you recently acquired it? Oops.....expensive oversight I am afraid.
kenhwind
11th May 2009, 11:08
Looks like a shot alot Commander.
Both my Series 70 Colts have a crack in the dust cover on the left side. The .45 from some over zealous loads, and the Super I put a recoil spring in it that must have been for target ammo. But these guns were shot and have been shot alot.
They work fine.

While I'm sure that a gunsmith could fix it, maybe Evolution Gun Works, but if it was sent back to Colt they might be willing to re-produce that frame with the samr SN.
piledrive
11th May 2009, 14:28
I hope I've got this right. But to answer Nick, I called Colt's main office and got the Date of Manufacture from their Customer Service. The Frame # is XXX01-LW. Will try to upload pics again. (using Photobucket)
http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv126/piledrive/021.jpg
piledrive
11th May 2009, 14:42
I thought I got them all, but I guess not
http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv126/piledrive/004.jpg
http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv126/piledrive/005.jpg
http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv126/piledrive/009.jpg
http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv126/piledrive/010.jpg
http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv126/piledrive/011.jpg
http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv126/piledrive/006.jpg
kenhwind
11th May 2009, 15:15
The Commander was introduced in 1949; Aluminum frame
The Combat Commander in 1970; Steel frame
rekladan
11th May 2009, 15:35
What about the marks inside the frame, are they polishing/rub marks from an improperly fit barrel and guide rod, or are they to expected in a blued gun of this vintage?

There seems to be some rust there, too, unless it's an odd reflection.
piledrive
11th May 2009, 15:38
Thank you sir, I do stand corrected on the "Combat" part. What do you think of the apparent frame crack?
kenhwind
11th May 2009, 15:53
No correction intended just a clarification. Today these size guns are usually referred to a as LW Commanders, and the Combat Commanders as Commanders. just a minor technical thing. :)

The front of the frame abutement has been pounded by a lot of firing in my opinion.
You could use a very small drill bit and drill a hole just below the crack.

Contact George at EGW and get his opinion on repair and a refinish.
piledrive
11th May 2009, 15:54
I believe that the marks inside the frame are normal (but I'm not a gunsmith).
Before seeing that crack, I polished the ramp because there was so little ware on the loading ramp you could see tool marks and only slight amount of Blueing was missing.
Doesn't look to have been fired much at all.
RickB
11th May 2009, 16:01
Polishing the ramp of an aluminum frame removes the hard anodized coating, and you must now be very careful of the type of ammo used; hollowpoints can and will chew-up the soft aluminum ramp. If you do send the gun to EGW for repair, have them install a steel ramp insert while they're at it.
kenhwind
11th May 2009, 16:09
If you do send the gun to EGW for repair, have them install a steel ramp insert while they're at it.
Excellent suggestion.
EGW can weld the dust cover on a steel gun, I'm going to get my guns repaired some day just because I want to, so I assume they maybe can do an aluminum frame too.
smokey
11th May 2009, 19:41
It's always surprising to me to see a Commander with a cracked frame. I say that because,although I studied Jeff Coopers writings for years, I only met him once at Gunsight in 1978. He carried ,for many years and many thousands of rounds[according to him,and,I might add, I have NO reason to doubt him] a Commander with the anodizing polished off the frame[ this may have been the original "two-tone"].I thought the Combat Commander was THE deal at the time[steel frame and all].Jeff opined that he had shot many thousands of rounds through that alloy frame with NO CRACKS OR BATTERING.He did let me look at and shoot his pistol at that time.[this was right up there with the Popes blessing!!]He also let me know,in his own innimatable way,that a steel frame Commander was the WORST of both worlds[shorter sight radius and heavy weight!]I don't think that Shock Buffs were in use then,so I assume he changed his springs regularly. [He didn't say and ,regretably, I didn't ask. I do know that I have owned six or seven lightweight Commanders and one Lightweight Officers Model with a HUGE amount of rounds through them without any cracking. I do not use shock buffs in ANY .45s other than my WWII collectibles and my one and only 1918 Black Army.Those guns are fired VERY seldom and with light loads[750-775 FPS,230 gr.lead ball reloads]It is an interesting quandry and I'm not sure if the problem is one of abuse, metallurgy,or luck of the draw.I think the poster above that suggested"stop drilling" with a very small hole may be on to something. Cheapest solutions first! I think frame replacement might be cost prohibitive.I would love to examine and experiment with a cracked frame just to see what would transpire. Anyway,enough of my rambling I hope it all works out OK[I think it will probably not crack any further with sensible loads but,who knows?]. Regards, Nick
kenhwind
11th May 2009, 20:09
I'd venture to say that the recoil spring was never changed. I'm guilty of that and installing the wrong one.
The crack in the dust cover on a steel frame can only run about 5/16th of an in, according ot my "FIELD MAINTENANCE MANUAL CAL .45 AUTOMATIC PISTOLS..."

btw: EGW: http://www.egw-guns.com/