The M1911 Pistols Organization Forums Site

last12know

21st May 2009, 02:07

picked up a 1942 1911a1 military us army verison that looks like it was just taken out of a box last week... and also got a colt .38 super in a satin finish with white grips and scrolling on the grips.. not familiar with the .38 super when looking for ammo ... will it be labeled as .38 super +P or .38 acp?

gave 550 and traded a ar15 lower for them.. any idea what they are worth.. the .45 looks new and the .38 not far behind.. oh it's a combat commander the .38 that is..

thanks

daveohno

21st May 2009, 02:17

Welcome to these forums! :wc:

Congratulations on your new to you Colt's!

Super 38 is Super 38 or Super 38 +P. 38 acp is different than the Super. It is a lower velocity 38 round. The Super 38 shouldn't be shot from a 38 acp pistol because it is too hot for the pistol.

Now for the Gunny! :fp:

last12know

21st May 2009, 02:44

so i can shoot .38 acp thru a .38 super? assuming i find some?

here is some pics

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3550153119_57fae07e9e.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3655/3550959434_d8a150a58b.jpg

1903a3spring

21st May 2009, 02:46

The 1942 is nice; too bad it's not in original condition. It should be a great shooter tho.

last12know

21st May 2009, 02:50

i've seen grips like them on a 1951 on a search... very little wear on any parts except the obvious scratches from the field stripping before i got it... the grips the only thing you see wrong? really doesn't look like it's been shot much.. if at all.. the numbers on the slide match the receiver

cliff731

21st May 2009, 02:58

At first glance, those sights on your USGI 1911A1 are not original.

What markings are on the frame? Left and right side?

cliff731

21st May 2009, 03:00

Almost forgot... Welcome to the forum~ :D

By the way, I'd say you did very well on those two Colts!

last12know

21st May 2009, 03:03

At first glance, those sights on your USGI 1911A1 are not original.

What markings are on the frame? Left and right side?

left wb with a p by the magazine release

rite the army ordinance stamp

or not what you ment?

last12know

21st May 2009, 03:05

in all honesty i expected my comments on the .38 super combat commander... i've a springfield 1911a1 so the .45 didn't do much for me... really like the idea of the super though

cliff731

21st May 2009, 03:12

That's what I was wondering about... the markings you described... ;)

Now... about that .38 Super Combat Commander... that one is indeed a jewel to find. http://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon14.gif

Have you found a date of manufacture for it yet?

cliff731

21st May 2009, 03:15

so i can shoot .38 acp thru a .38 super? assuming i find some?

I'm going to profess my inability to answer that one... all my 1911's are .45 ACP and a lone 9mm Combat Commander.

Someone will come along and shed some light... :)

last12know

21st May 2009, 03:18

nope kinda have it narrowed to 1976...was at the proof something and it only had one number for the year so i assume its from the number of the first year to the current.

just for curiousity what do the marking mean? it is a really clean looking gun except for a few lite scratches.. i did check the rear site and i think it may be off of something else..it's black and not the brown of everything else.. it appears to be adjustable.. set screw with markings to see movement. someone ment to shoot it i think.. lol

last12know

21st May 2009, 03:19

well i figured the dimentions were the same just not as hot a round...kinda like .223 and 5.56mm if i'm wrong please don't hold back...

cliff731

21st May 2009, 03:36

nope kinda have it narrowed to 1976...was at the proof something and it only had one number for the year so i assume its from the number of the first year to the current.

That would be correct- that number starts the corresponding year's production.

just for curiousity what do the marking mean? it is a really clean looking gun except for a few lite scratches.. i did check the rear site and i think it may be off of something else..it's black and not the brown of everything else.. it appears to be adjustable.. set screw with markings to see movement. someone ment to shoot it i think.. lol

WB = Colonel Waldemar Broberg (inspector's acceptance)

P = Proof marking (IIRC)

There are some bonafide experts on this forum who know these markings way better than I will ever do so... ;)

Those sights are not original... someone has swapped them out. Shouldn't be an adjustable rear sight... and the front is too tall and shaped incorrectly.

cliff731

21st May 2009, 03:37

well i figured the dimentions were the same just not as hot a round...kinda like .223 and 5.56mm if i'm wrong please don't hold back...

According to "Wiki"... they are both dimensionally identical... :D

last12know

21st May 2009, 03:48

cliff731

21st May 2009, 03:59

haven't shot either ... will try them tomorrow.. wouldn't take much to get some grips and original sites... the ones they put on it should probably stay ... lines up nicely in the hand and easy to see.. i kinda think the grips on it came off the .38 super... i do have some old wood grips i could put on the .45 and put the grips from it on the .38... course the ones on the .38 kinda look like they belong.. the seventies and all. :) opinion?

What to do? As they say, it's your gun... :)

If you like those grip panels on your new Combat Commander, by all means... leave 'em there. You'll likely find some later that you like more (at the moment... ;) ). That's one thing I like about the 1911 pistols.

Regarding your USGI Colt 1911A1... there's much merit to returning her to original configuration... sights and grip panels are available and can be found... especially the grip panels.

However, if you're just gonna use her for a shooter... don't fret the stuff and enjoy her.

I wouldn't, however, go mucking around too much with her and changing anything else that required hacking or cutting on the frame or such.

Keep the Dremel away from her! Save any parts you might take off in the future.

last12know

21st May 2009, 04:05

cliff731

21st May 2009, 04:16

not much for the dremel...no worries there... i think i may get the rite grips and sites... would be unique in not being dressed up... maybe i'll do that.. any good sources for grips and sites you know of offhand? not really sure what stock grips should look like other than no medallion

Last12know,

Thank goodness... it's good to read what you say about that Dremel... :D

You'll find more specific information regarding your Colt USGI 1911A1 over in this forum section-

US Military Issue M1911 and M1911A1 Pistols

Good advice there on the exact sights you might want and those grip panels.

The "stock" grip panels would likely be a set of Keyes plastic fully checkered... brown in color. There are a few vendors online selling original examples.

If those two "items" are all you need to restore her to authentic and original condition, it would be a shame to do otherwise.

That's just my opinion, of course... but she does present you with an unique opportunity to own a Colt 1911A1 as issued in WWII... and the effort will surely enhance her value greatly.

Cliff

cliff731

21st May 2009, 04:24

Let's talk about that pretty Combat Commander... :D

If both those Colts were in the hands of a previous owner, then I'll agree with your thinking- there's a great chance those walnut checkered Colt medallion grip panels (on the USGI Colt) properly belong on your Combat Commander.

Likely those were the original grip panels... of course, that's not saying you should reinstall those on the Commander. However, at the very least, I would put 'em up for safe keeping.

Just my .02 worth! :)

cliff731

21st May 2009, 04:32

I'm waiting for John's response after he sees that Commander... :)

I have a notion you might want more detailed photos... ;)

last12know

21st May 2009, 04:37

a friend inherited them among others... they were the only two colts he had.. and the two that got my attention.. same owner so i kinda think an effort was made to update the .45 and it was a cheap update to put grips on it.. i looked real close at the sites.. no scratches or marks..look like the belong minus the color and of course size/profile.. i'm thinking the sites shuld look like the commanders? they are orignal i'm sure the difference is quite clear... don't know how they got the others off the .45 with marking it up.

the grips on the commander just kinda go with it... .. i take it there aren't many of them around?

kenhwind

21st May 2009, 06:18

I would venture to say that the Colt Medallion checkered grips came off of and belong on the Combat Commander.
Most of those Satin Nickel CC where made in .45, I believe.

The Combat Commander .38 Super is designed to shoot .38 Super Auto. .38 Super Auto ammo and .38 Super Auto +P are one and the same. The .38 ACP is a relatively rare cartridge on the commercial market these days. Your CC will shoot that also, and it should funtion.

Welcome to the forum and nice Colt.
BTW: John said I could have the Super Commanders, the 9's are all his IHHO. :rolleyes: ;)

last12know

21st May 2009, 06:30

i may swap the grips and see what it looks like in the morning... guy i got it from also has 8 boxs of ammo to go with it.. i'll get them later today.. i do believe he said it was all .38 acp and that is why i asked... couldn't find any .38 super at the hardware store...

p.s. all the typos came with the laptop. :)

cliff731

21st May 2009, 06:35

...BTW: John said I could have the Super Commanders, the 9's are all his IHHO. :rolleyes: ;)

Uhhh... Last12know... did I forget to mention that in my earlier posts??? :lm:

Wait... wait... Okay, Ken... then I gotta ask... who gets the regular ole' .45 ACP Commanders?

Can I have 'em? ;)

cliff731

21st May 2009, 06:37

...p.s. all the typos came with the laptop. :)

You'll fit in fine here... :D

kenhwind

21st May 2009, 06:38

p.s. all the typos came with the laptop
Yep I'm sure, me too, spellcheck can't figure out what I typed in the first place and I have to use a dictionary.

When that Combat Commander was made .38 ACP ammo was still available. Remington still made some. It will be marked .38 Auto. If the cases are nickel plated (older ammo) then they are probably .38 Super Auto. I've shot the .38 Auto in my 70S MKIV .38 Super so it should function in the CC.

kenhwind

21st May 2009, 06:54

Wait... wait... Okay, Ken... then I gotta ask... who gets the regular ole' .45 ACP Commanders?
Better ask "El Commandte" he said "reluctantly" on the Supers.

last12know

21st May 2009, 07:13

just got out of the basement...i've some 45 grips in wood no checks (a dark brown) and colt medallions... haven't seen them on anything posted on here yet.. they look older than me. but not chipped or anything... medallions are different than the ones on the .45 i've got.. but do say colt. have several brown checked grips for a berretta 92 i think.. gave the guy who was here my s and w n frame grips and found some more.

so let me get this straight...cliff wants the.45's, ken gets the supers in .38 and john gets the 9's? .....ah...whats that leave?

kenhwind

21st May 2009, 07:21

If the Colt grips you found look like a sanblasted wood finish with silver medallions then they are OEM Colt series 70 grips and were used on the GMs as well as the Commanders, and then the checkered wood with the gold medallions were phased in.
The checkered gold medallions used to be used only on the Gold Gup and NM.

last12know

21st May 2009, 07:34

couldn't have described them better myself...sandblasted yep. so they could conceivable go on the .38 super? it has the 70sc in the serial so that make it a series 70?
grips
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2466/3551332074_fe93cf7eac.jpg
better picture
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/3550523799_e3c868b5d4.jpg

paul45

21st May 2009, 09:09

it has the 70sc in the serial so that make it a series 70? No, the serial number has nothing to do with series 70 or not. Refer to your Commander as a pre-series 80. The SC denotes the nickel finish.

so i can shoot .38 acp thru a .38 super? assuming i find some?Why would you? It's an old obsolete loading.
Look for 38 Super. Some say +p which really doesn't mean anything in this case.

550 and a lower for those two Colts? Even though the USGI looks to be refinished, replaced sights, etc...... you made out like a FAT RAT on that deal!

Congrats!

kenhwind

21st May 2009, 09:57

I would put the sanblasted grips on the Commander, if it is an early 1970s -mid 70s it might of came with those type on it.

kenhwind

21st May 2009, 10:03

you made out like a FAT RAT on that deal!
A two for one deal IMO. I do like that Super.

last12know

21st May 2009, 14:23

cliff731

21st May 2009, 18:28

was thinking the same of the grips....sandblasted would look better on the commander....

am going to pick up the ammo now.. i'll have to see if it's the .38 acp or not....if it is it may be feasible to see if someone else needs it rather than shoot it?

i'm happy with what i got myself....the guy has several other guns i'm going to have to be careful to try and not get.

pre series 80.. ok... thanks learned a lot about them in the last day or so...

That old .38 Auto might have a collector wanting some and perhaps someone out there with an older semi-auto chambered for that round (cannot use the newer .38 Super).

This is a great forum and I learn something here almost every single day! http://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon14.gif

Cliff

last12know

21st May 2009, 19:04

just got back.. the ammo is .38 super 130 grain 8 boxes (he had some .32 acp as well and i think it was confused for the other)....small fortune there
and bonus...mentioned the grips on the .45 and he had the orginals...he liked the wood grips better and thought it would help sell the pistol. so i've got the orignal grips back on the .45 and put the blasted ones on the .38 super.. the white ones with the scrolling are surprisingly heavy...i don't think they are plastic... the blasted ones changed the look but most noticeable was the feel of it in your hand.. prefer the blasted in feel but liked the 70's thing i had going with the white ones... think i'll leave the blasted on ...so i think i have the rite grips on the rite guns

so in short 550.00 and an ar15 lower for
.45 1911a1
.38 super combat commander
eight boxes of ammo for the .38

am still curious as to what each would be worth .. i know i got a heck of a deal.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3552725140_e60bb17dfc.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/3552730518_22c5532087.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3573/3551916703_ec684a656f.jpg

kenhwind

21st May 2009, 19:21

I would say you got 1 free gun and ammo out of that deal. Prices are subjective used Combat Commanders around $700 - $800, the G.I. gun I can't vouch for.
Post the GI in the 1911 1911A1 Forum and give the specialistas a look see.

The ammo sells for around $20 -25 a box.

last12know

21st May 2009, 19:26

only downside is availiability of ammo (.38 super that is)... can't seem to find anything around here was find up til about a month ago... then it didn't just dwindle.. it was just gone.. kinda think folks from the city come out and just bought it all and took it back.. now when ammo comes out if you aren't rite their it's gone within the day..guess i'll have to diversify so when something comes around i'll have something to shoot it out of.

cliff731

21st May 2009, 19:45

the white ones with the scrolling are surprisingly heavy...i don't think they are plastic...

Looks better now! ;)

Those white grip panels... might be ivory.

Is there any imprinting or writing on the backside?

cliff731

21st May 2009, 19:48

just got back.. the ammo is .38 super 130 grain 8 boxes (he had some .32 acp as well and i think it was confused for the other)....small fortune there

8 boxes = 400 rounds! :D

That ought to keep you busy for a short while... :cool:

kenhwind

21st May 2009, 20:29

I'm spoiled I reload mine.
No Supers out there did a quick search.

last12know

21st May 2009, 20:43

i was thinking of starting to reload my own....gotta start somewhere rite? :) same dies as .357/.38 special?

did't see anything on the backside of the white grip panels that i recall.. will look later..

kenhwind

21st May 2009, 21:20

No the dies are different. Save your brass.
Do you reload now at all?

last12know

21st May 2009, 21:54

not yet... my brother bought a press and we just haven't really gotten much done than that.. need dies etc.. was waiting to see what we needed most. wish i'd saved all the brass from my .45 and 9mm so the .38 super is a different die then... i may start with it since its the hardest to find. the gun club i joined for the range has saved it's brass all these year.. they don't know what to do with it.. ... don't know if picking thru it would be advisable or not? guy i talked to didn't know what they were going to do with it...would be easy to ask..