Old Colt owner, new member, new Colt!

[devilwing5]

Good Morning forum! As a new member of the forum I wanted to say thank you for all the great info and reference materials so far, I have been a "lurking reader" here for a while now... I owned a Colt vintage 1911 waaay back in the roaring 80's, and traded it for a Beretta 92F in 88. Still have the Beretta (9mm) but regretted giving up the Colt. Anyway, I just picked up this nice Combat Commander from gunbroker, a friend of mine had purchased from the FFL before so we knew he was okay..came with original cardboard box, warranty registration (blank) and ballistics sheet - called Colt to verify and it is original, made in '73 and bone stock (I think!). This will be my carry piece as soon as the Bullard Leater holster gets here and I have a few more rounds through it! Thanks Again!

http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u352/devilwing5/commander.jpg

[kenhwind]

:wc:
Nice Colt Combat Commander, appears to be stock, original, with the right grips too.
And welcome to the forum, you started out good by posting a picture we like pictures, and you avoided the wrath of the Gunny.

[devilwing5]

kenhwind - Thank you! I did see that the grips were original when I got to play with it...as much cool stuff as there is out there now for these I think Colt got it right when they did these, I see nothing wrong with leaving well enough alone. I just want to make sure the springs and internals are okay, and so far so good. I have read enough to know not to start out getting the Gunny all riled up...

[TattooPaul]

Welcome aboard and congrats on a great choice to get back into Colt's! Well done with the Combat Commander, the sandblasted medallion grip panels make it even better… I'm also a fan of the short trigger on Commanders and Officers but do wonder if that is original to the older C/Comanders - anyone who knows for sure please feel free to chime in! _Paul

Also, devilwing5, I parted with my Beretta 92F (beautiful, very well crafted in it's own right) but I don't miss it at all. If I feel the need for 9mm I'll stick with Colt's…

[devilwing5]

Paul, good morning! I even love the grip safety on those and will leave it alone! I would appreciate if someone would speak up on the triggers also..I would like to know. My 92F has the Beretta code on the triggerguard for 1988 manufacture, which means Italy, and i will keep that one. Not Colt, but I still like it. Never had a pony 9mm...(yet) On my list next, I think, is a Combat Commander in .38 Super...

(I have a big list.)

:)

[kenhwind]

I believe that the trigger is correct. Colt used the plated triggers in the Series 70 GMs also. The blue Commanders still used the blue trigger as did my ACE.

[TattooPaul]

You'll love the .38 Super, except the price these days. Flatshooting and very powerful!

Thanks for the input on the trigger, kenhwind. Much appreciated.

[OD*]

Beautiful Commander!
It appears to be all factory stock.

[devilwing5]

kenh, thanks. I was hoping it was original. Man, I love these "older" Colts! My wife said "for that money why dont you just get a new one?"...Cause you can't buy one of THESE, woman! <sigh>. It's still a Colt (the new ones), but just not this one.

And Paul - shot a Super at the range a few times and loved it, that's why it made my list! Still, that .45....

:)

[Joni Lynn]

Welcome to the forum.

[devilwing5]

Joni, Thank You!!

[last12know]

that is an awesome looking colt....if i understood it rite it's a .45? looks just like the .38 super i got... picture is great.. i gotta get a better photo of mine..

was nice to see one stock..

[kenhwind]

was nice to see one stock
This is why I suggested you install your OEM grip on your Super CC.
Most of the satin nickel Colt's I've seen and remember when new had the sanblasted grips, but Colt did start using the checkered ones on the blued GMs.

[devilwing5]

last1 - you are correct!, it is indeed a .45...been looking for an original Combat Commander like this for several years now. This one popped up, I spoke to the FFl for several days, and jumped on it with both feet! Barrell and bushing are near-perfect, internals are all original, grips are the sandblasted walnut with the silver medallions, and hammer and grip safety are all factory. Which is exactly as I am going to leave it!

:)

[Hunter]

Welcome to the forum, that is a fine looking Commander you have.

[John]

Another one who thinks that his Commander is ... his.

Someone please tell him that all Commanders (even those with the lowish GI sights) are mine, and he is only safe-keeping it for me, until I go pick it up.

:wc:

[Rio Vista Slim]

Another one who thinks that his Commander is ... his.

Someone please tell him that all Commanders (even those with the lowish GI sights) are mine, and he is only safe-keeping it for me, until I go pick it up.
devilwing5,

That is, indeed, a very fine Colt Combat Commander. I would like to add my welcome to you to the forum.

While you're "safekeeping" John's pistol, you would be well advised to avoid using Hoppe's #9 on any of the satin nickel portions of the gun. :) While Hoppe's is an excellent nitro solvent, it also tends to have a detrimental effect on nickel plated surfaces. Those of use who owned these pistols back in the 70s found this out the hard way.

Once again, welcome to the forum.

[TattooPaul]

devilwing5,

That is, indeed, a very fine Colt Combat Commander. I would like to add my welcome to you to the forum.

While you're "safekeeping" John's pistol, you would be well advised to avoid using Hoppe's #9 on any of the satin nickel portions of the gun. :) While Hoppe's is an excellent nitro solvent, it also tends to have a detrimental effect on nickel plated surfaces. Those of use who owned these pistols back in the 70s found this out the hard way.

Once again, welcome to the forum.

Since the warning has been very importantly stated, what is a "Satin Nickel safe" solvent for the parts that have it? If I'm correct in my thinking, which may be disputable at times, it needs to be safe for the copper layer under the nickel. I read often of the hazard of usung the wrong solvent - what is safe and effective on this finish? Is something such as CLP safe? This is a great chance to get this info to other folks who have not dealt with this finish until now, or while comtemplating a move to it but are hesitant due to it's potntial for damage.

The Satin finish has such a nice appearance it'd be a shame to damage it with a simple solvent error. John would be very angry to see such an issue when he drops by to try out his Commander that you most graciously store for him.

[Rio Vista Slim]

....... it needs to be safe for the copper layer under the nickel. I read often of the hazard of usung the wrong solvent - what is safe and effective on this finish? Is something such as CLP safe? This is a great chance to get this info to other folks who have not dealt with this finish until now, or while comtemplating a move to it but are hesitant due to it's potntial for damage.

Paul,

You are correct about Hoppe's #9 having an effect on the copper layer beneath the nickel plating. You are also wise in asking which cleaners are the most safe to use with a nickel plated firearm. I think CLP is "nickel-friendly", but I honestly don't know the answer.

Because of my lack of knowledge, I'm going to scour the internet for a definitive response.

From this website: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081007005637AApHQBL

Hoppe’s #9 is a safe solvent for all guns. However, prolonged contact with nickel, chrome or aluminum is not recommended with any Hoppe’s solvents. In addition chrome or aluminum should not be soaked or submerged in any Hoppe’s solvent. The reason is that the slightest scratch or nick in the plating, the solvents will penetrate the flaw and dissolve the underlying copper substrate & cause the chrome/nickel plating to chip & peel further. Therefore, when using on plated or lined items keep the solvent to a minimum.

Further study has convinced me that the use of Break-Free CLP does not harm nickel, chrome, or aluminum parts. That said, any "over-exposure" to any cleaning agent will, in time, have some effect on the metal surface of that part. Used wisely, I doubt either Hoppe's or CLP will damage a firearm, if the surface of that firearm is not scratched or blemished. Therein lies the rub! By the time you might notice a small scratch in a satin nickel finished Colt, the Hoppe's might have gone to work on the underlying copper.

Use judiciously, wipe everything dry, and apply a quality gun oil, and everyone should be good to go.

[devilwing5]

Gentlemen, thank you! Rio Vista - already very familiar with the Hoppes #9 warnings from some guys at work, thank you for reiterating it to me. Been a big fan of CLP for years and will use it exclusively on the Commander....

UNTIL, of course, John comes to use and / or claim it of course. John, rest assured that I will take very good care of it for you, clean it regularly, shoot it whenever I can, and make sure it always remains in excellent working order... just like it said in the "Johns Care and Use Manual" that the seller made sure was in the original box when he shipped it to me.

Good to go here gents!
:)