Commander project worth it?

[NyteOwl]

I have been given the chance to pick up a Colt Combat Commander in .38 Super with a couple of extra mags. It is an older model from the rollmarks but the price seems nice ($400) but the pistol shows considerable wear. The bluing is gone off the top and most of the sides of the slide and the safety has been replaced with a stainless one. It has a perforated trigger as well and for its apparent age I'd expect it to be solid. I don't think the rear sights are original either.

I am waiting for more details but could anyone hazard a guess as to whether it would be worth reworking into a 9mm (9mm colt commanders being rather hard to find)? I understand comverting a .38 Super to 9mm can be as simple as changing the barrel and bushing.

Also anyone point me to some good pictures of what the above might look like as it would have come from Colt?

Any help appreciated.
__________________

[kenhwind]

It might be worth it @ 400$. Me I'd keep it a Super, because I like the .38 Super Auto. But a 9mm option is also nice. Barrel, Magazine (maybe) extended ejector if the CC don't have one.
Can't help with the pics.

[dakota1911]

Sounds like you got a good deal. Would like to see a picture. If it was me I would try and scare up some 38 super and see how the gun shoots with that. Next I guess you need to decide what you want to use the gun for. A causual plinker would not be as big of a project as a conversion where you need good acurracy. You might need a new recoil spring, and the mags may work or you may have to obtain some new mags.

[dewalt2]

I'd jump at 400. I agree with Ken, leave it .38 and see how it works. My next 1911 will be a Colt in .38 Super, when the time is right.

[Hawkmoon]

Don't touch it. Just PM me the seller's contact information and I'll set him straight on what such a pistol is worth. You won't have to worry about it at all.

I promise I'll take good care of it.

Wait ... $400? For a Colt? You didn't buy it on the spot?

[d90king]

Personally I can't think of a better project 1911 out there... Buy it! Either bring it back to its original form, or build till your heart's content..

[EchoBravoKilo]

Tell me you now own it - 400 is unbelievable!

[NyteOwl]

Ask and ye shall receive - one pic as requested.

http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu175/M1911AVT/ccc-project.jpg

[EchoBravoKilo]

Beautiful! Is that an LW suffix, or CLW prefix?

[NyteOwl]

No ide as yet - waiting to hear back. I meant tp post the pic originally but had to resize it - it was rather large :)

[daveohno]

Looks like a good start for a project.

[mustangk]

I hope to find a Commander in that shape myself for my next project. Good luck and keep us posted.

[wichaka]

If you don't buy it, I will!

[kenhwind]

Looks like a CLW Commander in .38 Super. That gun would be double that around here.
You won't need a 9, the Super is well Super.

[NyteOwl]

The problem with .38 super is twofold - 1) it is very hard to get and 2) is more expensive than .45ACP. 9mm is both easy to get and cheap to shoot (relatively).

[daveohno]

If you reload, Super 38 is affordable, provided you can recover the brass to reload.

[John]

A 9mm barrel will allow you to convert this beauty to a fun and cheap-to-shoot pistol. Go get it or someone else will. And for the name of God, do replace that safety with a Colt one. And the rear sight with a Colt one!!!

[Landman]

Judging by the rollmarks on the slide that is a pretty old 38 Super. At least over 30 years old. Below is photo of some Commander rollmarks.

It wouldn't take much to put it back to original too. A trigger, thumbsafety and a rear sight. I would put it back to original and refinish it. The slide finish doesn't look too bad. You might be able to just refinish the frame. Great pistol.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h196/onexco/Gun%20Collection/ColtCommander_Rollmarks.jpg

[wjkuleck]

Coincidentally, I found a '72 Commander (LW) for $400, though in .45 ACP. It too had weird sights and a messed-up slide. Jim Garthwaite set it right, though:

http://www.1911TimeWarp.com/Pics/GunsiteCommander-599.jpg

It's still a used pistol, but now a long way from an embarrassment :).

Regards,

Walt

[Spyros]

It's still a used pistol, but now a long way from an embarrassment :).
Seven years in England got me well-versed in the use of understatement, but I still think that's a bit much! :D

[wichaka]

Mine too cost 400.00;

http://w3.gorge.net/scshields/lw2.jpg

[NyteOwl]

I was a tad slow getting back to him today due to unexpected car trouble and missed the opportunity :(

As they say, he who hesitates is lost. I'll know better next time.

Maybe customize a Norinco Commander clone :D

[smokey]

What luck! I'm ALWAYS looking for "beat up" old Commanders of almost any description.You're gettin' ripped off for that price but, just 'cause I'm an NICE guy and a SUCKER I'd give ....hmmmmm maybe $500!!!Best of luck with your new pistola, Nick Oooops' just saw"the rest of the story" ,on pg.2 Sorry you missed it. Sounds like MY kind of luck. Best regards, Nick