SERIES 80 Officers Model

[HARDCORE]

Hey guys,

I just got back from my local gun shop and he had a stainless 80's series officers model in the case that was calling my name. It appears to be in good used shape and he is asking $600 for it. I was thinking this might make a good summer time carry gun because my government model is sometimes to much of a pain to conceal under t shirt in summer,and i dont want to reley on my keltec .380 bug all summer long. What do you guys thing of the price and this model?


thanks, HARDCORE

[Hawkmoon]

This is a Mark IV?

I dunno. Not long ago I picked up a Colt M1991 Compact (Officers) in black parkerized for $465 out the door. Stainless is worth more than carbon steel, and the Mark IV is worth more than the 1991, so I guess $600 isn't a terrible price. But I don't think it's a bargain.

[RandyColt]

$600 for a SS OACP is a OK price, not cheap and not a gouge either. I really like my Officer's Model. It shoots dead on at 15 yards, just right for this type gun. You will need to change the recoil spring, guide rod and plug. They are the only weak spot that I know of on the OACP.

[clare44man]

I had an Officers lightwt. a few years ago. Loved that little gun. It was accurate, reliable with anything I wanted to feed it, and had a decent trigger. In a fit of stupidity, I was talked into trading it for a Glock as the untimate carry weapon. Well, the glock didn't last long but I wasn't able to get the Officer's back. The new owner was much smarter than I was! If I were to buy another, I would want another lightweight model, every ounce counts when you carry all day every day.

[Ric4509]

In my opinion $600 for a used Officers .45 acp is too much. For a decent not abused Colt Officers SS, not tinkered with, I'd say $500 at most. Now it depends on the condition also. If there are a lot of scratches, e.g. frame scratch from the slide stop/release when disassembling the pistol that'll even depreciate it. Check the entire gun out. I mean look at how the entire pistol is. Bring a friend if you're not familiar with 3-1/2" 1911s.

[John]

I had an Officers lightwt. a few years ago.

Is there an Officers Lightweight? I had the impression that all Officers were steel-frame guns. Not the first time I am proven wrong, but I would like to know for sure.

[emiddio]

i remember Wichaka saying he had an officers lightweight that he shot out/ wore out.

regarding RandyColt's statement u need to replace recoil spring, plug, guide -- i dont fully agree; you can -- and they are the 'weak spot' -- but not required; on this forum i have heard of plugs that will fit the officers without modification that address the weak spot issue -- i hav'nt see any myself; some plugs require you to remove metal from the slide for the different plug. replacement plugs are avail thru brownells if you wanted some spares.

IMHO -- a modified Officers is not worth as much as Orig -- if you were to remove metal.

i have a like new -- used colt 1991a1 officers; its not worth $600 in my mind; u didnt really say if the gun in question is a MKIV polished stainless. you did say series 80 -- but 1991a1 is also series 80.

[warmrain]

This is a good price for a fully stainless Colt Officers if it is in very good condition. The prices of SS Officers has gone up considerably in the last year.

I carried one for years, though I now prefer a lighter alloy framed 1911 for carry.

I sold mine over a year ago and have regretted it since. It was purchased new and looked like the day I bought it when I sold it. God, I wish I had it now!

[Ric4509]

Yes, there is a lightweight Colt Officers .45 acp but it's hard to find nowadays. If ever, it'll be beat. I sold mine 4 yrs ago for $325. Kicked myself in the butt for that. My other Officers I still have is all steel 80S ribbed top of slide.

[paul45]

As stated earlier, if its a MKIV SS example, 600 is not bad at all. A check on Guns America will show SS MKIVs are becoming more expensive rather quickly. A clark reverse plug can be used with no slide mods. Wilson, Ed Brown, and Kings make new recoil systems that require the removal of a small amount of metal form the slide. IMO,done well, does not detract from any value....in fact might help....Negotiate hard and Good Luck !!!!

[warmrain]

...A check on Guns America will show SS MKIVs are becoming more expensive rather quickly...
This was my experience exactly. I checked there to help establish value when I sold mine. Then looked back recently (about a year after the sale) and was surprised at the jump.

[HARDCORE]

I forgot to mention that it is a MK IV. It has a few scratches on the slide that is'nt too bad. I guess they can be buffed out. If i get it im going to have to get a ambi thumb safety being a south paw. Thats why im kind of wondering about the cost because for a little more money,i can get a brand new Springfield Ultra compact that is the same size and already has the ambi safety.


HARDCORE

[Ric4509]

$600 for a used Colt MKIV SS .45 acp. Few scratches, that can be worked on. A nice ambi safety, e.g. Ed Brown will cost you about $59 and installation is maybe $35-$45. A brand new Springfield Ultra Compact with Novak's low profile rear sight, ambi safety is what? $725? Look at the economics. I'd go for the Springfield Ultra Compact. Almost the same case when I wanted to change the sights to night sights, install ambi safety, checker the front strap and refinish my Colt 1991A1 SS .45 acp commander model. The total cost will reach $500 approx. I traded the Colt 1991A1 with a Kimber Pro CDP II.

[warmrain]

Ric4509,

I hear what you're saying. The only reason that I sold the MKIV SS Officers was to by a Kimber Ultra CDP II. The Kimber is a great 1911 and it has everything I want on it when it comes out of the box. WAY cheaper than modifying the Colt.

The trouble is... I could have kept the Colt too...

Now if your starting from scratch... You said it! Unless you really NEED to have a Colt there are other ways to accomplish the same thing that makes better ecomonic sense; I like you example.

[HARDCORE]

mods definitely cost. All the mods that i put into my Springfield already cost me $400 and its not even done yet. I still want to put night sights on it and moly coat it after my pistol smith dove tails the slide for the sights.


HARDCORE

[warmrain]

mods definitely cost. All the mods that i put into my Springfield already cost me $400 and its not even done yet. I still want to put night sights on it and moly coat it after my pistol smith dove tails the slide for the sights.
Have you looked at Robar (Roguard and NP3) www.robarguns.com ?

I did a Kimber Ultra CDP II two-tone using Roguard for the black areas and NP3 on the stainless (looks like matte SS) and it is drop dead gorgeous. Functions better too, the coating are self lubricating. They elliminate SS galling and will protect the alloy and stainles enough to make this a lifetime finish (I'm told).

[RandyColt]

Emiddio.............HARDCORE stated he wanted an OACP for a warm weather carry gun.........to carry an OACP for defensive purposes without upgrading the recoil spring, plug and guide rod would be taking a foolish risk IMO.

[emiddio]

Emiddio.............HARDCORE stated he wanted an OACP for a warm weather carry gun.........to carry an OACP for defensive purposes without upgrading the recoil spring, plug and guide rod would be taking a foolish risk IMO.

you might be right. and also it might not really be an issue too.

I've got close to 1000 rnds thru a 1991A1 officers december 92 acquired (new) gun; hasnt beens shot in like 10 yrs; never had any reliability issues; all i've heard of is the plug catch breaking.

seems to me if the plug is the only issue -- why are we talking about springs and spring guide.

if the plug is the only issue -- seems like close examination could reveal any cracks. defensive use involves only a mag or 2 at most.

range use is another issue.


of course -- you need to know to make that close examination after every shooting session.

IMHO

[warmrain]

emiddio,

Ditto that. I carried a OACP for years. You just have to be aware of the mechanism and, like any weapon, be proactive. My experience mirrors yours...

[warmrain]

I've decided one (recoild spring plug) exclusively for range work and another one (tested at the range) reserved for carry.

[jacII]

I picked up a used Enhanced Stainless Officers model a couple of years ago for $500.00. It had been a carry gun and although not shot much had a lot of scratches on the slide and frame. The great thing about stainless though is the ablility to clean it up pretty cheaply. I had my gunsmith glass bead blast the frame and polish the flats on the slide. The gun looks better than new. If the gun is in good shape, $600.00 is a fair price.
Joe