M14 Forum

TEA · February 18th, 2012, 07:24 PM

Guy at the local gun show wants $850 for a stainless early 70s model combat commander. I would prefer a full sized government model and am on the fence with regards to stainless. I was looking at this new blued Series 70 that is only a bit more than the guy at the gun show is asking for his used stainless commander. http://www.gunforall.com/shopcart/mc...%20%20%20%20bl

Of course, I still have to run it by the CFO. I think I can talk her into letting me get and RIA from Buds for around $380, but another $500 might be a hard sell.

valken · February 18th, 2012, 11:29 PM

were I live the same pistol would run close to $1200

M1AScout · February 19th, 2012, 05:43 AM

If it's an early 70s model combat commander, it's not stainless. Colt didn't start making stainless CC's until the mid 80's. The one you're looking at is probably either nickel plated or hard chromed.

Depth Afield · February 19th, 2012, 07:04 AM

I snagged my blued CC from Cabella's for $700 a couple years ago. Nicely worn finish of a LEO duty gun. Have to beat back the "satin" finished CCs with a stick. Satin is butt ugly IMHO, and way more plentiful than the blued.

Would I sell it for $700? Not a chance. I love having a steel frame on my 1911, and never had regret while CCWing it.

Edit: Combat Commanders may have a "70s" serial number, but are not "Series 70".

TEA · February 19th, 2012, 07:27 AM

Thanks for the feedback. Going to pass on the plated commander. I would much prefer a parked, blued, or stainless (in that order) full size government model.

What is the going price range for a GI 1911A1 at gun shows these days? I saw a Remington Rand for $450 about six years ago and am kicking myself that I didn't get it, because all of the GI 1911A1s I've see for sale on the Internet are going for over $1K. I've been considering getting an RIA 1911A1, since they are inexpensive (under $400), reliable and resemble a WWII 1911A1 (if you overlook the lowered and flared ejection port and flat mainspring housing). However, going with the RIA has always seemed a bit like settling for a Honda Rebel instead of getting a Harley.

I recently found this new production Series 70 for only a little bit outside of my price range. Anyone have any experience buying from GFA?

My wife is OK with my long guns (M1, M1A, bolt guns and shotguns), but is kind of weird about me getting a pistol, so this may be my one and only pistol purchase. I hunt, target shoot and am a history buff, so I'd love to get a WWII 1911A1, but I need a gun that I can haul around in the woods with me and shoot without worrying about its collector's value.

30Caliber · February 19th, 2012, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Depth Afield

I snagged my blued CC from Cabella's for $700 a couple years ago. Nicely worn finish of a LEO duty gun. Have to beat back the "satin" finished CCs with a stick. Satin is butt ugly IMHO, and way more plentiful than the blued.

Would I sell it for $700? Not a chance. I love having a steel frame on my 1911, and never had regret while CCWing it.

Edit: Combat Commanders may have a "70s" serial number, but are not "Series 70".

I like the satin finish.

Noface · February 19th, 2012, 07:47 AM

Sounds to me like the RIA 1911 is just right for you.

They are solid, dependable guns, that are true to the platform as any, and better than most. They're made of good steel, on CNC equipment.

Put a nicer set of grips on it, and you've got an excellent piece that fits your description nicely.

The guys over at http://forums.1911forum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=64 like the a lot. If you want to know about 1911's sign up and read at that website. They're the m14forum.com of the 1911 world.

TheTinMan · February 19th, 2012, 09:43 AM

For price info, nothing beats closed auctions on GunBroker IMHO. Sorting by highest # of bids first weeds out the stuff that didn't sell (took me a while to figure that simple trick out).

For Colt pricing, these guys can & will help:
http://www.coltforum.com/forums/colt-semiauto-pistols/

For info on historical models, etc.:
http://www.coltforum.com/forums/colt-semiauto-pistols/

Depth Afield - good catch on the 1970s - NOT Series 70 - Combat Commander ;)

Seventh Fleet · February 19th, 2012, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M1AScout

If it's an early 70s model combat commander, it's not stainless. Colt didn't start making stainless CC's until the mid 80's. The one you're looking at is probably either nickel plated or hard chromed.

He's right, your Series 70 Commander is not stainless steel. It is most likely the Satin Nickel finish they had back then but it's not stainless. I bought one of the first stainless Combat Commanders for use as my police duty pistol back in the mid to late 80s and I still keep it close by even though I'm now retired.

7th

TEA · February 19th, 2012, 06:20 PM

My wife is going with one of her friends and our kids to the Children's Museum up in Ft Worth tomorrow. Her friend is very pro-gun/pro-shooting and has been trying to talk my wife into getting a pistol for herself. I'm hoping that she can help me out a bit tomorrow and maybe talk my wife into a revolver for her and a 1911 for me.

TheTinMan · February 19th, 2012, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEA

My wife is going with one of her friends and our kids to the Children's Museum up in Ft Worth tomorrow. Her friend is very pro-gun/pro-shooting and has been trying to talk my wife into getting a pistol for herself. I'm hoping that she can help me out a bit tomorrow and maybe talk my wife into a revolver for her and a 1911 for me.

A .22LR revolver is the perfect handgun to get anyone started with, especially a woman. They're heavy with very little recoil and have a good sight picture (usually), plus understanding how a revolver works is much more obvious and intuitive. Don't forget snap caps - helped a ton when I was working with my stepdaughter back in December.

I found this 1960 Officers Model Match for just over $700 with a little patience (OK, a lot of patience). It shoots like a dream and the girls, daughter & stepdaughter, love it.

IIRC Ruger just started offering a .22LR target version of their SP101... Ah, here it is: http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/...eets/5765.html
Trigger won't be like an old Colt but should do fine.

Of course a S&W Model 617 with a 6" barrel would be nice too. I just have a problem with the "Hillary Hole" (that stupid lock right above the cylinder latch).

TEA · February 20th, 2012, 05:15 PM

Since my wife wants a hand gun for home defense, I was thinking something more along the lines of a Lady Smith or The Judge. I need to take her someplace with some rental guns so that she can decide what feels most comfortable for her.