1976 Colt 1911

Sig220_Ruger77

One of the local shops has a brushed(looking) stainless Colt 1911 for sale. Erroring on the side of caution, runs about 80-85% I would say at worst. Not knowing a lot about Colt's, how many different variations were there then, does that sound like it could be original finish, and about how much is a decent price? Good year as far as realiability? I have always wanted to own a Colt......[:)]

Jon

perry shooter

Series 70 Colts are amoung the best in my opinion Whith that said they did not make stainless. they did make a Nickle that looked a lot like stainless when you say 80-85% that sort of scares me . the Nickle finish is not very durable and hard to refinish. It is not done like the old school nickle finish.

Spider7115

Probably Colt's "satin nickel" finish which is often mistaken for stainless.

nmyers

The shop won't tell you how much they want for it?

Neal

EDIT: The model of the gun will be stamped on the side of the slide. It is either a Government Model or a Combat Commander; it is not a 1911. It will likely have the series also stamped on the slide. Commanders, even those that are marked "70 series", have a solid bushing, never a spring steel bushing.

EDIT: While the asking price may be "full list price", it may not be outrageous. If the wear is just surface abrasion, as opposed to wear that goes through the plating, it may be worth considering. The biggest problem with these nickel guns is when they are exposed too longer to powder solvent, the plating can peel off, greatly reducing the value of the gun. While a gun like the 1 Spider showed would sell in the $800-900 range, one with 85% finish probably would sell in the $600 area.

yoshmyster

So how much are they askin'? $400? If the only thing holding you back is the finish buy it as shooter and work in progress.

I figure if you buy the gun for $400 expect to spend twice that for the good parts and labor. Also you don't have to do all of it at once.

quote:Originally posted by Sig220_Ruger77
Yeah, it is probably nickel like you guys are saying. Looks like it was holstered quite a bit and has a lot of "whisker" type marks on the finish. Barrel is really clean and everything works crisply. He has a price of $650 on it. By the sounds of it, that is a tad too high?

Jon


You said 80%-85% so I came up with the $400. So figure what about $500'll get it done?

62fuelie

The electroless nickle finish was common on Colts. It seems very similar to the "NiTex" finish. If so, it can't be touched up if it wears the whole part would need to be refinished. I really like the Series 70 full size models except for the spring-finger bushing. I saw one break a finger at the range and thought that was an omen for a carry gun. I refit mine with solid old-school bushings. I don't know if the Commander uses the spring bushing, but if it does that would be the first change I would make to it. Other than that, the serial number indicates that it is a steel frame so it will be plenty durable and you can modify it until your checkbook cries uncle.

Hawk Carse

Colt wasn't making stainless guns in 1976.
I think an 85% nickel gun is pretty ugly, even though I have one.

Sig220_Ruger77

Yeah, it is probably nickel like you guys are saying. Looks like it was holstered quite a bit and has a lot of "whisker" type marks on the finish. Barrel is really clean and everything works crisply. He has a price of $650 on it. By the sounds of it, that is a tad too high?

Jon