Colt 1911 .45 Combat Commander Series 80... I'm tempted!

[Member 94692]

I've owned a series 80 before. Bought it new for $400.00 a LONG time ago. Dummy me sold it a few years later.
I've been pining for another, but they are pricey!
Any thoughts on the price of this NOS 1987 model? Box, original tags included.
$1,299.00

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[TTSX]

Colt doesn't make a whole lot series 80 guns anymore. Only one I can think of is the CCU family and they're about $1400 new. $1300 for a brand new Colt is expensive but not outside the ballpark.

 

[156256Hunter]

Not a bad price considering what it comes with,. However, I think some guys express concerns about Colts made during the 1980s strike. Whether founded, I don't know. Maybe google the years of that strike and what guys on 1911 forums say about Colts made during that time. Probably a rabbit hole subject!

 

[metalhead68]

You can't go wrong with a colt. I sold mine several years ago as well and a 45 acp is on my list of upcoming purchases. I'm going to look into a 1911 in a Sig this time though

 

[Koda]

I would buy that in a heartbeat. My MKIV Series 80 is one of the best 1911s I own.

That's a Govt size though not a commander.

 

[metalhead68]

You can't go wrong with a colt. I sold mine several years ago as well and a 45 acp is on my list of upcoming purchases. I'm going to look into a 1911 in a Sig this time though

I recently picked up a new to me Dillon XL 650 and have been loading an assortment of pistol rounds including 45 , and then realized I don't own one any longer

 

[Alexx1401]

As another mentioned that's a Gov Model if that's what you are after. It is looking nice. If it was me? I would pass in favor of something from other people making these for that price. They make some VERY nice ones in that price range. Again though if its what does it for you? Then hell yes buy it.

 

[RVTECH]

Any thoughts on the price of this NOS 1987 model?

Is that NOS as in never fired by the previous owner?

I used to own one from about that time frame. It shot very well, accurately but I traded it for something else!

Hand the owner 1K cash as an offer, make sure he has it in hand and step back. (another good 'ol 'horsetrading' trick) cash in hand is HARD to hand back!

 

[thekingoftroy]

You can get a combat commander for just under $1,000.00. I picked up one of the new series 80's last year. They are decent. I prefer my TRP though.

 

[Colt Carbine]

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[Colt Carbine]

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[Koda]

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This ones been modified, has an "idiot scratch" and they couldn't even put in a fitted beavertail but a drop in.

 

[Koda]

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This is a good one worth buying...

 

[Colt Carbine]

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1087912314

 

[Colt Carbine]

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1089248647

 

[Member 94692]

Not a bad price considering what it comes with,. However, I think some guys express concerns about Colts made during the 1980s strike. Whether founded, I don't know. Maybe google the years of that strike and what guys on 1911 forums say about Colts made during that time. Probably a rabbit hole subject!

I read up on that, and it seems there isn't any evidence to support that, at least what I can find so far. Some say that the trigger pull is a bit easier on the 70 series than the 80, but again, some dispute that as well.

 

[1911Fanatic]

You can buy a new, blued Combat Commander for 1K.

 

[gmerkt]

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Why did that seller go to the trouble of showing us a picture of a dirty barrel??

 

[gmerkt]

I've got a bunch of Gov't Model and Commanders that I'm in the process of disposing of. Realizing that the pistol in the first picture in this thread is a Gov't Model. Lately, I've sold two pre-80 Series LW Commanders on GB, both in boxes. Both were made in the 1970's (they didn't make Commanders in Series 70 configuration). One with the yellow hang tag still attached sold for $1,150. The other was almost as nice, sold for $900. Both guns were stock. I'm thinking $1,300 for the Gov't Model in the OP is probably in the top end of the range for most people for what it is. But you can never tell exactly what something is going to sell for in auction venue. If you get two stubborn people bidding against each other, anything can happen.

Yes, you can find contemporary examples of these guns for less money. BUT: There are always buyers who want something a bit from the past, they will pay the same money or more for a nice gun that is 20-40 years older. Maybe not a rare collector's item or even close but a nice older gun in good shape.

My pal Dave would sometimes leave a gun alone. Other times, he just had to change it. Like the one shown below, which I was getting ready to go this evening:



For example. This is a Series 80 Combat Commander in stainless steel. .45 ACP. Made in 1989. It's a nice looking pistol, and low round count. BUT: It's not stock, it's been tampered with. It has Wilson grip safety and grips. It has a trigger, hammer (non rowel), extended safety and mainspring housing of unknown provenance. They come together as a nice package, but THEY AREN'T ORIGINAL. This detracts from the price for many buyers. Still, it says Colt on it and I should be able to punt it out somewhere for $650 or maybe more (but not on NWFA). The slide and barrel package by themselves are worth around $400 on ebay. If this gun had not been tampered with, it would go for $800 minimum on Gunbroker.

When you buy a Colt, if you are going to shoot it and don't care about the future, good on you. But if you expect to get Colt money out of it later when you are done with it, don't mess with it. If you shoot it, learn to enjoy it as it was originally made.

Oh, and don't expect to get Colt money reselling used Kimbers.

 

[gmerkt]

Re. the rowel hammer on the Commander. Or I think the later ones have "skeletonized" hammers. When you get older and have flacked-out, arthritic hands, that rowel hammer is a liability.