Colt Lightweight Officer's Model

[Hobie]

I must have missed something. Interested, I started looking for a Lightweight Officers Model on-line and ran across several with a matte (or is it parkerized?) finish. Previously, all that I had seen were high polish blue. Obviously newer guns as they are series 80, when did Colt go to the matte finish on these guns? Any other comments, experiences on this model/version of the 1911 type .45?

[Abe Anglin]

What you are probably looking at is the Colt Model 1991 Officers Model ...... these were a low cost option Colt offered throughout the 1990's.
great guns, usually found at very reasonable prices compared to other Colt Officers, Defenders, et al

[ace]

no, many of the original officer's acp pistlols came in a matte finish. they are very possibly more common the than polished blue officer's. the matte finish even extended into the later enhanced series.

[Hobie]

Thanks guys. Just for the record this was not a 1991A1.

[paul45]

Just to back up ace....Matte blue is common, especially on LWT Officers as the frame is anodized.

[majdad93]

Hello Hobie, Ace, Abe & Paul,

I am thrilled as can be to be part of the Colt Forum. Should have joined long ago. Anyways, I, too, own an Officers Lightweight .45 ACP. Bought it used in 1991 at a very reputable gun shop in NE Ohio for $400.00. It was and still is in extremely great shape, showing only the usual amount of wear after 20 years and several thousand rounds fired downrange. Original wood grips with no chips. No scratches. It came with the original box which I still have. The box, with matching serial number, says the color is "matte." Looks black to me, not blue. My wife, the color expert, says it's black, too. I called Colt's Mfg. and the gentleman informed me that the weapon was made in 1990. So, it was one year old when I bought it and I love it more with each passing year. Wouldn't part with it at any price. If you own one or more, I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do!

majdad93

PS: This is also my concealed carry weapon.

[Vintage Racer]

...Obviously newer guns as they are series 80, when did Colt go to the matte finish on these guns? Any other comments, experiences on this model/version of the 1911 type .45?

Hobie,
The Officer's Series 80 Matte Blue was discontinued in 1991 (1985 was the first year of the Officer's). It has a slightly higher value than the Blue finish (disc. 1996). MSRP was $735 in 1996.

All Officer's are .45 ACP 3 1/2" barrel 6-shot magazine. It's a "shortened" version of the Government model, and they weigh 34 oz.

I have a lightweight (29 oz.) in nickel and stainless:




The are good "carry" pistols. But I find mine very hard to shoot well. The 3 1/1" barrel (and lightweight) takes more talent than I have.

[Canoesmith]

Man, I love mine. I have a lot of guns - Glocks, many revolvers, my Kahr PM9 pocket carry - even two lightweight Commanders which are spectacular - but for my everyday carry - the Colt LW Officer is the one for me.

My original thread:

Someone tell me this isn't the best affordable concealed carry there is...

[A10ACN]

To the best of my knowledge, matte blue (slide) and matte black anodized frame was the standard finish on the regular production LIGHTWEIGHT OFFICERS ACP. I think there was at least one special/limited/etc run with a polished finish and alloy frame but don't quote me on that. This is from owning a LW O' Model since the 90s and searching for a polished frame LW version for a few years. The limited run I'm thinking about may've had a high polished stainless slide.
The stainless version seen above in Vintage Racer's post is the O' Model version of the enhanced line (LW O' Model, CCO, LW Commander, Gov't Model- all with stainless slides and those goofy, ill fitting sights.).