[SFOGUN]

Hi Fellas,

Took a ride around town today visiting our local gun shop's, had a bug to pick up a .380 cal hopefully in a Beretta Mod84 w/ Double Stack magazines.
Found some Model 85's in .380 w/ 7 Round magazines. Also held up a Sig 232 but again 7 round mags. Im thinking with .380 cal you want more than 7 shots?

Looked at the bottom shelf and here was this dirty pistol laying in the consignment shelf. It was all by itself and looked rather homely.
So I asked to see it,

Mind you Im in California hence finding a Colt in any condition isn't the norm... I picked it up and immediately noticed how light this was even compared
to the .380's ive been handling. Cycled the slide a few times and hmmm very tight still. So without doing any research I bought it. Now I know I picked up
a 1977 Colt Commander (In between the Series 70 & 80 yet neither) Do you notice whats different about this gun?? Other than it didn't come with a clip...

Although as ugly as it seems. Its a All Day Shooter and I dont have to worry about nicks and scratches

Nickel "Magazine" purchased from Colt after the fact. Who sells a pistol without a magazine?

 

[Bigfifty]

Where's the ugly pistol ? Surely not that 1977 Colt Commander I see in the above pictures! The only thing I would do is change grips to wood.
Great find, congrats

B50

 

[guy sajer]

Hard chromed slide ?

Waiting period 20 days ?

 

[kayzap]

Happens to me all the time. The problem is probably that the first words out of my mouth after hello are usually. Got any Colts? That question derails me all the time.

 

[SFOGUN]

Happens to me all the time. The problem is probably that the first words out of my mouth after hello are usually. Got any Colts? That question derails me all the time.

Yeah I can see where that could happen. For me... anything shiny catches my eye so thats an issue then Im also Filipino hence when I hear 1911... Ears perk up automatically.
The Ugly Part about this find is originally this Colt was BLUE and someone Nickel plated it :-( But... you love them with all their imperfections. Just like children

 

[jcs]

Nice find. I'd change the stocks to Colt wooden of the correct vintage. Congratulations.

 

[MtnSpur]

and....the gun wouldn't have come with a "clip" anyway so get a proper magazine , that is after you've waited 3 weeks and signed away all your rights to the evil empire of Kalifornistan

 

[BigG]

Hi Fellas,

Now I know I picked up a 1977 Colt Commander (In between the Series 70 & 80 yet neither)

The way I remember it Series 70 doesn't apply to Commander. Series 70 was the collet bushing on the 5" barreled Colt.

 

[jcs]

The way I remember it Series 70 doesn't apply to Commander. Series 70 was the collet bushing on the 5" barreled Colt.

I believe the were two versions of the Series 70 Combat Commander, the lightweight alloy frame and the steel frame. The steel frame came in blue or the scarcer satin nickel finish. The barrel length on each was 4.25". Neither model had the slide marked Series 70. The lightweight was manufactured between 1970 and 1983; the steel version between 1971 and 1980. I have a satin nickel that was manufactured in 1972.

 

[Mcbrmicr]

Looks like common sense prevailed over the .380. I agree on getting rid of that goodyear monogrip and getting some nice factory stocks. Get you a good Wilson combat magazine, you will love it.

 

[SFOGUN]

Agreed, GoodYear will be gone once I choose the right grips. I dunno but Im thinking a nice wood wraparound type of grip. You know what I forgot to do... take those rubber grips off
and check how the front strap looks. Perhaps Goodyear is on there for a reason. Oh well. Im surprised no one here is flinching with the price?

 

[rayb]

Waiting to see the target from the first range trip. and no, no price flinching.
The wonderful thing about it is you don't have to leave it locked up in a safe and kneel in front of the locked safe door to enjoy your pistol.
Enjoy your new to you pistol.
rayb

 

[swamprat]

The Light Weight Commander had an aluminum frame, which I don't believe can be nickel plated. That is probably a frame that has had the anodizing polished off.

 

[SFOGUN]

The Light Weight Commander had an aluminum frame, which I don't believe can be nickel plated. That is probably a frame that has had the anodizing polished off.

Yes you are correct! Which is why its the "light weight " Yet electroless nickel plating on aluminum is possible now. I think they do a light zinc layer then plate the nickel over that.
From the pics its hard to tell. We will have to wait until the 17th to find out. But you might be on to something there... could very well be polished. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[clcondor]

Nice - a new Colt is always exciting.

 

[defender]

How not to love a .380acp in this triple digit weather??? I had to go driving around in this 100* weather today * carried my .380............ Sure nothing as pretty as that colt though!!!

Congrats on the Great Find.

 

[SFOGUN]

Nice - a new Colt is always exciting.

Agreed! And the 10 day waiting period is like waiting for a new baby coming home for its first time

 

[SFOGUN]

How not to love a .380acp in this triple digit weather??? I had to go driving around in this 100* weather today * carried my .380............ Sure nothing as pretty as that colt though!!!

Congrats on the Great Find.

Thanks ! My Answer to the heat is living on the coast. I think i'll hold out for a Seecamp .380 Im in no hurry, this Commander will have my attention for at least...we will see lol.
But if its like any of the other Colts I own. I'll be obsessed with it for at least 2 months. goal is not to have any dummy scratches during assembly!

 

[MtnSpur]

The Light Weight Commander had an aluminum frame, which I don't believe can be nickel plated. That is probably a frame that has had the anodizing polished off.

Don't know about the earlier LW Commanders but the new ones (XSE) have a brushed nickel frame and stainless slide (top is brushed for glare reduction). All I do know is the frame is light as a feather when ya strip her down for cleaning. Carries very well and shoots better than I do

 

[iwanna]

Don't throw the Goodyear away. Of all the Goodyears and Firestones out there, that variant is the best. Especially the variant with the Colt Medallions. Comfortable for shooting and pretty good looking into the bargain. My Series 70 Blue Government actually looks its best that way along with a Wilson Combat magazine with the bumper in it.

Take your bargains where you find them. That's the first rule. Sure, we always look for bargains on Colts (rare), but if you see a steal on a 5-screw Smith...