Colt Model MK IV Series 80 Officers ACP Stainless . 45 3.5″ Pistol
SOLD FOR: $1025
LSB#: 210903SG05
Make: Colt
Model: MK IV Series 80 Officer’s ACP
Serial Number: SFA1137
Year of Manufacture: 1986 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Auto, Detachable Magazine Fed Pistol
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COLT MK IV / -SERIES 80-” with the Rampant Colt logo. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT OFFICER’S ACP”. The right side of the frame is marked with “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” and the serial number. The left trigger guard bow has “Y” and the “VP” and the verified proof. The right trigger guard bow has a “E”. The top of the barrel is marked “-COLT 45 AUTO-“. The firing pin plate is marked “1-S”. The rear of the hammer is marked “S”. Both thumb safeties are marked “S.D. SWENSON / FALLBROOK, CALIF.”.
Barrel Length: 3 1/2″
Sights / Optics: The slide is installed with Trijicon sights. The front sight is a blade with a single tritium lamp, fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch with two tritium lamps dovetailed to the rear of the slide. The lamps have died, but are still useable as a three-dot sight system in normal light.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood with silver medallions on either side. The grips have paint that has worn off the peaks of the checkering. There are some spots of finish loss and little scratches on the bottoms of the grips. There are some scattered light marks. There is rub wear to the peaks of the checkering. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Bead Blasted Stainless Steel
Finish Originality: The metal has been bead blasted but no finish has been applied. The thumb safeties and sighs are not original to the gun.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This gun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The trigger guard has been undercut. The metal has been bead blasted. Swenson ambidextrous thumb safeties have been installed. We believe that the grip safety is a replacement. There are some scattered rubs and scuffs, some have caused smooth spots. The most noticeable marks are on the front strap, trigger guard, and dust cover. The left of the slide has smooth spots at the front from holstering. There are a few little nicks and hairline scratches. The screwheads are lightly worn with strong slots. The markings are clear. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. The slide to frame fit shows light play. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single stainless 6-round Colt magazine.
Our Assessment: In the 1970s, the Rock Island Arsenal began production of a shortened 1911 for use as a General Officer’s pistol. These pistols were built only for issue to Generals and were not available to the general public. The idea of a compact 1911 was already around; the Commander had been in production for some time up to that point and gunsmiths had made more compact 1911-style pistols as one-off custom guns. Detonics was one of if not the earliest companies to introduce a production 1911-style pistol smaller even than the Commander, their Combat Master. Colt took some time to react to the popularity of these guns and then introduced the Officer’s ACP in the mid-’80s. This is an early example, produced in 1986 and is in about Fine condition with 95% of its finish, a bright bore and strong mechanics. With its shorter barrel and frame, this pistol brings more concealability to the classic 1911 design and with its 6-round magazine, it doesn’t even compromise too much on capacity vs. a full size. As great of a carry gun as this is, it’s also a Colt and collectors may be interested in adding this one to their stable. Please see our photos and good luck!