Custom Colt Combat Commander .38 Super Semi-Automatic Pistol Red Dot Sight
SOLD FOR: $1121
LSB#: 220512CC107
Make: Colt
Model: Custom Combat Commander Model, Pre-Series ’80
Serial Number: 70BS90509
Year of Manufacture: 1979 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .38 Super
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic fed by Removable Magazine (no magazine included)
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COMBAT / COMMANDER”, “COLT”, “.38 SUPER / AUTOMATIC” and with a Rampant Colt logo. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT’S COMBAT COMMANDER MODEL”. The right side of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” and “70BS90509”. The barrel at the port is marked “BAR STO 38 SUPER”. The left-rear of the trigger guard is marked with “VP” in a triangle, the left-front with “G”. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “L”. Each side of the thumb safety is marked “A. D. SWENSON / FALLBROOK CALIF.”.
Barrel Length: 6” with swaged single-chamber, two-port compensator.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the comp. The slide has been milled for a Bo-Mar style rear sight but currently an ambidextrous slide-racker has been installed. Each side of the frame has had four holes drilled and tapped for a mount holding a Tasco ProPoint red-dot sight. There is no battery installed. We were not able to properly test the function of the sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece pebble-textured black plastic Hogue panels with a palm-swell on each panel. The grips have minor handling wear with only a few scattered minor marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-Excellent condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue & Black
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered light wear in the grip areas. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with one more notable scratch on the slide stop. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition as customized.
Mechanics: The grip safety has been deactivated, the pistol can be fired without engaging the grip safety. Otherwise, the action functions correctly including the thumb-safety. The trigger is crisp. The slide has light play to the frame. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with the installed red dot sight. Please note, no magazine is included with this pistol.
Our Assessment: Introduced by Colt as a lighter-weight version of the 1911, the smaller size of the Commander was popular and soon they were offered in a number of variations including different frame materials and calibers. While the original development centered on an aluminum-frame 9mm as a candidate for US Military post-war officer’s pistols, the steel frame Combat Commanders such as this one are what most people think of when they think of “The Commander”. This example has been highly customized. One benefit of the century of use the 1911 platform has seen is the wide availability of custom parts available to set them up for your own purposes. This pistol appears to have been set up for use in competition, with a red dot sight mount installed on the frame, the slide modified to accept a rear target sight (though it currently has a slide-racker installed), and the barrel has had a compensator swaged to it to help keep muzzle-rise down. Checkering has been applied to the fronstrap and trigger guard. The magazine release has had an over-size button installed. Customization is rounded out with an ambidextrous Swenson thumb safety, deactivated beavertail grip safety and a skeletonized trigger adjustable for over-travel. Chambered for the .38 Super cartridge, this will still make a potent target pistol for the lucky winner. Please see our photos and good luck!