Custom Colt Government Model 1911 .38 Super Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1980
SOLD FOR: $2000
LSB#: 220512CC007
Make: Colt
Model: Custom Government Model MKIV Series 70
Serial Number: 70S38395
Year of Manufacture: 1980 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup), we do not know when the pistol was customized.
Caliber: .38 Super
Action Type: Single Action Semi Automatic Pistol
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COLT’S MKIV/SERIES ‘70 / GOVERNMENT MODEL / .38 SUPER AUTO CALIBER” and a Colt Pony. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT’S GOVERNMENT MODEL”. The right side of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CONN. U.S.A. / 70S38395”. The trigger guard is marked “M” and “VP” in triangle on the left, “B” on the right. The top of the barrel is marked “BAR STO 38 SUPER”.
Barrel Length: 5 1/4” bushingless bull barrel. A single chamber, two-port compensator has been swaged to the barrel.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated blade fixed to the front of the comp. The rear sight is a Bo-Mar style square notch adjustable for windage and elevation in a base dovetailed to the rear of the slide. The slide has been milled to accommodate this sight and its adjustment.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood with a slight wasp-waist profile. The grips have minor handling wear with only a few light marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Chrome
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling in the comp.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its current metal finish. There is a spot of minor erosion above the left slide flat near the front edge of the ejection port, a few minor nicks on the bottom-right edge of the slide behind the serrations and some scattered light scuffing. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are intact. The markings are generally clear, some of the left-side slide markings are worn and incomplete. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus 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: None. Please note, no magazine is included.
Our Assessment: Colt’s 1911 served the United States military through two World Wars and several other conflicts, is still in use by some units today, and has become popular with law enforcement, competitors, and recreational shooters across the nation. The design has seen some updates including a firing-pin block safety, higher profile sights, and more ergonomic grips, but the basic design and fantastic trigger remain the same after more than a century. Due to its popularity and long life, the 1911 has also been a popular choice for custom pistols, with a wide variety of sights, barrels, parts, and popular modifications. This example has seen extensive customization since it was made in 1980. The barrel has been replaced with a Bar Sto bushingless bull barrel, fitted with a compensator to help keep the muzzle-rise down with the stout .38 Super cartridge. The sights have been upgraded with a set of target sights, skeletonized hammer and trigger have been installed, checkered mainspring housing with integral beveled magazine well, and extended thumb and grip safeties, though the grip safety has been disengaged. The whole package is set off by a set of custom checkered wood grips and a durable and attractive chrome finish. The result is a flat-shooting yet powerful pistol which ought to shoot as good as it looks. Please see our photos and good luck!