Colt Commander Lightweight Series ’70 Pistol & Box Blue & Black 4 1/4″ Alloy Frame, MFD 1971 .45 ACP

SOLD FOR: $1,594.00
LSB#: 190128SH03

Make: Colt

Model: Series 70 Commander Lightweight

Serial Number: CLW047297

Year of Manufacture: 1971 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COMMANDER / *MODEL*”, “COLT”, “AUTOMATIC / CALIBER .45” and with the Rampant Colt logo. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT’S COMMANDER MODEL”. The right side of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” and with the serial number. The barrel is marked “COLT .45 AUTO”. The left front of the trigger guard is marked “1” and the rear with “VP” in a triangle. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “D”.

Barrel Length: 4 ¼”

Sights / Optics: This pistol is mounted with a flat topped square notch dovetailed into the top of the slide. The front sight is a short ramp with a rounded front edge that is fixed to a flat on the top front of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut with gold colored Rampant Colt medallions near the tops of the grips. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checking is sharp. The grips rate in Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued Slide, Black Alloy Frame

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its metal finish. The left of the slide has thinning finish at the front edge and very lightly thinning finish along the top of the flat with a small spot of wear in front of the dust cover. The trigger, grip safety and barrel have light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The pin heads are unmarred. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun rates in about Fine-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide has Very little play to the frame. The trigger is crisp. There are no cracks in the frame. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a faux-wood cardboard Colt box with serial matching label, an assrotment of factory paperwork including manual and “stop sign” hang-tag, and one 7-round blued magazine with floorplate marked with rampant colt, “COLT / 45 AUTO” and “C”. The box has wear at edges and corners with scuffing in the faces, both small ears missing at the label-end, the label-leaf re-attached with tape, one small ear missing at the non-label end, in about Fair-Good condition. The magazine shows light operational wear with strong spring and intact feed lips, in about Very Good condition.

Our Assessment: This is a Colt Commander Lightweight made in 1971 chambered in .45 Auto. Colt made a Commander version of its 1911A1 pistol starting in 1950 with a lightweight alloy frame and a 4 ¼” barrel, but changed its name to Lightweight Commander in 1970 to distinguish it from the newly introduced all steel Combat Commander. The shorter barrel and alloy frame make this pistol more suited to regular carry than the full-size Government model while using the same magazine and having the same grip for familiarity. This example is in Fine-plus condition with about 97% of its metal finish, a great bore and strong mechanics. It looks like it has seen little use but could stand to see some more! This would make a superb carry gun with its slim, single-stack frame, powerful .45 ACP chambering and Colt quality, however in its high condition and with original box, the Colt collectors are going to be interested in this pistol. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This handgun CANNOT be transferred as a dealer sale in California but CAN be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop. All cartridge firing handguns (even C&R’s and antiques) sold to a California resident must be DROS’d. This does not apply to out of state residents.