Custom Colt Lieutenant Commander LT 3.5″ 1911 .45 APC Semi-Auto Pistol 1985
SOLD FOR: $1,150.00
LSB#: LSB250718LT020
Make: Colt
Model: Lieutenant Commander, MK IV Series 80 Commander Lightweight
Serial Number: FL05400
Year of Manufacture: 1985 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 3 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated, ramped blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a Bo-Mar square notch adjustable for windage and elevation in a base dovetailed to the rear of the slide. The top of the slide is serrated for glare reduction. The sights are not original to the gun.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth wood with gold-colored Colt medallions. The left panel has finish at the rear edge toward the top with much more minor finish loss at the top-rear corner of the right panel. There are a few other minor marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued Slide, Black Alloy Frame
Finish Originality: Refinished, the barrel is a Barsto replacement and the thumb safety is a replacement.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The most notable finish loss is on the thumb-safety which shows some cold blue touch-up. There is infrequent minor oxidation on the side faces of the hammer. The action shows minor operatioanl wear. The screw heads range from sharp to very lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this gun rates in Very Good-Fine condition as customized.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide has little play to the frame. The trigger is crisp. 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 with a Colt manual and a single 7-round Colt magazine.
Our Assessment: This is a Colt Lieutenant Commander Lightweight made in 1985 chambered in .45 Auto. Colt made a Commander version of its 1911A1 pistol starting in 1950 with a lightweight alloy frame and a 4 1/4” barrel, but changed its name to Lightweight Commander in 1970 to distinguish it from the newly introduced all steel Combat Commander. The Lieutenant Commander was a special edition for Lew Horton with a limited production of only 800 units. It features a Commander frame mated with an Officers length slide. 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 has seen fairly significant customization from its original configuration. The pistol sports adjustable target sights with a pocket cut in the slide for the Bo-Mar rear sight. French borders have been cut along the top edges of the slide flats. The frontstrap and front of the trigger guard have fine checkering and the top of the slide has serrations. The mainspring housing has checkered black rubber to enhance grip. The barrel is an after-market replacement from Barsto and the thumb safety has been replaced with an extended lever. The pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition as customized with about 95% of its new metal finish, a great bore and strong mechanics. It looks like it has seen some use but could stand to see some more! Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
