Colt Commander Lightweight 4 1/4″ 1911 .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1975

SOLD FOR: $1605

LSB#: 210924RR03

Make: Colt

Model: Lightweight Commander Model, Pre-Series ’80

Serial Number: CLW021907

Year of Manufacture: 1975 (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 a Rampant Colt logo. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.”. The right side of the frame is marked “CLW021907”. The barrel at the port is marked “COLT .45 AUTO”. The left-rear of the trigger guard is marked with “VP” in a triangle, the left-front “A”. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “S”.

Barrel Length: 4 ¼”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade with a serrated, ramped face fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth wood panels with silver-colored Colt medallions. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Black Alloy Frame

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. Most of the balance is light handling wear in the grip areas and light nicks, scuffs and scratches scattered along the frontstrap, the trigger guard, the bottom of the dust cover and the bottom-front of the slide. There are a few other scattered light marks. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation, mostly in the unfinished side faces of the hammer. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide has very 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 single 7-round magazine.

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. The original development centered on an aluminum-frame 9mm as a candidate for US Military post-war officer’s pistols, but there were different configurations and chamberings produced. This example is a .45 ACP Commander Light Weight model produced in 1975. The pistol is in Very Good-plus condition with wear consistent with use, most notable in the grip area, a nice bore and strong mechanics. This will make for a nice carry pistol, but it will also make for a nice addition to a Colt automatic collection. Please see our photos and good luck!