Colt Enhanced 1911 Bright Stainless O2071E .38 Super Semi-Auto Pistol, 1995
SOLD FOR: $3825
LSB#: 231011JB038
Make: Colt
Model: MK IV Series 80 Government Model Enhanced
Serial Number: SG05557E
Year of Manufacture: 1995 (COLT Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: .38 Super
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic fed by Removable Magazine (no magazine included)
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade with a white dot fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch with two white dots dovetailed to the rear of the slide. The top of the slide has a full-length solid rib and is matte-finished for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece faux-ivory plastic panels. The left panel has a small chip-loss at the top edge. There are a few other scattered minor marks. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Bright Stainless Steel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are some scattered minor scuffs and tiny scratches, most notable in the slide flats toward the front. There is stubborn, dried grease residue, mostly on the top of the slide. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide has minor play to the frame. The trigger is crisp. This pistol was made with a firing pin block safety (series ’80). We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This pistol comes in a blue plastic Colt case with serial-matching cardboard sleeve. Please note, no magazine is included.
Our Assessment: The 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols served the military of the United States from 1911 to 1985, through two World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. They gained a reputation as a reliable handgun with plenty of stopping power, and are held in high regard by those who have used them. The design was the end-result of a series of developments by famous gun designer John Browning, starting with the Model 1900. The advances made by Browning were revolutionary at the time, and were so successful that they are considered commonplace today. Browning not only developed first a pivoting and then a tilting barrel to allow for a locked system, he developed the concept of “the slide”, which is now synonymous with semi-automatic handguns. Having secured a contract for the US Military sidearm, Colt also offered the pistol to the commercial market as the “Government Model”. 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.
This example is a MK IV Series 80 Government Model Enhanced made in 1995. The Enhanced variant comes from the factory with a beavertail grip safety, skeletonized hammer and an under-cut trigger guard. This example is constructed from stainless steel with a bright polish and is chambered for the .38 Super cartridge. It is in Fine-Excellent condition, retaining 97% of its finish, a great bore and strong mechanics. If you are looking for your first 1911 or your next, this would be a great addition to any safe in America. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
