Combat Precision Chris James Colt Series ’80 Government 1911 .45 ACP Pistol

SOLD FOR: $4825

LSB#: 230720JK012

Make: Colt, Customized by Chris James Combat Precision

Model: Series ’80 Government Model 1911

Serial Number: CV37251

Year of Manufacture: This pistol was manufactured by Colt in 2014, it was customized in 2016.

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Markings: The right side of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” and “CV37251”. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT GOVERNMENT MODEL”. The dust cover is marked with the Combat Precision logo. The left side of the slide is marked “-COLT’S- / GOVERNMENT MODEL / .45 AUTOMATIC CALIBER”. The trigger guard has light remains of a VP proof and inspection marks.

Barrel Length: 5″ Kart National Match

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade with a red fiber optic insert and is dovetailed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch CPT sight with a serrated rear face and a vertical front face for slide racking. The rear sight is dovetailed and screw set to the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are black VZ grips Gatorback grips. There are some light handling marks. The grips rate in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Hard Chrome

Finish Originality: Original to Combat Precision Build

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore but there are some spots of stubborn fouling. In my opinion, the bore is an 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its current finish. There are a few little spots of finish loss on the trigger guard. There are some operational marks. There is operational wear. The markings are clear. The screwheads are sharp. Overall, this pistol rates in about Fine Plus condition.

Mechanics: The firing pin block safety has been removed. The action functions correctly. 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: Included is are three Wilson Combat 8-round magazines, Combat Precision invoice/build list, the original Colt parts, a Combat Precision Perlican case, numerous front sights, front sight fiber optic inserts, an ambidextrous safety, and the removed firing pin block safety.

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.

This Colt, the preferred canvas of many of the top artisans, has been customized and made even better Chris James of Combat Precision. Combat Precision is a producer of some of the finest heirloom quality handguns money can buy. Simply calling his work art does the man a disservice as it is an incredible understatement. This pistol is on another level. The pistol left the Colts factory a standard Series ’80 but left Combat Precision anything but. The frame got his match treatment with laser welded rails, the edges were beveled, a Kart 24 degree National Match barrel was fit, an EGW thick flange bushing was installed and tapered smooth to the recoil plug, the trigger guard was undercut, a Chen magwell was laser welded to the frame, the slide was flat topped and arrow serrated, classy French borders were added, the action received his reliability package, an ambi safety was fit, and upgraded sights were installed. That is an already insane amount of work on the pistol, but in the words of Billy Mays, “but wait there’s more!”. The rear face of the slide was recut and serrated, the angle and serrations now match those of the rear sight, it’s all in the details after all! One of the most impressive elements of this is his work on the grip frame and mainspring housing, executing the round cuts on a surface that is rounded is a feat in itself, but the degree of difficulty to execute it at this level is off the charts. The pistol now wears a hard chrome finish and looks too good to put into words. This pistol is hotter than a sidewalk in July and it simply needs to be in hand to get the full experience, luckily one bidder will have the chance! …and even better you will get to shoot it, to say “I’m jealous” is putting it lightly, this is seriously a top flight 1911. Please see our photos and good luck!

Some are hot, some are not, but thankfully most can be shot!
-Red