Colt Commander Series 70 Nickel

When I first saw my satin nickel Combat Commander at a gun show, I immediately noted that the sights were not original. The Pachmayr wrap around rubber grips are better than duct tape and cardboard, but just barely. Still, the pistol had many good things going for it. It was original other than the sights and grips. The barrel locked up tightly. There was barely any wear. It came with a Wilson magazine.

I had been hankering for another 1911 to work over, and this Series 70 Commander with a lightened slide seemed to be just the ticket. I examined the pistol closely, inside and out, and finally decided to make the deal. I traded a nickel Kahr K40 and a bit of cash for it.

Once I had taken the pistol to my car, I discovered someone had lowered and flared the ejection port. It was a good job, so I wasn't concerned. Next I noted the barrel was throated. I removed the barrel and placed a round in the chamber. I found that it was not unsupported anywhere. Thus, the pistol had another positive attribute. Because this pistol is already irreversibly unoriginal, I will continue to push it. I have a Nowlin Speed Demon hammer and sear waiting for it, along with a McCormick trigger. I am considering a healthy dehorning of the grip safety, perhaps a beavertail, a flat mainspring housing, an extended thumb safety and perhaps before I refinish it, I will let Jim Clark melt it down. I've been wanting a Clark Meltdown gun, and I may consider a bobtail conversion as well.

Tam is writing about her Sistema build, so I suppose I will blog about this one. Next stop? Check to make certain I'm not messing up by customizing it! Then a trigger and the hammer & sear will be installed.