Value of a Colt Combat Govt Series 70 Circa 1983

[kraigster414]

I am considering selling/trading this gun but have no idea its true value. Pristine, it has had many upgrades done over the years - BarSto Barrel, Swenson ambi, Wilson combat sights, hard chromed frame, Roguard (Robar) slide, ovesized mag release, 3.5 lb. trigger (breaks like glass), Wilson one-piece guide rod, Commander hammer, etc. etc. S/N is 70B4xxxx. I am the original owner, bought it in 1983 if memory serves. Here it is, thanks:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kraigster414/Colt%20Series%2070%20Govt/colt1911govtblackgrips002.jpg

[vanfunk]

Sadly, unless you find a buyer who wants a gun in just that configuration, the value is alot less than what a stock Colt Combat Government would bring. I'd say you are looking at $600 private sale, less of course if you trade it in at a store.

HTH,

vanfunk

[SouthpawShootr]

You probably wouldn't get more than $400-500 if you sold it outright to a private citizen b/c of the modifications you have done to it. The gun is worth nothing to a collector. I think it's a good looking setup (I'd just personalize it by dumping the oversized mag release). You don't even want to think about what you'd get on a trade or sale to a gunshop. I'd hang on to it if I were you. You'll only recover a mere fraction of what you have in it otherwise. Unless, of course, you find somebody that has the hots for it (not impossible, just insanely difficult).

[kraigster414]

Thanks gentlemen. I think I will just hang on to it.

[bac1023]

Mods are great on Colts until you try to sell it. Most want original Colt 1911s.

That's OK, just hang onto it.

I think it looks nice, BTW. :thumbsup:

[Jim Watson]

Have to find a buyer with initials R. K., wouldn't you?

Otherwise, it is not so heavily modified as to not bring as much as a new stock gun. Be about right for USPSA Single Stack.

[richardoldfield]

First things first, your's is a very nice pistol. If a well known gunsmith did the work it may add value to your pistol. My gunsmith does top shelf work but used pistols that she had put together only sell for half of what the owner has in them. If you need an example I have about $1,500 in the pistol in the picture and I would be hard pressed to get that out of it. Regards, Richard :)

Custom 9mm Colt 1911A1:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/RichardOldfield/Marianne%20Carniak/9mm.jpg

[bac1023]

First things first, your's is a very nice pistol. If a well known gunsmith did the work it may add value to your pistol. My gunsmith does top shelf work but used pistols that she had put together only sell for half of what the owner has in them. If you need an example I have about $1,500 in the pistol in the picture and I would be hard pressed to get that out of it. Regards, Richard :)

Custom 9mm Colt 1911A1:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/RichardOldfield/Marianne%20Carniak/9mm.jpg

I enjoy seeing pics of that Colt as well. Very nice.

[yotecaller]

I am considering selling/trading this gun but have no idea its true value. Pristine, it has had many upgrades done over the years - BarSto Barrel, Swenson ambi, Wilson combat sights, hard chromed frame, Roguard (Robar) slide, ovesized mag release, 3.5 lb. trigger (breaks like glass), Wilson one-piece guide rod, Commander hammer, etc. etc. S/N is 70B4xxxx. I am the original owner, bought it in 1983 if memory serves. Here it is, thanks:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kraigster414/Colt%20Series%2070%20Govt/colt1911govtblackgrips002.jpg

What are you looking to get in a trade?Are there any special kinds of guns you are looking for?

[kraigster414]

If I didn't have my Nighthawk, I'd never consider getting rid of it. But I have my eye on a HK45....

I guess it will stay a Safe Queen a while longer. Thanks to all that responded. I have had this gun since 1983 and had no idea of its value. It's a beaut though and shoots like a dream. Have no idea what the trade value is but I am a realist and I know I will never be able to get back the $ I put into the upgrades.

[MSgt Dotson]

I personally think it is at least as valuable as $1200 as is, with some nice wood grips on it....(i'd lose the oversize mag release, but, thats about it!)

Nice pistol!

[kraigster414]

Thank you everyone. I now have a basic idea of what it's worth. Appears as if I'd have to advertise it as a refined, well-tuned, accurized Series 70 vs. trying to appeal to the collector crowd based on all the upgrades. The question is do I keep or sell. I really do want an H&K45 so I'm riding the fence on this one.

[richardoldfield]

kraigster414, what was the name of the gunsmith that put your Circa 1983 Colt Combat Govt Series 70 pistol together? Regards, Richard :)

[kraigster414]

Owen Chernoff owner/gunsmith of Coloseum Gun Traders in Uniondale, LI, NY circa 1983. I also bought the gun there. Owen is/was an exceptional machinist (worked many years at Grumman) long since retired I suspect. Shop was taken over by his son Andrew. Owne did the Bar-Sto barrel fitting, Commander hammer instal and 3.5 lb trigger (crisp as glass). Not sure who did the hard chrome, I know he sent it out for that and it has held up beautifully. Roguard slide was of course done by Robar (the best plater currently IMHO) only a few months ago. Owen also installed the Wilson combat sights, over-sized mag release, Swenson ambi safety and the front sight was just reinforced (re-staked, ain't going anywhere ever) by Northern Virginia Gun Works a short while ago. Mags are all Wilson. It's an exceptional shooter. I put in the Wilson one-piece guide rod/buffer and 18# Wolff recoil spring, solid bushing, as well as the monogramed Alumagrips - I also have exotic wood grips by Ahrends. At the time, Owen was the place to go for custom 1911 work, if you lived in the area and didn't want to send out.

[richardoldfield]

kraigster414, thanks; that is the provenance of your pistol and it tells a buyer that it wasn't put together by some schmuck in his garage. If you do try to sell this pistol include the provenance. Yes, provenance is a fancy word that I learned on the "Antiques Road Show" but it is that important. Regards, Richard :)

[kraigster414]

kraigster414, thanks; that is the provenance of your pistol and it tells a buyer that it wasn't put together by some schmuck in his garage. If you do try to sell this pistol include the provenance. Yes, provenance is a fancy word that I learned on the "Antiques Road Show" but it is that important. Regards, Richard :)

No this gun was professionally attended to. I would never let some hack work on any gun of mine and my prowess with tools is anything but steller. Let the pros do the work. I know my limitations.

[DocH]

With the exception of the grips and the sights mine is identical to yours.
Bought it new. Has hard chromed frame,Videcki trigger and commander hammer. It's been superb all these years.
I have no idea what it's worth now,but I intend to keep holding on to it. I suggest you do the same.

[ray glock]

Beauitful Pistol!
If you just feel the need to sell it this is what I would do.

Just put it up for sale for what you think the value is to you.
You know what you have in it and how it shoots and functions.

OR...............
Put it up for auction. Put a reserve on it that fits your value.
If it sales then you get a fair price. If not you get to keep a fine pistol that would be very hard to replace for $600.

Good luck