Posted: 11/8/2009 2:53:13 PM EDT
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I have a Colt Combat Commander that is completely stock, vintage 1973. It has less than 500 rounds through it. The only thing I have done is changed the grips from the smooth wood to black rubber with Colt medallions.
The changes I would be interested in making are changing to a long trigger - maybe lightweight, extended safety, extended slide stop, and Novak 3 dot sights. Except for the sights, because of the dovetailing, the changes would be reversible. Issues to consider include will the nickle finish flake when the dovetailing for the sights is done and I think the stainless replacement safety and slide stop will be slightly off color compared to the nickle finish. The other option would be to buy either a Springfield Mil-Spec and make the same changes plus a commander type hammer or a Loaded with everything on it already. 
So, keep it stock or make changes? |
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There are aftermarket sights that will fit the G.I. dovetail on the rear of the slide. Novak, 10-8, and Millett and probably others. The front sight would have to be changed as well, to match the height of the new rear sight. These aren't as "cool" looking as the lo-profile Novak, Trijicon, etc, but they are just as functional––and less expensive.
I had an aftermarket grip stainless grip safety put on my satin nickle commander––its not a sweeping beavertail but it is an improvement over the stock g.i. configuration. Its a flat stainless, so its really hard to distinguish from the satin nickle––at least for me. I didn't do anything with the slide release. The satin nickle will rejuvenate very nicely with a light bead blast provided the nickle hasn't been penetrated into the copper plating or the steel base material. My CC was a real mess but the bead blasting brought it back to near-new. If you keep the original parts the value of your Commander will not be negatively impacted––unless you modifity the slide dovetail for an aftermarket sight. |
| Been there, done that, and no it wasn't worth all the mental msturbation I put myself through. The hardest part of the entire process was handing the gun over to the mill operator to make necessary cuts in the slide..... I guess the best way to relate is " boy I sure hated to geld that horse but damn grateful I did ". Look at how much better he rides now....Your not gelding anything here but you get the point. I was damn glad I had made the modifications to an old Colt I have and wished I'd listened to a friend, my mill operator, a damn fine gunsmith and put a set of low mount sights on the slide. BTW those are an upcoming project. I'd suggest writing everything down on paper and stick to the plan. Your other option is to keep it the way it is and everytime you look at it agonize over what the pistol " could " be. |
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Quoted: Outside of the finish, I see little (in a radical sense) I would change but it is YOUR pistol. I change what I want on mine despite the "never-mod-a-pistol-you'll-lose collector-value" crowd.I have a Colt Combat Commander that is completely stock, vintage 1973. It has less than 500 rounds through it. The only thing I have done is changed the grips from the smooth wood to black rubber with Colt medallions. The changes I would be interested in making are changing to a long trigger - maybe lightweight, extended safety, extended slide stop, and Novak 3 dot sights. Except for the sights, because of the dovetailing, the changes would be reversible. Issues to consider include will the nickle finish flake when the dovetailing for the sights is done and I think the stainless replacement safety and slide stop will be slightly off color compared to the nickle finish. The other option would be to buy either a Springfield Mil-Spec and make the same changes plus a commander type hammer or a Loaded with everything on it already. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v723/officerlow/cc1.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v723/officerlow/cc2.jpg So, keep it stock or make changes? If I did change it I would go for a lowered and flared ejection port, reliability package (4-4.5 lb. trigger pull), mild dehorning and a matte hard chrome finish.
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| If this is a gun that you love and are never going to sell then have at it. Do whatever it takes to make it a better shooter for you. If this is more of a toy that you may or may not sell down the road, leave it stock. A low round count stock Colt will always be easier to sell then one that's been modded. |
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I'd say the question is do you ever plan to sell it? If not, then it isn't worth anything - and making it fit your needs better is only going to enhance the personal value of the gun.
Another thing is that the modifications are something that will not detract value of the gun should you ever decide to let it go. It's not like you are adding a bunch of extra options that you will not see the return on the investment so much. As you put it, most of the mods are reversible, and adding the dovetail rear sight is something that a lot of people look for in a gun like that. I'd say find yourself a smith you like and speak with him about working up some numbers for you. Find a good price and make sure the smith you choose is well aware of your expectations and make sure the smith documented as a quality smith (documented as such you have seen his work and know he is of a high quality work). Settle on a price, send it in and wait for it's return. If this was a 1919 or older/slightly newer, then it would be a valued collector item much more expensive than the model you have now. Do you have the original box and paperwork on it? With a round count that low, you might entertain the idea of buying another one to modify, but that's entirely up to you. Take care, Bob |