Decision on a used Colt Commander

[gym]

I went to a show today Saturday, and stumbled on a slightly used Colt Commander in stainless. The gun was purchased by a well known client of a large gun dealer, "the largest in the state, and had a ton of custom work, including a polishing of the flats and frame, full length locking guide rod, with allen key , a pair of custom Grips like I have not seen before, "part pearl and part wood.
I asked for a work sheet, but they didn't have one, according to the manager the guy is disabled and doesn't really shoot the guns much, has over a hundred pistols and does them all up and sells them when he's bored with them.
I kind of know these guys a bit from buying guns over the years from them. He would give it to me for $1050 plus tax and call in. So 11 and change. They were asking $1200 plus tax for it. I have been tossing it around all day and can't figure out if it's worth it to take the chance, or not. I don't think he is going to allow me to field strip it at the show.
From a cursory look at the gun, it appears new or close to it. But I always get spooked when buying a used gun for over a thousand dollars if I can't take it down and at least look at it apart. He claims that colt did all of the work and several of the guys who work there knew of the gun. Thoughts?
If it's what they said, it is a score, the gun has no marks that won't polish right off, and the trigger was like butter compared to a stock commander sitting next to it.

 

[Hometeached1]

I don't know, if I could not field strip it...that's a lot of money. If you really want a commander and it was done up just the way you would want it, maybe.

 

[boricua9mm]

Thats a whole lotta complex story behind a "custom" Colt with no provenance.

Run!

 

[gym]

Yea I am kind of leaning towards a new one for under a grand. They had a standard blued gun also, I think he said around a grand with tax. But there is no rush on that one, they just happened to have that one "custom Colt", along with a few Defenders Agents and a Wiley Clapp. The Clapp was close to 1300, + tax, which was more than I wanted to spend.
If I could find a Lightweight combat commander, I would really be happy, but they are rare, I can't find anyone with one in stock. I hate ordering guns over the internet that I can't touch.

 

[owlhoot]

If you like the gun, why not go for it? If the custom work that you can see has been done with care and expertise, it is reasonable to think that the work that you can't see has also been done with the same care and expertise.

 

[WC145]

Call the Colt custom shop and see if they can verify that they did the work. They do great work, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 1911 modified by them.

 

[rskent]

I sounds to me like what you want is a lightweight commander. If that is what you want that is what you should get.
If you order one from the internet, Colt is still going to cover it if there is a problem. Where is the down side?

If you get the custom you are going to still want a lightweight. If you have the money, no down side there either.

I love the way that works out.

 

[bannockburn]

I think I would want to verify who exactly did the custom work before I would go with that particular Colt. Other than that there are any number of lightweight Commander sized guns out there for you to choose from.

 

[Fremmer]

I would pass. For a grand, you can get a new pistol with a warranty, and you can modify it to your own tastes. Get exactly the grips you want, etc.

Especially if someone messed with the trigger; it may have been done right, but it may not have, either. So they're wanting you to pay full retail for the modifications done by who knows, to suit someone else's tastes. No thanks...

 

[gym]

On a side note, Does anyone know of any store that is stocking the CZ P-01. I can find the 06, "in 40", but no 9mm. Been looking all day.

 

[Hometeached1]

I know Grabagun seems to have them a lot, they seem to have them sell out and about a month or so later them again.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I would pass. For a grand, you can get a new pistol with a warranty, and you can modify it to your own tastes. Get exactly the grips you want, etc.

^ This.

 

[gym]

Thanks I did pass, am back to looking again. After shooting yesterday, I am thinking Kimber, for size and ability to carry, or a CZ, "love those guns in 9mm. It's pushing the envelope for carrying for me, as I pocket carry, and both of these need an IWB. Need to think it through for a while.
The Colt was an impulse "almost buy". But I am glad I didn't do it now. For carry my XDS will do the same job in a smaller lighter package, although it is not a Colt, it serves me well in it's present function.
The Colt sure was pretty though.

 

[Lonestar49]

Put it on him

...

Have him break it down in front of you. If he knows this gun, its worth, then he should be able to do the breakdown and reassembly, right, for you and your eyes.


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