Colt Combat Government

V

vanfunk

New member
Well, I solved the "1911 vs SIG" dilemma by picking up a 97% Colt "Combat Government" .45 ACP. It's a very curious piece. It has a series 70-collet bushing, no firing pin safety, barrel legend is "MKIV Series '70". Serial number has a 70B prefix. It has a rollmark on the left side of the slide reminiscent of the new "XS" series, and "Colt Combat Government" imprinted on the right. Pachmayr wrap around grips and a flat steel mainspring housing complete the package. Methinks it's a transitional series 70 to 80 model, made somewhere around '82. I think I recall reading that 1500 were made in S70 trim, 1500 in S80 configuration. Anyone have more information?
I'm thrilled. It hasn't been fired much, and certainly hasn't been carried. There's a hidden bonus as well- the original owner had Worchester, MA gunsmith Mike LaRocca treat it to a "reliability package". The ramp and throat are polished to a mirror finish. A SIG P220 may prove to be the more accurate, but I'm fine with that for now. I just love the way this piece nestles into my palm, and handles like it knows my intentions.
Thanks again to all who helped with my choice. And, if anyone can elaborate on the "combat government" story, please do.
vanfunk

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semper ubi sub ubi
 
Just a quickie- were flat mainspring housings standard on these guns? I thought all series 70/80 models had arched housings. Thanks!
vanfunk

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semper ubi sub ubi
 
The Combat Govt. was introduce right at the time of the transition from 70 series to 80 series. The figure I have always seen stated is 2000 70 series versions produced. I don't know the number of 80 series produced, but I think it's more than 1500. I have seen at least 8 of them since they were introduced, not including my own 80 series CG, not including the ones I've seen advertised for sale in the GunList and SGN.
The CG was Colt's response to requests for a production pistol with custom features. The features added included a flat, serrated mainspring housing, a long, smooth-faced trigger, higher visibility sights consisisting of a Gold Cup front sight and a white outline rear, a serrated frontstrap, and Pachmayr grips with Colt medallions. Obviously you couldn't take advantage of the serrated frontstrap while the Pachmayrs were on the pistol. I'm sure a lot of guys took theirs off, but mine are still on the pistol.
The CG was replaced a year or two later by the "Combat Elite". Colt changed the fronsight to a more practical ramp, the hammer was changed to the commander style rounded type, and the frame was stainless. A handsome pistol.
By todays standard, the CG is really nothing special. But back in '84 when I got mine, it was something else for a production .45. Whenever I brought it to gunshows that first year, I always got a lot of "Can I take a look at that?". Times have changed.
I carried mine from '84 to '93 when I switched to my ever present Glock 19. Other than the added features, fit was the same as any other Govt. Model from that period. I purchased a 1991 Govt. last year and I immediately noticed, despite it's plainjane appearance, the 1991 was much more tightly fitted than my CG.
 
Thanks, Parabellum! My pistol is exactly as you described. I think I'll keep the pachmayr's on for now, although I'm sure I won't resist the temptation of rosewood grip panels for long. I'd also agree that current-production 1911 pistols from virtually any manufacturer are "tighter" than my "new" CG, although the barrel locks up smartly enough for me. The trigger is actually the best I've ever felt on any 1911, including match-tuned pistols from various manufacturers. I like the fact that the CG is set apart from its peers with a few unusual features and markings. It also exhibits a high polish and deep, deep blue that I've never encountered on Series 80 models I've come across. This point is debatable and subjective, but this one just feels more "1911" than Kimbers and Springfields. Thanks!
vanfunk

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semper ubi sub ubi
 
Glad to see this thread;

I purchased a Series '70 Combat Government Model in 1983 and foolishly sold it about four years later. It is the only gun that I have ever regretted selling. I have been on a search for the last year trying to find a replacement. The owner of mine has refused to sell it back to me. My serial # was 70B47xxx. If anyone has a line on one similar to that, please e-mail me at;

Seanmac45@att.net

I would be willing to offer a fair price for such a piece. And I'd never sell it again.
 
vanfunk, my pleasure.

seanmac, I actually saw one at a gunshow in Atlanta this past weekend. I don't know the dealer's name, but if you email me a reminder in December, I will check at the next show if he still has it. Then I can put you in touch with him. The pistol appeared to be in NRA excellent condition, or better. $675, no box. I can't be 100% sure but I think it was a Series 70. I know it's all a longshot, and I wouldn't hold out too much hope, but stranger things have happened. mpakt@att.net

[This message has been edited by parabellum (edited October 09, 2000).]
 
Someone just e-mailed me and offered to sell a like-new series '70 Combat Government Model for $1100. I turned him down. Was I stupid for doing so?

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DVC,
Sean
 
Good heavens, no! That is waaaaaay overpriced!! If it was absolutely 100% pristine in the 100% pristine box, with all papers, tags, plastic bag, receipt, and a signed, notarized and dated photo of the original in the act of purchasing the firearm, it might be worth 900.
 
Sorry to disagree, Jim, but the CG was not introduced until 1983, the very last year of production of the 70 Series, and was made only in that year. The 80 Series CG was made in 1983 and 1984.
 
Parabellum;

Based on what you've written, it seems safe to say that a Series '70 Colt Combat Government Model with a 70B serial number prefix could ONLY have been manufactured in 1983. Is that a correct statement in so far as you know? If you don't mind discussing this privately I would appreciate you e-mailing me at Seanmac45@att.net. Thanks.

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DVC,
Sean
 
Austin Behlert told me he was asked by colt
to send a pistol in to evaluate for custom upgrades. They told him they were not going to do anything with it. 2 years later they came out with the combat govt. the rear sigth was very similar
to the Behlert fixed rear, as was the lower and flute of the port.
geo ><>
 
The 1983 ".45 Auto Handbook" Vol. 3 No. 1 published by Harris has a Series 80 CG on the cover. A writeup was done by noted Chicago school teacher Jerry Ahern.

The CG came with an almost black finish and flat mainspring housing, Pachmayr wrap around rubber grips, collet bushing, long trigger, sharp NM front sight, high white outline rear sight, beveled mag well, relieved ejection port. The sides of of the slide and frame were polished, but the top of the slide and frame front strap were black matt. I like the grooved front strap.

As was (is) usual with most Colt autos, they sent the slide and frame to Gillette Razor Company to have the edges sharpened. Okay, I'm kidding but the edges are sharp and square. After spending a week in a Chuck Taylor class with my CG, I wiped the blood off the pistol and sent it to Wayne Novak for some work. Now I can handle it without having to get a blood transfusion.
 
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