Request info on Combat Commander

[CallmeTom]

My father just gave me this pistol as a gift. I believe it's a pre-80 Series CC. It came with two slides & barrels. One slide & barrel is 45 while the other slide is marked 9mm & has a Bar Sto 38 Super barrel with matching spring.

I'm wondering what the value & manufacture date is on this. My Dad doesn't remember, he only remembers buying it from Longs Drugs Store in the early 80's.

Ser# 80BS235xx

Below are some crappy phone pics.

[MSgt Dotson]

Value of each top-end would be $300-$400-ish, but as a complete package, perhaps $1000-$1200, as each slide worth just a tad less due to aftermarket sights. (The BarSto bbl is, of course, desirable, assuming it was fit correctly.)

The frame's serial number "80BS" indicates a blue steel 80 series pistol, but, a quick view of the underside of the slide (presence of firing pin block), or top view of frame with slide removed, will help confirm it pretty quickly....

A fairly nice tri-caliber switch top there, I'd hang on to it!

[CIB]

Originally Posted by MSgt Dotson

The frame's serial number "80BS" indicates a blue steel 80 series pistol

You sure about that?

[CallmeTom]

It isn't an 80 Series, it's a pre-80 Series, there isn't a firing pin block.

[pyunker45]

It is a 1983 model, pre-series 80. The series 80s Commanders began in '84 with prefix FC or FL....and the MKIV roll mark, I believe.

[CIB]

Originally Posted by pyunker45

It is a 1983 model, pre-series 80. The series 80s Commanders began in '84 with prefix FC or FL....and the MKIV roll mark, I believe.

Bingo!

[CallmeTom]

Thanks for all of the info fellas!

[MSgt Dotson]

Originally Posted by CIB

You sure about that?

Evidently not...

Appears the 80BS prefix was used in the 80's on pre-80 series Commanders...

[gohunt]

That 9mm/38super upper is very nice looking! I like it!

[dakota1911]

Yes, the s/n of Combat Commanders in the early 1980s started with 80BS. Below is a 1981 under my carry, a 2007 Commander (I did change out the grips on the 2007 since grips on carry guns usually take a hit).

[Dangerous]

It looks like that Millet sight has a set screw backing out. You might want to look into that.

[CallmeTom]

Originally Posted by Dangerous

It looks like that Millet sight has a set screw backing out. You might want to look into that.

I noticed that also, I'll fix it once I'm back home. I'm currently driving from Texas to SoCal with a pit stop in Arizona.

[RickB]

Originally Posted by MSgt Dotson

Evidently not...

Appears the 80BS prefix was used in the 80's on pre-80 series Commanders...

Just as "70" serial numbers were used on non-Series 70 guns.

A .45 slide should not fit on a gun with a .38 Super ejector; has the .45 slide been modified so the gun will work with multiple top-ends, without requiring an ejector change, too?

[CallmeTom]

Originally Posted by RickB

Just as "70" serial numbers were used on non-Series 70 guns.

A .45 slide should not fit on a gun with a .38 Super ejector; has the .45 slide been modified so the gun will work with multiple top-ends, without requiring an ejector change, too?

I don't know...I assume so, I've only fired 45 through it & it functioned fine. I didn't even know he had 9mm/38s components for it.

[ElToro]

Longs drugs. Wow. That's old school. They were still selling gun that late ? I was buying my fishing licenses there till they sold out to Cvs. Nice pece btw

[ronbo5151]

Originally Posted by RickB

A .45 slide should not fit on a gun with a .38 Super ejector; has the .45 slide been modified so the gun will work with multiple top-ends, without requiring an ejector change, too?

Aren't the .45 Commander ejectors closer to the bore axis than Government models and in the same location as 38 Super and 9mm Commanders?

[RickB]

Good point; my (.45) Commander has a GM ejector on it, so I can't readily tell by looking if the original part was also wider? The Commander was essentially a .45 version of a 9mm pistol that Colt tried to sell the military as a replacement for the M1911A1. I always wondered if that's why they shortened the slide stroke, to suit the 9mm cartridge, in addition to shortening the slide and barrel. Do all Commanders have 9mm (wide) ejectors, regardless of chambering?

[ronbo5151]

Originally Posted by RickB

Good point; my (.45) Commander has a GM ejector on it, so I can't readily tell by looking if the original part was also wider? The Commander was essentially a .45 version of a 9mm pistol that Colt tried to sell the military as a replacement for the M1911A1. I always wondered if that's why they shortened the slide stroke, to suit the 9mm cartridge, in addition to shortening the slide and barrel. Do all Commanders have 9mm (wide) ejectors, regardless of chambering?

I guess I should compare my 9mm and .45 Commanders. I know the 9mm has a looong ejector, but other ejector differences I need to re-visit.

[CallmeTom]

Below are pics of the pistol. They are still phone pics but I made sure to take shots of the areas in question in regards to using a 9mm/38s slide on a 45 frame.

No, I don't use the WD40 to lub my weapons. It just happened to be on the table because I just finished spraying some sqeaky door hinges.




Top of slides comparisons. 45 on top & 9mm on the bottom.




Bottom view of the slides. 45 on top & 9mm on the bottom.




Top view of the frame.




View of the barrels.