Colt Special Combat "Carry-Model?"

[LONE WOLF]

I was looking through a gun value blue book today and noticed in the "Colt" section a lot of pistols that are currently being produced by Colt and have never been advertised. Anywhere(?)

These mainly apply to Colt's Custom Shop Guns. I just bought a Colt Tactical 1911A1 Level III, and I also would like to find the Carry model "Special Combat Gov't Model" that differs from the Competition Model in that it is an all Blue Steel 1911 with Night Sights instead of the Bomar Sights that are on competition model.

Anyone have a clue as to where to find these guns? At gunshops I go to they look at me like I'm crazy and insist that these Colt's don't exist.

Can't say I blame dealers, as Colt's marketing strategy is really in the stone ages. Kimber and Springfield Armory could teach Colts Manufacturing a thing or two about how to sell their guns...

One local shop can't supply enough Kimber's to the customers that frequent the place. I believe Colt could do the same if they would just supply the damn guns!

Colt has made it very frustrating for its customers. I have a Wilson Combat- Fully Customized Pistol that is easier to get than a Colt Custom Shop Gun. What gives.

[FirearmsPlus.FL]

I believe they only made these models for a year or so, back in 99. I too wish that Colt's Custom Shop was more accessible, but in this case, it just seems to be a model no longer made.

[Pres in FL]

I called Colt about these last week - they are currently manufacturing a run of hardchromed pistols.

Other runs had blued slides/nickel frames.

Not inexpensive, but nice pistols.

[Str8_Shot]

LoneWolf

I remember seeing the pistols you are refering to on the Colt Webpage and in the catalog. There were two variations of pistols. The most recent rendition were the Tactical I, II, III pistols. These were listed during the FBI SWAT pistol trails, and were variations on Colt's entry in the trials, at least this is my guess. Since you have one with the adjustable sights, the Tactical III, we know that Colt did make some of those. But the other Tactical models may have never been produced, unless a distributor ordered some.

The Special Combat Gov't Model (Carry version) was a blued steel pistol just like you described with night sights. It was offered prior to Colt offering the Tactical pistols. I have seen one, about 5-6 years ago. But it must not have been as popular as the target model since it was only offered for a year or two, while they still make the target model. I wish you luck in finding one, as I doubt very may were made, and the few that were have probably been sold from stock long ago. So your best bet will be looking at your local, or regional, gunshows to see if one is being sold out of a collection or as part of an estate. Did your book of values mention the number produced.

Concerning Colt's marketing strategy, at least their previous strategy. I think they did a lot of what Microsoft does. They would market vaporware, or something that does not exist, to see if there is any interest and build it if they were ordered. Another problem Colt had, was their quality control was not up to what their marketing was telling people. So the distributors did not buy the higher end guns, because the people that wanted high price pistols, bought the base guns to send off to Wilson, Clark, Kings, or the other top pistolsmiths to be customized.

From what I have been reading, in the past 2 years Colt has really improved their quality. So with time they can do more, or at least better, marketing.

Good luck.

[ACP]

If you find that Special Combat Govt. Model (blue w/nightsights) buy it, never look back, and never let it go. I did and I have regretted it since.