Colt series 70 1911. What is it worth?

[HAWKEYE10]

I have this Colt series 70 1911 I want to sell. As you can see the Bo-Mar rib is on the series 70 slide. This gun was built by the Tennessee National Guard around 1980. The other slide was made in Israel and fitted to the slide so I could shoot factory ammo. Both slides have their on barrel bushings and springs. I have no idea what to ask for this and would appreciate your help. Don

[Art Doc]

Well, you know the drill. The big money comes from serious collectors, not people who shoot their guns. And the collectors eschew modified guns. I think I'd ask a grand for the set. Someone might pay more, maybe nobody will bite. That's the way it goes with custom guns. If you didn't build it, then it probably isn't exactly what you want.

[HAWKEYE10]

I bought the gun new and the Tn. Guard built it. As I have gotten older my hands shake so shooting hand guns has gone to pot. Ninety five percent of my shooting now is off the bench with 22 rifles. Thanks for your reply maybe others will offer their opinion. Don

[jdlii]

Very nice piece and probably built by Gene Barnett or Mattice (sp) back in the day. Those guys built great shooting firearms. I was lucky enough to have Frank Smith rebuild my M1A.

My $.02 worth is $1,000 to $1,200.

[HAWKEYE10]

Originally Posted by jdlii

Very nice piece and probably built by Gene Barnett or Mattice (sp) back in the day. Those guys built great shooting firearms. I was lucky enough to have Frank Smith rebuild my M1A.

My $.02 worth is $1,000 to $1,200.

Yes it was Gene Barnett and he also built the other slide a few years ago. Gene and I went to high school together and I still talk to him on occasion. I also remember Dave Mattice and Frank Smith. I am sure you know that Colonel Pearson and his son Chuck own Champions Choice in LaVergne Tn. I wonder did you shoot with the Nashville Match Masters? I was president of that club for two or three years. Don

[jaykellogg]

I might break up the set. Assuming the pistol is near mint it could bring close to $1000 retail. The other slide would be an easy sell on Gunbroker.com. My personal feeling is the gun is a shooter, not a collectors item. Once you get around $1000 for a used 1911 it had better be pretty special!

[Dpris]

I remember that sight arrangement.
Long out of "fashion", I doubt you'll find a buyer for the package easily unless you severely discount it.

The target slide setup probably won't be a strong seller, unless you find somebody who'd be interested out of nostalgia.
Outdated for competition today, and younger shooters won't have much interest.

The Israeli slide won't help it much, either.
If you can get $1200 out of it, that'd be great, but I'd be surprised if you can find a buyer anywhere near that.
Denis

[HAWKEYE10]

Originally Posted by GA 1911

Don,
Does it have the original paperwork and box? The model was a 01970? Does it have the 1970-1983 serial numbers (G70 or B70 would be 1980)?

I'd go with $1200-$1500.

No box or papers. The serial number is 67549G70. Don

[H Richard]

Because only a serious bullseye shooter would be interested, and they only use red dot sights today, the whole bowmar sight would probably be removed and a weaver rail put on it. My guess is if you get $1000 you would be very lucky. I'd take it back to the people who built it and see if they know any new shooter coming up who may be interested.

[Grayfox]

My suggestion is to put the original slide back on and sell it as a target pistol. Ask $1000 and consider $850 - 900.
Sell the other slide seperately. With barrel, bushing and those sights it may fetch $200 -250. But I won't swear to it.
I'd also suggest putting them on one of the auction sites. You'd have a much better chance of finding a buyer and you never know what they might bring.