Colt National Match - And A Back Story

[Dennis The B]

My LGS had this National Match model, made in 1968 for several months. Since my interests tend toward revolvers, the thought of another semi-auto just wasn't a priority.

A couple of weeks ago, this LGS suffered a break-in. Six miscreants in a stolen minivan, backed into the store, destroying the wall. They went to work on the display cases, which had been moved some four feet by the impact. They struck the case with 1911's in it about fourteen times with a 3lb hammer, but couldn't break the glass. They were finally successful, but by springing the frame. They quickly started throwing pisols into a bag, and along with AR15's on a display rack, grabbed what they could, and prepared to flee.

Enter a local police officer, who had been across the street filling out paper work (3 AM). He caught two of the perps red-handed, and his back-ups and canine unit caught the other four very close by.

Fast forward to today. The owner started a "scratch and dent" sale. Several 1911's have scratches, and a newer Colt has a pretty severe ding in the bottom edge of the frame.

However, the National Match only incurred a few scratches in an already used gun. He knocked $250 of the asking price, and I took it home for the sum of $550, plus tax.

The bushing and barrel are the tightest I've ever seen. Everything looks original, and it has Eliason sights. Not a beauty, but for $550, I can have a lot of fun starting tomorrow.

[Cyrano]

Boy, am I envious!!

[mkk41]

Bravo Zulu! Well done.

I woulda paid that in a heartbeat. Here's my 1960 and 1965 NM's

[goldenlight]

Wow, what a great deal. I can't wait to read your range report.

Like so many firearms, including S&W, they just don't make them like that, anymore.

[mkk41]

The pre-Ser.70 guns also had slightly lighter slides. First year ('57) slides were also thinner.There is a lightening cut inside the barrel channel forward of the locking recesses. Put my slide and a stock WWII USGI Colt slide on a scale , but the diff was minor. Maybe the weight of the material removed by the cut was enough to make up for the weight of the rib and adjustable sights. Earlier guns had Accro or Micro adjustable rears , '65 or so on had Elliason.

There is also rumors of them being slightly harder.

Though the story is greatly exaggerated , there have been instances of these early slides cracking at that cut to the ejection port when fired with standard power ball or +P ammo (that early Rem 185gr JHP+P was a screamer!) and the 13-15lb springs. My guns run my 200gr hard-cast SWC match load with total reliability and an 18.5lb spring. I also use a quality shok-buff.

[Chop]

I am not much of a Colt fan but that is a fantastic looking piece and a great price. Good catch.

[Beemerguy53]

Great buy, and a great story..glad the police were able to catch the perps before those guns hit the streets illegally.

IMHO, the SOBs who broke into that gun shop should receive enhanced sentences for damaging the guns they stole.

[7Iron]

I understand that regular ball ammo will beat up a NM w/o installing a stronger spring. I have my fathers late 50's NM, but lack a supply of .45 target loads.

[boatbum101]

IMHO early NM's with the lightened slide should only be shot with mid range target loads . I've a 1959 model that's been a Bullseye gun it's entire life . About 10 yrs ago had slide to frame retightened , barrel lugs welded up & refitted , new bushing etc . Well now it's time for a new barrel ( Kart ) . I've only shot lead target loads thru her all this time . 3.8grs Bullseye with 200gr H&G 68 .

[Sprefix]

Not a beauty? Do you have a fever? That is outstanding, let alone for the princely sum you paid!! Maybe some of your gun luck will find its' way to me......I do have a 1958 pre-Gold Cup NM myself and it is among the most accurate of my handguns.