Tough choice.

[silversurfer1022]

I need some help making a decision. A buddy of mine wants to sell me his mint condition Colt series 70 9mm combat commander for $1100, no box. I'm also thinking about buying a Series 70 Colt Gold cup and they usually go for around $1300 in great condition without a box. I'm seeing many more series 70 gold cups than I do 9mm combat commanders. I also enjoy shooting 9mm in a 1911, butter smooth shooters. Are 9mm combat commanders rare? Will this be more of a collector in the future? It seems the trend is moving towards 9mm now and many people are buying 9mm 1911 for cost savings. Every purchase I've made recently has been to pass down something special for my daughter. So gold cup or commander?

Thanks
Ish

 

[murphydog]

Buy the 9 mm and save up for the Gold Cup. As you noted the latter is more easily found...and you sound as though you've talked yourself into the 9 mm anyhow .

 

[Biggfoot44]

Currently 9mm is the rage in all flavors of 1911 platform. Back in the '70 they were the least common calibre. ( The better of current 9mm 1911 mags are of improved design, and more reliable than period correct 9mm 1911 mags.

 

[Ozark Marine]

I bought a brand new Colt Combat Commander 9mm when I got outta the Corps in 1973. Threw the box away, fired the snots out of it, keep it under the seat of my 1970 Road Runner.
I wish I would of bought 2 with the way prices for the old one's are.
Buy the Colt Combat Commander 9mm.

 

[Grayfox]

I consider a 9mm 1911 to be an abomination. I can understand those who do it for ammo cost. But if you're gonna shoot that much, you should be reloading anyway.
If you want a 9mm, there are plenty of excellent pistols out there. Don't wimpify this classic and pretend to shoot a big boy gun.
Besides, in a few years when the fad dies out. Used 9mm 1911s will be plentiful and cheap.
Yeah, I know I'm probably ruffling a lot of feathers out there. So be it.

If you want a mid-bore 1911, then do it right and get a .38 Super.

OTOH, a nice Series 70 Gold Cup is a pure pleasure to shoot. Colt was still building them right back then. The value on these only goes up.

 

[Ozark Marine]

I consider a 9mm 1911 to be an abomination. I can understand those who do it for ammo cost. But if you're gonna shoot that much, you should be reloading anyway.
If you want a 9mm, there are plenty of excellent pistols out there. Don't wimpify this classic and pretend to shoot a big boy gun.
Besides, in a few years when the fad dies out. Used 9mm 1911s will be plentiful and cheap.
Yeah, I know I'm probably ruffling a lot of feathers out there. So be it.

If you want a mid-bore 1911, then do it right and get a .38 Super.

OTOH, a nice Series 70 Gold Cup is a pure pleasure to shoot. Colt was still building them right back then. The value on these only goes up.

Hey, I like that 9mm Combat Commander, bought it new in 73. I've got plenty of 45's too so I don't need your self righteous LECTURE BUB.

 

[alwslate]

A 9mm Combat Commander with no box that you plan to shoot is a
shooter grade gun that will show wear with usage. For $1100? That
should buy you two NIB excellent 9mms at today's prices. Way back in
the early 70s I had a .45 Combat Commander and there's nothing
really special about them. Accuracy was poor compared to the Gov.
mod series 70 I replaced it with. If they are a fad right now your
"Buddy" is smart to make a move. I saw a couple of used ones in
Satin Nickel on GB recently sell for around $550.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I bought a 9mm Commander and a 9mm GM for $600 from a guy needing DUI money in about 1994. I think dad still has them. At the time his comment was, "They were no High Power!"

If you want 9mm get a good High Power. If you want a 1911 type of pistol get a good 45.

The same person designed them, and most would say he knew what he was doing. He designed an entirely different firearm around the uniqueness of each round.

Ivan

 

[KSDeputy]

Not tough for me. I won't have anything but a .45.

 

[clang444]

+1 on what Ivan said. If you want a 9mm, go a High Power or one of the other classic 9 mm designs. Others on the list would be a S&W 39-2, Sig 226 or 229, CZ 75/85, Beretta 92, a 3rd Gen S&W, or even a Glock 17 or 19. There are plenty others to choose from too.

 

[Drm50]

If you are buying it for collectors value, might be good buy. Not
so much as a general shooter, to big to CCW for most people and
not much as range gun. One the same day my dad bought 3-9s
back in 70s. Commander, Brn Hi-P, and S&W 39. Colt was least
accurate, but worked with anything you put in it. Brn was a lot
slicker and accurate, small sights weren't the best for target. The
39 S&W was easier to shoot accurately, even with D/A trigger,
but was finicky on Ammo. We ended up keeping the Browning.
Colt was first to be traded off. On the bright side the Colt was
the cheapest, around $100 at the time, would have been the one
to keep for investment purposes. Back then who knew?

 

[gregintenn]

I'm a "buy em both" kind of guy, so not much help from me.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

We all know that you will end up with both eventually. Your friend's gun now and something comparable to the other one later. Enjoy!

 

[chud333]

I would choose to spend my money on the Gold Cup
in .45 if the prices were comparable.
Get a SIG or a High Power for your 9mm cravings.


Chuck

 

[Ozark Marine]

I bought a 9mm Commander and a 9mm GM for $600 from a guy needing DUI money in about 1994. I think dad still has them. At the time his comment was, "They were no High Power!"

If you want 9mm get a good High Power. If you want a 1911 type of pistol get a good 45.

The same person designed them, and most would say he knew what he was doing. He designed an entirely different firearm around the uniqueness of each round.

Ivan

Let's see, a guy sold you a Commander 9mm cause he needed money to cover a DUI he got and you fell for his comment "they ain't no High Power". I'll bet he also told you that he"ain't no drunk" and you also believed that too.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Having owned and shot 1911's in 22LR, 9MM, 38 Super, 45 Auto, and 400 Corbon, I can honestly say that I prefer the 45.

However shooting a 1911 in 9MM and 38 Super is a lot of fun. 400 Corbon wasn't bad either but ammo is expensive.

My experience with 1911's is that they can be very finicky in all calibers other than 45 auto. Especially in commander length guns and shorter. And 9MM 1911's are notorious for magazine problems. Some work well with factory mags and some don't.

If you want to add this gun to your collection and can afford to put the gun away and shoot it occasionally then go for it. Otherwise pass and buy something else.

After looking at Gunbroker for older Colt 9MM guns, it seems that $1100 is too much.

I saw one of these a couple months ago at a LGS. I was a 45 but they just came out with a 9MM in the same gun. Excellent sights and the trigger isn't bad. All for right around $1000.

Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC > Catalog > Pistols > Colt Competition Pistol

So the questions is, do you want the prestige of owning an old Colt? Or a new one. I would buy the new gun myself and eventually will.

Good luck!

 

[M1Garandy]

9MM Commanders (especially of the pre-80 Series variety) are much harder to find in my local area than 70 Series or earlier Colt Gold Cups and they are nice shooters.

Which will your daughter shoot better when you pass them down?

 

[ACP230]

I have Hi-Powers and one 9mm Commander.
The Commander has some qualities that the BHPs do
not. Would not be without either.

 

[BAM-BAM]

$1100 seems high to me for a shooter........but one would be coool to have.


To me single action 9mm = Browning HP!!!!!

 

[Xfuzz]

Get the Cup...