[dsk]

Pre-Series 80 Commanders in excellent original condition typically sell fast and for top dollar regardless of what year they were made and whether they're Lightweight or Combat. Try not to be drawn into the "Colt's good years and bad years" debate. I have a Commander made during their "bad years" (early 1990s) and it's the best-shooting Commander I ever owned. By contrast I've owned Colts made during their "good years" and they turned out to have issues. Judge each pistol on its OWN merits, not by what year it was made.

 

[dsk]

Some of the Colts produced during the strike years 1986-1990 had some quality control issues that were attributed to an unhappy workforce.

I have a 1989-vintage Government Model that has been one of my best (and most frequently shot) handguns. I've long since looked for another one just like it that I could leave stock, but when I discovered another '89 Gov't at a local Cabelas a couple years ago it was a perfect example of Colt's "worst" days. The exterior finish was rough, the slide was extremely loose on the frame and the action felt like it had sand in it. It was so close in SN to mine that it was probably made the same month, perhaps even by the same people, but they were clearly having a really bad day when they put that one together.