https://www.colt.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/25-COLT-1502-COLLATERAL-Custom_Shop_Form.pdf

I just saw this. I guess I will call them this week and see what the options are. Thoughts on the Colt Custom Shop?

 

Very long wait. Not cheap. If I were to want to do aesthetics custom job and wanting to keep it Colt, then I’d go to Colt Custom Shop. If I were to want functional custom works, then I’d consider other shops. Colt custom smithy more than likely know what they’re doing with functional stuff, but they’re better known for making the guns pretty.

The old Colt Special Combat Goverment models from the Custom Shop were very well tuned. From what I understand the current Custom Competition and Custom Carry are also very well put together.

 

Combat Commander = steel frame.
Standard configuration barrel with bushing.
Novak sight cuts…front and rear.
It doesn’t say Series 70 so I’m assuming Series 80.
Most parts are tooled steel but a few are likely MIM…no problem as they’re durable.
Peculiarities…every gun has its own but shouldn’t be anything to worry about.

 

The website is not great. Very few reviews with poor info. Looking for a decent project gun as a base.

Model number O4943XE

Commander - Colt's Manufacturing LLC

1. Steel frame?

2. Is the barrel ramped or classic design with a normal bushing barrel and frame feed ramp? Dual recoil spring that Colt uses or normal recoil spring?

3. Series 80 I presume? Novak sight cut?

4. Can someone here show me the guts inside (pics)? are the internal key parts tool steel or MIM?

Any other peculiarities I need to be aware of?

Thanks

Yes on steel frame. Standard barrel design. Series 80. Dual recoil springs. Novak cut. No idea which parts are MIM.

 

I had a Special Combat Government…that pistol was superb in every way. It was a hard decision to sell it but was offered stupid money for it and so it went.

 

I've had mine for about a year now. Got it for MSRP at the time of $1050. I've run 130 grain FMJ through it with several different makes of magazines with no malfunctions. I did switch out the G10 stocks as I do not like them. Replaced with some retro full checkered walnut with the Colt medallion. Blued arched serrated MSH and a short shelf colt thumb lock/safety. I always wanted a commander 38 super. The older ones are priced way out of my range these days.

 

That's the information I wanted.

I currently have a ramped barreled Dan Wesson Guardian in .38 Super. In 9 mm, no FTFs. In 38 super, 1 out of every 30-50 rounds I get a FTF despite lubricating the hell out of it. It will eat Remington UMC and PMC just fine. Occasional FTFs with Fiocchi. It will not feed Aguila at all (chamber is too tight for the brass casing). I really need to send it back to them for good measure or have a good gun smith look at it. I should probably get a set of .38 Super gauges if they exist. I have nearly 1000 rounds through the gun now, and I still get occasional hang ups (FTFs) on the 1st or last round. I am using DW's 9 round mags (not sure what manufacturer) and Wilson Combat 10 round mags. I'm going to try some Chip McCormicks and see if that makes a difference.

This sounds like something I would buy stock, shoot the crap out of it first (500-1000 rounds) then mail it back to them for customization. I really wanted an aluminum frame (like my Guardian) for conceal carry, but heck, I carry a steel framed Nighthawk in .45 ACP without an issue.

Thanks. More feedback welcomed please.

 

Glad it helped. I have been running PMC bronze 38 super in mine. Only because its the less expensive of what's available. I tried the Fiocchi and I find it hotter than the other stuff. Remington works for me too. I also reload and I haven't had any issues with my 130 grain reloads. I ran across some Sig Sauer 125 grain HP's at a discounted price, but I haven't tried them yet.

 

Out of curiosity, what gunsmiths would you recommend to customize a Colt these days? I know some have retired or are taking less work compared to 20 years ago. Wilson Combat is doing Colts still I believe. This gun is a Series 80, and it takes someone in "the know" to recognize what they are dealing with. Thanks

 

I don't know where you are located, but there aren't many local smith's who do pistol work any more. You can reach out to Wilson and try Novack's shop. But realize you may be looking at a wait of 6-12 months or more! Many years ago there was Behlert's shop in NJ. But he passed away in 2005 shortly after his son-in-law, Art Leckie passed in Pa. Art ran his shop after Austin retired. Good luck. The days of the mom and pop gunsmith shop are a thing of the past. Sad to say.

 

I’m willing to send the gun wherever (Wilson, Novak). I just want to know who is routinely working on Series 80 Colts.

 

You'll have to call and ask.

 

I just picked one up at Top Guns in Terre Haute, IN. They have the largest inventory of Colt 1911s I have ever seen in the Midwest. Top Guns | TERRE HAUTE | 47802

i’m going to shoot it tomorrow. Will post a range report.

 

I just picked one up at Top Guns in Terre Haute, IN. They have the largest inventory of Colt 1911s I have ever seen in the Midwest. Top Guns | TERRE HAUTE | 47802

i’m going to shoot it tomorrow. Will post a range report.

Be sure to clean off the sticky Colt preservative and lubricate the gun real well.

I just took mine out blasting today.

 

I completely field stripped the handgun, removed the preservative (which appeared to only be on the outside), and I generously lubed the 1911 with Slip 2000 EWL, like I do with all of my handguns and rifles. The gun actually came pretty dry on the inside much to my surprise.

I used the supplied 9 round Colt magazine, a 9 round metalform that came with my DW, CMC Power Mag and Wilson ten rounders. I had occasional FTF's and one stove pipe over 150 rounds. I would say one FTF with each magazine, usually on the 2nd or 3rd round. It occurred with all magazines. When I say FTF, the round would only chamber about 1/2-2/3 of the way. I would have to bump the slide forward to get it to chamber the round. I checked the Colt's owner's manual, and my reassembly of the recoil springs was correct.

I had no issues shooting my Nighthawk in .45 ACP, so it's not my technique with regards to how I hold and shoot a 1911 (I have +7000 rounds through the Nighthawk). I also do not have these issues in my DW Guardian when I use the 9 mm conversion barrel oddly enough, only in .38 super. I have no issues with my Springfield Professional model in .45 ACP either after 2000+ rounds of .45 ACP.

Ammo was almost all PMC 130 grain 38 super, which to me seems underpowered compared to other loads. Oddly enough, I shot 5 rounds of Wilson Combat 125 grain defensive loads and had zero issues. The extra powder definitely helped with cycling. I am seriously thinking this is an ammo issue. I just ordered an EGW case gauze to check, along with Go and No Go gauges from Pacific. I did not try the Aguila.

The double recoil springs definitely make it softer shooting than the DW Guardian, along with the steel frame. It almost feels like I am shooting a 9 mm 1911.

Either way, I wanted to use the Colt as a base gun and have it customized. I may use the Colt custom shop, unless I find someone else. The trigger is already decent, despite being Series 80. The grip safety and thumb safety fit me quite well. I would just like a mag well and night sights, upgraded internals/action work so I can use this reliably for conceal carry. I am going to break the Colt in with 500-600 rounds before I do anything though. The cheap white sights have to go for certain. I was hoping Aimpoint would give us an idea on the COA optic, because I think an Aimpoint COA or a mini-RMR HD would be awesome on a commander 1911 for conceal carry due to my aging eyes. I will buy a set of Trijicon HD night sights for now......which by the way, Colt did not pin the front sight on these guns, much to my surprise.

I have a few different boxes of ammo inbound. I'll tinker around with it this weekend again.

 

I used the supplied 9 round Colt magazine, a 9 round metalform that came with my DW, CMC Power Mag and Wilson ten rounders. I had occasional FTF's and one stove pipe over 150 rounds. I would say one FTF with each magazine, usually on the 2nd or 3rd round. It occurred with all magazines. When I say FTF, the round would only chamber about 1/2-2/3 of the way. I would have to bump the slide forward to get it to chamber the round. I checked the Colt's owner's manual, and my reassembly of the recoil springs was correct.

Ammo was almost all PMC 130 grain 38 super, which to me seems underpowered compared to other loads. Oddly enough, I shot 5 rounds of Wilson Combat 125 grain defensive loads and had zero issues. The extra powder definitely helped with cycling. I am seriously thinking this is an ammo issue. I just ordered an EGW case gauze to check, along with Go and No Go gauges from Pacific. I did not try the Aguila.

I have a lot of new production Colt Model O. By a lot I mean around high 30s, possibly lower 40s. Out of those numbers, slightly less than half are .38 Supers. The only thing is that this gun is my one and only Combat Commander in .38 Super. I have three Lightweight Commanders in .38 Super, so I at least have some direct comparisons. However as far as Combat Commanders in .38 Super, I only have one. Maybe I should buy me another one, but that’s another topic for a different day.

Anyway, my very first outing with the Combat Commander was with 100-rounds of Armscor FMJ. I had the same problem you had with the PMC, even the malfunction type and frequency were nearly identical. Luckily I also bought one of my well broken in Lightweight Commanders with me and blasted some Armscor through it. Same type of malfunction but with less frequency. So I chalked it up to crappy Armscor ammo. I also had a 20-rounds box of Cor-Bon JHP. Those 20-rounds were fired without a hiccup, and yes, the Cor-Bon was muy picante.

For My second session, I brought out my tried and true Competition as a control piece for just in case there’s any problem. The ammo were Fiocchi and PMC balls. The Fiocchi was a bit hotter than the PMC, and both shot well through the Combat Commander.

For my third session, I brought back out the Competition again as a control piece AND the dreaded Armscor ammo. This time, the Combat Commander ate it all with zero hiccups.

For my fourth and most recent outing, I shot the PPU and MagTech with zero issues.

I couldn’t help but wonder if this Combat Commander needed some breaking in. None of my other .38 Super Goverment Colts needed breaking in. Not even the three .38 Super Lightweight Commanders.

 

Yeah, these guns are built different. It seems mine keeps hanging up on the feed ramp.

Regardless, I've always wanted a Colt, and why not do a custom conversion to a 38 Super Commander? I'm debating between sending the gun to the Colt Custom Shop or Nighthawk. I'll let you know who I send it to later this weekend. Lead time will be ~9 months for both shops.

And by the way, I got Pacific Tool 38 Super gauges. My gun will not close on a "go" gauge for some weird reason. I cleaned it out and everything. It will not close on a go gauge. I wonder if the chamber is not to spec.

 

Yeah, these guns are built different. It seems mine keeps hanging up on the feed ramp.

Regardless, I've always wanted a Colt, and why not do a custom conversion to a 38 Super Commander? I'm debating between sending the gun to the Colt Custom Shop or Nighthawk. I'll let you know who I send it to later this weekend. Lead time will be ~9 months for both shops.

And by the way, I got Pacific Tool 38 Super gauges. My gun will not close on a "go" gauge for some weird reason. I cleaned it out and everything. It will not close on a go gauge. I wonder if the chamber is not to spec.

It may be unfair to Colt Custom Shop, but for functional custom work as opposed to aesthetics custom work, I’ll put my faith in Nighthawk.

As far as your Combat Commander’s chamber being out of specs, it could easily happen.

 

Well that makes me feel better....somewhat. Still inexcusable on a $1200 gun (I know, $1200 is like $800 back in 2002...). I guess I have a choice between sending it to the Colt vs Nighthawk Custom shops for the "Pimp My Ride" treatment.

 

The website is not great. Very few reviews with poor info. Looking for a decent project gun as a base.

Model number O4943XE

Commander - Colt's Manufacturing LLC

1. Steel frame?

2. Is the barrel ramped or classic design with a normal bushing barrel and frame feed ramp? Dual recoil spring that Colt uses or normal recoil spring?

3. Series 80 I presume? Novak sight cut?

4. Can someone here show me the guts inside (pics)? are the internal key parts tool steel or MIM?

Any other peculiarities I need to be aware of?

Thanks

The O4943XE is a steel-frame Commander with a standard (non-ramped) barrel and frame feed ramp, plus a standard single recoil spring - not the dual-spring system. It’s a Series 80 pistol with a firing pin block and has Novak sight cuts. Internally, expect a mix of MIM and tool steel parts; the sear and hammer are typically MIM, while critical components like the barrel and slide are forged. Be aware the Series 80 mechanism can affect trigger pull if not tuned properly. For a project gun, it’s a solid foundation but may need parts upgrades for high-round-count reliability.

 

Thanks. I did buy the gun (see the above posts). FYI, it came with a dual recoil spring, and Colt won’t sell me a spare (Brownells is out).

Jury is still out if I choose to go through the expensive process of upgrading. Some smiths I talk to want to install a ramped barrel, others want to keep as is. .38 Super is an interesting animal, but far more fun to shoot than 9 mm in a single stack 1911.