ltwguns.com

just bought this off gunbroker.com and am wondering what to do with it. My intent when I bid on it was to buy it and send it off to have a "retro" custom made out of it. What I was thinking I'd like to get done is have a round (not one of the newer oval) Commander hammers installed, get the grip safety replaced with an older style beavertail and have a set of Novak's dovetailed into the slide. The only other mod would be a beveled mag well. And, of course, I'd get it re-nickeled. Don't worry! The grips will go!

Anyway, I was talking to my father earlier and he thought it was a shame to cut up an original Series 70 Colt. My feeling is that the gun is nice but not immaculate--and has no box, etc.--so it's really not a collector.

What do you guys think?

Although yours is nice Andrew, the 70G series Colts are nothing special to me. Also, your's looks like it's seen a fair amount of use or at least finish wear. I'd go ahead and modify it. I've got a similar vintage Colt that's been Armolloy chromed, and I put Novaks on, had a Kart bbl fitted (and got rid of the collet bushing), and a trigger job w/ Grieder trigger and it shoots so much better than before. The only changes I wish I'd done are a beavertail and a better dehorn, but I don't want to strip the chrome and refinish (the gun was hard chromed when my dad bought it in 1975).

_________________
Ted

Chop it up. Keep in mind I'd chop up an early commercial Colt too, but my feeling is make it yours and shoot the heck out of it.

Right now that weapon is fairly plain, and in some senses, a bit ugly. Send it to a good smith and let them make it beautiful again.

CUT IT!

Add your modifications till your heart's content.

P.S. What's wrong with the existing grips????

_________________
Courage is being scared to death... and still saddling up.

Semper Fi, 1974 - 1976

Send it to the smith of your choice, fire up the checkbook and start tweaking it.

_________________
https://www.graffcustom.com/

I have a very nice commercial Colt that I had the same debate about. I decided to do exactly what Josh recommends, he's spot on IMHO!

_________________
Steve

I have a 1957 LW Commander and a 1962 Commercial at Teds waiting for his magic touch. My vote, give your gun "a day at the spa" and have one of the fine 'smiths here whittle away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The gun will go from a nice used Colt to YOUR Colt.

I couldn't have said it better myself. My former chief used to carry one just like yours that had Millet fixed sights. I gave him the stag grips for it.

_________________
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE
Thunder Ranch THG & UR(x2), Gunsite 250C,
Yavapai Firearms Acad HG1(x2), HG2, & SG,
Shootrite Prvt Inst HG, NRA Life Member

I would go right ahead and use it for a custom base. The hard chrome will need to be stripped if you're doing much work, but it doesn't cost that much to strip it.

Assuming the frame and slide are 'solid', you got the makins of a fine custom there!