[Greg M.]

Ok guys, yesterday I purchased my first ever Colt. It's my birth year 1979 Combat Commander in 45 acp. I tried to search for older builds but didn't really find what I was looking for. I'd like to know if you've sent your Colt in to NHC, what did you have done? Was it mostly cosmetics or functional as well? Are there things looking back now that you wish you'd done differently?

I've got a list of things that will be must haves for me but I don't want to get it back and realize I forgot something. So please if you've sent a Colt in to them, share your experience. If you still have your build sheets I'd love to see those along with pictures of said gun as well. Thanks for any knowledge or help you can lend!

 

[Genes 1911]

... When they do the IOS does it include a rear sight standard part like their pistols?!

 

[dnuggett]

Please don't add IOS to a 1979 Colt. Please.

 

[Greg M.]

Please don't add IOS to a 1979 Colt. Please.

This we is not. I'm not a red dot guy. Just looking for normal things that people have had done and general cost and turn around.

 

[Jollyroger1]

I know you didn’t mention iOS but I don’t see a reason not to add it. If it’s a birth year gun, you will likely hold onto it for quite awhile. You can run irons now, but once your eyes start going on you (or you decide to experiment) - it’ll be nice to have that option.

 

[dnuggett]

I know you didn’t mention iOS but I don’t see a reason not to add it. If it’s a birth year gun, you will likely hold onto it for quite awhile. You can run irons now, but once your eyes start going on you (or you decide to experiment) - it’ll be nice to have that option.

The reason not to is because it's like adding a wing to a classic car.

You do however bring up a valid scenario. Either way, OP isn't doing it.

 

[simonp]

I know you didn’t mention iOS but I don’t see a reason not to add it. If it’s a birth year gun, you will likely hold onto it for quite awhile. You can run irons now, but once your eyes start going on you (or you decide to experiment) - it’ll be nice to have that option.

I have to agree, considering your age and how eyesight goes, if you are sending it into NH for work it would be silly not to have an IOS fitted to it.

As for other work, I would do the whole enchilada: Match barrel fitted, ignition, hrt slide stop, safeties, front strap, DLC finish - make it a gun to last into your grandsons lifetime.

 

[Greg M.]

The reason not to is because it's like adding a wing to a classic car.

You do however bring up a valid scenario. Either way, OP isn't doing it.

I guess maybe like he said it can be done and there if the need were to come up but hopefully my contacts or glasses will help me continue to see.

 

[Greg M.]

I have to agree, considering your age and how eyesight goes, if you are sending it into NH for work it would be silly not to have an IOS fitted to it.

As for other work, I would do the whole enchilada: Match barrel fitted, ignition, hrt slide stop, safeties, front strap, DLC finish - make it a gun to last into your grandsons lifetime.

That’s my plan but I’m only 42 and younger kids so I’m hoping it will be more left to my son or daughters.

 

[simonp]

At 42 I wouldnt have considered a RDS, if they had been around, at 52 I dont know if I would consider a build without one unless it was a Rogers or Yost build.

Eyesight and needs change quickly in the next decade.........

 

[gocanes]

Function - trigger job, machine and polish feed ramp, throat and polish barrel, relief cut for barrel lugs

Accuracy- barrel, bushing, slide to frame fit, fit slide stop and barrel link

Ergonomics - front strap checkering, dehorn, beavertail, thumb safety

Cosmetic - line straightening, crown barrel, flat top, serrations to your taste, ball cuts

 

[azguy1911]

I did everything, frame to slide fit, barrel, milled frame for ramped barrel, lowered and flared ejection port, slide top treatment, milled new sight dovetails, sights, etc.

All that was kept was the slide and frame. Everything else was replaced, tuned and updated. Smoke nitride finish.

Its the most cost effective build/restoration of a Colt you can do.

It cost $2,900.

 

[AJP]

Why do you want to send it to Nighthawk? I am sure I'll trigger a few people with this but personally I have not been impressed with their Colt modifcation work over the last few years. It seems the attention to detail just isn't there, especially compared to all the one man custom shops out there. Especially on older Colt's that need the extra attention due to their janky lines. Add to that Nighthawks current back log, I would be looking at Don Williams, Greg Derr, Integrity Arms, Evolution Armory, or KGB to work the gun over right.

 

[Greg M.]

Why do you want to send it to Nighthawk? I am sure I'll trigger a few people with this but personally I have not been impressed with their Colt modifcation work over the last few years. It seems the attention to detail just isn't there, especially compared to all the one man custom shops out there. Especially on older Colt's that need the extra attention due to their janky lines. Add to that Nighthawks current back log, I would be looking at Don Williams, Greg Derr, Integrity Arms, Evolution Armory, or KGB to work the gun over right.

That is a good question. 1 I’m impatient and most have closed books or 2 years or better out.

 

[AJP]

That is a good question. 1 I’m impatient and most have closed books or 2 years or better out.

Don't rush an heirloom piece. You obviously went out of your way to hunt down a birth year Colt as a "forever gun", Don't short change yourself now.

 

[Jollyroger1]

Why do you want to send it to Nighthawk? I am sure I'll trigger a few people with this but personally I have not been impressed with their Colt modifcation work over the last few years. It seems the attention to detail just isn't there, especially compared to all the one man custom shops out there. Especially on older Colt's that need the extra attention due to their janky lines. Add to that Nighthawks current back log, I would be looking at Don Williams, Greg Derr, Integrity Arms, Evolution Armory, or KGB to work the gun over right.

I gotta agree! Minus one or two, or three shops from those listed.

 

[simonp]

Why do you want to send it to Nighthawk? I am sure I'll trigger a few people with this but personally I have not been impressed with their Colt modifcation work over the last few years. It seems the attention to detail just isn't there, especially compared to all the one man custom shops out there. Especially on older Colt's that need the extra attention due to their janky lines. Add to that Nighthawks current back log, I would be looking at Don Williams, Greg Derr, Integrity Arms, Evolution Armory, or KGB to work the gun over right.

I wouldnt disagree with you entirely, I guess it would depend on what you want and what you want to spend though. Not sure about the folks backlogs you listed apart from Integrity and KGB both have their books closed. I'd look at Milks, Derr, Evo, Graff.

 

[AJP]

I wouldnt disagree with you entirely, I guess it would depend on what you want and what you want to spend though. Not sure about the folks backlogs you listed apart from Integrity and KGB both have their books closed. I'd look at Milks, Derr, Evo, Graff.

I was trying to remember Graff's name, I like what I've seen from him

 

[simonp]

I will add Yost to the list if you can wait 2 years, honestly probably the best and best bang for your buck on an heirloom Colt these days.

 

[Eric]

I agree with John, keep the frame and slide replace everything else. Once that decision has been made then work on the cosmetics/enhancements of the parts left over. I would definitely recommend the NH barrel and fire control group. while it’s not a deal breaker I would get some type of front strap texturing done along with straightening the lines. The WC I have that has visited NH twice is a favorite of mine. While I didn’t spec the mods they did I like it. The only thing I would change is the checkering on the back of the slide. I’ve considered sending it back to have the slide refinished in DLC for a classic two tone look. Call NH and talk with Bob ask him for suggestions and then decide. I would also recommend not making a specific dollar budget you will have time to save the money and having things later will only increase the cost. Of course there are other options beside NH that you might consider, a couple that post regularly on here come to mind.