Help with 1911 Colt Custom? - The Firearms Forum

Nam1970 · 01-17-2009, 07:37 AM

I'm looking at a 1911 Colt? Custom Combat by John B. Williams. The slide is more rounded than your typical 1911 slide, and the serial #s start with CLW. The guy claims it's a Colt frame, but there are no other markings on it, and I can't find anything on this 'Williams' person, or the CLW being a Colt suffix. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Shooter45 · 01-17-2009, 09:13 AM

Post some detailed pictures. I have never heard of the builder but he probably hasn't heard of me either.

There are a lot of good unknown gunsmiths out there that no one has ever heard of that do some very good work. And there are some that can do a real hackjob on a good 1911. Stay away from these. Does the seller not know the gunsmith ? Who did he get the pistol from ? Did they know him. Sounds like some research is in order.

There are a lot of things to check on this pistol to see if it's a good one. Have you shot it ? How does it function ? The word "custom" is used on a lot of pistols which only had some parts changed.

Nam1970 · 01-17-2009, 09:55 AM

I have the pics in my documents, but don't know how to transfer them to this post. I havn't shot the pistol. It has a adjustable trigger, beveled port, custom hammer, and beavertail grip safety. He says it's on a Colt frame, but there is only a serial number, and I'm a suspicious about it. I can buy it for $550.

Shooter45 · 01-17-2009, 10:56 AM

It's going to be hard to tell without pics but the price isn't bad for a decent shooter. I would just do a very close inspection before buying if you like it.

And btw, the frame serial # CLW tells me it's a Colt lightweight Commander frame.

Nam1970 · 01-17-2009, 11:12 AM

I thought the Colt lightweights had a suffix of LW. If they're CLW you just made my decision a little easier. Thanks.

Shooter45 · 01-17-2009, 11:31 AM

The frame was made between 1970 and 1983. Looks like you have a Colt Lightweight Commander at a nice price.

Nam1970 · 01-17-2009, 01:42 PM

Thanks for your help Shooter.

01-17-2009, 07:37 AM	#1
Nam1970 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 11	Help with 1911 Colt Custom? I'm looking at a 1911 Colt? Custom Combat by John B. Williams. The slide is more rounded than your typical 1911 slide, and the serial #s start with CLW. The guy claims it's a Colt frame, but there are no other markings on it, and I can't find anything on this 'Williams' person, or the CLW being a Colt suffix. Any thoughts would be appreciated. __________________ An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.-Sir Winston Churchill -->

01-17-2009, 09:13 AM	#2
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,752	Re: Help with 1911 Colt Custom? Post some detailed pictures. I have never heard of the builder but he probably hasn't heard of me either. There are a lot of good unknown gunsmiths out there that no one has ever heard of that do some very good work. And there are some that can do a real hackjob on a good 1911. Stay away from these. Does the seller not know the gunsmith ? Who did he get the pistol from ? Did they know him. Sounds like some research is in order. There are a lot of things to check on this pistol to see if it's a good one. Have you shot it ? How does it function ? The word "custom" is used on a lot of pistols which only had some parts changed.

01-17-2009, 09:55 AM	#3
Nam1970 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 11	Re: Help with 1911 Colt Custom? I have the pics in my documents, but don't know how to transfer them to this post. I havn't shot the pistol. It has a adjustable trigger, beveled port, custom hammer, and beavertail grip safety. He says it's on a Colt frame, but there is only a serial number, and I'm a suspicious about it. I can buy it for $550. __________________ An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.-Sir Winston Churchill

01-17-2009, 10:56 AM	#4
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,752	Re: Help with 1911 Colt Custom? It's going to be hard to tell without pics but the price isn't bad for a decent shooter. I would just do a very close inspection before buying if you like it. And btw, the frame serial # CLW tells me it's a Colt lightweight Commander frame.

01-17-2009, 11:12 AM	#5
Nam1970 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 11	Re: Help with 1911 Colt Custom? I thought the Colt lightweights had a suffix of LW. If they're CLW you just made my decision a little easier. Thanks. __________________ An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.-Sir Winston Churchill

01-17-2009, 11:31 AM	#6
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,752	Re: Help with 1911 Colt Custom? The frame was made between 1970 and 1983. Looks like you have a Colt Lightweight Commander at a nice price.

01-17-2009, 01:42 PM	#7
Nam1970 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 11	Re: Help with 1911 Colt Custom? Thanks for your help Shooter. __________________ An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.-Sir Winston Churchill