Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this semi-automatic pistol today for a penny-start auction, this is the Colt Lightweight Commander Series 70.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Lightweight Commander Series 70
Serial: CLW039932
Date of Manufacture: 1970-1983
Caliber: .45 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 4 1/4"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Serrated Ramp Front with Fixed Square Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Fully Checkered Wood Grips with Gold Colt Medallions
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Following World War II, the U.S. Army issued a 1949 mandate for a lighter, more compact officer's sidearm, requiring a 9mm Parabellum chambering, a maximum overall length of 7 inches, and a target weight of 25 ounces. Colt competed by modifying the M1911 platform, shortening the barrel and slide to 4.25 inches, and utilizing a lightweight "Coltalloy" aluminum frame; though it weighed 27 ounces—slightly over the military's goal—it shaved a massive 12 ounces off the standard steel M1911A1. When the military shelved the trials without awarding a contract, Colt launched the pistol commercially in 1950 as the "Colt Commander," marking it as the first large-frame aluminum handgun in major production and the first Colt originally engineered for 9mm. To satisfy domestic market preferences, Colt immediately expanded the first year's production to include 9-round .38 Super and 7-round .45 ACP chamberings alongside the 9-round 9mm. The platform evolved significantly in 1970 when Colt introduced an all-steel version called the "Colt Combat Commander" (available in blued or satin nickel finishes), prompting the company to officially rename the original aluminum-framed model the "Colt Lightweight Commander" to differentiate the two lines.
Model: Lightweight Commander Series 70
Serial: CLW039932
Date of Manufacture: 1970-1983
Caliber: .45 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 4 1/4"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Serrated Ramp Front with Fixed Square Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Fully Checkered Wood Grips with Gold Colt Medallions
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Following World War II, the U.S. Army issued a 1949 mandate for a lighter, more compact officer's sidearm, requiring a 9mm Parabellum chambering, a maximum overall length of 7 inches, and a target weight of 25 ounces. Colt competed by modifying the M1911 platform, shortening the barrel and slide to 4.25 inches, and utilizing a lightweight "Coltalloy" aluminum frame; though it weighed 27 ounces—slightly over the military's goal—it shaved a massive 12 ounces off the standard steel M1911A1. When the military shelved the trials without awarding a contract, Colt launched the pistol commercially in 1950 as the "Colt Commander," marking it as the first large-frame aluminum handgun in major production and the first Colt originally engineered for 9mm. To satisfy domestic market preferences, Colt immediately expanded the first year's production to include 9-round .38 Super and 7-round .45 ACP chamberings alongside the 9-round 9mm. The platform evolved significantly in 1970 when Colt introduced an all-steel version called the "Colt Combat Commander" (available in blued or satin nickel finishes), prompting the company to officially rename the original aluminum-framed model the "Colt Lightweight Commander" to differentiate the two lines.
Produced until 1983, these pistols lacked the later firing-pin safety block, leading modern collectors to universally categorize this era as "Series 70" Commanders, even though they were never stamped as such from the factory. Furthermore, unlike the 5-inch Government models of that era, these 4.25-inch Commanders never used the four-fingered collet barrel bushing—which would bind due to the shorter slide travel and aggressive barrel tilt—and instead strictly relied on a traditional solid barrel bushing, making this specific production era highly prized by collectors for its pure 1911 mechanics.
Contents:
This example will ship with a non-labeled Colt box, one 7-round magazine, and the paperwork pictured above.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection. 
Additional Information
GunbrokerLink: |
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1181423702 |
BidPrice: |
0.01 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-06-21 21:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
1050 |
