Combat Commander Trigger - Nickel or Blue?
I have a Combat Commander in the SN SC75000 range which I think puts it around 1979 manufacture. It is nickel although I've never been clear on "satin nickel" versus "electroless" versus "Colt Guard." I have other CCs with nickel finish that are very sensitive to carrying and to chemicals and abrasives. This one seems more resistant to finish wear, not bright shiny nickel, but looks more like the typical nickel finish rather than the easily damaged finish I've always called "satin." In any case, it has a skeletonized trigger which I'm sure wasn't from the factory and as everything else appears correct I'd like to replace it with the correct Colt trigger. Most nickel CCs I've seen have nickel triggers but some are blue. So, basic question is, is it possible that Colt used nickel and blue triggers in their nickel CCs? And if anyone can help me better understand the Colt nickel finish options from the late '70s that would be much appreciated too.
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Edit: Neal, yes, I should have included the 70 in the SN. The finish on this one I think is a little different from the one in your picture. Best way I can describe it is that it looks like my Government Model Series 70 polished nickel guns but without the "polish." The finish is more a "dull" nickel than polished yet smoother and "shinier" than the finish on the nickel Commanders that folks complain about quickly showing holster wear and being susceptible to chemicals. I don't think Hoppes #9 for example would have any effect on this finish. Thanks for the lead on the source for a nickel trigger and confirmation that these probably all came from the factory with nickel triggers.
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Edit: Neal, yes, I should have included the 70 in the SN. The finish on this one I think is a little different from the one in your picture. Best way I can describe it is that it looks like my Government Model Series 70 polished nickel guns but without the "polish." The finish is more a "dull" nickel than polished yet smoother and "shinier" than the finish on the nickel Commanders that folks complain about quickly showing holster wear and being susceptible to chemicals. I don't think Hoppes #9 for example would have any effect on this finish. Thanks for the lead on the source for a nickel trigger and confirmation that these probably all came from the factory with nickel triggers.
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Are you sure that your serial number doesn't have a 70 prefix?
I don't think that we really know why some electroless nickel Colts have delaminated, or if there is any way to tell which will, or which will not. We do know that extended exposure to petroleum based solvents will cause any soft nickel finish to fail, so it's always best to use solvents to clean, but never allow the gun to soak in them.
Colt used blue triggers on blue guns & satin nickel triggers on satin nickel guns. You may want to try Gun Parts Corp. They have some some Government Model nickel parts, but apparently they are unable to tell from their computer records whether they are satin or polished nickel, so "you pays your money & you takes your chances".
Neal0 -
If you need one, I have the one that came out of this one.
It was nickle before I built it, and hard chromed it.0 -
Here's a current Combat Commander auction (late '70s or early '80s gun) that claims to be "100% new in box:"
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=296619204
Note the blue trigger and what is claimed to be "early electroless nickel" rather than "satin nickel." This gun is a few thousand SNs earlier than mine but the finish looks the same. Thoughts?0 -
quote:Originally posted by 22hipower
Here's a current Combat Commander auction (late '70s or early '80s gun) that claims to be "100% new in box:"
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=296619204
Note the blue trigger and what is claimed to be "early electroless nickel" rather than "satin nickel." This gun is a few thousand SNs earlier than mine but the finish looks the same. Thoughts?
That one is about 20,000 later than mine. Maybe they were out of plated triggers or didn't think it was worth plating them.0 -
Colt had several nickle finishes as you stated.. the nickleing of a gun was a delicate process in the older guns. The nickle would not stick to the steel thus the guns were copper coated and then the nickle applied. This was the bright nickle at first and the the satin nickle . Satin nickle was developed to make the guns look Stainless like.. Colt did not venture into stainless steel until late in the 90s. electro-less nickle was a process picked up from the air craft industry that allowed the application of nickle without the use of copper on the gun first.. Hope that this explaines it to you.. Layne12gun
ps Colt did not make a skeleton type trigger in commanders and most of the triggers were blue of nickle plated. Most skeleton treggers are made of an alloy material..0 -
Colt never used a copper underplate on their nickeled guns. It's not necessary. I plate nickel on steel quite often. 0
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