Colt .45 NM circa 1959

[gunsablazin]

I have a Colt NM that is in good shooting condition, it is not an all original gun. It has an Ed Brown barrel and a few other parts have been replaced over the years. I shot IDPA with it for a year or so. The finish on the grip is worn from use etc. I am considering selling it, does anybody know what a Colt in this condition would be worth?

[Guest Grout]

Old Colts have gone through the roof lately.I sold a Series 70 with some pitting on it for $600 two years ago and I saw one with no finish earlier this year for $700.Try gunbroker.com to see what they are going for.That is a more reliable source than the Blue Book now days.

[Mark@Sea]

notgonnasayitnotgonnasayitnotgonnasayit....

I agree, if you have to part with it, try gunbroker.

[Guest gcrookston]

If you still have the original parts that go with it, I recommend you put it back together - you'll get much more. Depending upon finish an original gun sans box and papers should fetch:

98% finish - $1,200-$1,300

90% - $900 to $1,000

80% - $700- 800

70% or less $600 and down.

Lacking the original parts, but in otherwise excellent condition, $700 - $900 range would not be unreasonable to ask in the condition you describe.

These guns tend to crack slides due to the lightening machine work that went into them at Colt, and an urban legend sprang up that these pistols were intended for wadcutters only (which is not true; they were designed around 230gr ball -- anything hotter can break them). I've seen more than one customized GCNM broken down for parts as the slides can fetch $400 in excellent, unmolested condition.

Last fall I bought a 1968 vintage 90% original finish with all original parts for $850. Other than having a little holster time, the gun is about pristine.

Just my educated opinion.