Colt Commander Lightweight Pre-Series 70 .45 ACP, 4.25-inch, 1956 Production, Alloy Frame, GI Sights, 3 Magazines
This 1956 Colt Commander Lightweight is a Pre-Series 70 .45 ACP with the classic Commander-length 4.25-inch barrel and an aluminum alloy frame. It retains traditional 1911 lockwork without a firing-pin block and features the early alloy-frame identifier denoted by the LW serial suffix. The pistol wears fixed GI-style sights and a rowel hammer, and it comes with three 7-round magazines and aftermarket Pachmayr wrap-around grips.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Specific Condition Notes: This firearm is in solid shape. It shows various cosmetic imperfections, scratches, blemishes, and finish loss.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
What’s Included
- Colt Commander Lightweight Pre-Series 70 .45 ACP pistol
- 3x 7-round steel 1911-pattern single-stack magazines
- Pachmayr wrap-around black rubber grips (installed)
Built in 1956, this Pre-Series 70 Commander represents Colt’s early alloy-frame .45 ACP configuration. The LW serial suffix identifies the lightweight aluminum-frame lineage, paired with a steel slide and a Commander-length 4.25-inch barrel.
The pistol retains hallmark 1911 features: single-action, short-recoil operation; a left-side thumb safety and grip safety; an arched mainspring housing; and a rowel (ring) hammer. The magazine release is the standard pattern, and capacity is 7+1 with .45 ACP.
Sighting equipment is period-correct: fixed GI-style sights with a small blade front and square-notch rear. The slide shows rear vertical serrations, and the ejection port is not lowered, consistent with early Commander configuration.
The aluminum alloy frame and steel slide present a light matte/satin metallic finish. Aftermarket Pachmayr wrap-around rubber grips are installed for a full-hand purchase. Three steel, single-stack 7-round magazines are included.