Colt Lightweight Commander Series 70 .45 ACP, 4.25 in Barrel, 1972 Production, Aluminum Frame/Blue Slide
This 1972 Colt Lightweight Commander Series 70 is a compact 1911-pattern pistol chambered in .45 ACP, built with an anodized aluminum alloy frame and a blued steel slide. It features the CLW-prefix serial range associated with the Lightweight Commander line and the pre-Series 80 firing system without a firing-pin block. Installed wrap-around synthetic grips and a clamp-on beavertail/hammer-shroud accessory are included, along with two 7-round magazines and an extra set of wood grip panels with silver coin-style medallions featuring a human head profile.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Widespread scratches and blemishes are present. Spots of pitting are visible on the slide and on the frame finish. The bore is clean and shiny.
What’s Included
- Wrap-around synthetic grips with finger grooves (installed)
- Clamp-on beavertail/hammer-shroud accessory (installed)
- Wood grip panels with silver coin-style medallions featuring a human head profile
- Two 7-round steel single-stack 1911 magazines
This Series 70 Lightweight Commander uses a 4.25-inch barrel and an aluminum alloy frame to deliver a lighter, compact 1911 package in .45 ACP. It retains traditional 1911 operation with a single-action trigger, a manual thumb safety, and a grip safety, and it is pre-Series 80 with no firing-pin block.
Factory-style markings include "COMMANDER MODEL" and "COLT AUTOMATIC CALIBER .45" with the Rampant Colt logo on the slide, the right-side legend "COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. CO.
HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.," and "COLT .45 AUTO" on the barrel hood. The CLW-prefix serial denotes a Lightweight Commander from this period.
Sight configuration is fixed, with a staked, ramped front blade and a low-profile square-notch rear. The slide has rear-only, vertical cocking serrations. A standard 1911-pattern barrel bushing and recoil spring plug are used.
Controls and small parts align with period Commander features, including a rowel hammer and a short, non-skeletonized trigger. Installed accessories include wrap-around synthetic grips with finger grooves and checkering, plus a clamp-on beavertail/hammer-shroud accessory. The pistol feeds from single-stack 7-round magazines.
Made in the United States during the 1970s era, this .45 ACP Commander combines classic Colt markings, Series 70 internals, and the lightweight alloy frame that defines the CLW-prefix Lightweight Commander line.