On the colt series 70 the only thing that keeps the. The series 80 hammer uses more of a quarter cock ledge, the. The pull and reset are both very short at around 1 to 2mm each and the pull weight hovers in the 5 pound area. Jan 04, 2017 colt government model preseries 70 1911 ammoland gun news. I have been loosing my mind looking for a good quality 70 series 1911. Over the years a number of changes have been made to the 1911 platform.
These changes were subtle and largely intended to make the pistol easier to shoot. Another change with the series 80 was to the hammer. The reason i chose a 1911 colt series 80 over a series 70, is the series 80 has a firing pin block. No need to change the hammer, either unless you plan to use the halfcock as a safety position. Usa in one form or another, i have shot, customized, accessorized, reloaded for, and generally admired this one. The 1991 enables the shooters to own a traditional 1911 pistol that has been upgraded with some modernday features. By hunter elliott on september 20, 2015 in gun talk i see a lot of use and misuse of the terms series 70 and series 80 when talking about government model and commander pistols so i thought i would lay it out for you all. Many 1911 aficionados prefer a series 70 type model. The series 80 1911 added four parts to the series 70, and that is what some folks complain about, adding four unnecessary according to some parts. Between 1983 and 1988, government and gold cup models of series 80 guns contained series 70.
Colt makes the series 70 govt model again and your storefront ffl dealer can order it for you. Buyers and sellers are required to know and comply with all applicable local, state and federal firearm laws. The series 70 colts were produced between 1970 and 1983 in government model and commander sizes. This was with stock springs and nothing more than a mild throat job to assist feeding. You obviously have your own opinion, which i want to hear too. This is a commonly debated subject my opinion is series 70 is a superior design and the series 80 is not needed and makes a gun less. What firearm manufacturers other than colt make a 1911 with.
I dont know if the chrome helped with functioning but the thing just would not jam, no matter what i fed it. To all outward appearances, the series 70 is a gussiedup m1911a1. Many good 1911 names, ive discovered recently, manufacture only or mostly series 80 guns. Apparently it was decided that the collet bushing was a feature nobody would miss anyway, but the end result is that the new series 70 models are technically more true to the older pre series 70 production government models of 1911 1970 than the original 1st generation series 70 guns. A tribute to the revered commercial government model pistols of the past the 1911 classic features the series 70 firing system pre 70 series rollmarks. Not only are they useful, but theyre also not all the same surprise. Our 1911 grips will fit models such as the colt m1911, colt series 70, colt 1991 series, colt delta elite, colt gold cup, colt commander, dan wesson commander, kimber warrior. Colts series 70 trigger put to the test series 70 vs. After 100 years of refining the venerable 1911, the loaded pistols offer a reasonably priced, fullfeatured 1911 thats ready to perform right out of the box.
The colt series 70 or mark iv series 70 as the name suggests utilizes the series 70 firing system. Many newer models of 1911 have an added firing pin safety that first appeared in colts series 80 handguns. What firearm manufacturers other than colt make a 1911 with the. Collet bushing hooper gun works reliable 1911 parts. Oct 30, 2015 the series 70 lacks a firing pin block. Between 1983 and 1988, government and gold cup models of series 80 guns contained series 70 type barrels and bushings.
Nov 29, 2015 series 80 on left, series 70 collet on right. The new colt series 70 government ships with two 7round magazines just like when starsky and hutch was on tv. So, today, for fun, i took apart my sig nitron, a series 80. Colts entire line of 1911 style pistols were switched to the new design in 1983, so they all bore the series 80 designation even the commander and officers acp models. In addition most of the pc models feature an ambi safety which is something else that makes disassembly a major pita and that is imo not really needed. The series 80 extractor boasts a retainer stud which holds the firing pin safety plunger. Initially the 1911 had a half cock feature that incorporated hooks on the hammer, in case the hammer is being thumbed cocked and grip is lost the half cock hooks would stop the hammer from falling to the firing pin and discharging. First, let me start by saying that this is not an easy list to narrow down because there are so many excellent pistols being made by many different companies. It was also quite accurate with the spring finger barrel bushing. Jan 16, 2017 many 1911 aficionados prefer a series 70type model. This is a discussion on suggestions for a series 70 1911.
Apparently it was decided that the collet bushing was a feature nobody would miss anyway, but the end result is that the new series 70 models are technically more true to the older pre series 70 production government models of 1911 1970 than the original 1st generation series 70. Colt series 70 government 1911 handgun shooters report. Springfield armory takes care of those upgrades for you with our loaded series of 1911 pistols. Like all rock island 1911s, each is built using 4140 ordnance steel on the industrys best cnc machines while being handfitted and tested to strict tolerance guidelines for. The rock series is rock island armorys most welloptioned line of 1911 pistols built in the traditional 70 series design with the addition of next level upgrades. Ive since repeated my experiment see video below on sidebyside comparisons between probably half a dozen new series 70 colts and. This is a commonly debated subject my opinion is series 70 is a superior design and the series 80 is not needed and makes a gun less reliable and more likely to fail, malfunction or break. Theres all kind of guns wo fps or trigger safeties in all price ranges. Its regarded as being the original firing system of the 1911, and 70 models also tend to have a lighter trigger system than 80 models. Colt government model pre series 70 1911 ammoland gun news. The ones in series 80 pistols were short and fairly soft. Should you buy or modify a series 80 or series 70 1911 pistol. Colt government model preseries 70 1911 my favorite pistol.
Ive since repeated my experiment see video below on sidebyside comparisons between probably half a dozen new series 70 colts and the current line of series. Developed in the year 1991, the colt 1991 resembles the original m1911 closely, which was used in the wwi. We offer grips in a wide variety of materials, textures, and custom configurations. The m1911, also known as the colt government or government, is a singleaction, semiautomatic, magazinefed, recoiloperated pistol chambered for the. Typically an affordable 1911 is going to be frillsfree. Factory colt 1911 45acp 10 rd round magazineclip magclip stainless steel. If you gush over the latest plastic fantastic and fail to recognize the usefulness of 1911s youre missing out. Colt 1911 officers model defender factory 7 round stainless. For my needs, for fast shooting and personal defense, the original is preferred and offers a shorter trigger reach. Bottomline, in many ways the e series are a less frilled 1911 that is truer to the original and imo better pistols because they are lacking in frills that have proven to be maintenance problems. Many designers have attempted to make the 1911 more acceptable to civilian handgunners, particularly in the last 15 to 20 years.
Colt released an updated design of their fullsize 1911 pistol in the 1970s hence the name which consisted of a collet bushing instead of the. Series 70 and series 80 are currently trademarks owned by colt, but the terms are still used to denote the specific firing systems. I bought a new colt government model series 70 back in the late 70 s or early 80s and it would jam on the last shell every time if you were letting it rip. These updates were added in 1983 and were dubbed the series 80 since the previous revision to the base model gun was similarly dubbed the series 70.
Short military combat trigger the milspec 1911 features a short militarystyle trigger proven effective by generations of g. Wishful thinking i guess i think colt does make a series 70 i have a ss springfield the first ss 1911 i have had and i want to replace it with a carbon steel one if thats the right description. Oh, and the series 70 was not the original m1911 platform or the. This channel and tymp pistol project are both fully viewer supported.
It served as the standardissue sidearm for the united states armed forces from 1911 to 1986. The most reliable 1911 i ever had was a series 70 colt in satin chrome. Colt series 70 government 1911 classic for sale new. Among the less expensive makers, springfield 1911s lack this as well, although they do include an inte. Avoid the temptation to replace everything on your brandnew 1911 just to make it better.
As a result, the series 70 has a shorter trigger, arched mainspring housing, a standard grip and thumb safety, and. Should you buy or modify a series 80 or series 70 1911. Beautiful bluing, flawless function and a classic representation of what the colt 1911 is all about. So why is it better than the original series 70s ive owned over the years. Most highend pistol makers ed brown, wilson, dan wesson only make 1911s without a firing pin block. There were no firing pin safety parts in any of the pistols built in the 50s and 60s. Todays gun buyer can find a 1911 pistol to fit virtually any need. Featured gun classifieds colt pistols 1911 series 70 colt gold cup national match semiauto pistol. A look at the colt series 70 pistol the shooters log.
The m1911, also known as the colt government or government, is a single action. Jan 27, 2014 this is a commonly debated subject my opinion is series 70 is a superior design and the series 80 is not needed and makes a gun less reliable and more likely to fail, malfunction or break. It is almost like every major company has their flavor of the classic, yet the pieces are not equal. The original colt series 70 was introduced as an improvement in fitting and finish.
The outside look of the gun most closely resembles the classic design of the m1911a1 that saw service in world war ii to vietnam. The black army model also has the series 70 firing system, which omits the firing pin block. Some earnestly look specifically only for a series 70 1911 and want to avoid the. It turned into a cuss fest, with words exiting my pie hole that would have made satan blush. This was years ago so the remorse is mostly passed but as i look toward my next 1911 im trying to decide if i really even care between series 70 and series 80. It has the frame, sights, and arched mainspring housing of the m1911a1.
It was widely used in world war i, world war ii, the korean war, and the vietnam war. The roll stamping, seen at the right, makes clear its commercial intention. Jan 29, 2018 in my second article on the current series 70 see. The colt 1991 makes use of the series 80 firing mechanism, beavertail grip, spur hammer and a solid trigger. More or less from lowest to highestnot a complete list, just a few of what comes to mind right now plus lots of true custom makers. Jan 15, 2019 im really picky when it comes to a semiauto pistol. These guns are typically equipped with basic gi sights, but novak cut sights are becoming more popular among affordable 1911s.
Ive read several comments you guys have posted concerning your dislike of series 80 pistols. Top 5 brands of 1911 to own modern survival online. There are also two types designed for the series 70 and series 80 1911 style pistols. Series 70 vs 80, the difference is more than you think.
The series 80 iswas the term used to refer to a number of modifications made to the firing mechanism of the colt 1911 pistol. Best affordable 1911s for your budget pew pew tactical. It might seem that everyone and their brother makes one, and they practically do. By describing non colt 1911 handguns as series 70 or 80, it makes it easier to determine parts differences and solve problems. Yeah i have my first 1911 i purchased in the 70si wish i could get another one as good of quality as it but prolly not. Colt pistols 1911 series 70 for sale guns international. The cheapest centerfire caliber you can find is going to be 45 acp, and you can usually expect to get a decent magazine or two. Fixed steel combat sights keep the milspec 1911 on target, while the addition of three white dots makes them more effective than the originals. So theyre pre series 70 guns marked series 70 and with some series 80 parts inside. Im really picky when it comes to a semiauto pistol.
More or less from lowest to highestnot a complete list, just a few of what comes to. The light trigger pull makes it unsafe to carry the 1911 chambered and. Series 70 vs series 80 1911addicts the premiere 1911. Series 80 i noted that the trigger was not all it was cracked up to be my colt 1911 enthusiasts. What firearm manufacturers other than colt make a 1911. In particular, i was looking at some of the sig 1911s that i understand are series 80. On the colt series 70 the only thing that keeps the firing pin from hitting the primer is the firing pin spring. I bought a new colt government model series 70 back in the late 70s or early 80s and it would jam on the last shell every time if you were letting it rip. Colt no longer manufactures 1911s with the swartz safety. Colt produces classic models such as the mark iv series 70 based on. More places for dirt to accumulate, grease to impinge operation, parts to go wrong, general malfunctions and stoppages to occur, and parts to break or affect reliability. Oct 01, 2019 the flat mainspring housing makes fitting a beavertail grip safety easier.
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