Colt 1911 series 70 vs 80

Shop for colt model 1911 government series 80 parts with numrich gun parts. Colt brought this back a while back along with a lot of people referring to any 1911 that did not have the anti lawyer pin block as 70 series. The colt is a series 80 that individuals complain about. California performs this drop test on all pistols sold in the state and the series 70 is not approved, while the series 80 is. 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. The series 80 iswas the term used to refer to a number of modifications made to the firing mechanism of the colt 1911 pistol. Its a major difference to 1911 fans, with many preferring the older 70 series for competition guns. Read 1911 reliability secrets at the top of the forum.

Colt s 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. Because of this it is important to remember that only colt series 80 models, and a couple of clone 1911 makers use a firing pin block. Colt the main difference between a series 70 vs 80. The collet bushing was replaced with the solid bushing and the phase out was completed around 1988. Everything from the rollmark to the 70s series firing system. We have so many 1911 owners on this forum with different views and requirements maybe competitive shooting,conceal carry, home defense, that you will get plenty of opinions. Yes, it seems to have very crisp markings on the entire pistol.

I know there is very little difference between the 70 and 80 but figuring that im wanting the purest 1911 like an a1, its the first time im really taking the 70 vs 80 debate into consideration. What were the differences between the series 70 vs series 80. The video uses the description to distinguish between the 1911 before and after the extra parts were added. Colt government model preseries 70 1911 ammoland gun news. Series 70 vs series 80 1911addicts the premiere 1911. My government series 80 has a trigger that needs no work. Most 1911 fans dont like the series 80series ii safties as it is one more thing that can break, and requires the gun to be disassemnled a little differently.

The colt series 80 government is the quintessential basic model 1911. Let us know when you make your purchase and dont forget a range report. Great roll marks, nm barrel, finish looks great, series 70, etc but. I do see a degree difference between manufacturers, however. This gun was essentially a shortened version of the a1 and was manufactured with a 4. That said, how do you make a series 80 1911 trigger more enjoyable. Series 70 vs series 80 has no impact on my decision to purchase a particular gun. Buy the gun you want and forget you ever heard anything about series 70 or 80. Additional charges for non free shipping products, products shipping to remote locations, hazmat products, and large or heavy items still apply. Colt 1911 and colt 70 series northwest firearms oregon. As was noted a good gunsmith can give you an excellent trigger. It is nessessary to fill this frame gap so the sear will not wander over and lock up the sear. In this instance however, all of colts 1911pattern pistols incorporated the new design change so even the commander and officers acp pistols became known as series 80 guns. Also, some guns with the series 80series ii safties are a little more fussy in operation.

Colt no longer manufactures 1911s with the swartz safety. Kimber did things different from this video when they issued the series ii firearms with firing pin block. This question is best answered by giving the following history. However, the colt and the ruger are the two 1911s that i have chosen.

Theoretically, a series 70 pistol dropped on its nose could fire due to the momentum of the fp overcoming the resistance of the fp return spring, and impacting the primer. The 80 series, so called because it was introduced by colt in 1983, is a more modern. Colt commander 45 apc series 70 vs 80 series thearmory. As for 70 vs 80, i think people get a little carried away with it and whats right. You cant feel the difference unless you practice and learn what to feel for, it doesnt affect the gun in a positive or negative way. The fit and finish is better than the 70 series production of previous decades. Im 100% dead set for sure going to stick with colt. Colt auto pistols 1911 government series 80 o frame parts list. Colt eventually changed the collet bushing, and the series 70 pistol became the iconic m1911a1. Colt s series 70 trigger put to the test series 70 vs. Many a keystroke has been dedicated to the differences between the colt series 70 and series 80 pistols. 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 80.

In effect, the return to the preseries 80 system at colt is a return to the series 70 style guns and earlier m1911a1s. Initially the 1911 had a half cock feature that incorporated hooks on the hammer. Should you buy or modify a series 80 or series 70 1911 pistol. Developed in the year 1991, the colt 1991 resembles the original m1911 closely, which was used in the wwi. Colt series 70 government 1911 handgun shooters report. 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. My colt is a series 80 and of course the ruger a series 70. Shortly after the war, colt introduced a new gun, the commander, which was based on the colt 1911 government design. What this means is that designwise most of them share commonality with the preseries 70 guns, using neither the firing pin block nor the collet bushing. Tune a series 80 1911 trigger with these 3 easy tricks.

Alpo is correct in that, colt came out with the series 70 and series 80. The venerable model 1911a1 was manufactured by colt and others during world war ii until 1971. This particular one just happens to be beautiful as well. Should you buy or modify a series 80 or series 70 1911. Usa in one form or another, i have shot, customized, accessorized, reloaded for, and generally admired this one.

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. Colts entire line of 1911style pistols were switched to the new design in 1983, so they all bore the series 80 designation even the commander and officers acp models. Series 80 i noted that the trigger was not all it was cracked up to be my colt 1911 enthusiasts. 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. The series 70 made a comeback in 2002 in the new retro line named the mk ivseries 70 government model. I replaced the mainspring housing on the 80 series as it was plastic and with a wilson mainspring housing. Between 1983 and 1988, government and gold cup models of series 80 guns contained series 70type barrels and bushings. With the previous paragraph in mind, it is important to know that from 1983 until 1988 the early government model and gold cup series 80. You may have heard about the series 80 1911 pistols, and heard people. Between 1983 and 1988, government and gold cup models of series 80 guns contained series 70 type barrels and bushings. The 1991 enables the shooters to own a traditional 1911 pistol that has been upgraded with some modernday features.

Most likely, the series 80 wont need any work except for a couple of spring changes and a couple of good mags. Sell your colt 1911 series 70 for free today on gunsamerica. Colt merely used the series 70 designation with the new guns as a means of identifying all pistols not using the firing pin safety system. I think its the best raw material for customization out there, at least if you want a gun and not just parts. Crisper, shorter, more responsive with less wiggle and so on. In 1983 the series 80 models were introduced with the new firing pin safety system, which guarded against an accidental discharge should a loaded pistol be dropped onto a hard surface. The springfield is a very good 1911 but the colt seems to be a better deal. Colt released an updated design of their fullsize 1911 pistol in the 1970s hence the name. The colt 1991 makes use of the series 80 firing mechanism, beavertail grip, spur hammer and a solid trigger.

Colt government model preseries 70 1911 my favorite pistol. Series 80 thing is quite overblown amongst 1911 fans. Some guns the pin may be too short and not ush up on the button as well as it should. Series 80 there have been a lot of questions posted by new members and 1911 owners as to what the difference is between series 70 and series 80 colts. In 1983 colt introduced the series 80 pistol going back with solid barrel bushing and. The series 70 vs 80 debate is 99% an internet armchair debate making the himalayas out of worm piles and nothing more. In 1991 colt revamped their 1911 line by turning the basic government model into a valuepriced item. Series 70 vs 80, the difference is more than you think. On a pistol that has been around for 108 years, there are a bunch of generations, and here is the difference between the 70 and 80 series. Tjs 1911 series 80 to series 70 conversion shims frame slot filler replace the gap used by the colt series 80 firing pin block actuating levers when removed by gunsmiths for crisper trigger pulls. Colts manufacturing company firearms, handguns, pistols, rifles, revolvers. Numrich has been supplying new and used parts since 1950, and has the experience that you need when ordering your 1911 series 70 parts or schematic. Colts series 70 trigger put to the test series 70 vs. When i discovered it wasnt true to what i used in the service i decided i didnt like it and sold the gun.

Colt series 708090 firearms talk the community for. There is a thread dedicated to information on 70 vs 80 and 1911 vs 1991 at the 1911forum. As it turns out, there are known ways to do it that dont break the bank and also dont involve removing the drop safety. The biggest change in the series 80 is the firing pin block. Find the colt 1911 series 70 parts that youve been looking for to complete your repair project. Some claim that this addition makes for a heavier trigger pull. Your 80 series is every bit as good as a 70 series. I like the 70 series pistol better just because of the semi polished flats. I have a tough time telling the difference between the 70 and 80 series guns in terms of trigger. Some earnestly look specifically only for a series 70 1911 and want to avoid the series 80 firing pin safety system and modifications at all costs. Its all a matter of individual needs and tastes, as far as im concerned. It adds another level of safety, doesnt really affect trigger pull if done right, and only adds about 4045 seconds in additional reassembly time once you figure out how to do it.