Colt 1911 70 vs 80 series

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. Jan 10, 2019 many a keystroke has been dedicated to the differences between the colt series 70 and series 80 pistols. Then the series 80 was introduced while the 70 was built in the custom shop. At a glance, it looks pretty much just like any other colt 1911. The series 70 came out in 1970 if you can believe that.

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 23, 2017 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 trigger on the 80 feels a little bit better but that pistol has 1535 rounds in it now and the 70 has 165 rounds. In 1983 colt introduced its mk iv series 80 models, which had an additional passive firing pin safety lock that did not allow the pistol to fire. The nighthawk custom colt series 70 offers several functional and aesthetic upgrades to a timeless classic. I went out and bought a 70 series colt competition to go with my 80 series colt competition pistol. Over many years, the evolution of the 1911 pistol has seen a number of transformations. Regarding the clone guns 1911 pattern pistols made by manufacturers other than colt, only paraordinance adopted colt s series 80 firing pin block system as well. The fit and finish is better than the 70 series production of previous decades. In about 1924, significant changes began to be introduced to government issued gi and commercial 1911 pistols, and today some are still made.

Iv series 80 mkiv series 70 gold cup 75th anniversary national matchcamp perry 1978. Its a major difference to 1911 fans, with many preferring the older 70 series for competition guns. Colt series 708090 firearms talk the community for. Also, some guns with the series 80 series ii safties are a little more fussy in operation.

Jan 29, 2018 in my second article on the current series 70 see. 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. I have a tough time telling the difference between the 70 and 80 series guns in terms of trigger. Comparing two recently produced, offtheshelf government models featuring the series 80 system with an original series 70 government model and the test gun with its. The 80 series, so called because it was introduced by colt in 1983, is a more modern.

Most 1911 fans dont like the series 80 series ii safties as it is one more thing that can break, and requires the gun to be disassemnled a little differently. As was noted a good gunsmith can give you an excellent trigger. 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. First the original colt 70 series not the pre 70 was introduced in 1970. Colt 1911 70 series was another collectible i\\\ve always wanted. An allnew trigger system has been installed with a match grade, solid short trigger, fully machined disconnector, sear, hammer strut, and pin. I do see a degree difference between manufacturers, however. I suppose admitting it is part of the solution, but this is a problem i. However the cry of outrage smeared the series 80 and 90 pistols and colt brought back the series 70. Mar 28, 2017 the markings between the two pistols are also obviously different, although they both sport the colt name and logo. The colt 1991 makes use of the series 80 firing mechanism, beavertail grip, spur hammer and a solid trigger. Browse all new and used colt pistols 1911 series 70 for sale and buy with confidence.

Colt made a major change to its competition pistol line of handguns, incorporating a series 70 firing system into all of the new pistol models, which previously featured the companys series 80. Series 70 vs series 80 1911addicts the premiere 1911. Colt the main difference between a series 70 vs 80. It did not take long after the 80 series hit for many to dislike it. 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. Its all a matter of individual needs and tastes, as far as im concerned.

Some guns the pin may be too short and not ush up on the button as well as it should. The series 80 is simply a 1911 thats has been installed with an internal firing pin block system. Colt 1911 govt model versus ruger sr1911, or springfield. Colt fans will argue that series 70 and 80 only apply to colt and any other manufacture claiming series 80 are really just stating it has a firing pin block and mechanism, colt clones retain many of the differences that are seen in a series 70 vs 80 colt 1911.

I am currently looking at buying a 1911 and i am obviously considering a ruger sr1911 after hearing nothing but praise about this. 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 70 government 1911 handgun shooters report. The main modifications in the new model were a slightly heavier slide and a slotted collet barrel bushing.

The slide to frame fit on both are the same as i can tell. The collet bushing was replaced with the solid bushing and the phase out was completed around 1988. That 100 year rollstamp is gonna add another hundred or so. Some claim that this addition makes for a heavier trigger pull. Should you buy or modify a series 80 or series 70 1911 pistol. Series 70 vs series 80 has no impact on my decision to purchase a particular gun. In effect, the return to the preseries 80 system at colt is a return to the series 70 style guns and earlier m1911a1s. So a 70 is gonna be at least a hundred more than an 80. 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. The series 70 is also different from the series 80 1911, which are far more popular today, as well. Colt competition pistol line now uses series 70 firing system. 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.

Nov 29, 2015 colt fans will argue that series 70 and 80 only apply to colt and any other manufacture claiming series 80 are really just stating it has a firing pin block and mechanism, colt clones retain many of the differences that are seen in a series 70 vs 80 colt 1911. It is nessessary to fill this frame gap so the sear will not wander over and lock up the sear trigger mechanism. We have taken the colt 1911 classic model and given it an overhaul. 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. All of colt s 1911 pattern pistols incorporated the new design change so even the commander and officers acp pistols became known as series 80 guns. While lawyers were in the mix to convince these newer series were safer, the improvements in safety were indeed better and did zero to the pistols functions. While it may not be technically correct, its much easier to diagnose a series 70 or series 80 issue becuase you know which parts are there, rather than simply my 1911. This question is best answered by giving the following history. 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. Developed in the year 1991, the colt 1991 resembles the original m1911 closely, which was used in the wwi.

If you want a highly modified combat 1911, then buy a series 70 or 80 and have a gunsmith that specializes in 1911 s do the work. But many years ago, colt manufactured a series of its iconic 1911s. Nighthawks new tactical ready series for competition and carry nighthawk custom is announcing a new line of doublestack 1911s for carry and competition called the tactical ready series, or trs. This was, for some, a controversial addition in the evolution of colt s 1911s that added unnecessary weight to the trigger pull. Colt 1911 and colt 70 series northwest firearms oregon. Jan 08, 2010 all of colt s 1911 pattern pistols incorporated the new design change so even the commander and officers acp pistols became known as series 80 guns. Many a keystroke has been dedicated to the differences between the colt series 70 and series 80 pistols. The biggest change in the series 80 is the firing pin block. What series 70 and series 80 really means when 1911 shopping the thing is that none of the colt 1911 designs in the officer or commander frames received the collet bushing of the series 70. It is nessessary to fill this frame gap so the sear will not wander over and lock up the sear.

I replaced the mainspring housing on the 80 series as it was plastic and with a wilson mainspring housing. The colt series 70 or mark iv series 70 as the name suggests utilizes the series 70 firing system. Colt national match pistol is this the best 1911 colt. Colts series 70 trigger put to the test series 70 vs. Anyone know if the new ruger 1911 has any of these flaws that the original 70 series had or did they improve the collet bushing, firing pin block safety, and the. Colt s series 70 trigger put to the test series 70 vs. In the 1970s, the mk iv series 70 government model superseded the standard government model.

It uses the old model sights which i believe are built in the slide. Ive since repeated my experiment see video below on sidebyside comparisons between probably half a dozen new series 70 colts and. Colt pistols 1911 series 70 for sale guns international. More places for dirt to accumulate, grease to impinge operation, parts to go wrong, general malfunctions and stoppages to. The series 80 iswas the term used to refer to a number of modifications made to the firing mechanism of the colt 1911 pistol. When referring to colt 1911 pistols, the first models that come to mind are the standardsized semiautos chambered in. As for 70 vs 80, i think people get a little carried away with it and whats right. Between 1983 and 1988, government and gold cup models of series 80 guns contained series 70 type barrels and bushings. 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 outside look of the gun most closely resembles the classic design of the m1911a1 that saw service in world war ii to vietnam. 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 pistols used the series 70 type barrel and bushing as well. Most use either colt, springer or some other custom. In effect, the return to the pre series 80 system at colt is a return to the series 70 style guns and earlier m1911a1s. May 30, 2017 the series 70 firing system does away with the triggeractivated firing pin block safety found in the 80s. Usa hellomy name is don, and i have a 1911 problem. 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 70 series differs from the 80 series model with 70 series short trigger has a much faster firing rate than the 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. The 1991 enables the shooters to own a traditional 1911 pistol that has been upgraded with some modernday features. Jul 04, 2009 imo, out of the box with no modifications, the colt gold cup trophy is a better pistol. Colt auto pistols 1911 government series 70 o frame parts list find the colt 1911 series 70 parts that youve been looking for to complete your repair project.

On top of that series 80 s triggers are not as nice as others. In 1983, colt released a new 1911 design dubbed the series 80 also named for the decade during which it was released with a few design changes. My first 1911 was a colt series 70 gold cup which was stolen from my vehicle in the late 1980s i have since had many 1911 s kimber and springfield armory. 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. Series 80 i noted that the trigger was not all it was cracked up to be my colt 1911 enthusiasts. We go over everything from the safety, bushing, and hammer in the series 70 and series 90 1911s to see which is the best for you. Featured gun classifieds colt pistols 1911 series 70 new today. It is necessary to fill this frame gap so the sear will not wander over and lock up the sear trigger mechanism. 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.

Aug 21, 2018 in the 1970s, the mk iv series 70 government model superseded the standard government model. Everything from the rollmark to the 70s series firing system. It features fixed sights, all metal frame, singleaction only trigger. Colt series 70 vs series 80, the differences may be more than you think. Series 70 vs 80, the difference is more than you think. Series 70 vs series 80 1911addicts the premiere 1911 forum. Your 80 series is every bit as good as a 70 series.