Colt series 70 vs 80 differences

However, i do prefer the solid series 80 bushing to the collet barrel bushing of the original series 70. Over the years a number of changes have been made to. Its a major difference to 1911 fans, with many preferring the older 70 series for competition guns. Colt series 70 vs series 80, the differences may be more than you think. Jan 10, 2019 many a keystroke has been dedicated to the differences between the colt series 70 and series 80 pistols. While we already know that not all 1911s are the same, there are a few differences that stand out. 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.

Ive since repeated my experiment see video below on sidebyside comparisons between probably half a dozen new series 70 colts and. Colt series 708090 firearms talk the community for. The series 70 made a comeback in 2002 in the new retro line named the mk ivseries 70 government model. My government series 80 has a trigger that needs no work. The series 70 is also different from the series 80 1911, which are far more popular today, as well. 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. Colt competition pistol line now uses series 70 firing. By describing non colt 1911 handguns as series 70 or 80, it makes it easier to.

Here is my writeup on series 70 vs series 80 1911s, specifically colts. I cannot find any information as to the date of production or number manufactured. The main modifications in the new model were a slightly heavier slide and a slotted collet barrel bushing. In the years since the series 80s were introduced, it has come to mean for many anyway that the term series 70 refers to a lack of the firing pin block safety system, that is incorrect. Colt competition pistol line now uses series 70 firing system. 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. Jan 29, 2018 in my second article on the current series 70 see. 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. 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 90 pistols with the firing pin safety are cheaper than 70 series and original government models from the same manufacturer without the addons.

Apr 05, 2011 that does not make it a bad gun just not exactly an authentic 70 repro, and it cheapens the name and the best way to think of the repros is that they are simply the same as current 80 type colt government models but without the firing pin safety system which was in fact not at all unique to the series 70 all 1911s were that way since the. Colt mk iv, series 70 serial number 70 s i have recently inherited a great colt 38 super, mk iv series 70 with a serial number 70 s 31xxx. Colt series 70 government 1911 handgun shooters report. As stated above changing a 80 series to a 70 series isnt a big deal if you really feel the need. It uses the old model sights which i believe are built in the slide. Posts about series 70 vs series 80 written by rdoug. Difference between the colt 1911 series 70 vs series 80 youtube. Alien gear holsters sam hoober lays out the differences, positives and negatives of the series 70 vs series 80 1911 pistol designs.

Series 70 vs series 80 1911addicts the premiere 1911 forum. This retainer stud holds the firing pin lock plunger in place on series 80 slides. Series 80 i noted that the trigger was not all it was cracked up to be my colt 1911 enthusiasts. 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. Mar 28, 2017 the markings between the two pistols are also obviously different, although they both sport the colt name and logo. We go over them in this articles to help you decide which one. Previously, they were outfitted with series 80 firing systems. Should you buy or modify a series 80 or series 70 1911 pistol.

Feb 25, 2009 the biggest difference is the firing pin safety. Colt s 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. I handle my 70 series pistols very, very carefully. Last week i traded for a new colt government model. I just opened up the box and looked at the owners manual. 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. I much prefer the threedot sights colt uses on the current series 80. 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. Do some reading before you go buy a trigger as there are some differences even within the same manufacturer. Between 1983 and 1988, government and gold cup models of series 80 guns contained series 70 type barrels and bushings. The difference between series 70 and series 80 extractors is a plunger retainer stud machined into the series 80 extractor.

Between 1983 and 1988, government and gold cup models of series 80 guns contained series. This is an intriguing change, one that should hit the mark with traditionalists and shooters who are after the snappiest trigger pull possible. My prized colt is a 80 series built by paul liebenberg when he ran pachmayr gun works. The only mechanical difference between a real original mk iv series 70 colt and a 1969 government model was the accurizor collet bushing. I go over many differences between not only the different series, but also the older guns versus the newer ones, because a large portion of series 70 colts were made in the 1970s. Its a reproduction of the prewar ii government model. 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. Should you buy or modify a series 80 or series 70 1911. In that article i explained how the series 70 came about, how the series 70 firing system differs from the series 80 system used in colt m1911 pistols since 1983, and why colt reintroduced the series 70 in limited runs beginning in 2001. What is the difference between a 45 automatic and a 45 colt. Iv series 70 a current version from colts custom shop. Ever wonder what the difference is between a series 70 vs a series 80. There were cosmetic differences in the roll marks, sandblasted walnut grips, and plated trigger, but the roll marks were reduced in size and checkered grips and blue trigger were reinstated partway through the production run. Colts manufacturing company firearms, handguns, pistols, rifles, revolvers.

A little info on the series 70 vs series 80s, dwessonman. The series 80 iswas the term used to refer to a number of modifications made to the firing mechanism of the colt 1911 pistol. The 80 series, so called because it was introduced by colt in 1983, is a more modern. Series 70 vs series 80 has no impact on my decision to purchase a particular gun. I have several of both series, appreciate the differences, and all work fine for me for safety and for trigger press without modifications. A look at the colt mk iv series 70, then you know that the originals differed from the original in more than just the trigger. This is a video to explain the differences in the different series pistols and how some of the terms have changed over time.

A few people might have noticed some 1911s are labeled series 70 and some are series 80, and wonder just what the difference is. In the years since the series 80s were introduced, it has come to mean for many anyway that the term series 70 refers to a lack of the firing pin block. Series 70 and series 80 are both trademark names owned by colt, so technically they are the only company that can really use the terms. The differences between the two are not insignificant nut it is. Since i dont have an s80 grip safety laying around, i cant compare the differences. Many say it doesnt make a difference, and i suppose it doesnt. Colts series 70 trigger put to the test series 70 vs. 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. Sep 16, 2015 on monday i posted an initial look at the colt mk.

The new colt series 70 government ships with two 7round magazines just like when starsky and hutch was on tv. The series 70 made a comeback in 2002 in the new retro line named the mk iv series 70 government model. All the models in the colt competition pistol line will now be outfitted with series 70 firing systems. If you read my previous blog article on the new mk iv series 70 see. First, you need to understand that the moniker series 70, originally had nothing to do with a firing pin block safety. Colt pistols 1911 series 70 for sale guns international. The colt is a series 80 that individuals complain about. The fit and finish is better than the 70 series production of previous decades. 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. Its been appropriated to mean a more generic difference in designs.

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. I replaced the mainspring housing on the 80 series as it was plastic and with a wilson mainspring housing. Colt 1911 70 series was another collectible i\\\ve always wanted. This information only applies to colt pistols and not other 1911 makers. Brand new in hard case available for purchase at our online store the stainless. Series 8090 pistols with the firing pin safety are cheaper than 70series and original government models from the same manufacturer without the addons.

If you gush over the latest plastic fantastic and fail to recognize the usefulness of 1911s youre missing out. It was one of those things that looked good on paper, but didnt stand up to the real world terribly well. So why is it better than the original series 70s ive owned over the years. Not only are they useful, but theyre also not all the same surprise. May 30, 2017 all the models in the colt competition pistol line will now be outfitted with series 70 firing systems.

Series 70 vs series 80 1911addicts the premiere 1911. That does not make it a bad gun just not exactly an authentic 70 repro, and it cheapens the name and the best way to think of the repros is that they are simply the same as current 80type colt government models but without the firing pin safety system which was in fact not at all unique to the series 70 all 1911s were that way since the. Colt series 70 the new ones northwest firearms oregon. 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. When tracking the lineage of handgun development, the. In effect, the return to the preseries 80 system at colt is a return to the series 70 style guns and earlier m1911a1s. Aug 05, 2015 last week i traded for a new colt government model. The original run from 1970 to 1983 also included a fingered collet bushing over a barrel with a widened muzzle end. The series 80 is simply a 1911 thats has been installed with an internal firing pin block system. Series 70 vs 80, the difference is more than you think. This question is best answered by giving the following history. When i discovered it wasnt true to what i used in the service i decided i didnt like it and sold the gun. Aug 21, 2018 in the 1970s, the mk iv series 70 government model superseded the standard government model. 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.

I looked up as much as i could find on the ol interwebs, and heard that series 80 grip safeties can be used on series 70 pistols, but not the other way around. Many a keystroke has been dedicated to the differences between the colt series 70 and series 80 pistols. To be perfectly honest, i have no idea how tell the difference in series 70 from any other series. Sep 28, 2017 a few people might have noticed some 1911s are labeled series 70 and some are series 80, and wonder just what the difference is. Over the years a number of changes have been made to the 1911 platform. The 70 series differs from the 80 series model with 70 series short trigger has a much faster firing rate than the 80 series. As for 70 vs 80, i think people get a little carried away with it and whats right. Colt currently offers both series 70 and series 80 pistols.