Annihilator
Emissary
Good article on one if the the best mass produced 1911 pistol in its day, the Colt Series 70, yea, bias here, Colt fan....
colt-series-70
colt-series-70
Throwback Thursday: A Look at the Colt Series 70
- Thread starter Annihilator
- Start date
Snake45
Professional
Explain, please.
Grayfox
Professional
The 1911 is my favorite semi-auto pistol. I have a bunch of 'em. 
The Series 70 is my favorite Colt. I have several of those as well. I own pre-70, 70 Series and 80 Series Colt 1911s. All are great guns.
Many people complained about the trigger pull on the Series 80 guns. Frankly, I've never noticed any difference. They feel fine to me.
Here's an old picture. I've added a few more since this was taken.
The Series 70 is my favorite Colt. I have several of those as well. I own pre-70, 70 Series and 80 Series Colt 1911s. All are great guns.
Many people complained about the trigger pull on the Series 80 guns. Frankly, I've never noticed any difference. They feel fine to me.
Here's an old picture. I've added a few more since this was taken.
Sld1959
Ronin
Explain, please.
1911 Series 70 vs Series 80. Does it Even Matter?
There are quite a few differences between a 1911 Series 70 and a Series 80. Here are the details of the design changes.
Snake45
Professional
I know all that. I'm asking how he can have a "Series 70" if he doesn't have a Colt, since "Series 70" is Colt nomenclature.1911 Series 70 vs Series 80. Does it Even Matter?
There are quite a few differences between a 1911 Series 70 and a Series 80. Here are the details of the design changes.gunmagwarehouse.com
Snake45
Professional
Do your Series 70 guns still have the collet bushings? If so, have they ever given you any trouble?The 1911 is my favorite semi-auto pistol. I have a bunch of 'em.
The Series 70 is my favorite Colt. I have several of those as well. I own pre-70, 70 Series and 80 Series Colt 1911s. All are great guns.
Many people complained about the trigger pull on the Series 80 guns. Frankly, I've never noticed any difference. They feel fine to me.
Here's an old picture. I've added a few more since this was taken.
I've had a genuine Colt Mark IV Series 70 barrel and collet bushing in one of my homebuilt guns for decades, but truth to tell, I haven't shot it all that much.
Grayfox
Professional
Many companies make 1911s. Some use the 70 Series pattern and some use the 80 Series. One can easily own a 70 Series clone without it being and actual Colt.
Two of my guns have the collet bushing. As near as I can tell, the troublesome ones weren't properly fitted at the factory which led to breakage. Mine have never given me any trouble.
Annihilator
Emissary
I think Colt used the collet bushing from 1970-1989.
Sld1959
Ronin
It is in general use as Series 70 design. Yes it was originally named by colt but it has become common design usage for quite a while now.
Snake45
Professional
Yes, and that's what I object to. Nobody referred to generic 1911s as "Series 70" until the "Series 80" guns came along. They were just 1911s, that's all. IMHO, it's kinda silly to refer to a WWII M1911A1, or a generic clone built to the same specs, as a "Series 70."
Sld1959
Ronin
Object to it all you want, I object to revolvers being called pistols as they are not. A pistol has an integral chamber to the barrel snd a revolver six rotatibg chambers. But, it is commonly used nowadays just like Series 70. Like myself it's something you are going to have to get used to. We all have our little pet peeves lol.Yes, and that's what I object to. Nobody referred to generic 1911s as "Series 70" until the "Series 80" guns came along. They were just 1911s, that's all. IMHO, it's kinda silly to refer to a WWII M1911A1, or a generic clone built to the same specs, as a "Series 70."
Grayfox
Professional
Actually, A WW II pistol would technically be a pre-70. More often referred to simply as a 1911A1.IMHO, it's kinda silly to refer to a WWII M1911A1, or a generic clone built to the same specs, as a "Series 70."
And it does indeed make a difference to some buyers if a 1911 clone is based on the Series 70 or Series 80 design. Both designations have become common usage terms.
HayesGreener
Ronin
I have a Colt Gold Cup National Match and a Colt Commander of that generation. They are the real deal and fun to shoot. I think the Gold Cup is the most accurate pistol I own.
My Mk IV Series 70 Government from 1978 had the collet bushing. Very accurate and never a minutes trouble with the bushing. Supposedly they could break one of the fingers off but I never saw a broken one myself. I suppose it may have been an issue if you shot thousands of rounds thru one but for most people there will never be an issue.
I see new 1911's described as series 70 type but since the collet bushing was a big part of the Colt Series 70 change I think a better description would be non-firing pin safety type. But that wouldn't sound as safe and the attorneys would probably nix it.
I see new 1911's described as series 70 type but since the collet bushing was a big part of the Colt Series 70 change I think a better description would be non-firing pin safety type. But that wouldn't sound as safe and the attorneys would probably nix it.
Pitdogg2
Professional
Original Kimber .45acp from Clackamas OregonExplain, please.
Kimber Rapide 10mm
Both series 70 design meaning no firing pin block plunger. For me in my family no one referred to 1911's being series 70 or 80 until the firing block design came along, whether they had a solid bushing or the collet bushing. Yes I can definitely tell the difference in trigger pull between the series 70 and the series 80 design. Even well made series 80 designs have a sponginess to the trigger pull, the good series 70 triggers break like glass.
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