The series 70 made a comeback in 2002 in the new retro line named the mk ivseries 70 government model. The legacy of the colt government model is well known. If youre a competitive shooter, the iconic colt gold cup needs no introduction. Colt recently upgraded its popular colt competition pistol line. First was the addition of a triggeractuated firing pin block. Sep 16, 2015 on monday i posted an initial look at the colt mk. It is nessessary to fill this frame gap so the sear will not wander over and lock up the sear trigger mechanism. 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. 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.
A true competition 1911 thats ready for the battle against the timer. Why does my colt gold cup trophy have a series 80 firing system. A standard safety lock, standard grip safety and spur hammer complete this authentic throwback to colt semiautomatics of days gone by. Aug 04, 2017 colt recently upgraded its popular colt competition pistol line. Colts series 70 pistol features the series 70 firing system, making it a faithful reproduction and throwback to colt government models manufactured during the 1970s.
S70 government 45acp spec sheet colts manufacturing company. 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. Available for immediate purchase at our online store legendary colt 1911. Lots of people feel the 80s series is basically just a lawyer lock. 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. When you look for parts and the maker says 70 series or 80 series, they are talking about the presence or absence of the firing pin block. The outside look of the gun most closely resembles the classic design of the m1911a1 that saw service in world war ii to vietnam. A national matchr barrel and novak adjustable fiber optic sights help with precision shooting.
S70 government 45acp spec sheet colts manufacturing. Colt introduces new gold cup trophy pistol with series 70. An allnew trigger system has been installed with a match grade, solid short trigger, fully machined disconnector, sear, hammer strut, and pin. This model instituted a big change to the 1911 design. The dual recoil spring system reduces felt recoil while extending recoil spring life. So, if you notice a compact 1911 thats billed as series 70 it actually isnt. There were no firing pin safety parts in any of the pistols built in the 50s and 60s. Series 70 firing system ensures a clean crisp trigger pull. The fp safety keeps the firing pin fron contacting the primer for a possible ad when the pistol is dropped, muzzle down, on a hard surface. Firing pin block safety the colt series 80, introduced in 1983, was formally known as the colt mk iv series 80 line of pistols. This pistol features the legendary series 70 firing system, making it a faithful reproduction to government models manufactured prior to world war ii. Apr 14, 2017 available in 45 acp and 9mm, colts new gold cup trophy features competition ergonomics, 25 lpi checkering, series 70 firing system and more. If you gush over the latest plastic fantastic and fail to recognize the usefulness of 1911s youre missing out.
Jan 29, 2018 on monday i posted an initial look at the colt mk. Imho, the fp safety should not be a reason to buynot buy a particular colt model. Jan 17, 2017 check out the newly updated colt gold cup trophy now with series 70 firing system, checkering and magazine funnel. The problem with the 1911 and the drop safety was that the. I want to buy this model colt firearm but prefer the series 70 over the series 80 trigger system. What colt is giving you with the new mk iv series 70 is in fact a series 80 pistol with series 80 trigger system parts, only without the actual firing pin block. This was, for some, a controversial addition in the evolution of colts 1911s that added unnecessary weight to the trigger pull. Does this firing pin safety system of the series 80 1911 have a. No manufacturers aside from colt ever adopted the series 70 barrelbushing arrangement, so technically there are no series 70 clone guns. A look at the colt series 70 pistol the shooters log.
Dual recoil spring system reduces felt recoil while extending recoil spring life. As walkalong says, the series 70 firing system is no different from what the gun came out with in 1911. Colts 1911 competition pistol features custom g10 blue grips with a scallop texture and the colt logo, dual recoil spring system, and national match barrel. Out of concerns for product liability, all of colts 1911type pistols were redesigned internally with a new firing pin safety system. 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. Its all a matter of individual needs and tastes, as far as im concerned. This system featured an arrangement of internal levers and a plunger designed to ensure the firing pin was blocked until the trigger was pulled. National match barrel and novak adjustable fiber optic sights for precision shooting. Or would it be better to just save your nickels and dimes and buy a model that doesnt include the firing pin safety system. May 30, 2017 the series 70 firing system does away with the triggeractivated firing pin block safety found in the 80s. Do not be confused by colt s experimental use of the schwartz safety system. Nov 29, 2015 series 80 on left, series 70 collet on right. It has the firing pin safety and no more collet bushing. O1970a1cs colt s series 70 pistol features the series 70 firing system, making it a faithful reproduction and throwback to colt government models manufactured during the 1970s.
Colt series 70 government 1911 classic for sale new. The series 70 firing system ensures a clean crisp trigger pull. All models, which were originally offered with colts series 80 firing system, will now feature colts series 70 firing system. This pistol also features an arched steel mainspring housing and a short steel trigger. Check out the newly updated colt gold cup trophy now with series 70 firing system, checkering and magazine funnel. The original firing system without the passive firing pin block, and called by colt the series 70 system, was not available in the colt competition. The colt series 80, introduced in 1983, was formally known as the colt mk iv series 80 line of pistols. As a result, the series 70 has a shorter trigger, arched mainspring housing, a standard grip and thumb. It is a rugged and dependable colt that features high maintainability and sustains repeatable accuracy. Today series 70 means the ww1 and wwii system without the firing pin block added in the series 80 and without the special bushing which tended to break. Colt s series 70 pistol features the series 70 firing system, making it a faithful reproduction and throwback to colt government models manufactured during the 1970s. Colt did reintroduce the series 70 pistol in 2001 and in 2002 introduced a stainless steel version, now original series 70 colts were never built. Specifically, colt introduced a new colt series 70 that solves this problem neatly by using a stronger firing pin.
Dont drink the kool aid about them this was the out cry of the traditional series 70 crowd in the early days of internet who were just in shock that colt would mess with the classic series 70 1911 govt. The series 70 firing system does away with the triggeractivated firing pin block safety found in the 80s. I do see a degree difference between manufacturers, however. 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. Whats meant by that is the pistol lacks the firing pin block. Original series 70 firing system closer to original 1911 pistol blue finish. Colt solved these problems with a firing pin block that keeps the firing pin locked in place until the firing pin is completely pressed to the rear. They have been offered with the series 80 firing pin safety so you have the option of preseries 70 no firing pin safety or series 80. The series 70 firing systems made their way back into colt s catalog earlier this decade with a bit of elegant engineering to ensure they were drop safe. Extra parts common to gold cup with steel trigger in both series 70 and 80 2. Series 70 vs 80, the difference is more than you think. Colt s 1911 competition pistol features custom g10 blue grips with a scallop texture and the colt logo, dual recoil spring system, and national match barrel. The biggest change in the series 80 is the firing pin block.
The colt gold cup mk iv series 70 national match is hard to beat. Should you buy or modify a series 80 or series 70 1911 pistol. Todays series 70 government is as close as you get to a real gi pistol, but with better fitment. It had a couple changes from the ones built in the 50s60s. 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. The series 70 primary difference is the lack of a firing pin block. Colt eventually changed the collet bushing, and the series 70 pistol became. 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. Should you buy or modify a series 80 or series 70 1911. I have a tough time telling the difference between the 70 and 80 series guns in terms of trigger. Upswept beavertail gri for sale by blue robin guns on gunsamerica. Over the years a number of changes have been made to the 1911 platform. 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. From the battlefields of normandy, to the jungles of vietnam, this combat proven firearm has tirelessly served our armed forces for more than a century.
The black army model also has the series 70 firing system, which omits the firing pin block. The collet bushing was replaced with the solid bushing and the phase out was completed around 1988. The 80 series started in the 80s and continues to be built. By describing non colt 1911 handguns as series 70 or 80. The thing is that none of the colt 1911 designs in the officer or commander frames received the collet bushing of the series 70. Iv series 70 a current version from colts custom shop. Colt series 708090 firearms talk the community for. Aug 07, 2018 in fact, colt s competition series of guns dont have the series 80 firing system but their government model formerly called the 1991 do, so that tells you something. This pistol features the legendary series 70 firing system, making it a faithful reproduction of government models manufactured prior to world war ii. The series 70 firing system has long been associated with colts heritage as a top manufacturer of competitiongrade firearms, says product manager mark redl.
Colt competition pistol line now uses series 70 firing. Colt no longer manufactures 1911s with the swartz safety. Dual recoil spring system reduces felt recoil while. The nighthawk custom colt series 70 offers several functional and aesthetic upgrades to a timeless classic. The colt competition pistol line will now come outfitted with series 70 firing systems, making the trigger pull that much snappier. This removes from the triggerfeel equation the internal movement that disengages the firing pin block.
We have taken the colt 1911 classic model and given it an overhaul. In this regard, the series 70 is regarded by some fans of the 1911 as the original 1911 firing system, and is why it is still in production. Colt 1911 70 series was another collectible i\\\ve always wanted. Colt 1911 government series 70 competition 45acp pistol. Colt series 70 pistol this pistol features the legendary series 70 firing system, making it a faithful reproduction to government models manufactured prior to world war ii. 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. That has changed, and now shooters who want the original 1911 firing system can get it in the competition 1911 chambered in. The 70 series differs from the 80 series model with 70 series short trigger has a much faster firing rate than the 80 series. The key was the use of a lighter firing pin and stouter firing pin spring.
Mar 28, 2017 furthermore, with more parts in the gun, there is also a slightly greater possibility for the series 80 to have a breakage than the series 70. Series 70 is in this context just refers to the original gi system, without the series 80 firing pin safety. The official colt frequently asked questions faq thread. Additionally, colt revised the hammer so it had a halfcock shelf, rather than. Eventually the use of series 70 to identify any 1911 without a firing pin. Please tell me everything you can so the gunsmith can help you best. 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.
Internet usage has mutated the language so that the colt trademark for the bushing has been taken to mean anything that looks like a 1911 without a firing pin block. The shorterbarreled colt commander model kept the solid bushing design, so it never had a series 70 designation. More important to our discussion of the series 70 guns, the firing pin system was exactly the same one used since 1911. Not only are they useful, but theyre also not all the same surprise. Some claim that this addition makes for a heavier trigger pull.
In fact, colts competition series of guns dont have the series 80 firing system but their government model formerly called the 1991 do, so that tells you something. Colt competition government model with series 70 trigger. It uses the old model sights which i believe are built in the slide. The theory behind that was to improve accuracy with a tighter fit barrel bushing to the barrels muzzle without having to hand fit a standard solid barrel bushing. A tribute to the revered commercial government model pistols of the past the 1911 classic features the. Colts series 70 trigger put to the test series 70 vs. When the series 70 came out, there was a special bushing to make the pistol slightly more accurate.
Available in 45 acp and 9mm, colts new gold cup trophy features competition ergonomics, 25 lpi checkering, series 70 firing system and more. Now, the connecticutbased gun maker is taking things to the next level with the gold cup trophy. To do this, under our username click, add favorite seller. In 1970 colt changed a few things on their government model five inch barrel denoting it as series 70 by adding a collet barrel bushing and accursizer barrel. The colt series 70 or mark iv series 70 as the name suggests utilizes the series 70 firing system. The original firing system without the passive firing pin block, and called by colt the series 70 system, was not available in the colt competition pistol line until recently. Instead of being a solid piece, it had a few fingers on it. Colts series 70 pistol features the series 70 firing system, making it a faithful reproduction and throwback to colt government models manufactured during the.
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