Percent of shooters will not notice a difference between the 70 and the 80 and given the added features of the xse line those finitely. Between 1983 and 1988, government and gold cup models of series 80 guns contained series 70type barrels and bushings. Series 70 vs 80, the difference is more than you think. With a variety of models to choose from, colt pistols like the colt xse government semi auto pistols meet the needs and exceeds the highest expectations of the most demanding customers.
Most will draw the difference between the two based on the series 80 firing pin safety on the xse vs the lack of a firing pin safety on the series 70. 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. Working on my colt xse series 80, it sure looks like the firing pin plunger spring is the source of about 1. 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. Sep 28, 2017 the defining characteristic of an actual series 70 is the collet bushing, which is only offered by colt on the colt series 70 pistol that they sell right now.
Many a keystroke has been dedicated to the differences between the colt series 70 and series 80 pistols. Series 80 refers to the series 80 firing pin safety, which is on other colts as well. Colt refused to use since colt said the swartz system was unreliable. Its possible for a series 70 to fire on its when dropped or thrown against a solid surface, but the firing pin block on the series 80 prevents. The series 70 made a comeback in 2002 in the new retro line named the mk ivseries 70 government model. The main modifications in the new model were a slightly heavier slide and a slotted collet barrel bushing. In 1992 colt introduced the enhanced government models which included new features such as a flattop slide, angled rear slide serrations, scalloped ejection port, combat style hammer, beaver tail grip safety, relief cut under trigger guard and long trigger. The colt is a series 80 that individuals complain about. The defining characteristic of an actual series 70 is the collet bushing, which is only offered by colt on the colt series 70 pistol that they sell right. The series 70 made a comeback in 2002 in the new retro line named the mk iv series 70 government model. Colts xse commander lives up to its legacy officer.
M1911 pistol series internet movie firearms database guns in. Which is the better gun to buy for long term the xse or series 70. The 1991, defender, gold cup, and xse all have the series 80 which simply adds a firing pin stop and the supporting components for it. Colt series 708090 firearms talk the community for. The xse series line is standout among colt handguns for sale. I think colt went to the beavertail grip safety on these in about 2010. The gold cup, mkiv series 80, m1991a1, and xse series have all included commander and lightweight commander models.
So if there arent any around now, you just have to wait and then they will appear all over the place. Yes, this handgun does have a trigger safety of the series 80 legacy. The m1911, also known as the colt government or government, is a singleaction. The foundation for these pistols is a forged receiver a forged steel slide a forged stainless steel barrel and a forged steel slide stop. The colt upswept beavertail grip safety with palm swell. 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. Models in stock include delta elite, gold cup, national match, combat and lightweight commanders, xse series and 1991a1 government models, 1911s from the colt custom shop, plus many limited edition and talo exclusive models. 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. New wilson combat extractor 1911 45 acp series 70, 80 blue bullet proof. Jan 08, 2010 my government series 80 has a trigger that needs no work.
I made the mistake years ago to keep my ruger redhawk and sell my colt anaconda. Colt talo lightweight commander series 70 vs series 80 the. Even on the new colt 70 series they use titanium firing pins. The new colt series 80 also incorporated the new barrel bushing of the series 70, while being more reminiscent of the original m1911 by having a long trigger and flat mainspring housing. Customized series 80 model with 2tone finish, bomar sights, ambi safety and checkered grip frame and trigger guard. View all versions of the colt xse government gun genius. Colt talo lightweight commander series 70 vs series 80. Aug 26, 2016 the new colt series 80 also incorporated the new barrel bushing of the series 70, while being more reminiscent of the original m1911 by having a long trigger and flat mainspring housing. As is common with all new colt 1911s except for the hardtofind series 70, this pistol has the series 80 firing pin safety feature, with a plunger that blocks the firing pin until pulling the trigger moves it out of the way. By 2009 when the xse lw commander in 38 super in the middle was made colt had changed the size of the levers on the ambi thumb safety but was still using the duckbill grip safety. 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 ww1, gunsite, and series 70 pistols will be series 70 no firing pin safety and the defender is a series 90 a series 80, as far as you need to be concerned, and the rest are series 80.
The colt oem series offers a nocompromise solution for consumers and dealers to build and offer customized rifles based on the proven colt m4 platform. When i went looking for a new 1911 a few years back, i thought about getting a new series 70 but liked the feel of the enhanced features of the 01880 xse model just a little bit better. Colt makes their own 8 round magazines which they include with their series 80 xse models. 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. Jan 30, 2014 with the series 80, xse and 1991a1 standard variationsnot to mention the gold cup and world war one retro pistolscolt had the bases covered. But there was still a strong demand for a series 70 gun and other makers were getting these sales. Aug 15, 2011 most will draw the difference between the two based on the series 80 firing pin safety on the xse vs the lack of a firing pin safety on the series 70. Also picked up a model 01991 for a range gun couldnt resist the 100 years of service inscription on the slide. In effect, the return to the preseries 80 system at colt is a return to the series 70 style guns and earlier m1911a1s. Lastly, a solid barrel bushing was used instead of the delicate series 70 colletstyle bushing.
You may have heard about the series 80 1911 pistols, and heard people. Handguards, buttstock, trigger guard, magazine, and rear sight have been omitted completely. Colt 1911 series 70 blued competition 9mm currently out of stock. The mkiv series 70 government model colts were available in blue or nickel plate and were. Sell your colt 1911 series 70 for free today on gunsamerica. Then the series 80 was introduced while the 70 was built in the custom shop. Xse government colt pistols have long represented the gold standard in magazinefed semiautomatic handguns. Colt mark iv series 80 combat commander 9mm 4 14 inch satin nickel finish. 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. In concept, this is something like the glock firing pin safety. I think that around 2010ish, colt offered the series 80 xse lightweight commander in.
Colt officers acp mk4 series 80 novak night sights. Like new in box available for purchase at our online store in 1970, colt introduced the allsteel colt combat c. The aftermarket began using the terms series 70 and series 80 to identify. Colt xse series 80 1911addicts the premiere 1911 forum for. Between 1983 and 1988, government and gold cup models of series 80 guns contained series 70 type barrels and bushings. Find the xse in enhanced government and commander models within our section of. Several companies have developed a firing pin block. Apr 05, 2011 or all enhanced xse models at once, later the base 70 and 80 type.
A grip safety, sear disconnect, slide stop, a half cock position, and manual safety located on the left rear of the frame are on all standard m1911a1s. Colt commander 45 apc series 70 vs 80 series thearmory. Colt defense o1880xseod government 45 acp 5 series 80 od green. Colt pistols 1911 series 80 for sale guns international. The evolution and development of the colt commander sight.
Front and rear slide serrations come standard along with novak sights. The colt xse lightweight series features everything that top shooters demand in a pistol. This line shares front and rear serrations and an elongated hammer slot. The combat elite has the series 80 mechanical firing pin safety for drop protection and the e series have a titanium firing pin for drop protection and a lot of people would call them series 70 type pistols, although the pre 80 series colts had steel firing pins.
In this video i describe some of the features of the colt xse, field strip and shoot at the end. Nov 26, 2015 working on my colt xse series 80, it sure looks like the firing pin plunger spring is the source of about 1. Yes, these days an unmolested pre 80 series commander will be pricey. Strange in this day and age, but thats what happens at that company called colt. Good shape overall with some light scratches mainly around slide stop. Colts quality continues to be derived from its forged steel receiver, forged steel slide, forged stainless steel barrel, and forged. The official colt frequently asked questions faq thread.
With the series 80, xse and 1991a1 standard variationsnot to mention the gold cup and world war one retro pistolscolt had the bases covered. Or all enhanced xse models at once, later the base 70 and 80 type. The series 70 pin top one is the same as the series 80 bottom one. The colt xse series, which include the government, commander, and. I call bunk on this claim that the fp safety on the series 80 is in some wayshape or form detrimental to the design function of the pistol. Not everyone liked the xse as it meant such things as the aluminum trigger adjustable, the different hammer, the front slide serration not on the gc, the ambi. It also had large paddles on the ambi thumb safeties which some holsters would flip off. Nicholas oetken perhaps the most iconic handgun of all time is the colt m1911a semiautomatic. Colt xse series 80 1911addicts the premiere 1911 forum. Colt defense o1880xseod government 45 acp 5 series 80 od.
The front and rear sights were also made larger than what was found on the mk iv series 80 guns. The colt xse govenment model is a full size 1911 featuring a host of semicustom upgrades including a beavertail grip safety, front and rear slide serations, ambidextrous thumb safety, fixed white dot combat sights, double diamond rosewood grips, crossdrilled three hole aluminum trigger, new roll markings, and an enhanced skelleton hammer. In the 1970s, the mk iv series 70 government model superseded the standard government model. Colt reintroduces the series 70 this is a standard 1991a1 with lance larson katana grips. Colt series 70 the new ones northwest firearms oregon. Colt pistols commander for sale guns international. Let oak hill guns help you find the best firearm that matches your skill and interest. Find the xse in enhanced government and commander models within our section of colt handguns for sale.
The series 70 is also different from the series 80 1911, which are far more popular today, as well. In 1999 colt released the xse series model o pistols. The fit and finish is better than the 70 series production of previous decades. In 1983 the series 80 models were introduced with an additional passive firing pin safety. Series 80 trigger pull 1911style pistols brian enoss. I replaced the mainspring housing on the 80 series as it was plastic and with a wilson mainspring housing. Colt pistols are a pinnacle in magazinefed, semiautomatic handguns. The series 80 was a monstrous success on both the commercial and militarylaw enforcement markets and promptly replaced the series 70. Colt pistols are renowned for their comfort, accuracy, and power. I call bunk on this claim that the fp safety on the series 80 is in some wayshapeorform detrimental to the design function of the pistol.
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