1911 series 70 type firing system

Dec 14, 2018 the colt gold cup is a legendary handgun, even an icon, and well worth its price. Its regarded as being the original firing system of the 1911, and 70 models also tend to have a lighter trigger system than 80 models. Jul 18, 2011 in this video we take a look at the swartz firing pin safety system that was introduced in 1937. The series 70 firing system does away with the triggeractivated firing pin block safety found in the 80s. Among the less expensive makers, springfield 1911s lack this as well, although they do include an inte. The series 80 firing pin safety is actuated by pressing the trigger. This 45 acp model has a brushed stainless steel metal finish and a 70 series firing pin system. As again, the series 70 is the designator for a full size government model 1911 made by colt only. Series 1 and series ii, both with internal extractors. It has the firing pin safety and no more collet bushing. Paraordnance, sig, auto ordnance, remington, and taurus have adopted colts series 80 or a similar firing pin block system as well. Most highend pistol makers ed brown, wilson, dan wesson only make 1911s without a firing pin block. Colt competition pistol line now uses series 70 firing.

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. Colt competition 1911 series 70 government model semiauto. Recoil spring selection tips from wilson combat catalog. Colts 1911 competition pistol features custom g10 blue grips with a scallop design, dual recoil spring system, a national match barrel.

Lets take a closer look at the colt series 70 and how it performs compared to. Jan 29, 2018 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. 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. Kimbers series ii system, based off the the old colt swartz system was used in their series ii pistols starting about 2002 i think. The legacy of the colt government model is well known.

May 30, 2017 the series 70 firing system does away with the triggeractivated firing pin block safety found in the 80s. It is nessessary to fill this frame gap so the sear will not wander over and lock up the sear trigger mechanism. Initially the 1911 had a half cock feature that incorporated hooks on the hammer. Colts newlyreintroduced series 70 government model. Ever since the designs military acceptance in march of 1911, and the beginning of production in january of 1912 colt has never ceased manufacturing pistols based off the original. Springfield armory takes care of those upgrades for you with our loaded series of 1911 pistols. What firearm manufacturers other than colt make a 1911.

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. This is a commonly debated subject my opinion is series 70 is a. Colt 1911 38 super 1 of 250 talo limited run stainless slide blue frame series 70 colt talo 1911 in 38 super with stainless steel slide, blued frame, 3 dot sights, national match barrel, series 70 firing system and a limited edition of 250 pistols. Series 70 vs 80, the difference is more than you think. From my knowledge the only parts that are not standard parts as most 1911s are the external safety and the slide itself which is sigs design. 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 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. 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. This model has a blued carbon steel metal finish and a 70 series firing pin system. It comes with two magazines and spare sight fibers. Series 70 guns, the firing pin system was exactly the same one used since 1911. Thats right, i said there is no such thing as a series 70 firing pin. I understand they are series 70 guns and thus do not have a firing pin block safety.

What the hell is the difference between series 70 and 80 1911s. 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. Then next major design came in 1983 with the colt mark iv series 80. Colt did reintroduce the series 70 pistol in 2001 and in 2002 introduced a.

The colt competition 1911 series 70 government model is the series which features the legendary series 70 firing system ensuring that this particular 1911 is a faithful reproduction of government models manufactured prior to wwii. If you are looking for one of the most accurate handguns in the world, and a pistol steeped in history, this is the one. On this model, colt added a safety feature in the form of a firing pin block system that made it impossible for the weapon to. By the same token, many safety conscious individuals would not touch a series 70 because 1911s with unsecured firing pins discharging when dropped due to inertia is not urban myth. The colt series 80, introduced in 1983, was formally known as the colt mk iv series 80 line of pistols. Many 1911 purists will not touch a series 80 due to the slightly enhanced trigger performance that the series 70 colt provides.

Colts series 70 trigger put to the test series 70 vs. After 100 years of refining the venerable 1911, the loaded pistols offer a reasonably priced, fullfeatured 1911 thats ready to perform right out of the box. The colt gold cup is a legendary handgun, even an icon, and well worth its price. Safties, the series 1s are based on the colt series 70 style with no firing pin safety. In 1991 colt revamped their 1911 line by turning the basic government model into a. Colts newlyreintroduced series 70 government model colts patent firearms mfg. From my knowledge the only parts that are not standard parts as most 1911 s are the external safety and the slide itself which is sigs design. 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. Regarding the clone guns 1911 pattern pistols made by manufacturers other than colt, only paraordinance adopted colts series 80 firing pin block system as well. I am writing about safety concerns surrounding carrying an springfield armory 1911. Series ii, grip safety not pressed in active you can see the pin inside the frame. Similar to the transfer bar safety common to doubleaction revolvers, the trigger must be pulled to unblock the firing pin. I believe it uses 3 extra levers in the lockwork that work together to block the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled.

As a rule of thumb, you should use the heaviest recoil spring possible, which does not interfere with the pistol functioning. If set up for defense loads it is as capable as any 1911 and more so than most. You may have heard about the series 80 1911 pistols, and heard. Out of concerns for product liability, all of colts 1911type pistols were redesigned internally with a new firing pin safety system. Does this firing pin safety system of the series 80 1911 have a negative effect on the classic trigger press and is it really needed for drop safety. 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.

Many 1911 aficionados prefer a series 70 type model. Please expect longer wait times for serialized items ffl required. 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. A buddy, who knows much more about guns than i do, wont carry series 70 1911s for that reason. Regarding the clone guns 1911pattern pistols made by manufacturers other than colt, only paraordinance adopted colts series 80 firing pin block system as well. It is a rugged and dependable colt that features high maintainability and sustains repeatable accuracy. The 80 series started in the 80s and continues to be built. 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. A look at the colt series 70 pistol the shooters log. When the series 70 came out, there was a special bushing to make the pistol slightly more accurate. If you have a 1911 that is not made by colt, it is not and can never be a series 70. 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. In fact, colts competition series of guns dont have the series 80 firing system but.

What firearm manufacturers other than colt make a 1911 with. 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. Colt commander 45 apc series 70 vs 80 series thearmory. In 1983 the series 80 models were introduced with the new firing pin safety system, which guarded against an accidental discharge should a loaded pistol be dropped onto a hard surface. I do see a degree difference between manufacturers, however. As a newbie to colt firearms but not to 1911s, can someone explain what the series 70 system is. 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. Colt series 70 government 1911 classic for sale new. Colt competition pistol line now uses series 70 firing system. Series 70 and series 80 are currently trademarks owned by colt, but the terms are still used to denote the specific firing systems.

Also, there are no series 70 colt commanders, just commanders made in the 70s. In 1991 colt revamped their 1911 line by turning the basic government model into a valuepriced item. The pistol featured a fourfingered collettype barrel bushing that. The triggers design is a singleaction type, which is unlike most selfdefense pistol designs today that have triggers connected to several tasks ranging from cocking the firing pin system, releasing firing pin safeties or disengaging a trigger safety. I have a tough time telling the difference between the 70 and 80 series guns in terms of trigger. The difference between series 80 and 70 is that series 80 incorporates a firing pin block. The 1911a1 featured a short trigger and arched mainspring housing. This was, for some, a controversial addition in the evolution of colts 1911s that added unnecessary weight to the trigger pull. Top 5 brands of 1911 to own modern survival online.

Series 80 i noted that the trigger was not all it was cracked up to be my colt 1911 enthusiasts. The series 80 is not even noticeable as i could convert it easily to a series 70, but i found no need to do so. This system featured an arrangement of internal levers and a plunger designed to ensure the firing pin was blocked until the trigger was pulled. Jan 16, 2017 many 1911 aficionados prefer a series 70 type model. A tribute to the revered commercial government model pistols of the past the 1911 classic features the. Thank you very much for the kind words michael, and please call me hunter. Its all a matter of individual needs and tastes, as far as im concerned. Colt 1911 series 70 government model pistol, blue steel.

As a newbie to colt firearms but not to 1911 s, can someone explain what the series 70 system is. Do not be confused by colts experimental use of the schwartz safety system. Should you buy or modify a series 80 or series 70 1911 pistol. Colt series 70 firing system this is a repost from another forum, but im listing here cause i thought maybe a forum dedicated to the 1911 would be a better approach. In this video we take a look at the swartz firing pin safety system that was introduced in 1937. You just happen to have a 1911 by x maker that doesnt have a firing pin safety. A gun of this type is the delight of a collector for its rarity, but the bane of a. Colts 1911 competition pistol features custom g10 blue grips with a scallop texture and the colt logo, dual recoil spring system, a national match barrel. This model instituted a big change to the 1911 design. The spring tension requirement is affected by many factors, including the ammunition used, grip pressure, compensators, slide to frame friction, pistol type. The spring tension requirement is affected by many factors, including the ammunition used, grip pressure, compensators, slide to frame friction, pistol type etc. Oct 30, 2015 the series 70 lacks a firing pin block. Lots of people feel the 80s series is basically just a lawyer lock. Colt competition 1911 series 70 government model semiauto pistol.