70 or 80 series?
- Thread starter Softail99
- Start date
+1
Only Series 70 or pre Series 70 .45's for me....
But sometimes you can't get away from the Series 80 pistols, especially if you want an original Colt Delta Elite 10mm.... they come in Series 80 form. On the upside you can remove the firing pin safety crud it you wish.
But back to .45ACP's yeah, Series 70 or prior is the way to go.
NAA.
The distinguishing feature of the Series 70 1911s is a collet-type barrel bushing. This was introduced to provide a tighter barrel-to-bushing fit inexpensively, but the drawback is that the "fingers" of the collet can break, tying up the gun. for this reason, Series 80 pistols reverted to the solid barrel bushing.
The Series 70 reproduction currently made by Colt should really be called a pre-Series 70 1911, as it uses a regular barrel bushing.
Series 70 and earlier 1911s do not have the firing pin safety of the Series 80. Personally, I think the firing pin safety is superfluous; the inertia firing pin should provide sufficient drop safety. It also makes for more work when doing a trigger job. That said, I don't think I'd pass up a nice Series 80 gun solely on the basis of having the firing pin safety.
The Series 70 reproduction currently made by Colt should really be called a pre-Series 70 1911, as it uses a regular barrel bushing.
Series 70 and earlier 1911s do not have the firing pin safety of the Series 80. Personally, I think the firing pin safety is superfluous; the inertia firing pin should provide sufficient drop safety. It also makes for more work when doing a trigger job. That said, I don't think I'd pass up a nice Series 80 gun solely on the basis of having the firing pin safety.
Heavier trigger pull.
What he said. It's also harder to get a decent trigger break, and since the safety itself does nothing (unless you routinely drop your pistol muzzle down from the third floor with a round in the chamber and a worn firing pin spring) why have it? Also, you should get rid of the collet bushing - a bad idea whose time has long passed.
There's a reason STI sells a lot of pistols - all the stuff you need, none of the stuff you don't (except for the guide rod thingy - that's minor
) I think Dan Wesson does it best though.
hatman1793
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Collet Bushing Myth
The collet bushing in my '70 series Gold Cup National Match has not failed and I highly doubt that it will. I have never seen an actual collect bushing failure in over 30 years of shooting, just the usual rabble about replacing them.
I have seen slide stop lever notches sheared off, grip screws stripped, and plenty of front and rear sights come off. But not one collect failure. Besides, bastardizing a superb shooting 70 series GCNM barrel with a so-called replacement bushing would mean turning down the match barrel to make it fit. Why?
The collet bushing in my '70 series Gold Cup National Match has not failed and I highly doubt that it will. I have never seen an actual collect bushing failure in over 30 years of shooting, just the usual rabble about replacing them.
I have seen slide stop lever notches sheared off, grip screws stripped, and plenty of front and rear sights come off. But not one collect failure. Besides, bastardizing a superb shooting 70 series GCNM barrel with a so-called replacement bushing would mean turning down the match barrel to make it fit. Why?
Why not fit the bushing to the barrel?
A Series 70 barrel is the same outside diameter as a regular barrel where it meets the bushing, so a standard bushing will fit.
http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?p=1988077
A fitted solid bushing is still the best approach for wringing maximum accuracy out of a 1911, anyway.
http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?p=1988077
A fitted solid bushing is still the best approach for wringing maximum accuracy out of a 1911, anyway.
Funny My early eighties series 80 goverment model has the collet bushing.
Also My government model has had 10's of thousands of rounds through it and i check the bushing every time i clean it but so far no cracks and they do work. My lowly government model will shoot 1 1/2" at 25 yards if i do my part, original barrel, slide and bushing from colt. the Lady I purchased it from was using it as a bulleye gun before i bought it. So much for the crappy colt gov't model bs. I have seen a lot of colts from the 70's and 80's that shot very well and are very reliable both gov't models and gold cups.
Andy
Colt is notorious for using previous parts into new models as they transition over. It is not surprising to hear you have an early Series 80 government model 1911 that has a Series 70 collet barrel bushing.
NAA.
I have actually seen a couple of Series 70 collet bushings with a leg broken off or cracked. None of my own ownership, though. I do have a supply of spares though should one of mine go sometime.....
But I agree with you, it is highly unlikely. But I do prefer having a fitted solid bushing to a particular barrel in a 1911. As it has already been pointed out a great barrel/bushing fit is one key to good accuracy in a 1911.
NAA.
