Colt Series 70 vs. 80

Niether..I'd get an XSE for factory features like the undercut trigger guard, front and rear cocking serrations, beavertail, novak sight cuts, skeletonized hammer, ambi safety, etc. They are more mod-friendly without intensive smithin'. I can live with the series 80 safety. They are just a pain to deal with when putting them back together again.
 
I have both, and the 1991 is just as great as the 1911... Polymer trigger isn't an issue for me.
 
yohann160 said:
Niether..I'd get an XSE for factory features like the undercut trigger guard, front and rear cocking serrations, beavertail, novak sight cuts, skeletonized hammer, ambi safety, etc. They are more mod-friendly without intensive smithin'. I can live with the series 80 safety. They are just a pain to deal with when putting them back together again.
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Let's say someone is interested in a 'classic' looking 1911, and doesn't want all the 'upgrades' the XSE has. If they were only choosing between the 70 and the 91, which would you recommend, and why?
 
I no longer have a serious preference. The 70 is the more traditional approach but the firing pin safety of the 80 gives a little extra margin for error while reholstering etc, and a cleaned up S80 trigger is very, very difficult to distinguish from a good 70.

I would grab whichever strikes your fancy.
 
The 70 is still preferred by traditionalists. Fewer parts to deal with if you detail strip. A good trigger job on an 80 will give
you a nice pull but if I had to choose I'd keep my 70. They also usually have a better resale value. I have a MK IV 80 that's
nice but I still prefer my 70.
 
gravel said:
The 70 is still preferred by traditionalists. Fewer parts to deal with if you detail strip. A good trigger job on an 80 will give
you a nice pull but if I had to choose I'd keep my 70. They also usually have a better resale value. I have a MK IV 80 that's
nice but I still prefer my 70.
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Bingo!

Series 70 for me please. Why? Just don't need the useless firing block safety junk of the Series 80 in 'em.

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I have both, a series 70 Colt .45 that I've used in IPSC competition for many years and a Colt Delta elite in 10mm That I've used in IPCS competition a little and they both work well. The firing pin block safety doesn't seem to matter. A little more field stripping - thats all.
 
I've shot a 70 and an 80 side by side. If I was blindfolded, I wouldn't be able to tell which is which. I guess some folks have more sensitive trigger fingers and can feel the diff. Get whichever tickles your fancy. If you're a purist, get the 70. If you don't give a sh!t like I do, get either one. Do I think the extra parts in the 80s series are pointless, yes I do but it won't be the deciding factor for me. That's my opinion in a nutshell.
 
FWIW I've been giving the new Colt series 70 pistols a hard look. But then I fancy the bare bones Government look.

And I already have a Ruger and SAM Omega models. I always loved the look of the Government, though. But for me I'd have to put a longer trigger in one no doubt
 
thewolfchild said:
If you had to give one up, which would you keep, and why?
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That's tough... They both shoot great (better than my Glock perhaps?), and function flawlessly. They both look awesome as well, but for different reasons. Dammit man! why would you ask me to choose?! It's like asking a father which of his kids is expendable.


My advice is to buy whichever you fancy best, and has the right price... You can't go wrong either way.
 
Trinimon said:
I've shot a 70 and an 80 side by side. If I was blindfolded, I wouldn't be able to tell which is which. I guess some folks have more sensitive trigger fingers and can feel the diff. Get whichever tickles your fancy. If you're a purist, get the 70. If you don't give a sh!t like I do, get either one. Do I think the extra parts in the 80s series are pointless, yes I do but it won't be the deciding factor for me. That's my opinion in a nutshell.
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Won't be a deciding factor for you until the little upward leg that's part of the Series 80 firing pin block safety system gets a tiny bend in it & your Series 80 stops running on you. Personally, have seen this happen to another person's pistol. Just reinforced for me why sometimes being a 'purist' has it's virtues.

I have owned both a Series 80 Colt Gold Cup Nat'l Match .45ACP & Government model in 9mm, both long gone now, though. I will say they did run okay while I owned them. [My $125 Star Model B did out shoot the Colt Govt 9mm all day long, though].

These days I actively avoid any 1911 with a firing pin block safety in 'em. But I agree it is personal preference.

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I've never seen the point of a pin blocker in a 1911. It does not have a decocker and it isn't double action. Besides, if you want it drop safe, carry it either Condition 1 with the safety on or Condition 3.
 
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