Series 70 or Series 80

[colt1851]

Wondering what the difference between the Series 70 and Series 80 firing system is. Is one better than the other?

 

[tiriaq]

Not a matter of "better".
The Series 80 has a firing pin block that prevents movement of the firing pin unless the trigger is pressed. The 1911 has an inertial firing pin. There is a possibility of a shot being fired if the pistol were dropped, landing on the muzzle.
Detractors feel that the Series 80 trigger mechanism results in a trigger pull that is not as good as on the earlier versions. There are even kits that enable the firing pin block to be bypassed.
IIRC, the 80 has a collet type barrel bushing as opposed to the solid style.

 

[colt1851]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Hitzy]

Series 70 is the original design, I would only buy those style personally. The extra series 80 parts add a bit of slop to the trigger but not much. The extra parts just make it a pain in the ass to detail strip.

 

[Maximum]

The front site on my 70s series gold cup national match corroded and flew off during a match. I guess this is know to happen. If the 80s series has a better than narrow tang front site mount perhaps it won't have this problem.

 

[NAA]

Series 70 is the original design, I would only buy those style personally. The extra series 80 parts add a bit of slop to the trigger but not much. The extra parts just make it a pain in the ass to detail strip.

+1 on the above for me.

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NAA.

 

[gravel]

+1 on the above for me.

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NAA.

Have both, and agree. The purist 1911 buyer will always put a premium on a 70. Just the way it is. If resale value is not a concern no prob.
BTW, in spite of what you may glean online a 70 series is still an easier trigger job. I still have and enjoy shooting my stock 80 GVT model though.

 

[mississaugagunnut]

The common train of thought is that the 70 has a better trigger pull. The 80 has more drag on the trigger mechanism due to the added safety features.

 

[NAA]

The extra Series 80 junk is an ingenious solution to a question that never needed an answer.

I have a blued Colt Delta Elite 10mm that came by default in Series 80 trim. It has a decent factory trigger. I like it.

But given a choice, I will always go for the 1911 in Series 70 or pre configuration.

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NAA.