[Peetmoss]

What is the diffrence between series 70 and 80?

[SouthpawShootr]

Series 80 has a firing pin (aka drop) safety. Series 70, as I recall, had what was called a collet barrel bushing. Supposed to aid in accuracy (don't know if it actually did). Some people believe that series 70 pistols had better triggers since the firing pin safety was actuated by the trigger (certainly series 70 trigger pulls are easier to hone). Now, Colt is making the series 70 again and I don't know if they've changed anything on these new guns. I've heard repeatedly that the collet bushings were easily broken.

[BigG]

I shoot both Series 70 and 80 and think the triggers feel identical. YMMV. When the Series 80 got around, sometime in the 90s, IIRC, purist shooters were miffed at the so-called "lawyer trigger" Colt put into the 45. I think the Series 80s are just fine and appearance wise beat the old billboard slide markings on the original Series 70 all to heck.

The collet bushing was on the Series 70 and when it works right it's no problem. It can break a finger off and jam the pistol, however. The fix is to take a standard bushing and fit it to the pistol. I have a Series 80 transition model Gold Cup that still has the collet bushing. Works fine. HTH

[DMK]

Now, Colt is making the series 70 again and I don't know if they've changed anything on these new guns. I've heard repeatedly that the collet bushings were easily broken. The new Series 70 repros have a firing pin safety and a standard barrel bushing, so they are not true Series 70 1911s.

I have no problem with the FP safety on my latest Series 80 Colt. It has a very nice trigger. From what I've heard, the extra parts only becomes a problem when you try to tune the trigger for an ultra light pull. For a self defense arm, you shouldn't even notice it.

[Kaylee]

The new Series 70 repros have a firing pin safety and a standard barrel bushing, so they are not true Series 70 1911s.

really? darn... does colt make ANY 1911s that stick to JMBs original firing pin set up? Or are they all the same inside, with different bells and whistles and swept fin beavertails and all that on the outside?

-K

[SouthpawShootr]

All three of my Colts are series 80. My Government model has been shot the most. Never had a problem. Triggers on all three are just fine.

[DMK]

really? darn... does colt make ANY 1911s that stick to JMBs original firing pin set up? Or are they all the same inside, with different bells and whistles and swept fin beavertails and all that on the outside? Perhaps the WWI repro? I'm not sure about that one.

Actually, on further investigation, I may be wrong about the firing pin safety on the Series 70. It appears to just has the regular bushing.

[45auto]

Just to clarify,

The series 70 and the reproductions do not have the firing pin safeties and they do have solid bushings. I don't believe Colt has used the collet bushing in quite a long time.

[dsk]

:)

http://usgi1911.tripod.com/series70/

http://usgi1911.tripod.com/series80/