Got my GOAT back!

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NIGHTLORD40K

NIGHTLORD40K

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Ive carried one of these before, along with its progeny, the Mustang and P238- but I always liked the Government Model best.

IMG_20210325_070512_6.jpg

The smaller derivatives were fine CCW guns, but I was never crazy about the guide rod or mainspring housing designs on them. I prefer the 1911-style plunger spring and solid backstrap on the "big" .380-
IMG_20210325_053851_5.jpg
IMG_20210325_070628_7.jpg

I never would have sold my last Govt., but for the trials of the Great R of '07. The kids were hungry, so it had to go (along with nearly all of my other functional firearms). As luck would have it, my buddy had this super clean example come out of pawn at his shop and he made me a great deal. Only 1 magazine included, but I ordered up a couple of Metalforms from Midway. They were only $18 each- factory examples will run $60-70 on Ebay, but have good reviews, so heres hoping.....

IMG_20210325_070645_8.jpg
So, for me, the .380 Govt. is the Greatest Of All Time concealed carry gun- and its baaaaaack!
 
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Congratulations!
I had one for a few years. An absolutely fantastic gun to have and look at. Mine was my father's, bought new in the early nineties and it was full set, still with the cardboard outer box, the plastic tag, everything. I shot 1200 rounds with it but I was afraid that something might break and therefore she had become a safe queen; but, since I am not a collector, when a pistol from my collection is not fired, it get sold. So, with my father's consent, I sold it to a dear friend of mine to finance the purchase of the Pardini GT9-1. My friend also kept it for a couple of years and sold it to buy another pistol.
It's a super nice pistol, shoots smooth, accurate, reliable enought (not 100% but in my experience is not the pistol, the magazines are the problem).
Sometimes I think I miss it a little ...
 
Congratulations! The OP got a pretty one! They are excellent pistols. I've had mine for seven or eight years. I bought it when my daughter was young and was ready to move up from 32 caliber pistols.

The recoil is mild. It seems to fit large and small hands well. The sights and trigger are good. Mine is accurate and reliable. Everyone who has shot it has enjoyed it. The nice balance, good accuracy, and lack of significant recoil make it very fun to shoot.

Mine is a range toy, but I would feel confident using it for SD.

It's one of my favorite pistols.

Colt Government 380

Colt Government 380

 
NIGHTLORD40K

Congrats on the newest acquisition! I had a blued version when they were first introduced and loved everything about it! Fit my hand like a glove and was very well made, which was really saying something at that time in Colt's history. I would still have it but my brother wanted one too and I had heard rumors of Colt making an even smaller version so I sold it to him and waited. Had to sell a couple of other guns but it was all worth it when I finally bought my Mustang!

Thought the size of the gun for the cartridge it was chambered for was spot on and thoroughly enjoyed shooting it and carrying it as well! Both the Government .380 and the Mustang were a return for Colt to their glory days of making the perfect pocket size pistols once again! I got the faux ivory grips from the kids for my birthday and think they look great along with the blued finish on the gun!
xFnKg2H.jpg
 
The Colt Gov't 380 has been on my list for decades. I finally purchased one (blued) around 2 years and love it every bit as much as I thought I would.

The Mustang remains on the list, preferably something from the mid 80's. I'm attracted to these firearms due to nostalgia, not necessarily because I think they are functionally superior to currently produced offerings. I was drooling over these handguns featured in gun mags as early as 9 years old.
For this reason, the Star Firestar is also on my list.
 
Snowdog said:
The Colt Gov't 380 has been on my list for decades. I finally purchased one (blued) around 2 years and love it every bit as much as I thought I would.

The Mustang remains on the list, preferably something from the mid 80's. I'm attracted to these firearms due to nostalgia, not necessarily because I think they are functionally superior to currently produced offerings. I was drooling over these handguns featured in gun mags as early as 9 years old.
For this reason, the Star Firestar is also on my list.
Click to expand...
If you need deep concealment, especially ankle or pocket carry, a Mustang Pocketlite is tough to beat! Wouldnt mind finding another one as well.

If weight and space allow, though, the Govt has better handling, ergonomics, and a tiny, but useful, bump in velocity.

The Firestar is an interesting gun. I had the .45 version and, though very reliable, compact, and had great ergos and controls, but man was it HEAVY. Accuracy also wasnt great, spare magazines were tough to come by- but worst of all the token slide serrations and extremely heavy recoil and main springs made chambering a real pain.

Ive often though about finding a 9mm Firestar, since I think it would be a much better fit for the design, and hopefully have lighter springs.:D
 
GooseGestapo said:
GOAT?
I thought you meant a Pontiac GTO. Specifically a ‘68-‘69 389cid Tri-Power.
I guess we’re from different eras.
Click to expand...
It's a new term to me as well, but all the kids are using it now, and Im trying to stay hip. :D

I preferred the '70-71 Judge myself.

Once dropped a Ram-Air 4 spec 400 in a '79 Firebird Espirit (231 buick V6 originally). Sounds like an easy swap, right? Not so much because the Pontiac blocks had stopped production in late '78 and the subframe was drilled for 403 Olds motor mounts.....turned into minor nightmare.

Anybody have experience with Metalform magazines? They look high-quality, but Ive never used 'em before.
 
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I've used a few metalform magazines for my 9mm Valkyrie CCO, they worked perfect.

I believe DW even uses metalform as their magazines in the 9mm 1911s.
 
NIGHTLORD40K
GooseGestapo said: ↑
GOAT?
I thought you meant a Pontiac GTO. Specifically a ‘68-‘69 389cid Tri-Power.
I guess we’re from different eras.​
No, its a new term to me as well, but all the kids are using it now, and Im trying to stay hip.
Click to expand...

I must be honest and tell you that I also was a bit confused by the GOAT acronym as I too had been raised in the era of the Pontiac GTO (a.k.a. Goat), and had to look up what the latest meaning was for the GOAT abbreviation!

I gave up trying to be "with it" many moons ago and enjoy living my life in relative obscurity when it comes to being "hip" and "in" with the "younger crowd"!
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
Ive carried one of these before, along with its progeny, the Mustang and P238- but I always liked the Government Model best.

View attachment 987314

The smaller derivatives were fine CCW guns, but I was never crazy about the guide rod or mainspring housing designs on them. I prefer the 1911-style plunger spring and solid backstrap on the "big" .380-
View attachment 987315
View attachment 987316

I never would have sold my last Govt., but for the trials of the Great R of '07. The kids were hungry, so it had to go (along with nearly all of my other functional firearms). As luck would have it, my buddy had this super clean example come out of pawn at his shop and he made me a great deal. Only 1 magazine included, but I ordered up a couple of Metalforms from Midway. They were only $18 each- factory examples will run $60-70 on Ebay, but have good reviews, so heres hoping.....

View attachment 987317
So, for me, the .380 Govt. is the Greatest Of All Time concealed carry gun- and its baaaaaack!
Click to expand...


Love to hear stories like this, and glad one found its way back to you!

Sharp looking lil miniature pony there.
 
Snowdog said:
I was drooling over these handguns featured in gun mags as early as 9 years old.
Click to expand...
Heh. One of the first pistols I lusted after since reading a Guns & Ammo article on the little Colts in my barber shop when I was in high school (yeah, it was the '70s, but our varsity basketball coach made us keep our hair shorter than the style of the day).

And yep, Metalform makes quality magazines. I also prefer the Gov't over the Mustang, but boy, bannockburn's Mustang in blue looks sweet. Just wish the sights were better on both models.

Oh, and '70 Hemi 'Cuda for the win... (although my '67 Dodge Coronet 440 -- that Dad bought as a family car -- smoked most guys in SE Michigan back in the day).

Signed,
Old Dog (unabashed Colt fanboy and Detroit steel maniac)
 
Congrats on bringing home a really good looking Colt, it’s gonna have a great new home for sure :thumbup:.

I have no experience with the Govt. model .380, how do they compare with the Kimber Micro 9 in fit and feel?

Stay safe.
 
Riomouse911 said:
Congrats on bringing home a really good looking Colt, it’s gonna have a great new home for sure :thumbup:.

I have no experience with the Govt. model .380, how do they compare with the Kimber Micro 9 in fit and feel?

Stay safe.
Click to expand...
Never handled the 9, but its pretty much identical to the Micro Carry .380, with a bit more palm swell. Im not a fan of the plastic trigger on the Colt- the Kimber is metal- so I may very well look into a billet replacement.
 
NIGHTLORD40K

I believe a member here, HisSoldier, makes a stainless steel replacement trigger for the SIG P238. Maybe he could put something together for your Colt Government .380.
 
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