My Latest Acquisition--Colt Government 380 Series 80

12Bravo20 said:
I like the Colt Mustang and Government models. But then again I also like the Star Model D that these are based off of. The Mustang is closer to the original Star Model D then the Government Model is.
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Were the Mustang and the Government actually Hartford products, or did Colt job them out, as they have been known to do?
I had a Government where some Philistine had filed the front sight; got tired of hitting high (it was in great shape, too...) and moved it along.
Moon
 
halfmoonclip said:
Were the Mustang and the Government actually Hartford products, or did Colt job them out, as they have been known to do?
I had a Government where some Philistine had filed the front sight; got tired of hitting high (it was in great shape, too...) and moved it along.
Moon
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I can't answer that one. I do know that the Colt Pony was a joint venture between Colt and Star. The Pony was made using a Star slide with a Colt frame to get around import laws. The Mustang and Government models came after the Pony.
 
12Bravo20 said:
I can't answer that one. I do know that the Colt Pony was a joint venture between Colt and Star. The Pony was made using a Star slide with a Colt frame to get around import laws. The Mustang and Government models came after the Pony.
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12Bravo20, yeah, that ol' debbil GCA68 strikes again; caused more than its share of mischief.
BTW, just saw Oppenheimer; lot of Engineer emblems.
Moon
 
As far as I know the Government .380 and the Mustang were made here in the U.S. I had an early Government Model but ended up selling to my brother as he collected so called "pocket pistols" and he just had to have one. Of course when the Mustang was first announced I knew I had to have one of those as this was the size a gun in .380 should be. Got it to the range and found out what a sweet shooter it was and how accurate it could be.

Some time much later I picked up a SIG P238 mainly to give the Mustang the occasional night off from EDC. The P238 is just as nice a shooter as the Mustang is!
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I had one full set also with the external cardbox, tags, etc. Sold to finance the purchase of a Pardini GT9-1.
It was a great soft shooter and a heck of good looking little pistol.
 
halfmoonclip said:
Were the Mustang and the Government actually Hartford products, or did Colt job them out, as they have been known to do?
I had a Government where some Philistine had filed the front sight; got tired of hitting high (it was in great shape, too...) and moved it along.
Moon
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I’m pretty sure my mid 1980’s Mustang is a Hartford product. I also have a Mustang from near 2010 and not sure where it was made.

After reading this thread, I’ve gotten interested in looking for a Gov’t model.
 
cfullgraf said:
I’ve gotten interested in looking for a Gov’t model.
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They are both common and uncommon. Plenty of folk have them, but they don't flip that very often.
GB prices are hovering around US$750 before fees & shipping as a sort-of benchmark.
(CZ-Colt would be well advised to return these to production for my 2¢--the Mustang less so for competing with the SIG directly)

They are addictive little things, handy, usually with excellent triggers, and no more complicated than a 1911.

If there's a knock on them, the 2.75 "finger" grip might be one; the utter lack of "bells and whistles" to add on or customize, could be another. Magazines are plentiful and easy to come by (enough you can be picky and only buy Colt or Checkmate). Holsters are not complicated to get (mag pouches can be, though).

Oh, and the only other "hill" to climb is the blistering array of ammo to collect in small batches to find out which one your specific 9x17 really likes (which may be different from what a given popular website or YT video proclaims as "best"--that's just life). That being said, my Series 70 'prefers' S&B ball, and Win Silvertip for JHP. I've picked up some SIG, Federal, and Aguila for the new Series 80--just need to wedge in some range time to test.
 
CapnMac said:
They are addictive little things, handy, usually with excellent triggers, and no more complicated than a 1911.
…
Oh, and the only other "hill" to climb is the blistering array of ammo to collect in small batches to find out which one your specific 9x17 really likes (which may be different from what a given popular website or YT video proclaims as "best"--that's just life). That being said, my Series 70 'prefers' S&B ball, and Win Silvertip for JHP. I've picked up some SIG, Federal, and Aguila for the new Series 80--just need to wedge in some range time to test.
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Yes, the Colt 380’s are addictive. My mid-1980’s vintage Mustang is a joy to shoot. With care, I can reliably hit an 8” plate at 50-60 yards. It has been a companion for many years.

I bought a SIG P238 when they first came out. They shoot well but were not reliable until the flat wire main recoil spring was offered. I still have mine but I’m not pleased with its looks. With the latest improvements, it works well.

I have a couple Kimber Micros. I like the different finishes they offer particularly the Bel Air version. They shoot as well as my old Mustang.

Generally, I shoot 90-100 grain RN bullet loafs in my 380 ACP’s. They shoot well. I feel 380 ACP’s velocities are too low for reliable expansion so for penetration in stead.

So, the 380 Gov’t Model would be a good addition to my collection. This included a 1920 vintage M1903, a vintage 1918 vintage M1918 Colt M1908.

As sn aside, I have a DA/SA Beretta Model 84. It is a great pistol but a bit large for every day carry.
 
bushhawg said:
What holster do you guys recommend
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Find something inexpensie fit for a Gov't 380 and see how good/bad the fit is.

If it's a serious quest for a good holster, find a local tack/saddle/holster maker and ask them about a custom moulding. For a simple belt slide rig, this could run a c-note or so, but would be cheaper than 3-4 US$40 holsters that don't fit.

For OWB flap holsters, there are probably Spanish military surplus examples that would suffice.

You might could check for compatibility under the Colt Pony name, or the Iver Johnson Pony.
 
I have a belt slide holster for the .380... I believe it's a Bianchi (or perhaps a Galco.) Very nice holster... my brother uses it today.

If you dig IWB carry, I carried mine in a Galco holster. This holster actually had a thumb break, but I trimmed it off...

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12Bravo20 said:
what the size difference (if any) between the Colt Pony and the Govt 380
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Colt Pony was the short-lived arrangement were Colt was going to have Star build them DKs and sell them as Colt. Colt then backed out of the deal, and IJ was sold all of the production Star had already cranked out.

From very likely faulty memory, the DK is in between the Mustang and the Gov't in size, if closer to a Mustang. So, where the lip of a Mustang magazine wants to fall between fingers, the DK/Pony wants to just ding the pinky a bit.
 
CapnMac said:
Colt Pony was the short-lived arrangement were Colt was going to have Star build them DKs and sell them as Colt. Colt then backed out of the deal, and IJ was sold all of the production Star had already cranked out.

From very likely faulty memory, the DK is in between the Mustang and the Gov't in size, if closer to a Mustang. So, where the lip of a Mustang magazine wants to fall between fingers, the DK/Pony wants to just ding the pinky a bit.
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From all of the information I could find. Colt only made the Pony frame themselves, they used Star slides and Star internal parts. But yes you are correct that the joint Colt/Star venture did not last very long and Iver Johnson bought the US manufacturing rights soon after.

The Star D, DK, and the various Pony models are all the same. And the Colt Mustang, Govt 380, Kimber Micro 380 and 9mm, Sig P238 and P938, and Springfield Armory 911 380 and 9mm (discontinued) are all based off the original Star Model d with minor changes along the line.

When it comes to leather holsters, they usually have enough give so that a Mustang holster should work for a Star D/Colt Pony. Along with Falco, Galco holsters also makes holsters specifically for the Colt Pony. And there are other manufacturers that make Colt Mustang holsters.
 
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Back in the good old days, our department gave out guns for Rookie of the year, Officer of the year etc at the annual Awards banquet. I think I got this for Officer of the year in 1988. (?). Shot it a few times. Bought a couple extra mags. Back in the safe.

That little gun is a serious contender for when I get old (er) and pulling slides, recoil etc become an issue. Just such a well behaved little gun.
 
Another small 380 I like is the Llama IIIA I own. I will end up with another 380 down the road. It will most likely be a Star, Colt or Sig.
 
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The Star DK and the Llama llla are some of my favorites, easy on the recoil for 76 yr old guy.
Llama next to a 1911 Commander size pistol.
 

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I want a Mustang, or a Gov't Model so badly. I have two Sig P238s and a P938 but I still want one of the Colts.
 
I had a Mustang in stainless years ago. Really liked the pistol until I saw metal on the frame, where the barrel bottoms out during the firing cycle, being upset. Took it to a gunsmith who was also concerned with what was going on. Called Colt and got nothing but a run-around. Then I started seeing readers writing in to gun publications about frames cracking in this same spot. That was enough for me. Dumped that gun at the next gun show I went to.
 
12Bravo20 said:
From all of the information I could find. Colt only made the Pony frame themselves, they used Star slides and Star internal parts. But yes you are correct that the joint Colt/Star venture did not last very long and Iver Johnson bought the US manufacturing rights soon after.
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Came late upon this posting but, to flesh out the record, the following more explicit chain of events is offered;

**As a "proof-of-concept" project - under contract to Colt, Firearms International(FI) made a "test-run" of approximately 50 (+/-) frames which were fitted with all Star supplied components and intended to be sold under the Colt name as Colt's "Pony" model. They were a licensed direct copy of the Star Model DK design, using all Star parts, except the US made steel frame, and assembled in the US by F.I.. For undisclosed reasons the deal with Colt did not go through and F.I. purchased the rights to produce and sell the gun under its own brand name. Subsequently, FI sold all rights to the gun to Iver Johnson who then produced the gun as their 'Pony' model. The Star manufactured DK 'Starfire' is, without doubt, the better of both of these two 'knock-off' guns, and are somewhat rare.
 
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