Most $800 1911 pistols aren't patterned after a Series 80. Kimber, Sig, S&W all have a firing pin block, but it's not the same as Colt. Dan Wesson, Wilson Combat, Nighthawk, Ed Brown, and many many others have no firing pin block. You can't use price as an example.
SIG uses a Colt style Series 80 firing pin safety. It is true Kimber and S&W don't. Kimber uses a Swartz style and S&W uses a Mochak designed firing pin safety on their 1911's with a firing pin safety.
Hence, my use of the words “meaning that they have some sort of internal plumbing to serve as a firing pin block.” I was generalizing. The point was that there are differences. Geez.
Unlike Colt, the Kimber firing pin block doesn't affect the trigger pull. It's operated by depressing the grip safety.
I have an STI Trojan 9mm 1911 and I can shoot it alongside my other nines including my BHP’s, CZ’s, Sigs, Glocks, and HK’s and tell you the STI is probably the best shooting 9mm I own. And the STI Staccato P with the Gen 2 17 & 20 round magazines is just about the only new model gun that I want right now. I had a chance to try one out back during the holidays and therefore I want one.
It's a nice, straight forward system too. The only weirdness I feel is when I tuned my action, the firing pin bloc was a third blip in a smoothly rearward moving slide after the disconnector and the cocked hammer. Two are knowns for the 1911 platform and the third is just about as inconsequential but was notable. No one needs to pooh-pooh me on it. I'm not saying it's a problem - just different and quite acceptable for the safety improvement that doesn't queer the trigger-feel in any way whatsoever. An alternative method that I wish Colt's had used before it was patent locked by Kimber. Todd.
The 1911 is designed around cartridges the length of the .45 Auto, such as the 10mm, and .38 Super. The 9mm round is shorter and requires a spacer on the mag to function in the 1911.
Just my observations after handling both for more than 40 years. I believe that it is due to the fact that each of these weapons were designed around these specific calibers. Another reason why I have no use for a .40 Hi-Power.
A company makes a replacement lever that is operated by the grip safety for pistols with Colt-80-style firing pin block mechanisms.
Colt originally used the Swartz system. The patent was not held by Kimber. They did not design it or patent it. William Swartz designed and patented it in 1937. Colt started using it in 1938. They did not use it got very long. IIRC 3-4 years. In the 80s when they wanted to ad a firing pin block they looked at the Swartz system and what became the 80 series. They of course chose the 80 series. Kimber started using the Swartz system it in 2001.
Your patent information is correct. However, since, as you accurately mention, it was designed by William Swartz, it is a Swartz firing pin safety, or Swartz System and not a Schwartz System. It is after all, the guys name. Swartz
I'm a low roller, so I purchased an ATI Commander model. It is the GI version. Shot 115gr well. Changed out to a full guide rod. Started having issues, but I also changed over to 124 gr ammo at the same time. The gun started jamming, so I switched back to 115gr. No issues with that weight bullet. I prefer 124gr ammo, so I just couldn't accept the 1911 only shooting 115gr ammo. I changed out springs, but it didn't work. Finally, I obtained a variable recoil spring- from Wolff springs- (the first replacement was conventional), and wallah, it fires without jamming. I have several other ATI's but they are all 45acp firearms. No issues whatsoever with that caliber. The 9mm on the other hand, needed some work. Still for 379.00, I don't regret it one bit. Especially since, with the mods it's still less than 410. Plus,I like to tinker with stuff.
I'm 59 and my 9mm 1911 has saved my shooting hobby. I'm back shooting good groups at 50 yards thanks to my Kimber Target II (less the Swartz parts).
Love my Ruger SR1911 LW Commander. Runs everything I feed it. FMJs, HPs, reloads, steel cased. etc. Only change I made was adding a fiber optic front sight. Tempted to try the Officer model as well.
Too much is made of series 80 vs 70. Nothing to get hung up on. To me, it is not relevant. I have both and can shoot ragged holes with either. Not an issue at all. It is about the shooter.
This 1911 (9mm) topic is what led me to discover the 'very existence' of the S&W 59 series, notably the 3rd Gen. (superb): mostly they are the 5906 and the 6906, both in 9mm. Cleaning my friend's S&W 1911 prompted this----------- These 3rd. Gen. (DA/SA) S&Ws Feel like a heavy 1911 in 9mm except for the double-stack. Approx $500. Bought one today and in a strange manner (weight, length, some similar components), they satisfy my urge to own a 1911.
I have a 5906. I have multiple 1911's. I have a Remington double stack 1911 in 9mm. I don't think the 5906 feels ANYTHING like a 1911. No grip safety, no slide mounted safety, SA/DA trigger that pivots.
I started as many with a 1911 in the immortal .45 acp, many years ago the steel challenge ping ping noise got me caught but I decide to left my venerable CZ75b at home and try the 9 in another format. So 1911 Colt in 9 came up and have issues with original mags, BassPro after 2 months of waiting gave me back the money, by that time SA surface with offer of 4 extra mags and some gear. Added some extra thin Aluma grips and extremely happy with trigger ever since. Here the twins.
