Are springfield 1911's series 70 or series 80 clones?

[CombatArmsUSAF]

I'm looking to buy one and am just curious as to which Springfield 1911's are going to be an option.

I'm looking to do a match grade gun and would like the fewest possible parts to work with.

I know I can walk into a gun store and find this out, but I also know that with all the 1911 aficionados we have on this board that I'll get an answer quicker than I can drive to the store.

 

[Clarence]

Series 70 but they do have a locking device in the mainspring housing. Their "safety lock" is easy to disable if you'd like.

 

[JTQ]

Springfield uses a different size firing pin. Something to be aware of when ordering parts.

 

[average_shooter]

Springfield uses a different size firing pin. Something to be aware of when ordering parts.

I believe they use the 9mm/.38 Super sized firing pin in all of the models, regardless of actual caliber.

They don't have an "extra" mechanism like a firing pin block so basically they're Series 70. The extra bit Clarence mentioned is entirely contained in the mainspring housing and you can get rid of it by simply swapping out the mainspring housing assembly for a non-ILS one.

 

[Walkalong]

No firing pin block. [strike]9MM[/strike] size titanium firing pin. The mainspring housing is easily swapped out with a multitude of aftermarket options.

[strike]9MM[/strike] Dang memory.......

Anyway. No firing pin block, and I think that is what the OP was interested in, as well as the FP.

 

[Rex B]

The MSH on mine is plastic, so it's going to be changed anyway.
I do think you have to buy all new internals if you go to the standard colt MSH.

 

[Shear_stress]

Neither Series 70 or 80. They don't have collett bushings or firing pin safeties.

 

[JTQ]

believe they use the 9mm/.38 Super sized firing pin in all of the models, regardless of actual caliber.

9MM size titanium firing pin.

From the Brownells Catalog...
.068 for 9mm/38 Super
.075 for current model Springfields
.093 for .45 ACP for everybody else
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=26865/Product/1911_AUTO_FIRING_PIN

 

[Jim Watson]

Springfield firing pin is an odd size slightly larger than Colt .38 Super. If you don't want a titanium firing pin with a stiff spring, Ed Brown has one to fit.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1323/Product/1911_AUTO_FIRING_PIN

Shear stress is of course correct. There are plenty of Internet Experts who will tell you real quick the difference between a clip and a magazine but do not know that "Series 70" does not really mean "without a firing pin block."

 

[Clarence]

In case anyone is wondering why they use a smaller firing pin - it's because the standard sized .45 firing pinhole in the breechface can snag the rim of the case causing a failure to feed. It looks like a typical nose-up jam where the round didn't feed into the chamber, but it is actually the case rim hung up on the firing pin hole. This is the reason Ed Brown uses a 9mm firing pin in all of the 1911's he manufactures.

 

[jaysouth]

they are copies of Colt Government models, that is the model prior to MK IV 70 or 80. Copies because some parts are different dimension.

 

[average_shooter]

From the Brownells Catalog...
.068 for 9mm/38 Super
.075 for current model Springfields
.093 for .45 ACP for everybody else

Interesting, because my SA "Operation and Safety Manual" exploded diagrams label the firing pin as "9mm Titanium Firing Pin."

See pages 48, 50, 52 and 54, part number 2d :
www.springfield-armory.com/download.php?asset=1911man5.pdf