Collet Bushings on Colt Series 70 9mm and 45 ACP

[ZBill]

Are the Collet Bushings on Colt Series 70 Government Models in 9mm and 45 ACP interchangeable? I need one for a 9mm and don't want to make a mistake.

Thank you, Bill

 

[creeper1956]

Yep... same basic dimensions. Your barrel should be around .580"+/- and your slide should be around .700"+/-. If you're several thousands under or over, you may want to consider a "oversize" bushing, which will require fitting to both barrel and slide. If you need an oversize bushing, take a look at the EGW "angle-bore" items, they can be had in several OD sizes, and are actually quite easy to fit.

As a generic point of reference...
Ed Brown specs: Drop-In: .581 ID, .699 OD. Oversize: .575 ID, .705 OD.

 

[rcmodel]

Should be the same .580" I.D. I think.
But to be completely sure you need to measure your barrel.
It should be in the neighborhood of .579" O.D.

But you would be way better off replacing it with a solid bushing.

Collet bushing are prone to break fingers off and get jammed between the barrel & slide.

And when they do, you may suffer slide or barrel damage beating the slide off.

rc

 

[Drail]

Replacing a collet bushing with a solid one has no downside. Collet bushings were nothing more than effort by Colt to save a few bucks on manufacturing. If their tolerances weren't so sloppy there would be no need.

 

[ZBill]

thanks RCModel and Creeper

The barrel OD is .582. I fitted an EGW a few years ago and it is capable of excellent accuracy. I lost the original finger bushing and have been looking for a replacement. Now that you mentioned it I do recall the warning - I hate to lock it up.

Thank you for the input. Bill