colt 1911 series 70, 80 sn#

[dominojay]

I understand some early 80 series pistols had 70 series internals. How would this affect value? Should it be priced as a 70 or as an 80?

 

[ROBBY.1911]

i have an 80-series commander that is pre-triggerfunnybusiness. i would pay more for a 80-series gun that comes without the hassle. let's face it, a lot of that crap never-ever worked according to plan.

 

[dominojay]

a local shop has a colt commander with the serial prefix being 80, i tore it down and all the guts are 70 series, i checked the slide, the frame, everything. The piece is 95%+ but they want 899 for it. which is all the money in the world but for a real vintage 70 series it might be tempting, im just afraid because of the prefix it might not be worth it.

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't know Colt's numbering scheme but bear in mind that the Series 80 with superfluous parts did not come out until 1983.

I prefer the standard action, but I think that
1. $899 is a high price for a second hand Commander unless you are in some repressive jurisdiction where they are hard to get; like California or Maryland.
2. Attaching dollar value to the serial number prefix by seller or buyer is just nuts.

 

[alistaire]

You can buy an new Colt for that.

 

[weisse52]

Love the Colts. But that is too high. Colt produced enough of the 80 series with 70 series guts that I do not think it is worth the premium.

Just buy a 70 series retro.

 

[BlindJustice]

That's too high,

Saw a tru 70 series Combat Commander with stag Colt Grips
in great shape for $900 at a gun show in Lewiston last
month or so.

R-

 

[1911Tuner]

I understand some early 80 series pistols had 70 series internals.

The early Series 80s all had Series 80 internals. "80" in the serial number is nothing more than a serial prefix. I recently sold a pre-80 Combat Commander that had a B80 prefix...but there were no Series 80 parts contained therin. I still have a pre-80 Combat Commander that has an S70 prefix...even though there is no such thing as a Series 70 Commander...Combat or Lightweight.

Also...Series 70 pistols were all marked Series 70 on the slides. All were 5-inch guns. Pistols made prior to the introduction of the Series 70 run were just Colt Government Models or Gold Cups. Series 70 pistols were built for 10 years, give or take. From 1973 until 1983.

 

[Oro]

To simplify the explanations above (and 1911Tuners is excellent), what you need to do is examine the barrel bushing and if it has a firing pin safety. If you have a collet (aka "finger") bushing, then price it as a '70. If it has a solid bushing and a firing pin safety, price it like an 80. If it has a collet (finger bushing) and a firing pin safety, it's a mid-80s "transition" model and the value is inbetween. But all of this is trumped by condition.

 

[dominojay]

thanks to all for weighing in. I decided to pass on this one and wait for one with a serial that begins with 70. I've already located a couple. This particular gun though did definately have 70 parts. Except for the bushing but my understsanding is all commanders had the solid bushing and not the finger one. Something having to do with strength/rigidity on the shorter stroke. Thanks again though guys!

 

[1911Tuner]

I decided to pass on this one and wait for one with a serial that begins with 70.

70 in the serial number is just a number. Again...I had a Combat Commander with a serial number that starts with 80 B and it isn't a Series 80 pistol. It means that the gun was built in the 80s, and it was blue steel. Another one that I have begins with 70 S...which means that it was built in the 70s and has a satin nickel finish. Even real Series 70 pistols that were built in the early 80s can have an 80 B or S prefix in the serial number.

This particular gun though did definately have 70 parts.

The only Series 70 parts are the collet bushing and the accurizer barrel. All other parts in the gun are standard design...the same way they've been since 1911.

Except for the bushing but my understsanding is all commanders had the solid bushing and not the finger one. Something having to do with strength/rigidity on the shorter stroke. Thanks

The reason for no collet bushings in the short Commander slides is lack of space. The Series 70 collet bushings were long. A good bit longer than the standard pre-Series 70 bushings. There was room for'em in the 5-inch guns.