Colt Govt Model .380 Mark IV/ Series 80

[Josh45]

My local GS has this and it seems to be in decent condition. It would need to be reblued but Im not to concerned with that. The iron sight on the rear is broke and would need to be replaced.

He's asking $495.00 + Tax. I know its a Colt and it's hard to go wrong with them, I also know that they hold there value but is there any reason why I shouldn't put this on lay away? How hard is it to find parts for it?

 

[jbr]

I owned one - great gun, but i have to say i like my tcp738 better - shoots better and more accurately. Much easier to carry. Less expensive by far and a lifetime warranty. But of course no collection value. I bought my colt new for 300.. many years ago and traded it to a dealer for 600. last year.

 

[Josh45]

JBR,

Im glad to hear the value held out real well. Like in my earlier thread, Im looking for a carry gun and I know that Colt has a hell of a reputation behind them when it comes down to their pistols.

I really liked it because it was compact and still fit my hands well. Most compacts I hold are kinda hard to hold onto for me. The Glock 26 he has in Duo Tone is something else I would like to put on layaway as well. Asking $525.00 + tax New.

Im also thinking that the recoil is better absorbed due to the frame of the colt. So, That would be a good thing. I also would like to know where I could find parts for them

 

[cyclopsshooter]

 

[Josh45]

The one on the bottom. Same thing, Yours is just nicer. Lol

 

[cyclopsshooter]

they are super fun to shoot! but 495 sound s kinda pricey for what you described... check the "completed" auctions on gun broker.com Find out what they go for without rust (take into account 50 bucks for shipping and ffl) and make an appropriate counter offer at the store.

 

[Josh45]

CyclopsShooter,

What else can you tell me about them? How is the accuracy? Will it take anything you feed it or is it picky? Has it ever FTF or FTE on you before? Any personal exp or comments would be appreciated

 

[cyclopsshooter]

Accuracy can't be quantified... One pistol off the assembly line may shoot very well and the next like crap. I have three, the two in the photo and a pocketlite. I have never shot the blued pistol in the photo, but the stainless one group acceptably within 10 yards- call the group 2"ish with a flyer or two out to 3" (probably shooter) But the pocketlite is crazy accurate! The lighter weight of the pocketlite (steel frame/aluminum frame) is desirable for carry. The all steel ones are a little on the heavy side...
All in all I like them a lot (big 1911 fan) but in a nut shell they are very nice shooters for plinking fun- accurate for pop can, comfortable in ergos.
I find them much more recoil friendly than most .380s of the blowback variety. The Gov .380's borrow the cam system from the full size 1911 making the recoil less snappy.

I tried doing a price search on gunbroker but the advanced search was finicky tonight.
I think you will like the gun if you get it but spending 495 + 200ish for a good reblue puts you inline with gunbroker prices for unabused governments. if you spend more on a nicer one it may appreciate in value over time but the reblue will never be all that collectible and I think you will be 100 bucks behind the curve.

However- being a 100 bucks behind on a gun is a small price to pay for fun shooting

Good luck!

 

[Josh45]

CyclopsShooter,

I appreciate the input. I really don't mind about the finish. If I do buy it, I will do that later. I'm more concerned with function. What good is it if it don't go bang every time when you pull the trigger?

So, As far as a counter offer goes, About $425-450 sounds right. All it really needs by the looks of it anyways is the sights.

I kinda like the somewhat heavy feel of it. Not sure why really, Im not to crazy for the real light weight feel like LCP but I'm looking at that as well like I mentioned before.

I guess we have to see what happens!

 

[cyclopsshooter]

$425 would have been my starting point too- He will probably try to hold out for 475- then offer 450 CASH- If it is a Pawn Shop you may even get them to eat the tax with a cash offer... probably not so in a sporting goods store (and NO, a debit card is not as good as cash to a Pawn Shop

For the record the gun I carry every day is an LCP in a pocket holster my backup (in the backpack) is a Smith M&P40c

The government will make a nice carry- get a good leather belt holster

 

[Josh45]

CyclopsShooter,

Thanks a lot for the input. Its appreciated. It's not a pawn shop, Its my local gun shop. I haven't tried to haggle the price with him because I wanted to do some research first.

If I can get it for $450, I will go for it, Otherwise, I'm thinking Buds Gun Shop or The LCP he has for $325

It would be put on layaway and he isn't crazy for it. He actually told me has has been holding a gun for a guy for one year already! He just finished paying for it today.

Again, I appreciate the input. I'm pretty set on the Colt. I'm gonna get him to field strip it to make sure there is no surprises later.

 

[bannockburn]

Josh45

I have had both; the Government .380 and the Mustang. Both of mine have been great; very reliable, easy to shoot, and decent enough accuracy for CCW. The only problem I have nowadays is if something happened to it, I would have to spend a lot of money to replace one of them. That's why I picked up a KelTec P3-AT for my EDC. Not as nice as my Colts but eminently more easily replaced.

You may also want to consider a new SIG P238, which may cost a little bit more (you do have the layaway option), shouldn't need any initial refinishing or repairs, and pretty much operates the same way the Government .380 does.

 

[Alvin1]

Actually, $495 is an excellent price. I've been working on picking up another one, to add to the one I already have and have been working on Gun Broker for months to find one inexpensively. Many are going in the $700 range....and up......too much for me....but I picked one up about two months ago for $565 and was very happy with it. Buddy of mine got one two weeks ago(Pocketlite) for $575. We both are very happy. I looked real hard at the Sig 238...since it's based off the Colt .380.....but after putting about 250 rounds thru it and shooting the Colt along side it, I decided to wait and find another Colt for the money. You can haggle with the shop, but if it's under $500 I think you would have an excellent deal. I've had nothing but good luck with shooting these small guns....no jams and excellent CCW groups from the guns. I think I'll be looking for a Pocketlite just to complete what I have. That said....I am a 1911 nut......have 12 of them......I shoot a lot of competition and practice. Just can't get enough of them.

 

[Josh45]

BannockBurn,

That would be true as parts are a little bit expensive on this but I had asked about replacement parts on another forum and someone was kind enough to provide me with that information.

The KelTec is just like the Ruger I was looking at just a about $75 bucks cheaper. Without tranfer fees and taxes anyways!

The Sig P238 is a very nice gun. I think I would have to add it to my collection as it grows.

Alvin1,

I appreciate the input. A 1911 nut would be a good place to hear some reviews from, Lol. Simply put, Since you use them more than anything else

I guess I can always use the layaway option

 

[Armybrat]

Bought mine new for about $275 back in the '80s. Have never shot it much, but it's a nice little pistol.

 

[barneyrw]

I bought the Colt .380 Govt. in blue, used, although looked in very good condition several years ago. I had a problem with it machine gunning. I bought a new sear and hammer and installed it myself, and that problem was solved. It shot well after that. I really wanted the stainless model, so I sold the blued one and bought a stainless. I read later several times that the blued models had a problem with some soft parts, frame I think although not sure. Really nothing you could do about it. The stainless did not have that problem. Just what I read on line.

 

[Grub Master]

I have a Govt 380 that I got new 25 years ago. It is a great gun and can not be compared to a LCP or any of the other new plastic 380's. They are accurate and comfortable to shoot. The price you are getting is a good deal. I no longer need mine as I have replaced it with an 9mm Emp and will list it on GunBroker next week and expect to get far more than you are paying. Get some extra mags and enjoy it.

 

[SoulLessGinger]

Mine was plenty accurate and very reliable with FMJs. It would not feed a whole mag of HPs, though.