Need some advice.....

[Powderman]

At one of my favorite stores today, the owner offered me a deal on a Series 70. I believe it is one of the new ones because it had the plastic MSH. Here are the questions I have:

1. When checking the pistol, I noted that when easing the slide forward, the gun locked up with a nice, solid seat. In fact, the slide needed a bit of assistance (slight push) to lock, and it does so with a solid "click" from the link area.

2. Absolutely no barrel movement or play when pressing on the chamber with the pistol in battery.

3. The barrel bushing will not turn--not even a fraction--with my fingers. However, the pistol cycles smoothly.

4. I did not have a trigger gauge, however, I felt tht it was a clean breaking 5 to 6" pull.

5. There is barely any bluing wear on the barrel. Rifling looks sharp and clean.

6. The chamber has been radiused and throated.

7. No appreciable wear on the feed ramp.

8. The outer finish is sound, no scratches, nicks or flaws. Has wooden grips with the Colt medallion.

He offered the pistol to me for $650.00, out the door. It's being sold on consignment for someone else. Of course, should I buy the pistol, a full disassembly and inspection will be in order.

Good price? Bad price? Or, TOO good a price? What do you think?
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[Majic]

There should be absolutely nothing to think about. $650 for what seems to be a new Colt pistol is a very good price.

 

[Hal]

Good price? Bad price? Or, TOO good a price? What do you think?

Sounds like some poor slob needs $$:

- for tuition for their kid
- went a bit overboard on the summer vacation credit cards
- is looking a "hunting gun" and funding it via selling the Colt
- any number of other *legit* reasons..

and is trying to raise it via selling off,,,probably,,,their latest aquisition/gun they liked enough to buy but not enough to keep.

$650 sounds about right for a "I need money NOW" type of seller. Good enough to move it quick.

I'd probably buy it @ that price.

 

[stealthmode]

id like to get the new series 70 they are making now but not legal in california since colt didnt offer it up for testing here. stupid laws

 

[Old Fuff]

The Series 70 Colt pistols are supposed to have a special barrel bushing with a spring-finger arrangement that locks the barrel as the slide goes into battery. I say "supposed to" because this is a used gun, and with used guns one never knows what a former owner may have done until they look.

Anyway, push the slide back about 1/4" and then see if the bushing can be turned with your fingers or not. Or better yet, field strip the gun and look. As the slide goes into battery and the bushing locks the barrel at the muzzle there should be the "feel" you describe - especially on a hardly used pistol.

These fingered bushings have a checkered reputation because if they aren't fitted right one or more of the fingers may break, and after that getting the pistol disassembled can be a big pain in the butt. It is often recommended that they be replaced with a solid bushing - something that I think is good advise.

The barrel should have come throated from the factory. This was part of the series 70 package.

The early Series 70 guns were made with "real-steel" parts. Some of the late ones weren't. Before I shelled out the asking price I would check the serial number to see exactly when it was made.

 

[stans]

Sounds like it might just be a winner, unless the tight lock up is courtesy of a longer than standard link. You really need to field strip the pistol and look at the link and lower lugs to see how it locks up.