Series 70?

[Panzerschwein]

How are the current blued Colt series 70s?

Looking for a classic plain jane 1911 and "true pony pistol" seems very cool.

But how is the quality? With Colt in shambles, are their guns still well made?

Thanks people!!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I don't have a new 70's, but have a 3 year old National Match. It has excellent fit and finish and is very reliable.

 

[red rick]

I bought one a couple years ago just a week before they filled for bankruptcy protection , and it is very nice .

 

[Old Dog]

My Series 70 Repro is the stainless version, about as close to perfect as a stock Gov't Model can be. Every blued version I've seen or shot have been great. Add a pony to your stable and I don't think you'd regret it.

 

[Slamfire]

How are the current blued Colt series 70s?

Looking for a classic plain jane 1911 and "true pony pistol" seems very cool.

But how is the quality? With Colt in shambles, are their guns still well made?

Thanks people!!

There are so many Colt fan boys....

Look, just go to the gun store and handle a Colt. If you like its features, if it is tight, the slide to frame fit is tight, if the rear of the barrel is tight, if the trigger is good, then the chances are it will be a good gun. Colts are not cheap, who knows what the future of the Company will be, who knows how the "warranty" will be honored, but they will always have a loyal fan base.

 

[MidRoad]

Not to hate on colt. But just got back from shooting my sr1911 for the first time and I'm in love... It's a 70 series too ,and Ruger has amazing customer service.

 

[Rock185]

Having owned a bunch, IMHO production Colts are, for the most part, good guns. If at all possible though, I would as Slamfire suggests, handle and inspect. Buying Colts since the early '70s, most were good guns, others not so good, and a few were just dismal. I like Colts, but do not consider myself a Colt Fanboy at all. That sometimes gets me in trouble on certain forums

BTW, within the last year or two, Colt has gone to a ground finish on the slide and frame flats, as opposed to the polished finish, on the earlier reintroduced Series '70 guns. IIRC, the earlier new generation polished Series '70s were only polished to about 400 grit, but that was still nicer than the current ground finish IMHO.....ymmv

 

[bannockburn]

Cooldill

I bought quite a few new Colt 1911s about six or seven years ago. At the time and in that particular price range they were some of the best built 1911s out there. Fit and finish were great and the guns have been totally reliable. If I were in the market for one now I would definitely check them out at your local gun shop or at a gun show.

 

[vba]

I have a new Colt 1991A1 (Series 80 which I don't mind at all).

Shoots great and reliable, no complaints.

 

[DesertVet]

Colt series 70s are great!
You won’t regret your purchase.

 

[AlexanderA]

I had a Colt Series 70 in the 1970's (which I didn't like, but that's another story). Back then, the identifying characteristic of the Series 70 was the collet barrel bushing, which Colt touted as a great improvement. Currently, the meaning of "Series 70" seems to be different. All that "Series 70" seems to mean now is that the gun doesn't have the Series 80 firing pin block. By this logic, WW2 GI guns would be "Series 70," which is ridiculous.

In my opinion, there's no mystique to Colt guns any more. You can get a clone by another manufacturer, and it will probably be just as good. 1911 guns are a commodity.

I personally prefer the durable Parkerized finish to the polished blued finish.

 

[JTQ]

Currently, the meaning of "Series 70" seems to be different. All that "Series 70" seems to mean now is that the gun doesn't have the Series 80 firing pin block. By this logic, WW2 GI guns would be "Series 70," which is ridiculous.

I agree.

In my opinion, there's no mystique to Colt guns any more. You can get a clone by another manufacturer, and it will probably be just as good. 1911 guns are a commodity.

I personally prefer the durable Parkerized finish to the polished blued finish.

Well, if you're like the OP, and (I assume) want a gun with a GI grip safety, arched mainspring housing, short trigger, and GI(ish) sights direct from the factory, your options are very limited, and Colt is just about the best of the bunch.

 

[sequins]

I'm debating whether I want to lay down $950 for one myself. I'm sorely tempted. I've only heard good things or "good but not worth the money" type things, and this thread seems to be going that same way...

 

[AlexanderA]

I'm debating whether I want to lay down $950 for one myself.

If you want a GI .45 clone for a lot less money, you have two current options: the Thompson/Kahr U.S.-made one, or the RIA/Armscor one made in the Philippines. The Thompson/Kahr is a closer copy, except that it has the Series 80 firing pin block. (That can be removed if you put a special spacer in the frame, and substitute a few GI parts.) The RIA does not have the firing pin block. Both of these are actually pretty good guns. But in either case, ditch the magazines they come with and get some decent surplus GI mags. (So-called "GI" magazines with the CAGE code "30745" are fraudulent knockoffs.)

 

[rpenmanparker]

I have the Ruger SR1911 in 9 mm. Like everything else they make it is great. That is where I would go for a .45.

 

[imashooter]

Purchased new in Sep 2014. Naturally I got it when they were high. Believe a spit over a thousand shipped from Bud's and then over the next couple of years I saw the same one as low as the high 700s. Oh well. It's nice but not over 850.00 nice imo. Had to have one. Of my many 1911s it's my least favorite. Only change I made was the grips you see. The factory were plain and didn't have the insert. Does nothing the others don't. It's perdy though.

 

[bannockburn]

These are the three new Colts I bought a few years back. The Lightweight Government .45 is both a range gun and used every now and then for concealed carry. The Government .45 is primarily a range gun and handload test bed. The Commander is a .38 Super/9mm. convertible and is my fun gun for the range and also for concealed carry.

All are first rate in terms of their construction, functionality, reliability, and overall fit and finish.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

While I have nothing against Colt I would and did buy a Springfield instead.

 

[Reloadron]

Since Panzerschwein began this thread in late January I am wondering if he ever got a New Colt Series 70 gun?

I have one and I have no complaints with it. The gun works fine and has since day one. I have several of the older Series 70 guns including a few Gold Cups and I like those too.

Ron

 

[bannockburn]

Ron

Back in the day I had quite a few Series 70s and for the most part they were well made and functioned properly.My biggest complaint was with the Series 80 guns. Sure there were all the various labor problems going on back then but it was plain to see quality and overall fit and finish had taken a serious drop throughout the '80s and well into the '90s. Starting about 10 years ago Colt seemed to get a handle on getting their 1911s quality back in order and I keep hoping they'll somehow be able to turn things around financially so they can keep turning out decent guns.

 

[Reloadron]

Ron

Back in the day I had quite a few Series 70s and for the most part they were well made and functioned properly.My biggest complaint was with the Series 80 guns. Sure there were all the various labor problems going on back then but it was plain to see quality and overall fit and finish had taken a serious drop throughout the '80s and well into the '90s. Starting about 10 years ago Colt seemed to get a handle on getting their 1911s quality back in order and I keep hoping they'll somehow be able to turn things around financially so they can keep turning out decent guns.

Have to agree with that. I just gravitate to the Series 70 guns. Quietly been looking for a good 70 Series 9mm as I have a nice 38 Super in addition to a small pile of .45 ACP guns. Anyway, I agree as to quality slipping with the later guns. Darn shame too.

Ron

 

[SSN Vet]

I picked up the S70 National Match a few years back when it came out again (in blue with serrations in the top of the slide).

It is excellent in every way and is my most accurate pistol.