Series 80 Colt's

[Gun Master]

How good, functionally, are the 80's Series, compared to the other model issues? I have a Perfect "Springfield Armory 200th Anniversary" Commerative, which I have shot less than 50 rounds in . It worked flawlessly the few times it was used. Love it!!!

 

[Walkalong]

I have two Series 80 enhanced pistols, one in .45 ACP and one in .38 Super that I also installed a 9MM barrel in. They both run great. The Super is stock, while the .45 was worked over by a smith.

 

[Nebuchadnezzar]

My Delta Elite and XSE both run great. A few hundred down the tubes of each, with nary a problem.

 

[sexybeast]

I'm not real in the know about any 1911, but I thought the only difference between a 70 and an 80 is the plunger to block the transfer bar.
All I have are 80s, a Delta elite with an extra 40 barrel and a Gold Cup.
They both shoot better than I do.

 

[Fishbed77]

I have a 2012-production Colt XSE that has been 100% reliable. I have no reason to believe it will not continue to be reliable for many years to come.

The 1911s Colt is making these days are some of the best in their entire history, thanks to a heavy investment in high-tech CNC equipment, combined with a higher degree of hand-fitting than most mass-produced 1911s receive..

 

[Kp321]

The only down side to the Series 80 is the transfer linkage on the FP safety. It can make the trigger pull heavier and grittier.

 

[chaser_2332]

The only series 80 I currently have is a Colt rail gun, the trigger is honestly as good as any of the factory 70's i have if not better than some.

 

[Capt. Ct.]

No problems with mine. That is, after I removed the recoil buffer that someone had put in.

 

[Rock185]

I've owned '80 Series Colts since they were introduced in 1983. I have used various '80 Series guns for training, qualification, recreational competition, CCW and as duty guns. Within my humble experience, they have been more consistent in overall quality, more reliable, with as good or better trigger quality, than the Series '70 Governments and Gold Cups I bought back when they were in production. I've never encountered a problem with the '80 Series components, other than what I've seen with Bubba modified guns, whether done by "gunsmiths" or not. I trusted '80 Series Colts enough to carry one 40+ hours a week for several years. Still works reliably, and I still trust them...ymmv

BTW, I'm a Colt armorer and, like others I'm sure, have done some informal experimentation with the '80 Series Colt with and without the Series '80 components installed. It made less than 8 oz. difference in trigger pull weight ,and no difference at all in any other aspect of trigger action. People blame the Series '80 components for bad triggers, but trigger specs didn't change between the Series '80s and previous models. The hammer, sear, sear spring and mainspring, that actually determine trigger quality, don't care if the fps system, etc, is present or not...

 

[saltydog452]

Orginal post #1

Title was referencing Colts Series 80. The body of that post refered to a Springfield.

Earlier Colt S80 linkage came in different lift heights. Mine did. Reliable ignition came from the installation of 'Match' linkage. At least, thats the way it worked out for me. Supposedly, the current crop of Colt S80s now ship with the higher lift 'match' linkage.

Lots of information available in this Forum. The 'Search' feature is your friend.

salty

 

[DPris]

No transfer bar in a 1911.
The plunger blocks the firing pin.
Denis

 

[wojownik]

Salty - the OP is referencing a Colt commemorative or special edition - the Colt "Springfield Armory 200th Anniversary" 1911 Pistol. It was Lew Horton custom - commemorating, of course, the 200th Anniversary (1794-1994) of the original Springfield Arsenal. Really cute irony there, with the Colt pistol in emblazoned with the Springfield Armory cartouche on the slide.

I always wondered whether this fell under "fair use" or if some other arrangement needed to be made, since the Springfield Armory name was licensed in 1974 to Robert Reese for the Springfield Armory, Inc.

Anyway, back to the OP, I have two Series 80s and a Series 70 (O1911 WW1), plus a Springfield 1911 an a Systema Colt.

All have been flawless through thousands of rounds (OK, the O1911 only has 28 rounds through her).

The Series 80 1991A1 (1990s production) does have a gritter trigger, but my Series 80 Commander (late 2000s production) has a crisp tight trigger, even crisper than the Series 70.

Title was referencing Colts Series 80. The body of that post refered to a Springfield.

Earlier Colt S80 linkage came in different lift heights. Mine did. Reliable ignition came from the installation of 'Match' linkage. At least, thats the way it worked out for me. Supposedly, the current crop of Colt S80s now ship with the higher lift 'match' linkage.

Lots of information available in this Forum. The 'Search' feature is your friend.

salty

 

[Fishbed77]

The only down side to the Series 80 is the transfer linkage on the FP safety. It can make the trigger pull heavier and grittier.

Not really. I've shot Series 80s with great triggers and Series 70s with bad triggers.

 

[saltydog452]

OOps, my bad.

salty

 

[pendennis]

To the OP's question, I own several, and they've functioned flawlessly. My latest is a 1996-produced .38 Super Enhanced. It didn't have a usage mark on it from the owner's estate. It's had around 500 rounds run through it of all types, Fiocchi, Winchester, Remington, Federal, and reloads. Not a single failure of any kind. The trigger is great.

I also have a series 80 Gold Cup, in stainless steel, and it's been nearly flawless. I had an issue with some 200gr SWC's, but it turned out to be a crimping problem on my end.

 

[skoro]

How good, functionally, are the 80's Series, compared to the other model issues?

I have two Series 70 Colts and a newer Series 80 Commander. The Series 80 has better sights. Other than that, their functionality is equal. Some say they can tell a difference in the triggers, but I can't.

 

[Roadkill]

I've had this one about ten years. Shoot 300-400 rounds of my reloads a month through it. Bought it used from a ATF agent in the back lot of a grocery store. When he drove up in the Crown Vic with all the antennas I was surprised. Anyway, it has be as reliable and accurate as any I've ever owned. My shooter grade guns that give me problems tend to get sent on down the line if I can't get them working right. It loves a round nose 230g bullet. Trigger is great as is the accuracy. I have about six Wilson magazines and a dozen of military contract. They all work perfectly.