Questions
Howdy Russ,
The difference between the 1911 and the 1991 is that 1911 is a fairly generic description of the Colt-Browning pistol that was adopted by the
U.S. Army in 1911. Technically, a 1911 is pre-1911-A1 design.
1991 came along with the reissue of the WW2 contract serial numbers
that was supposed to be a continuation of the last of the pixtols that Colt built for the governement, taking up where the last serial number left off.
It was a no-frills, entry level pistol that was affordable and most were very
good as to functional reliability as delivered. Many consider them to be ugly, but I say ugly is as ugly does. The NRM Government Model is the
same gun in a prettier package. The 1991 Series pistols were avaliable
in Full-size(GM), Commander, and Officer's Models.
The A1 designation was the result of modifications to the original 1911
to make it more user-friendly. Scalloped areas behind the trigger guard so that people with small hands/short fingers could reach the trigger easier.
A shorter trigger...slightly larger sights...A longer grip safety tang to
help prevent hammer bite, and slightly looser tolerances so that unskilled
labor could assemble functional pistols in a hurry, and for drop-in parts
replacement. Many people recognize this era as the birth of the so-called
Drop-in part. Production pistols are still built the same way, excluding the
higher-end factory offerings and semi-custom pistols.
Colt Series 70 pistols had a collet bushing that was supposed to be an
aid to accuracy in an otherwise ordnance-spec pistol. When it worked
it did a pretty good job. The problems came from incorrect fitting that
sometimes caused the fingers on the collet to snap off, tying up the gun.
GI pistols and 1911s built before the Series 70 introduction are now called
Series 70 pistols, but they're correctly referred to as pre-Series 70s.
Series 80 Colts incorporated a passive firing pin block that prevented the gun from firing unless the trigger was pulled. This was done to make the
pistol drop-safe. Pre-Series 80 pistols...without the passive safety feature
could possibly discharge if dropped straight down on the muzzle onto a
hard surface...if they were dropped from a height of about 10 feet. It's
not a necessary addition as long as a the firing pin spring is changed
regularly...about every 4-5 thousand rounds. If both types are mechanically sound, they both require that the trigger be pulled in order to fire the pistol. IMO, neither has an advantage over the other on the safety issue, provided that they are both well-maintained. Neglect gives the edge to the Series 80s. Most die-hard 1911 buffs would rather have their pistols
without.
Series 2 Kimbers have a passive firing pin safety of a different design than
the Colt. There are no Series 1 Kimbers Pre-Series 2 Kimbers are of the
original design, like pre Series 70 and Series 70 Colts...as are the Springfields. Springfield has recently incorporated an ILS system that allows the owner to manually disable the pistol with a key, but the firing
system design is pure 1911.
There are no Series 70 Commanders. They are either Series 80 or pre-70 design.
Hope this helps...
Tuner
