Colt combat government model series 70, 1911 1911a1 youtube. The 70 series differs from the 80 series model with 70 series short trigger has a much faster firing rate than the 80 series. This updated configuration is packed with ambidextrous features and includes a 15 mlok compatible rail system that will enable flexibility for every end user. By hunter elliott on september 20, 2015 in gun talk i see a lot of use and misuse of the terms series 70 and series 80 when talking about government model and commander pistols so i thought i would lay it out for you all. The newly redesigned combat commander features a blued carbon steel frame and slide, as well as a 4. What were the differences between the series 70 vs series 80. Because its stainless it gets a lot more usage than my nickel series 70. Models in stock include delta elite, gold cup, national match, combat and lightweight commanders, xse series and 1991a1 government models, 1911s from the colt custom shop, plus many limited edition and talo exclusive models. Colt has been a staple in the firearm industry forever but has recently seen a sort of reemergence. It soon became popular on the civilian market and in 1971 a steelframed to differentiate it from the lightweight commander combat commander went into production. Jan 08, 2010 all of colt s 1911pattern pistols incorporated the new design change so even the commander and officers acp pistols became known as series 80 guns. I would seriously love for colt to bring out something in between their commander xse, and series 70. Colt combat commander 9mm caliber pistol 70s vintage. Introduced the accurized split barrel bushing collet bushing.
Between 1983 and 1988, government and gold cup models of series 80 guns contained series 70 type barrels and bushings. Tjs 1911 series 80 to series 70 conversion shims frame slot filler replace the gap used by the colt series 80 firing pin block actuating levers when removed by gunsmiths for crisper trigger pulls. If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. Colt has continued to build commander style pistols through its successive design permutations.
The colt commander is a singleaction, semiautomatic, magazinefed, and recoiloperated handgun based on the john m. By 2009 when the xse lw commander in 38 super in the middle was made colt had changed the size of the levers on the ambi thumb safety but was still using the duckbill grip safety. This is a discussion on price check on a series 70 combat commander within the handguns forums, part of the gun forum category. I have not had any malfunctions with this pistol either.
The colt combat elite was specialized for combat style match shooters. Colt talo lightweight commander series 70 vs series 80. My prized colt is a 80 series built by paul liebenberg when he ran pachmayr gun works. I think colt went to the beavertail grip safety on these in about 2010. From 1970 on, the commander was referred to as the lightweight commander. The shorter barrel contributes to an overall length of 7. Between 1983 and 1988, government and gold cup models of series 80 guns contained series. Also, there are no series 70 colt commanders, just commanders made in the 70s. The series 80 iswas the term used to refer to a number of modifications made to the firing mechanism of the colt 1911 pistol. Colt has continued to build commanderstyle pistols through its successive design permutations.
Ill take it over the series 80 every day of the week and twice on sundays. Personalizing the colt combat commander sight m1911. Colt commander 45 apc series 70 vs 80 series post by castonia1. I think that around 2010ish, colt offered the series 80 xse lightweight commander in. Browse all new and used colt pistols 1911 series 70 for sale and buy with. Sep 18, 2019 the colt lightweight commander has been around since the early 1950s and is still a heavy favorite among gun aficionados. Colt 1911 80 series mk iv combat commander discussion in 1911 forum started by coalminer1980, apr 3, 20. It was not the case at all that the basic factory gun from colt in those days was as good as a wilson combat today. It was the first massproduced pistol with an aluminium alloy frame and the first colt pistol to be chambered in 9mm parabellum colt made several variations of the commander and offered it in. In 1991 colt revamped their 1911 line by turning the basic government model into a. Colt pistols 1911 series 70 for sale guns international. Oct 09, 2014 i would seriously love for colt to bring out something in between their commander xse, and series 70.
Firing pin block safety the colt series 80, introduced in 1983, was formally known as the colt mk iv series 80 line of pistols. In series 80 the ejection port is not only lowered and beveled, but also moved to right approximately 1 mm. Colt pistols commander for sale guns international. This handgun is still in command and rockin even with all the polymer featured firearms of today. Now that appears to be the enigma, i can only guess that colt used a slide with the older roll mark at the startup of the satin nickel combat commander series.
The combat governments never were big sellers, so you rarely see them today. Glock 17, dlask compact 1911 in 9mm, berretta 92 centurion w. Many a keystroke has been dedicated to the differences between the colt series 70 and series 80 pistols. The revolutionary lower receiver and bolt carrier design enable the upper receiver group to be easily swapped out for any colt milspec. As again, the series 70 is the designator for a full size government model 1911 made by colt only. I bought the colt combat commander in stainless steel. Next came the improved series 80 with better sights, a polished feed ramp, and a firing pin block or drop.
May 10, 2018 colt has been a staple in the firearm industry forever but has recently seen a sort of reemergence. The 1991 combat commander is a regular production pistol in colts lineup, not a custom shop item. Up for your consideration is a very nice colt 1911 combat commander. Let oak hill guns help you find the best firearm that matches your skill and interest. Cant speak to colt s service since ive had no need to use it for anything. Mechanically however they are the same as any other colt series 80, 1911type pistol. What series 70 and series 80 really means when 1911 shopping.
Colt xse series 80 1911addicts the premiere 1911 forum for. I have fed it hollowpoints all kinds but mostly hardball, i cant remember when i last had a failure to feed. Nevertheless, its their combat commander 1911 that people are talking about. In sum, a series 70 is better for competitive shooting carried unloaded in a box and shot a lot while the series 80 is a better duty pistol carried loaded and shot infrequently and decreases your liability somewhat. It is nessessary to fill this frame gap so the sear will not wander over and lock up the sear trigger mechanism. A quick look at another variation of the colt government model, the combat government model. Colt 1911 80 series mk iv combat commander firearms talk.
The term lightweight commander came into being with the series 80 designator, or. I picked up this 80 series colt 1911 mk iv combat commander. Series 70 vs 80, the difference is more than you think. They were designated colts commander model the term combat commander did not come into being until the 1970s, when colt produced a steel framed model. Thirdly, what people who gripe about the series 80 dont know or wont admit to is that getting a slick factory gun involved a number of trips to a gunsmith back in the series 70 era. I picked up a new colt stainless combat commander 1991a1 last year and have been extremely happy with it. The combat government featured high profile sights, a lowered ejection port, flat mainspring housinglong trigger, and wrap around rubber grips. So, if you notice a compact 1911 thats billed as series 70 it actually isnt. The series 70 and pre series 70 pistol s barrel, are not compatible with the series 80 pistol s barrel. Colts entire line of 1911style pistols were switched to the new design in 1983, so they all bore the series 80 designation even the commander and officers acp models. Colt released an updated design of their fullsize 1911 pistol in the 1970s hence the name which consisted of a collet bushing instead of the. Nov 29, 2015 colt fans will argue that series 70 and 80 only apply to colt and any other manufacture claiming series 80 are really just stating it has a firing pin block and mechanism, colt clones retain many of the differences that are seen in a series 70 vs 80 colt 1911. We can get our point across by using the 70 series80 series, and people know what we mean without having to describe that we either do or do not have some kind of firing pin block safety, whether it is a colt system, or the kimber schwartz style.
Colt commander 45 apc series 70 vs 80 series thearmory. Colt fans will argue that series 70 and 80 only apply to colt and any other manufacture claiming series 80 are really just stating it has a firing pin block and mechanism, colt clones retain many of the differences that are seen in a series 70 vs 80 colt 1911. The colt gold cup mk iv series 70 national match is hard to beat. In 1983, colt released a new 1911 design dubbed the series 80 also named for the decade during which it was released with a few design changes. The gold cup, mkiv series 80, m1991a1, and xse series have all included commander and lightweight commander models. Dec 02, 2011 a quick look at another variation of the colt government model, the combat government model. The m1911, also known as the colt government or government, is a single action.
Colt series 708090 firearms talk the community for. The series 80 has light holster wear, leather gun belt, leather holster, mag pouches and extra mags. Colt offers the 1991 combat commander in blued and stainless steel finishes. Colt brings back the combat commander 1911 for 2017.
This colt 1911 combat commander is my favorite pistol. Colt mk iv series 80 combat goverment, why is it combat. Price check on a series 70 combat commander m14 forum. The american icon has lately released a modern cobra revolver and a line of impressive tactical ar15s, effectively putting them back on the map. It has a series 80 serial number but its one of the early ones that didnt have the damned firing pin block, like a series 70 for a series 80 price. With the good looks of a bbq gun and the heart of a fighter, the combat elite commander proves you dont have to compromise form or function. Colt xse series 80 1911addicts the premiere 1911 forum. A look at the colt series 70 pistol the shooters log. To differentiate between the two models, the aluminumframed model was renamed the lightweight commander. The thing is that none of the colt 1911 designs in the officer or commander frames received the collet bushing of the series 70. With the previous paragraph in mind, it is important to know that from 1983 until 1988 the early government model and gold cup series 80 pistols used the series 70type barrel and bushing as well. It soon became popular on the civilian market and in 1971 a steelframed to differentiate it from the lightweight commander combat commander went. In 1970, colt introduced the allsteel colt combat commander, with an optional.
The term commander came about in late 1949early 1950 and all had an alloy aluminum frame. Colt mark iv series 80 combat commander 9mm 4 14 inch satin nickel finish. It was the first massproduced pistol with an aluminium alloy frame and the first colt pistol to be chambered in 9mm parabellum. It is equipped with a series 80 style firing pin safety, and it is shipped in colts current standard blue, clamshell pistol box. I am still questioning the right side of the slide saying colts commander model rather than colts combat commander like my other two series 70 steel guns.
It uses the old model sights which i believe are built in the slide. This information only applies to colt pistols and not other 1911 makers. In 1970, colt introduced the allsteel colt combat commander, with an optional model in satin nickel. Instruction manual that came with the gun is for a series 80 but the wiley clapp commanders are series 70. Colt combat commander 1970 series improved and updated. The colt lightweight commander stainless is one of those classic firearms that has always been popular until now. As stated above changing a 80 series to a 70 series isnt a big deal if you really feel the need. With a shorter profile than a traditional full size government. The evolution and development of the colt commander sight m1911. No breakin needed it shot 100% reliably right out if the box. Colt pistols are renowned for their comfort, accuracy, and power. All of colts 1911pattern pistols incorporated the new design change so even the commander and officers acp pistols became known as series 80 guns. It also had large paddles on the ambi thumb safeties which some holsters would flip off. Colt commander 45 apc series 70 vs 80 series post by castonia1 sun mar 26, 2006 10.
The series 80 combat government is a bit of a rare gun. I have since been told that these guns are actually series 70 guns which got the 80bs serial numbers. Dec 02, 2011 from 1970 on, the commander was referred to as the lightweight commander. Alas, by the time i discovered the joy of shooting this fine american cartridge, the xse lwt cdr was no longer in production and used offerings were nonexistent. Colt 1911 70 series was another collectible ive always wanted. Colt series 70 vs series 80 combat government 1911forum. Colt 1911 series 70 blued competition 9mm currently out of stock. With the good looks of a bbq gun and the heart of a fighter, the combat elite commander proves you dont have to.
The evolution and development of the colt commander. In 1983 the series 80 models were introduced with the new firing pin safety system, which guarded against an accidental discharge should a loaded pistol be dropped onto a hard surface. Colt series 70 vs series 80 combat government colt. These updates were added in 1983 and were dubbed the series 80 since the previous revision to the base model gun was similarly dubbed the series 70. Between a series 70 and a series 80 combat government which should i go for. With the previous paragraph in mind, it is important to know that from 1983 until 1988 the early government model and gold cup series 80 pistols used the series 70 type barrel and bushing as well. Like new in box available for purchase at our online store in 1970, colt introduced the allsteel colt combat c.
The shorterbarreled colt commander model kept the solid bushing design, so it never had a series 70 designation. Nov 25, 2016 i am still questioning the right side of the slide saying colt s commander model rather than colt s combat commander like my other two series 70 steel guns. The colt lightweight commander has been around since the early 1950s and is still a heavy favorite among gun aficionados. This is a video to explain the differences in the different series pistols and how some of the terms have changed over time.
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