Series 70 firing system

It is nessessary to fill this frame gap so the sear will not wander over and lock up the sear. Lots of people feel the 80s series is basically just a lawyer lock. I do see a degree difference between manufacturers, however. A tribute to the revered commercial government model pistols of the past the 1911 classic features the series 70 firing system pre 70 series rollmarks. Series 70 1911s have no safety plunger in the slide. This removes from the triggerfeel equation the internal movement that disengages the firing pin block. Thus, the firing pin can only move if the trigger is pulled.

For 1911 shooters that dislike series 80 pistols, this is sure to be good news. This pistol is a tribute to the classic 1911s featuring pre 70 series rollmarks, a national match barrel and staked. On this model, colt added a safety feature in the form of a firing pin block system that made it impossible for the weapon to. The new pistols are for the most part dead ringers for the original guns. The thing is that none of the colt 1911 designs in the officer or commander frames received the collet bushing of the series 70. Wilson combat 1911 firing pin stop 80 series bullet proof. Since trigger pull can be adjusted by any well trained gunsmith, this shouldnt sway anyones decision between series 70 or 80. Should you buy or modify a series 80 or series 70 1911. If you have a 1911 that is not made by colt, it is not and can never be a series 70. You can leave a series 80 firing pin and extractor in a series 70 gun, you just cannot use the series 70 and earlier bits in a series 80 gun. It had a couple changes from the ones built in the 50s60s.

Series 70 is in this context just refers to the original gi system, without the series 80 firing pin safety. The nonfiring pin safety selection is going to be anything from springfield, the colt series 70 reproduction, or any of the high end builders, including but not limited to les baer, wilson combat, nighthawk custom, volkmann, ed brown, and ron phillips. National match barrel and novak adjustable fiber optic sights for precision shooting. 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. A look at the colt series 70 pistol the shooters log. The colt series 80, introduced in 1983, was formally known as the colt mk iv series 80 line of pistols. The series 70 and previous models could be dropfired if dropped directly on the hammer. Several makers are advertising a presumably desirable return to something called a series 70 firing pin safety system. Just this week ive encountered two different youtube videos in which the talking head on the video declared with absolute authority and no. Colts series 70 trigger put to the test series 70 vs. Mar 28, 2017 furthermore, with more parts in the gun, there is also a slightly greater possibility for the series 80 to have a breakage than the series 70.

Kimber ii series 1911s have a slide mounted firing pin safety similar to the colt series 80s. Springfield 1911s lack this as well, although they do include an integral locking system in the mainspring housing. Sep 05, 2016 series 70 versus series 80 among older 1911 guys youll sometimes hear discussions about series 70 versus series 80 firing pin systems. So, if you notice a compact 1911 thats billed as series 70 it actually isnt. If youre a competitive shooter, the iconic colt gold cup needs no introduction. The dual recoil spring system reduces felt recoil while extending recoil spring life.

I have a tough time telling the difference between the 70 and 80 series guns in terms of trigger. Most highend pistol makers ed brown, wilson, dan wesson only make 1911s without a firing pin block. As for commanders and oacp pistols, they have always used solid barrel bushings so there is no such thing as a series 70 commander or oacp. He instead went with a kimber that is series 80 for the firing pin safety and other features. The series 70 firing system has long been associated with colts heritage as a top manufacturer of competitiongrade firearms, said mark redl, product manager and pro shooter for colt. They have been offered with the series 80 firing pin safety so you have the option of pre series 70 no firing pin safety or series 80. Jan 27, 2014 this is a commonly debated subject my opinion is series 70 is a superior design and the series 80 is not needed and makes a gun less reliable and more likely to fail, malfunction or break. This model instituted a big change to the 1911 design.

It is clear that exceptional 1911 manufactures do not make their guns with the firing pin safety 80 your best and most high quality 1911 makers like wilson combat, les bear, ed brown. Given the many 1911 benefits, should you buy a series 80 or series 70 1911 pistol. Firing system definition of firing system by the free. The big news, of course, that makes this gun different from previous government model competition 1911s is the fire control system mentioned earlier. What firearm manufacturers other than colt make a 1911.

In effect, the return to the preseries 80 system at colt is a return to the series 70 style guns and earlier m1911a1s. Colt classic 1911 series 70 government model semi auto. Sep 16, 2015 on monday i posted an initial look at the colt mk. They have been offered with the series 80 firing pin safety so you have the option of preseries 70 no firing pin safety or series 80. So, if you notice a compact 1911 thats billed as series 70it actually isnt. The series 80 iswas the term used to refer to a number of modifications made to the firing mechanism of the colt 1911 pistol. Series 70 vs 80, the difference is more than you think. Colt guns continue their groundbreaking traditions today. The law enforcement carbine supplies unrivaled rail system stability, flipup front and rear sights and a. Then a few years ago, colt brought out the series 70 reissue model. The colt series 70 or mark iv series 70 as the name suggests utilizes the series 70 firing system. Among the less expensive makers, springfield 1911s lack this as well, although they do include an inte.

Some 1911 shooters seriously dislike and strongly criticize the firing pin safety system additions on the series 80, while others say they can tell no real difference in the trigger presses, performance, and drop safety concerns between a series 70 and series 80 1911. Colt 1911 competition series 70 pistol 9mm luger 5 barrel 9. Colt introduces new gold cup trophy pistol with series 70. The series 70 firing system ensures a clean crisp trigger pull. I want to buy this model colt firearm but prefer the series 70 over the series 80 trigger system. First off, a basic comparison of the new second generation series 70 pistols with the originals is in order. Not all manufactures of series 80 clones use the trigger to release the firing pin block. No manufacturers aside from colt ever adopted the series 70 barrelbushing arrangement, so technically there are no series 70 clone guns. Please tell me everything you can so the gunsmith can help you best. As already mentioned the new guns use the solid barrel bushing, whereas the 1st gen. Sep 05, 2012 this is a video to explain the differences in the different series pistols and how some of the terms have changed over time. Apr 14, 2017 available in 45 acp and 9mm, colts new gold cup trophy features competition ergonomics, 25 lpi checkering, series 70 firing system and more. The series 70 system, which this gun sports, is the one originally designed by browning for the 1911 and does not have the passive firing pin block of the later series 80 system.

What is the difference between series 70 80 and 90 firing. Then next major design came in 1983 with the colt mark iv series 80. What colt is giving you with the new mk iv series 70 is in fact a series 80 pistol with series 80 trigger system parts, only without the actual firing pin block. Yes, i know kimbers and sigs use a slightly different firing pin lock, yes i know technically it is not a series 80, if you go to above link i have pictured of the swartz system that kimber uses. Dual recoil spring system reduces felt recoil while extending recoil spring life.

The original browningdesigned inertia firing pin was the way the gun was built from 1911 until the series 70 guns ran their course in the early 1980s. Both lack the series 80 firing pin safety, however the new pistols do use the same internal parts as the series 80 pistols. What firearm manufacturers other than colt make a 1911 with the. Colt 1911 competition series 70 pistol 9mm luger 5 barrel. Available in 45 acp and 9mm, colts new gold cup trophy features competition ergonomics, 25 lpi checkering, series 70 firing system and more. Oct 30, 2015 the series 70 lacks a firing pin block. Colts manufacturing company aka colt announced it would now manufacture its competition pistol with the series 70 firing system. Now, the connecticutbased gun maker is taking things to the next level with the gold cup trophy. Colt did reintroduce the series 70 pistol in 2001 and in 2002 introduced a stainless steel version, now original series 70 colts were never built with stainless steel and these new series 70 reissue also. Colt added a safety feature in the form of a firing pin block system that made it impossible for the weapon to discharge if dropped or thrown on a.

A buddy, who knows much more about guns than i do, wont carry series 70 1911s for that reason. The problem with the 1911 and the drop safety was that the. The series 70 firing system does away with the triggeractivated firing pin block safety found in the 80s. Do not be confused by colts experimental use of the schwartz safety system. Instead of being a solid piece, it had a few fingers on it. Comparing two recently produced, offtheshelf government models featuring the series 80 system with an original series 70 government model and the test gun with its. It seems to make perfect sense, as its not too difficult to remember that series 70 means any colt product without a firing pin safety system, versus a series 80 which has the safety. Blue g10 stocks adorn the grip, with 25 lpi checkering on the front and back, with a flared magwell ring to aid reloads. The colt classic 1911 series 70 government model is the series which features the legendary series 70 firing system ensuring that this particular 1911 is a faithful reproduction of government models manufactured prior to wwii. Today series 70 means the ww1 and wwii system without the firing pin block added in the series 80 and without the special bushing which tended to break.

This system featured an arrangement of internal levers and a plunger designed to ensure the firing pin was blocked until the trigger was pulled. Colt competition pistol line now uses series 70 firing. Aug 07, 2018 on the series 80, a pivoting link is actuated by the trigger pull, pushing the firing pin block up and unblocking the firing pin. This was, for some, a controversial addition in the evolution of colts 1911s that added unnecessary weight to the trigger pull. This pistol is a tribute to the classic 1911s featuring pre70 series rollmarks, a national match barrel and staked. The series 70 hammer had a half cock notch or hook whereas the series 80 has a shelf. Jan 29, 2018 what colt is giving you with the new mk iv series 70 is in fact a series 80 pistol with series 80 trigger system parts, only without the actual firing pin block. Colt series 70 pistol this pistol features the legendary series 70 firing system, making it a faithful reproduction to government models manufactured prior to world war ii. 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. The series 70 firing system is installed, along with a skeleton hammer and trigger, upswept beavertail safety with memory notch, competition safety lever. The outside look of the gun most closely resembles the classic design of the m1911a1 that saw service in world war ii to vietnam.

Whats meant by that is the pistol lacks the firing pin block. Some claim that this addition makes for a heavier trigger pull. Sa 1911 series 70 and firing pin safety concerns page 2. Should you buy or modify a series 80 or series 70 1911 pistol. Colts firing pin safety was designed to relieve some of the trigger pressure by adding this firing pin plunger in the slide to allow the forward movement of the firing pin. In that article i explained how the series 70 came about, how the series 70 firing system differs from the series 80 system used in colt m1911 pistols since 1983, and why colt.

This change was to prevent the eventual wear and breakage of the hook allowing the hammer to fall. Sights high profile hammer spur trigger short steel safety standard grip safety standard ejection port standard action single firing system serie 70. What firearm manufacturers other than colt make a 1911 with. What is the difference between series 70 80 and 90 firing systems for colt 1911. Discover an extensive selection of colt guns on our site, including colts law enforcement rifle line for deployment or patrol. If you have or buy a series 70 1911, is it will it be safe and reliable. It is nessessary to fill this frame gap so the sear will not wander over and lock up the sear trigger mechanism. Colt now making series 70 competition pistols the mag life.

When the series 70 came out, there was a special bushing to make the pistol slightly more accurate. The colt competition pistol line will now come outfitted with series 70 firing systems, making the trigger pull that much snappier. Nov 29, 2015 the biggest change in the series 80 is the firing pin block. 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. A tribute to the revered commercial government model pistols of the past the 1911 classic features the series 70 firing system pre70 series rollmarks.

This is a video to explain the differences in the different series pistols and how some of the terms have changed over time. When you look for parts and the maker says 70 series or 80 series, they are talking about the presence or absence of the firing pin block. Its all a matter of individual needs and tastes, as far as im concerned. In this regard, the series 70 is regarded by some fans of the 1911 as the original 1911 firing system, and is why it is still in production. As a result, the series 70 has a shorter trigger, arched mainspring housing, a standard grip and thumb safety, and. Colts series 70 pistol features the series 70 firing system, making it a faithful reproduction and throwback to colt government models manufactured during the. The series 70 firing systems made their way back into colts catalog earlier this decade with a bit of elegant engineering to ensure they were drop safe. The fp safety keeps the firing pin fron contacting the primer for a possible ad when the pistol is dropped, muzzle down, on a hard surface. You just happen to have a 1911 by x maker that doesnt have a firing pin safety. Colt series 70 government 1911 classic for sale new. Rock island 1911a2 fs tactical 9mm 5 series 70 type firing system combat hammer parkerized 17 round.

If you are just doing it to achieve the best trigger pull possible, all you have to do is removing the firing pin block and spring assembly from the slide and just reinstall the firing pin and spring as in a 70 series just leave out the parts that block the firing pin. Dec 23, 2019 the series 70 firing system is installed, along with a skeleton hammer and trigger, upswept beavertail safety with memory notch, competition safety lever and colts national match barrel. Also, there are no series 70 colt commanders, just commanders made in the 70s. In that article i explained how the series 70 came about, how the series 70 firing system differs from the series 80 system used in colt m1911 pistols since 1983, and why colt reintroduced the series 70 in limited runs beginning in 2001. The 80 series started in the 80s and continues to be built. The new setup involved a small plunger located inside the slide to block the firing pin against movement, thus preventing the pistol from discharging accidentally should the pistol be dropped or hit hard while fully. It has the firing pin safety and no more collet bushing. This pistol also features an arched steel mainspring housing and a short steel trigger. What this means is that designwise most of them share commonality with the pre series 70 guns, using neither the firing pin block nor the collet bushing. Colt released an updated design of their fullsize 1911 pistol in the 1970s hence the name which consisted of a. 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. Here at hgw, we still believe that the series 70 style hammer is best as it captivates the sear rather than allowing it to possibly slide off. Colt competition pistol line now uses series 70 firing system.

Rock island 1911a2 fs tactical 9mm 5 series 70 type. According to the information provided by the company, colt will make the new series 70 competition pistols with the same features as the existing series 80 pistols. Among older 1911 guys youll sometimes hear discussions about series 70 versus series 80 firing pin systems. This information only applies to colt pistols and not other 1911 makers. Just this week ive encountered two different youtube videos in which the talking head on the video declared with absolute authority and no reservations the series 70 system is superior to the series 80.

More important to our discussion of the series 70 guns, the firing pin system was exactly the same one used since 1911. The series 70 primary difference is the lack of a firing pin block. This is a commonly debated subject my opinion is series 70 is a. The non firing pin safety selection is going to be anything from springfield, the colt series 70 reproduction, or any of the high end builders, including but not limited to les baer, wilson combat, nighthawk custom, volkmann, ed brown, and ron phillips.