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Colt Series 70

shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
edited March 2012 in General Discussion
So I am saving up for a new reproduction Colt Series 70 Gov Model. The only modification I'd like to make at this time is add a beavertail grip safety and a novak style rear site.


Any particular recommendation on a brand for the beavertail grip safety from you 1911 guys?

Do I have to change the hammer too? That hammer spur looks like it might hit from the pics.

Comments

  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have three Series '70 Colts and all have the original safety and hammer and none have ever given me any problems. I see no reason to spend money just to add to the bulk of the gun. Plus I think they are ugly. Yes, most guys go with a round hammer spur when they spend money to add a bulky and ugly "beavertail" safety (meaning even more money needs to be wasted... spent).

    Why do you think you need this when you don't even have the gun yet?


    standard.jpg
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    Too old to live...too young to die...
  • gesshotsgesshots Member Posts: 15,678 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My personal preference is - keep the original grip safety and arched MS housing, but add the wide target style hammer. Just my .02's.
    5lg.jpg
    [;)][^]
    It's being willing. I found out early that most men, regardless of cause or need, aren't willing. They blink an eye or draw a breath before they pull the trigger. I won't. ~ J.B. Books
  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    MoST BEAVER TAIL grip safety will NOT work with standard original hammer. Don't F up the original unless the original hammer and grip safety causes you hand to get pinched . MOST of The BLING parts are just that BLING does not make the gun shoot better This includes full length recoil spring guide rods Recoil buffers ambi safety and muzzle comp. YMMV NOT

    EDIT AGAIN one size does not fit all. The grip safety with MEMORY GROOVE will cause my bottom
    two fingers to go numb after 2 rounds and the beaver tail safety will not come closer then 1/4 inch from the web of my hand . I have Skinny / boney hands. Dehorning [:(!] you cant go back once done.
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Apparently I have treaded into dangerous territory with the traditionalists!! I guess I shouldn't mention I like the way they look, I like the one on my Kimber. But I'll wait until I actually get it, and shoot it to see if I will change it or not.

    I like the look of the original hammer, so I may foregoe adding a different safety if I have to change the hammer. Especially since I already have a 1911 with one.

    gave me somethin to think about..thanks!
  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    forgemonky- That's a Gold Cup and the sights and mainspring housing are original to this model. The stocks are aftermarket but add no bulk to the gun.

    My point is that he is asking about replacement parts before he has even held the gun in his hand. Why not wait and see how it feels before deciding to make changes?

    Yes, I prefer the original parts. I find the oversize safety bulky and ugly (as stated) and in most cases unnecessary. I think most times the big safety is added to look hip. It's what the race guns use, so...

    Here's a Series '70 GM with the arched housing.


    standard.jpg


    I do have one 1911 pattern pistol with the unfortunate big safety. Came on the lower, works OK, I wasn't willing to start swapping out parts that work well but I don't appreciate the looks.


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    Too old to live...too young to die...
  • yoshmysteryoshmyster Member Posts: 22,051 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I like the Ed Brown's with the Memory Groove. Now I don't know if this will be a drop in part since I know they sell a jig for fitting. Also you may need to add metal then re-shape it.
  • SWAT 50SWAT 50 Member Posts: 4,074 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by yoshmyster
    I like the Ed Brown's with the Memory Groove. Now I don't know if this will be a drop in part since I know they sell a jig for fitting. Also you may need to add metal then re-shape it.




    You would need to Bob the horns, or dehorn it. Simple job if you have the tools.
  • footlongfootlong Member Posts: 8,009
    edited November -1
    My 70s are stock. Just like GOD made em[^]
  • COLTCOLT Member Posts: 12,637 ******
    edited November -1
    ...Shoot it first if its hammer bite you're concerned with, might very well not bite you.

    Seems like a lot of those that get hammer bite are the fatty fat fatties with fat hands, especially between their thumb & forefinger.

    IF you add a BT, use a Wilson Combat...you DONT have to alter the frame to add it...and you can always change back to the original, no harm no foul.

    The wide spur might give you a problem hitting the BT but, if your're dead set on adding a BT, change the hammer, no biggie and you can always put the original back.

    Just dont make any permanent changes and bag & tag all your parts where they can be reinstalled later and your're good to go.

    An Ed Brown and others BT's require cutting the frame, any permanent alterations will haunt the value of the gun for life...[;)]
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Put my order forms in the mail to Colt today [8D] Will be interesting to see how long til my Series 70 gets here!!!
  • CDMeadCDMead Member Posts: 2,141 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by shilowar
    So I am saving up for a new reproduction Colt Series 70 Gov Model.

    If you're buying a Colt, it isn't a reproduction. Just saying. [;)]
  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    That's a good looking Colt. May need to round the edges on the rear sight a bit to prevent tearing clothing, holster leather and skin.

    What's the retail on that bad boy?
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    Too old to live...too young to die...
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Doc
    That's a good looking Colt. May need to round the edges on the rear sight a bit to prevent tearing clothing, holster leather and skin.

    What's the retail on that bad boy?


    dunno, ordering it directly from Colt for $736
  • COLTCOLT Member Posts: 12,637 ******
    edited November -1
    quote:If you're buying a Colt, it isn't a reproduction. Just saying.

    Yes it is a Colt, but Colt calls it a "faithful reproduction" since the original run of Series 70 Govt. models ended in 83, I think, so "reproduction" as used in this context is correct.

    Short runs of Series 70's & faithful reproductions, not Commemorative models, of the WWI & WWII Colt began about 4 years ago...very nice and exact to the last detail...after a rollmark change shortly after the run began on the WWI (I think) reproduction.

    Personally I think "Heritage" would be a better word used to describe the short runs of Series 70's Colt has been offering, Smith uses it...but the word "reproduction" pretty much is self explanatory for the masses, and Colt could care less what I think...[;)]
  • mateomasfeomateomasfeo Member Posts: 27,143
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by eboydell
    Colt is never in a rush.


    THAT's a fact...
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It will be nice to finally have a horsey gun!!! Then I won't feel left out in the 1911 conversations because I only have a clone (Kimber) now I can hang out at the grown ups table!!!
  • Bill JordanBill Jordan Member Posts: 1,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Earl; Dammit; I love your posts!
    Especially the Series 70's , of which I own 2; a Gold Cup, and a plain Jane one which I carry regularly, even though I'm a small guy.

    I also shoot a Clark heavy slide with Bomar Extended front sight and accuracy tuner that is a super shooter.
    Keep up the good work!!
  • COLTCOLT Member Posts: 12,637 ******
    edited November -1
    ...Its a nice one!

    Sure you will like it, have a few..and though some are safe queens...I like 'em, each & every one.

    ...Of the ones I shoot, they all shoot just fine and nary a problem, though its mechanical, steel & manmade, so...............

    1911's are easy to maintain & fix, so if a problem pops up, no problem.

    TWO books I highly recommend...both avaiable MOST of the time used, on Abesbooks (http://www.abebooks.com/)
    IF out of stock, keep checking...they come up regularly...the first book I listed is the best IMO (if I was to get only one of the two)...but get them both.

    Both books by the same author Jerry Kuhnhausen...ONLY books you will ever need to maintain AND to be a "certified parts changer" for 1911's...not a history, but "get your hands dirty books", great for any 1911 owner...AND...EASY to read and DO.

    1) The Colt .45 Automatic A Shop Manual
    2) The US M1911/M1911A1 Pistols A Shop Manual

    If you go to Abes...put the authors name in and it will pull up the two books, when they have them in stock..generally about $20-$30 delivered, used in good condition. Both books out of print...but they are the best for someone who wants to learn and do a LOT to a 1911...congrats on the Series 70...[^]

    All my Colts are plenty accurate enough.

    Maybe the smoothest and most accurate, maybe, is the Colt McCormick Factory Racer by Lew Horton, 500 Govt models made. Colt Custom Shop gun with collaboration between them, Lew Horton & Chip McCormick...one sweet gun as far as smooth & accurate, superb trigger w/hard chrome finish, nice, nice & nice!
    The few MFR's made were intended to be facory race guns out of the box, and they met that goal I think.[^]

    McCormickFactoryRacer005.jpg
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Its not the first 1911 I've owned, just the first Colt

    My Kimber, had a Pro Carry SLE too
    Kimber.jpg

    Caspian I had
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