Colt 80 series question

RugerNiner

I don't know a damn thing about Colts. Can someone tell me about this 80 series gun and rate it against other Colt 1911's?
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=4368610

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BoltactionMan

Rugerniner,

This is the current production models. I have a Delta Elite and and a Government Model that both operate under the Series 80 designation. The Series 70's are in demand, but I have never had a problem with either of mine. If I remember correctly, the change had to do with the safties.

KC

RancheroPaul

Prior to the 80 series, all the Colt semi-autos could be discharged if a round was in the chamber and they were dropped on their muzzle. The firing pin is of the "inertia" type. It has some resistance from the spring that surrounds it, but when hit with a hammer, it absorbs the energy provided by the hammer and moves forward and hits the primer in the cartridge setting off the round. This is a known fact and most folks that own one of the pre-80 series guns should be aware of this.

Colt made the 80 series guns with a firing pin safety which is linked to the trigger. The firing pin cannot be moved without the trigger being held back. When you pull the trigger, the firing pin safety is released and you are completely unaware of this when firing this gun. There is nothing to indicate this is even going on. But, the Series 80 gun cannot let the firing pin go forward and hit the primer of a chambered round should the gun be dropped on its muzzle. Great feature in my opinion. Some folks have removed this linkage and safety, for whatever reason, I'm not sure, but it will function just like an earlier series Colt with it removed. This is the only difference in the guns except that many more models were added in the 80 and 90 series guns........and some say the quality is not as good. I haven't seen much difference in quality, myself. Hope this helps a little.

If You Can't Buy a Pair, Get a Spare!

11echo

Mr. Ranchero ...On my series 70 they have a thing called a "halfcocked safety". IF the weapon has a round in the chamber and the hammer is put in the halfcocked position the hammer has no contact with the firing pin. YES, you right if there is a round in the chamber and the hammer is all the way down on the firing pin, there is a chance of accidental discharge. This situation had been known since WWI ... and is probably kind of a carry over problem from the old single action Army revolvers, where they didn't carry a live round under the firing pin either. I'm guessing the series 80 is Colt's way to eliminate any future involvement with legal entanglements!

"FEAR the Goverment, that fears your ARMS"

Blokey

From what I understand, people remove the firing pin safety on Series 80 pistols in order to improve the trigger pull (one less thing for the trigger to operate).

rsnyder55

According to the Colt manual, if the Series 70 is dropped on the muzzle, the gun may fire regardless of the position of the hammer. The inertia from the firing pin alone is sufficient.

The half cock notch of the hammer is not a safety and Colt specifically states in their manual that the gun should not be carried this way.

The notch is intended to prevent the hammer from falling fully forward unintentionally such as slipping when cocking the hammer with your thumb or in the event the hammer safety sear notch failure to prevent full auto fire.

Myjack

I seriously recommend you avoid that seller like the plague! I was high bidder on one of his auctions, paid the bill and he refused to ship my item! Now 6 months later I am still being hassled!
He is a Liar and a Thief!
PS you can usually find a Gold Cup for not much more money than he wants for the GM.