Series 70 or 80

[BigBronco]

Looking for a Colt Gold Cup. What series is better 70 or 80? Looking at a couple now.

[FF90]

70, better trigger

[RandyD]

The 70, it does not have that unnecessary firing pin block safety.

[highpower]

The firing pin block can be removed quite easily and the trigger tuned to be as good as any other 1911. But I have two Colts with the FP block that have excellent triggers. One is a M45A1 and the other is a 1991A1 compact. I also have a 2012 vintage Government Model and while the trigger isn't match grade, it is at least as good as that on any of my other pre series 80 1911's.

[stormvet]

In a perfect world series 70 for sure, but that said the 80 although unnecessary has a proven track record of reliability. The 70 trigger may be a hair better out of the box, but it’s minor. I have close to 5000 rounds fired with M45a1 and the 80 has never been an issue, yes that’s only a one of but I’ve never thought of deleting. Really don’t see the reason, the gun works great with it and the trigger is still very good.

Guess what I’m saying is although I’d prefer the 70, if a came across an 80 I really liked and the price was right I wouldn’t hesitate to buy it.

[TrappedinCalifornia]

The National Match .45 1911s - A Photo Essay by beetle... Starting particularly at Post #4

Let's just say that my 'carry' gun is a Series 70 and let it go at that.

[mausercat]

The 70's guns and the most of the 80's guns have a steel trigger and the sear -has an anti-bounce spring and lever. Most of the used guns I have seen are missing this spring and lever because it is so small and easy to lose. Aside from that it is a pain in ***** to assemble back in place. The newer ones with aluminum triggers do not have that component, because the trigger itself weighs much less and is less likely to bounce and cause the hammer to fall.

[jayhuh]

I had a late model Gold Cup that I recently sold, that was a Series 70 and a Colt Combat Elite Commander, Series 80 that I currently have. When I shot them side by side, I really couldn’t tell any difference. That’s one of the reasons I sold the Gold Cup. I really didn’t need another “range only” gun, and even though I don’t carry the commander, it would be easier to carry than the Gold Cup.

[newbie1234]

Just curious, any vote for series 80 ?

[223556]

My votes Series 70.
I have both series and just like the simplified 70 vs the 80.

[hermosabeach]

is this a shooter... or a safe queen?


Cant beat 1960s for colts bluing and metal work...


for shooting.... must have a beaver tail....

[BigBronco]

As a rule I buy them to shoot.

[JTROKS]

Series 70

[SilveradoColt21]

Series 70 for me, the trigger is just phenomenal IMO.

[brassburnz]

I have 70's and 80's but not Gold Cups. When I was shooting bullseye, I could definitely tell the difference between the two. I did my own sear and hammer work with a microscope to get the angles exactly the way I wanted them. Back in the day, bullseye gunsmiths were perfecting the "roll trigger" which some people called "controlled creep."

With the series 80 parts installed, I couldn't achieve a "roll trigger" because of the additional friction, so I removed them. My goal was to shoot 3 inch groups at 50 yards, standing, shooting one-handed. I had guns with 50 yard test targets from a Ransom Rest that put five shots of .22 rimfire inside 0.47 and 0.35 inches. In other words, the guns and ammo were far more accurate than me. By the way, that's not a typo: 50 yards NOT 50 feet.

If I found a deal on a Series 80, I'd pick it up. Otherwise I just prefer a pre-series 70 or a series 70.

https://www.facebook.com/frerkingcustomworks/photos/a.1749385105084239/2012098158812931/?type=3