1911 and model 80

[BadFish]

I keep seeing the model 80, whats the difference between a1911 and a model 80 1911?

[m1match]

I think you mean series 80. The Colt series 80 1911s have a firing pin safety that's released by the trigger pull. Between the Swartz type firing pin safety in the Kimber guns and the Colt Series 80, most gunsmiths consider the Series 80 firing pin safety to be more reliable and still very workable when it comes to getting a good trigger pull. I consider firing pin safeties in a 1911 to be unnecessary and add parts, but in California, the only Colt's on the CA approved list are series 80 guns.

[smle-man]

I think you mean series 80. The Colt series 80 1911s have a firing pin safety that's released by the trigger pull. Between the Swartz type firing pin safety in the Kimber guns and the Colt Series 80, most gunsmiths consider the Series 80 firing pin safety to be more reliable and still very workable when it comes to getting a good trigger pull. I consider firing pin safeties in a 1911 to be unnecessary and add parts, but in California, the only Colt's on the CA approved list are series 80 guns.

If you want to, the firing pin safety on the series 80 is easily removed. You will need an adapter to take the place of the parts removed from the frame and the plunger in the slide must also come out. You can get the adapter plate from Brownells for about $20. I removed my FP safety when I installed a series 70 type slide in .38 super on my series 80 frame.

[yallknowho]

we can't get series 70 pistols here?

edit: hmm I guess we can't I just looked. I guess I'll be getting the series 80.

[jammer2k]

we can't get series 70 pistols here?

edit: hmm I guess we can't I just looked. I guess I'll be getting the series 80.

But as as stated by SMLE-MAN it is fairly easy to convert it to a series 70, that is exactly what I had done to mine (Colt 1991).

Much happier with the trigger since the conversion

[trashman]

we can't get series 70 pistols here?

edit: hmm I guess we can't I just looked. I guess I'll be getting the series 80.

Not exactly true -- all of the Springfield, Charles Daly, Rock Island, High Standard 1911's are functionally identical to Series 70 -- no firing pin block.

But yes, if you want a Colt Series 70, or 70 Repro, you're limited to guns already inside California (i.e., PPT).

Biggums has a Series 70 for sale down in Hemet right now.

--Neill

[yallknowho]

I was deciding between colt and springfield, I decided I wanted the real deal.

[Colt]

...all of the Springfield, Charles Daly, Rock Island, High Standard 1911's are functionally identical to Series 70 -- no firing pin block.

True - but they may have other physical factors that are different (such as smaller, titanium FP on Springer).

I have both Series 80 and pre Series 80 Colts - series 80 isn't too much of a pain - really just a couple extra moving parts, which as mentioned can be removed/switched out.

[yallknowho]

If you want to, the firing pin safety on the series 80 is easily removed. You will need an adapter to take the place of the parts removed from the frame and the plunger in the slide must also come out. You can get the adapter plate from Brownells for about $20. I removed my FP safety when I installed a series 70 type slide in .38 super on my series 80 frame.

do you know which part it is?

[WINGEDSWORD]

Series 80

I have had series 70's. I currently have 5 series 80's,including a Gold Cup.
I have never had a problem with series 80 triggers. To me, the only difference is the overtravel. Not a problem in a combat or defense gun. And I've never had a problem, keeping tight groups with any of them.

[Black Majik]

I keep seeing the model 80, whats the difference between a1911 and a model 80 1911?

Here's a field stripped view of the Series 80 and the plunger in the slide. Honestly, I don't mind the S80 safety all that much. Mine has a trigger job on it, and it's just as crisp as my 1911s without a firing pin safety.

[SnWnMe]

Three tiny parts with negligible mass in the frame and a plunger and spring arrangement in the slide. You can get a Series 80 to be just as nice as a 70 gun. I don't know why some Smithys charge extra to work on them.

[JTROKS]

Three tiny parts with negligible mass in the frame and a plunger and spring arrangement in the slide. You can get a Series 80 to be just as nice as a 70 gun. I don't know why some Smithys charge extra to work on them.

I've done quite a few trigger jobs on 1911s both 80s and 70s. When a customer insist we use his colt parts, because he's too cheap to buy new parts, we charge a bit more for the job. Once we get all the parts cut and polished it takes meticulous work to ensure the extra series 80 parts are timed correctly when the hammer is released. Reason for the extra charge, extra parts to polish and extra step to ensure reliability and safety.

If you are talking 3.5 - 4 lb trigger jobs the extra parts on the series 80 doesn't matter much. When it comes to getting a competition/target grade trigger for your 1911 that is in the sub 2lb then we highly encourage the series 70 conversion, but the gun is now strictly for competition/target use. I have a Colt 1991A1 Commander that I call on to be my HD gun. All series 80 parts are still there and the trigger job is about 4lbs. If ever I have to use it to defend life and family, I sure would hate the thought of the prosecutor looking over my gun if I removed the factory safety devices. My opinion is to just get a Springfield if you want a brand new series 70 pattern 1911, unless you are willing to pay the higher price of a vintage series 70 Colt.