Colt Government Model - Series 70 - opinions?

H

Horny Toad

New member
Hi everyone,

I just posted this question over at 1911forum, and since TFL has been such a great resource, I figured I'd give everyone hear a go at it.

I just got off the phone with my friendly one-man business FFL. I was checking prices on a Kimber Custom Stainless and a Springfield Loaded Stainless, when he said "you know, I have something you might be interested in - a Colt Gov't series 70 in stainless." He tells me it's in beautiful shape, very "low mileage" and he personally knows the previous owner. I told him I'd do a little research and get back to him. Well - here I am doing research! What does everyone think? This would be my first 1911, so I'm flying blind. Any info or opinions would be greatly appreciated! Does "Gov't Model" mean "full size?" What does "series 70" mean? I guess what I'm looking for is the lowdown on this model and what pitfalls to look for, if any. Oh yeah, he said the gun is stock - no customization.

Thanks


Horny Toad



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Hello, Horney Toad. The 70s does not have the 80s internal firing pin safety, something some prefer, including me. Gov't Model does indicate a full size 5" gun. I have a couple of Series 70s and like them quite alot. They come with the split collet bushing which is known to break frequently. I've had one that did break so I replaced all with solid bushings fitted to the gun and bbl. Accuracy has not suffered and there's much, much less chance of breakage. Still, out of the box, the Kimbers have uniformly been more accurate in my experience. Best.
 
I could be missing something, but AFAIK Colt's did not introduce stainless O-frames until well into the Series 80 era, that is, years after it stopped producing Series 70 pistols.

So, to me, the question becomes: is there such a thing as a stainless Series 70 GM? Nickel, yes. But stainless??? :confused:
 
So does this mean it can't be stainless? If so, is nickel a bad finish to have?


Horny Toad



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NRA Life Member
SAF Member
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Nothing wrong with nickel. Despite its rust-resistance, though, nickel requires some special care. For instance, bore cleaners may cause problems with it. Also, I have a Combat Commander whose nickel is peeling in the slide finger grooves--it may not have been applied right in the first place and is probably an exception. Ordinarily, Colt's offered the best nickel finish in the industry, IMHO.

BTW, I'm reminded of a NIB nickel Series 70 GM with box and papers that was for sale at my favorite gun shop about 10 years ago. The dealer wanted $650 for it. I told him the price was too high for a Series 70 (and it was, at the time). He agreed, but asked me how often I saw one in such collectible condition. Well, I guess he was right. Since then, I haven't seen one as nice at any price, and am still kicking myself for not getting it. Live and learn!
 
Correct it is either nickle or a series 80.
Either way I would buy it over a Kimber or Spring any day of the week. If you change your mind down the road (you wont) you will make money on the Colt. If you go the other way and change your mind not only will you loose money on the resale of the K. or S. you probably won't find another good deal on a colt. Just go to gunbroker and look at what Colt 1911's are selling for.
Nickle is a great finish unless you are planning on doing any machining on the gun, then you will have to have it replated, otherwise works fine last a long time.
 
I presently have a series 70 Gold Cup at Steve Clark's shop for undoing the damage that a local butcher did while installing a solid bushing. It was tight and all, but the groups opened up from 1" @ 15 yds to 3".
The bush was fit to the slide but the hole was too big.

Anyhow, Steve asked me to have ANYONE who has actually had a collet type bushing break to contact him as he says he has never seen it although he has heard of it. His personal ser 70 has 25-30,000 rds and no break.

So, if you have broken a collet type, contact Steve at stclark@alltel.net and tell him what happened. He is curious (as am I) as to what circumstances will break a collet.
 
I don't know what Colt means when they use the term "Goverment Model", but when I bought a new Ruger Mrk.2 Goverment Target Model, I was told that it means the gun had been test fired for accuracy at the factory and it came with a target that had the bulls eye shot out and the serial no. of the gun on it. I was told that the Goverment required this so when they shipped new weapons into a war zone, they would be certified accurate from the factory and not need to be test fired. Although, I can't imagine them sending a 22 cal. Ruger into the front line, I would think the 45 colt would have needed this spec. back in its days of military issue.
 
What is he asking for it ? If it is in excellent condition and is truly unmodified, get it. Do not hesitate whatsoever, the series 70 is a much better gun than the Kimber or Springfield and has a great resale value. Not to mention, you get to say you own a COLT 1911, and don't have to contend with "What the hell is a Kimber ??" from the layman. Don't let anyone sway you into believing the Kimber or Springfield is better. They're lying. Just remember, most Kimber owners are the type of guy who will take a 57 chevy, paint it neon orange and add purple pinstripes with some funky billet wheels. Maybe even digital guages and fuel injection. Sure, they think it is "boss" and easier to drive, but the REAL hotrodders know better.


Sorry if I went off on a tangent here, my Kimber is a fine shootin gun but it is nothing to be proud of. It's ugly looks and unergonomic design (to me) makes the whole point of owning a 1911 redundant.
 
I just had Elmo's in Indy try to sell me two Electroless Nickle Series 70's at $740 each. After comming out of the sticker shock I almost bought them. Love those series 70's
 
The 70 series is better made and more reliable than the 80 series. But if you are buying it for a self protection puece replace the multi finger barrel bushing with a solid busuing. If onr of those fingers breaks while you are firing you wii have a hard jam. The split finger bushing is simply not acceptable on a defensive pistol.
 
If it is a Series 70 and is nickel, one thing
you might want to find out if it is the original finish, I bought a U.S. Army model 1911 that had a nickel finish, and when they went thru the nickel process they did not remove the rear sight, and my gunsmith had a heck of a time trying to get the rear sight off to replace it. I would check if any of the parts were nickled to the frame or whatever the case may be.

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"The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword, becuse the whole body of the people are armed"
Alexander Hamilton
 
Any 5" barelled 1911 can be termed as a "Government Model".
On Colts "Property of the U.S. Govt" was stamped on the slide, hence the term Government Model! :)

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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lavan:
Anyhow, Steve asked me to have ANYONE who has actually had a collet type bushing break to contact him as he says he has never seen it although he has heard of it. His personal ser 70 has 25-30,000 rds and no break.
[/quote]

Steve could just contact one of his fellow gunsmiths, Mac Scott at SM&A. He has spoken of numerous collet bushings breaking, I'm sure he can send Steve a few samples. :D
 
I own 18 1911s of various make and several are Series 70s. Buy the Series 70 its a quality example of a 1911, better than anything being built these days for public consumption. I own a Kimber but the Series 70 is the real deal. Buy it, you will not be sorry.

...7th

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I do not own that particlar 1911 anymore, but I do remember the stamp: US ARMY PROPERTY SERIAL XXXXXXX

Is this still a "government" model?

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"The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword, becuse the whole body of the people are armed"
Noah Webster
 
I own two Series 70 Colts, a Gold Cup and a Government Model, purchased in 1982 & 1980. The Cup has been fired ~8,000 rounds & the Govt ~31,000 rounds. I've never had any problem with either gun (except the Cup front sight came off & was replaced). I work with many LEOs who carry Series 70s and have refereed many pistol matches where said guns were fired. I have yet to see or hear any evidence that the collet bushings are prone to breakage.

The Govt Model is carried when I am in uniform. I suppose if the bushing breaks I'll be forced to use one of my secondary/backup pistols.
 
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