Colt Series 80 Officer Model

[Jeff #111]

Colt Officer's Model ACP Series 80. This was easily one of dad's favorite handguns by far. He purchased it new in 1988. He put a lot of money into it and shot it so much that he actually went through a barrel in the mid-nineties (after he retired). However I never cared for it, but with dad's passing I just didn't feel right getting rid of it. It was my wife's idea to see if my son would want it. Marc was thrilled to get it. A compact, short barreled 45 Colt appeals to him and it was grandpa's gun which makes it even better. I took him to the range and he put a couple boxes through it. Loved it. Dad would be happy that Marcus appreciates it and I'm happy as well. Right now Marcus is away at Coast Guard basic training (Cape May, New Jersey) and then he has a four year enlistment. I'll hold onto it until he can either have it sent to him or when he gets out (his assignment might be in a anti-gun state where gun ownership is problematic at best). The important thing is it's staying in the family. However I cleaned it today. Next time Marc gets that chore.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

Technically, the Colt Officers Model is a revolver. The pistol in your photo is a Mark IV Officers ACP. That said, it's a fine pistol. A number of years ago a friend let me shoot his (looks just like yours) and it was love at first shot. The Officers ACP had been discontinued at that time and I couldn't afford a used one, but I found at a [somewhat] local gun shop a used M1991A1 Compact, which is the same pistol but not stainless, and not as nicely polished.

I still have that pistol and it is in my carry rotation.

Be advised that the Officers ACP uses a dual recoil spring setup (spring within a spring). The factory parts are not available, but Wolff Gunsprings makes a single recoil spring for the Officers ACP that has the rear end wound smaller to fit the .250" Colt guide rod.

 

[Jeff #111]

Very true. I used a fairly common reference. I actually own a genuine Officer Model Target revolver (pre-WWII) so I should have known better. Got lazy.