Need Help: Colt Gov't Model Manufacture Date

P

PA32Mark

New member
I have a Colt Mark IV Series '70 Gov't Model .45 (at least, that is what the slide is marked) serial 70B11xxx. I can not find this serial number range listed for Series '70 Gov't Models on any of the websites that have this kind of info. I am beginning to wonder if this is a Series '70 Gov't Model slide on a [something else?] frame? Any of you really knowledgeable Colt guys that can definitively tell me if this serial number is correct for a Mk IV Series '70 Gov't Model, or if I have "something else?"

Also, if any of you have a favorite website which lists "Colt Date of Manufacture by Serial Number" information (for guns other than recent manufacture stuff, I think info on those is on Colt's website), I'd certainly appreciate it if you could post it/share it here. Thanks.
 
calling Colt has always worked for me. I have called severl times over last 10 years. Always got a answer in a couple min.
 
Thanks. Just curious, what is your source for this date information? Also, for those in the know, how long into the 1980s that they make the series 70 guns?
 
Series 70 "Accurizor" barrel/bushings continued until 1988.
I suspect that they were phased out, and the last ones went out in '88 even as guns were also being made with conventional barrels and bushings, so you can't say that a given gun was made before 1989 because it doesn't have the Series 70 parts.
 
The Series 80 with added parts for a firing pin block was introduced in 1983, so there are guns around with firing pin blocks and collet bushings.

As I recall - but it has been 30 years - the Delta Elite 10mm was the first to return to a plain bushing. I don't think any 10mms were made with collet bushings.
 
Correct. No Accurizor Delta Elites or Commanders.
Barsto did sell Accurizor-style collet bushings for Commanders, but Colt used them only in 5" guns.
 
As I recall, again from decades ago, the Barsto bushing did not operate like the Colt.
The Colt Accurizor is a true collet; it is expanded into hard contact with the inside of the slide as the flared muzzle of the barrel spreads the fingers. Which is why you should draw back the slide a little to dismantle, don't horse the collet bushing around with a wrench in the seated position. I think that to be one source of the broken fingers that scare so many shooters.

I THINK the Barsto bushing depended on the springiness of the fingers to center the barrel.
The Colt design was patented, wasn't it?
 
Also, if any of you have a favorite website which lists "Colt Date of Manufacture by Serial Number" information (for guns other than recent manufacture stuff, I think info on those is on Colt's website), I'd certainly appreciate it if you could post it/share it here. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Here's the one I use.
http://www.proofhouse.com/index.htm

Hope it works for you.

Walter
 
I have the 70 Seriers with the collet bushing & it's hard to pull the slide back, I cock the hammer first. But it's a great 45
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top