Series 80 Collet Bushing...

E

Edward429451

Moderator
I've got a Series 80 .45 and am told that the collet bushing WILL break eventually...Its got 10,000 +- rounds thru it over 18 years and its my primary CCW. I want to fix it before it breaks, but am told they dont make collet bushings for it anymore...

What should I replace it with? If its gotta be fitted, can someone reccommend a good smith in or near Colorado to do it?
THX.
 
I thought it was the series 70 that had the collet bushing? I think your series 80 should be fine, unless someone replaced the original bushing with the collet. I can't imagine why anyone would though?

Chris
 
Nevermind, I just checked and it is possible to have the collet bushing in your series 80. It does need to be replaced with a standard bushing. You should be able to find the part and do it yourself. The collet bushing offers no better performance that standard bushing. Again, you should be able to replace it yourself.

Chris
 
GSC legend? I have a '70 that's been in the family since it was new in 1969, 10,000 plus rds, no problems, I kinda like the collet bushing. I have broke a standard bushing before though.
 
I havent had any problems with it yet, and the metal fingers show no signs of fatigue or cracking. I just dont want it to break at an inopurtune time.

One guy says get the drop in, another says get the match grade. Hmmm, Any advantage to the match grade? What?

The last time I used a local smith, (Monty Burger, birger?) he trashed my Para-ord frame. The Para-ord guys warrantied it and told me he took too much off the ramp and changed the angle, sent it out to be welded up so he could try again, and never did get it right. The only other smith I know is Norm Thompson and while excellant, is rifles only.
THX., keep it coming!:D
 
The Series 80 was introduced in 1983. Collet bushings weren't phased out until around 1988. If I were you I'd replace that bushing. The good news is that any standard Gov't Model bushing will fit the old barrel.
 
I acquired a polished nickel Series 80 MK IV Colt .45 several yrs ago. It was and still is a beautiful pistol. I deliberated for some time about even shooting it. It had been shot before, or as I'm told but, it was in immaculate condition. I decided to shoot it and it had problems immediately. After replacing the collet bushing w/ a Wilson SS bushing, it worked flawlessly. Only thing is...if I decide to sell it as original, I'll need to replace the SS bushing w/ the original polished nickel collet bushing and explain the situation.

Slabside
 
If you've got 10,000 rounds through a collet bushing, and it hasn't broken, it probably won't break at all. Jerry Kunhausen's book on gunsmithing the Colt 1911's gives a good explanation why the bushings broke. It was because of improper factory fitting, and I'd think that if it was mis-fit it would have gone south by now.

If you feel you must replace it, check out Brownell's for a drop-in bushing. If you don't have a good 'smith in your area, either go drop-in, or sent it to a good custom shop.

In reality, the broken bushing was much over-hyped. Not that many broke, and everyone I heard of went in under 5,000 rounds.
 
My Series 80 Government model was purchased in 1985. It has more than 12,000 rounds through it. (I have lost count).

I inspect the collet bushing every time I clean the gun. No abnormal wear or cracks have ever been found.

I have heard that there was a bad batch of collet bushings.
I've also heard that the problem is that some owners were not being careful during maintenance, bending the collets.

The collet bushing has a nice tight grip on the barrel, which should give good accuracy.

I'll keep my collet bushing in the gun until (if ever) it breaks.
 
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