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gt5966b
09-07-09, 11:56
I recently inherited a Colt 1991 Series 80 5" in a stainless matte finish. Would this be a suitable base to build on? Perhaps for a 'work gun'. ...or should i stick to something Series 70 internals? Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Serpico1985
09-07-09, 12:28
Colt series 80 is a fine base gun. If you have it already I'd stick with it rather than trying to trade/sell it for a series 70. You can do all the same stuff to them you can a seires 70, you can even have a great trigger job done. In fact if you chose a smith that can't do a trigger job on a series 80 you may want to find another smith. There is a acceptable/safe range that the firing pin block needs to lift to insure reliable ignition. Make sure whoever you chose can do the job right.

Just my opinion.

Have a good one

dobe
09-07-09, 20:00
The series 80 system has proven itself over the years. There is nothing wrong with it. My latest 1911 purchase was an XSE, which is a series 80.

Mr. Smith
09-08-09, 10:15
I recently inherited a Colt 1991 Series 80 5" in a stainless matte finish. Would this be a suitable base to build on? Perhaps for a 'work gun'. ...or should i stick to something Series 70 internals? Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

The fact of the matter is that there are parts that do not need to be in the gun in a series 80 gun thy can make the gun misfire. The parts are small and less is more in this situation.


SUPERIOR FIREARMS LLC.
5510 Fern Valley RD. STE 102
Louisville KY. 40228
502-365-2244

mrbieler
09-08-09, 10:19
A S80 trigger is more then suitable for work. Had my S80 Commander warmed over by a good shop. It's got a very nice and crisp pull. Not scary light, but it breaks nicely and consistently.

As was said above, if your smith can't work with the S80 parts, find another smith.

theJanitor
09-08-09, 10:59
I have a Larry Vickers built 1991 S80. if it ain't a no frills, work gun; then i don't know what is. the trigger is clean and the action is smooth. get it built right, and you'll not even know the extra safety system is there.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h30/grandprixboy/1911/aavickers016.jpg

Dunderway
09-08-09, 21:47
As seen above, a 1991 is a really good base gun. I never took issue with the S80 system, but I also don't demand the trigger perfection that most 1911 folks do. It's also fairly easy to get rid of the extra safety if you feel the need.

Jason Burton
09-08-09, 23:16
No problem at all with the Series 80 guns, the “system” has certainly shown to be durable and serviceable over the long haul. So long as the components are timed correctly and the trigger job done properly you‘ll likely never know the extra parts are there.

Mr. Smith
09-09-09, 12:29
I understand if you do not have a choice. In all the years that I have don gun work I cannot ever remember any one converting a series 70 gun to a series 80 it would be nice if the world were perfect but it is not. The les there is in the gun the less can go wrong with the gun. Adjustable sights are good example of the same thing they almost always work well until they don’t and then it is too late.


SUPERIOR FIREARMS LLC.
5510 Fern Valley RD. STE 102
Louisville KY. 40228
502-365-2244

RAM Engineer
09-09-09, 13:50
I guess I got so burned by a couple of Kimber "Series II" guns that I automatically assumed that the series 80 guns were just as bad.

SteyrAUG
09-09-09, 17:19
While I personally prefer a series 70, there is nothing wrong with the series 80. And I think the biggest difference is nothing more than manufacturing and quality standards changing over the years. You can see the same thing in old S&Ws vs. new S&Ws.

I bet if there was such a thing as a Series 80 made in 1965 it would be one helluva gun.