new toy series 80 stainless officers

[dirty harry]

hi guy just got another colt this is a stainles 80s series officers. could someone give me a manufactor date
sf196xx

also could someone tell me what all the diferences of parts are between a gov mod and officers mod. I know the main spring housing is different. from what I can tell the trigger,and internal workings is the same.(i.e. thumb safty sear disconector,mag release.) looks like the sear spring is the same.
thanks guys

[John]

Tsk, tsk, tsk, you are not a junior anymore and you still do not know the rules?

:fp:

[WBB]

Congratulation's, I want to see some pics too.

[Hawkmoon]

also could someone tell me what all the diferences of parts are between a gov mod and officers mod. I know the main spring housing is different. from what I can tell the trigger,and internal workings is the same.(i.e. thumb safty sear disconector,mag release.) looks like the sear spring is the same.
The fire control parts (trigger, hammer, sear, disconnector, thumb safety and grip safety) all interchange with a Government. (Although some Officers use a different profile grip safety tang, same as the early Commander grip safety.)

The grip frame is shorter, so the magazines are shorter by one round. Government magazines will work, but they extend below the end of the frame. Recoil spring is different, as is the guide. If yours is original, it should have a double spring. Recoil spring plug is also shorter and has a locking tab on it, and the barrel bushing is different.

[dirty harry]

well I would post some picts but all i have is a crapy digital camera that takes a picture so well it would be hard to tell what it is.

yes it still has the double recoil spring. can some one tell me what weight of springs is factory for this. like a gov mod 16.5 is factory but alot of people want to sell you a 18 or 19 lbs spring. so I would like to know also what weight of main spring as well thanks guys

[dirty harry]

Ok here goes first atemp of posting picts

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/coltofficersright.jpg

[John]

We thank you Sir! Nice little pistol you got there.

[warmrain]

Nice Officers you've got! (My pride and joy can be seen by clicking the Hassablad (camera) icon in this post.)

Externally yours looks original except the curved mainspring housing. I don't think any of these came that way. It could be the previous owner had larger hands and required a change... If the grip feels too large for your hands you have the option of changing back to a flat MSH. Also the grip safety looks black? Hmmm... Perhaps that was changed too?

Also one manufacturer I found makes night sights that DO NOT require modifying the slide and that is Trijicon. If you order them get the ones for the non-Enhanced Colt Officers (what you have) if it has not been modified (still has the pinned front sight - no dove tail cut).

I think these 1911s are undervalued. I don't understand why Colt discontinued them (or many of their decisions). The two (Enhanced) I've had have been flawless performers.

[dirty harry]

Thanks guys it actuly looks better in person than in the picture. yes it has a curved main spring housing the owner did not like the plastic main spring housing that colt placed on it and changed it out. and yes the grip safety is black. this has bafeled me and the previos owner. its a factory colt grip safety but it keep turning black. i polosed it back up and looked real nice and the next day it was back to black. I dont know why but I said to heck with it and just bought a bever tail safety to put into her. I am not a big fan of the grips so i am getting a set of thin mother of peral grips to put on. after that i will deside on the main spring housing right now it feels good with the curved housing. but after the grip change it may not.

I got this for a carry gun. got tired of carring my nork full size around and did not like the sig anymore. so I got this.

[dirty harry]

this one still my pride and joy

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/coltGCNM19111.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/gcnmright.jpg

[Hajah Momenem]

Dirty,
Man,there is something special about the lines of a Gold Cup. My Series '70(ser.#70N63553) came in a woodgrained-colored box/woodgrain-styrofoam. Would it be older or newer than yours? Do you shoot that pistol? It looks spankin-new! I've put less than 20 rounds thru mine since I bought it in 1976;I shudder at the thought of shoving it into a holster...but now I want to shoot it(16lb. R-spring) and even carry it sometimes(sight change/modification). I have heard some pretty good advice against doing this;but I've had this gun for too many moons to let it go now. I haven't kept up with prices in recent years. What might a NIBish '70s GC trade for on a good day? Like my old gunsmith friend and neighbor used to tell me when I'd pick up one of his marvelous horde of firearms and ask if it was for sale,"Everything I've got is for sale except my OldLady." Meaning most things DO have a price. I'm gonna take before and after photos that may not be for the squeamish...I'm thinkin some kind of horsehide shoulder holster or thigh rig.
I am truly enjoying this forum!!
K.B.Warwulf

[warmrain]

Curious about the MSH as the one in the Enhanced is stainless... And also very curious about the grip safety that turns black... Ther are some interesting options including stainless flat serrated or checkered MSHs and stainless duckbill (like mine in the photo) or beavertail grip safeties.

I have plans to pick up something like yours and do a complete custom carry "package" on it and leave my enhanced one (pictured) alone.

BTW, trijicon makes night sights for your Officers (non-enhanced) that do not require slide modification (the front sight is pinned).

[John]

My pride and joy can be seen by clicking the Hassablad (camera) icon in this post.

It's Hasselblad, not Hassalblad, and no, that's not the ... model shown here. This is an old Rolleiflex!

[warmrain]

Opps, sorry about the 'blad misspell. Here in the States I've never seen a Rollei that wasn't a TLR... Thanks for clearing that up...

[dirty harry]

Dirty,
Man,there is something special about the lines of a Gold Cup. My Series '70(ser.#70N63553) came in a woodgrained-colored box/woodgrain-styrofoam. Would it be older or newer than yours? Do you shoot that pistol? It looks spankin-new! I've put less than 20 rounds thru mine since I bought it in 1976;I shudder at the thought of shoving it into a holster...but now I want to shoot it(16lb. R-spring) and even carry it sometimes(sight change/modification). I have heard some pretty good advice against doing this;but I've had this gun for too many moons to let it go now. I haven't kept up with prices in recent years. What might a NIBish '70s GC trade for on a good day? Like my old gunsmith friend and neighbor used to tell me when I'd pick up one of his marvelous horde of firearms and ask if it was for sale,"Everything I've got is for sale except my OldLady." Meaning most things DO have a price. I'm gonna take before and after photos that may not be for the squeamish...I'm thinkin some kind of horsehide shoulder holster or thigh rig.
I am truly enjoying this forum!!
K.B.Warwulf

thanks for the kind words about my gcnm. and to answer your questions mine is a bit older than yours.looking at your ssn it was made in 1976. mine was built in 1967: its not a 70s series its a pre 70's series. the gun is similare to a 70's series but thier is a few diferences.
yes i shoot it but its never been in a holster. mine is not perfect. I am third owner of it. second owner did not take good care of it. so thier is a small mark in the blueing where it rusted up. it is a good shooter and i used it for my ccw class.

[dirty harry]

Curious about the MSH as the one in the Enhanced is stainless... And also very curious about the grip safety that turns black... Ther are some interesting options including stainless flat serrated or checkered MSHs and stainless duckbill (like mine in the photo) or beavertail grip safeties.

I have plans to pick up something like yours and do a complete custom carry "package" on it and leave my enhanced one (pictured) alone.

BTW, trijicon makes night sights for your Officers (non-enhanced) that do not require slide modification (the front sight is pinned).


Well i took care of the black grip safety I fitted a new wilson combat drop in beaver tail in. I took the officers out today and fired it. worked great put 100 round through her and no problems.

[warmrain]

Well i took care of the black grip safety I fitted a new wilson combat drop in beaver tail in. I took the officers out today and fired it. worked great put 100 round through her and no problems.
Very cool! I thought when you went from a GI type grip tang to a beaver tail it required modifications to the frame. This is neat to know for my project. I found the Ed Brown MSH to be drop in for my Kimber Ultras (Officers frame), but have not tried them on the Officers as there is no need.

Can you post a photo with the new beaver tail in place. I'm sure there is interest in seeing it from others besides myself...

[dirty harry]

I will take a picture tomarow when their is light my camera dont work well when its dark out. pictures dont get enough light. but anyhow this is the bevertail i used
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_beavertail_safeties_di.asp
My new grips are on the way and the only other thing i want to change is the sites and add a extended mag release.

[dirty harry]

for thous who wanted it a couple of pictures of my new officers with a drop in wilson bevertail grip safety

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/1911officersbevertail1.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/Photo002.jpg

enjoy

[dirty harry]

for every one that wanted to see pictures I have a update I have added a ed brown tac thumb safety and a chip mccormick extended mag release. I took a few pictures of it with the mods still waiting on my new grips

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/HPIM0040.jpg

[dirty harry]

for every one that wanted pictures here is another i just got my grips in still waighting on my mag well flat main spring housing and my new triger. enjoy

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/HPIM0051.jpg

[Hajah Momenem]

Officer's model Colts are my personal favorite. I have a lightweight Officer's that is a Series 80 with flattop slide.

It has a single recoil spring,plastic trigger/msh/mag-release button;and the slide serrations are slanted instead of perpendicular(sp?) I thought it was stock when I bought it(?) circa 1994. Serial#LF02503E. Sound correct/stock?

Currently I'm saving up for a McCormick Officer's. I had posted a question about the McCormicks;but got only one response;the reason,I guess is that only 300 were made(?) The one response was very positive though.
Keep on keepin' on!
Hajah Momenem?

[warmrain]

Hajah,
It sounds like you have an "Enhanced" Officers... One clue is the "E" at the end of your serial number IIRC.

The differences are:
Flat top slide
Ejection port is cut lower and flared that the rear (sorry I cannot remember the vernacular for this)
Slide serrations are at an angle
Barrel is throated
Front strap is cut up under the trigger guard.
There is a duck bill grip safety
Magazine well is beveled
Hammer is skeletonized

Some are stainless triggers, others are polymer or nylon. All AFAIK have wrap around grips.

Mine is pictured under the camera icon in my posts.

[dirty harry]

last pictures i am going to put up i am almost finished.so far I have put a set of hex headed grip screws,ajax pearllite grips,a nowland three hole lightweight trigger,wilson combat bevertail grip safety, wilson combat speed shute with flate mainspring housing, ed brown thumb safety, wolff springs, and a chip mcCormick extended mag release.

to finish it up I plan on installing a set of trijicon nite sites, and may have the barrel jeweled. so far I am verry happy with it. hope you all enjoy thanks

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/coltofficersmod2.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/finishedcoltofficersstainless.jpg

[OD*]

Lookin' good Harry!

[Hajah Momenem]

Dirty,
NEVER enough pics of Officer's models IMHO. Yours is one elegant-looking Colt! I don't usually prefer pearly grips;but I gotta admit they look righteous on your gun.

Is that trigger a "wide" variety(like on some Gold Cups?)
It wouldn't hurt MY feelers if you posted pics of the Trijicons installed....I am thinking of installing a set on my LWOM("Smokie"). Your OM makes mine look like plough-shoes at a fancy banquet:) Smokie is rough but "ready"(his innards are polished up nice...)
Thanks for sharing the cool photos. OMs RULE!
mike

[warmrain]

Great, those grips look RIGHT on that Officers! They also look like they have the Colt logo on them!? If so, can you tell how/where to acquire them for my Officers (pictured under the camera icon)?

[dirty harry]

got them straight from ajax http://www.ajaxgrips.com/ the pearlight grips are 45 dollars and it 10 dollars more to have the colt emblems added. they have a few choices to chose from I like the silver ones.

[dirty harry]

Dirty,
NEVER enough pics of Officer's models IMHO. Yours is one elegant-looking Colt! I don't usually prefer pearly grips;but I gotta admit they look righteous on your gun.

Is that trigger a "wide" variety(like on some Gold Cups?)
Thanks for sharing the cool photos. OMs RULE!
mike

thanks for the comments
on the triger its a standard with triger but does feel close to the triger in my gold cup. I mispelled the name of the triger its a nowlin. I was not happy with fitting it, need alot of work in the bow but turned out fine. but I got it for 8 bucks so I can complain. most of the parts I got off ebay. the wilson combat msh I got for 25 bucks, the thumb safety i paid 15 bucks for. the springs grips and bevertail I paid full price for.

[warmrain]

Thanks dirty harry, I love the looks of the Pearls on a stainless Officers...