MK IV Ser 80 ?

[Moose63845]

Can someone tell me anything about the Colt MK IV Ser. 80? Also would $569.99 be a decent price for one? This Saturday, I may be going out to buy a new gun, and if this is decent it may become my first Colt if it's still there.

[Moose63845]

I do have a pic of it
http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/5462/2h/gatguns.safeshopper.com/images/bi0x9sxm.jpg
I have not seen it or anything, just did some browsing at the used stuff online.

[OD*]

Can someone tell me anything about the Colt MK IV Ser. 80?
Like what exactly Moose?
Basically it is a blued Government Model with the firing pin block. That is a good price for one.

Series 80 firing pin block;
http://mysite.verizon.net/od45/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/series80safety.jpg

http://mysite.verizon.net/od45/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/series80.jpg.w560h420.jpg

[Ric4509]

Can someone tell me anything about the Colt MK IV Ser. 80? Also would $569.99 be a decent price for one? This Saturday, I may be going out to buy a new gun, and if this is decent it may become my first Colt if it's still there.

If it's in a mint condition,no modifications,the price is pretty decent, in my opinion. Here in Central Connecticut a used MkIV SS commander's going price is $495.00 and it's not mint.

[Moose63845]

I just don't know much of anything about Colt 1911's, so I didn't know if it was a decent 1911 or price or anything. I know that a lot of people hate the series 80 safeties, and that's about it. I've shot a GCNM and a 1991A1, but never had much experience with Colts other than about 5 rounds through each of those.

[OD*]

OK Moose, think of the gun you posted as a 1991A1 with a nicer finish, short trigger and arched mainspring housing.
I have about an equal split between Series 80s and pre-firing pin block pistols, it's a non-issue for me.

[Hunter]

I have not had any trouble from the Series 80 firing pin safeties in my Colts so equipped. That sounds like a great price on the Colt I doubt you would regret it.

[Moose63845]

Thanks OD that's what I thought, I'll probably end up getting it this weekend if it's still there and doesn't look too bad. I've wanted a Colt since I was a kid and I figure I can afford this one, and it'll make Hunter happy.

[cornbread-red]

Can someone tell me anything about the Colt MK IV Ser. 80? Also would $569.99 be a decent price for one? This Saturday, I may be going out to buy a new gun, and if this is decent it may become my first Colt if it's still there.
Moose, I agree with OD and Hunter. I have a full size blue, and an officer's ss in series 80. It is a non issue. Price is good also, at least for West Tn., most used Colts go for between $550 and $600 out the door. I'd jump on that puppy.

Blue Skies

Gary

[Hawkmoon]

I just don't know much of anything about Colt 1911's, so I didn't know if it was a decent 1911 or price or anything. I know that a lot of people hate the series 80 safeties, and that's about it. I've shot a GCNM and a 1991A1, but never had much experience with Colts other than about 5 rounds through each of those.
The M1991A1 pistols have the same Series 80 firing pin safety mechanism. I'll bet you didn't even notice that it was there, did you?

The Mark IV is a better-finished pistol that the M1991A1 series. I think anything under $600 or $650 is a very fair price for one in average condition.

[OD*]

You're welcome Moose.

You know, you might as well take pictures of it before you even tell us you picked it up, you know what will happen if you don't. ;)

[Moose63845]

I'll bring my camera to the store with me, that way whatever 1911 I get I'll have pics of before I leave.

[OD*]

You know you'll ruin John's fun, by not lettin' him post the Gunny. ;)

[The Sheriff]

Which Gunny? R. Lee Ermey?

:fp:



...POWER SURGE!!!!

[OD*]

That would be the one. ;)

[rickleon]

The M1991A1 pistols have the same Series 80 firing pin safety mechanism.
Just what IS the difference between a Series 80 and an M1991A1? In my towering ignorance, I thought they were one and the same.

[Hunter]

Just what IS the difference between a Series 80 and an M1991A1? In my towering ignorance, I thought they were one and the same.
The main differences are price, finish, and grip panels.

[OD*]

All M1991A1 are Series 80s, but not all Series 80s are M1991A1s. :scared: ;)

It can get very confusing, the M1991A1s are the old matte blued (or parkerizing on the early models) and stainless, with the large roll-markings. There are no new 1991A1s as many people call them, they are just called, 1991s and are polished blue or stainless and have roll-markings similar to the older Series 70 pistols. They are not marked 1991, but are stamped Government Model, the boxes are still marked model O1991 though.

[Moose63845]

$612.04 out the door, I can pick it up anytime after 3:15pm on the 28th. The trigger is smooth as glass, but I think the previous owner put an 18lb spring or something in. The slide was real tough to rack even with hammer cocked. Oh and the barrel said Colt .45acp NM does that mean it's a national match barrel? That first pic I posted is of the actual gun I bought, so you can't complain. More pics to come.

[Hunter]

Sounds like a good deal to me. I would go back with a Wolff 16 pound recoil spring. That sounds like the markings from a Series 80 Gold Cup on your barrel which would be a National Match. Looking foreword to more pictures.

[Moose63845]

Sounds like a good deal to me. I would go back with a Wolff 16 pound recoil spring. That sounds like the markings from a Series 80 Gold Cup on your barrel which would be a National Match. Looking foreword to more pictures.
Cool that's what I thought, the barrel looked a little scratched up but I'm not too sure. I didn't get to field strip it or anything, but it looked like it was in great shape.

[Rio Vista Slim]

Cool that's what I thought, the barrel looked a little scratched up but I'm not too sure. I didn't get to field strip it or anything, but it looked like it was in great shape.
Moose,
The barrels will get scratched up if they've been fired at all.
One of the things that will cause me to think twice about buying a used gun is if the gun shop owner doesn't let you field strip it. I realize WHY they don't like the pistols taken apart on the counter, but it sure throws a monkey wrench into established "things" to look for when buying a used gun.

However, it sounds as if you have gotten a good deal, and I can't wait to see your pictures of it at 3:30 p.m. on the 28th. !! :D !!

[Moose63845]

I was just tired of looking at guns, I'd been pacing around the place for about 2 hours straight looking at a ton of guns. And I just wanted to go home and relax, so I didn't ask to field strip. The mag is some weird aftermarket though, and it'll probably be Thurs morning that I get to pick it up since I gotta be at work at 3 on Wed. So I'll probably have pics up around 1130 or 12 cst on Thursday.

[Rio Vista Slim]

I was just tired of looking at guns, I'd been pacing around the place for about 2 hours straight looking at a ton of guns. And I just wanted to go home and relax, so I didn't ask to field strip. The mag is some weird aftermarket though, and it'll probably be Thurs morning that I get to pick it up since I gotta be at work at 3 on Wed. So I'll probably have pics up around 1130 or 12 cst on Thursday.
I was just kidding you a little on the time for posting pictures. :)

I understand about getting tired after 2 hours; I was talking about a lot of the shop owners around here that won't let you field strip a pistol. However, if you've done some business with them (and they realize that you're not going to put an "idiot scratch" on the gun), then most of them will warm up to the idea of a pre-purchase field stripping in the store.

[Moose63845]

I was just kidding you a little on the time for posting pictures. :)
I wasn't, as soon as I get that thing home I'm taking as many pics as I can.

[Moose63845]

I picked it up today, and I have pics. But the camera is at home, and I'm at work. I'll post more about it when I get the pics uploaded.

[Hawkmoon]

One of the things that will cause me to think twice about buying a used gun is if the gun shop owner doesn't let you field strip it. I realize WHY they don't like the pistols taken apart on the counter, but it sure throws a monkey wrench into established "things" to look for when buying a used gun.

10-4

There's a gun shop up-state that a friend of mine drags me to periodically. He goes looking for old mil-surp guns and paraphernalia. When I'm with him, I naturally gravitate to the 1911s. Last time I was there I was looking at a couple of Sistemas and a Ballester-Molina they had in the display case. The clerk not only allowed me to field strip, he spent time to be sure I knew what I was doing, and went looking for a bushing wrench for the one that was tight.

That's the kind of shop to do business with. Small wonder my friend is willing to drive almost an hour to get there.

[Rio Vista Slim]

10-4

That's the kind of shop to do business with. Small wonder my friend is willing to drive almost an hour to get there.
That is precisely the way that my "gun shop guy" runs his business, and the reason why I try to get all my guns from him.

[Moose63845]

Here's the pics:
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f317/Moose63845/Guns/Colt/Leftside2.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f317/Moose63845/Guns/Colt/Rightside.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f317/Moose63845/Guns/Colt/Slide.jpg
I couldn't get the cam to focus on the barrel hood that well, here's the best of em (not my cam)
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f317/Moose63845/Guns/Colt/BarrelHood.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f317/Moose63845/Guns/Colt/Barrel.jpg
I got it home and field stripped it, guess what I found???
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f317/Moose63845/Guns/Colt/POS.jpg
The buff has been used and abused, and I'm sure it's gotta 18# spring in it.

Oh and it was polished by someone too, but doesn't look like it was done poorly
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f317/Moose63845/Guns/Colt/Frame.jpg

[OD*]

Congrats Moose. ;)

Looks as though it may have a King's barrel bushing also (not a bad thing at all), with the small sights, I'd bet it's an early Series 80 that still had the collet bushing.

[Phil]

Congrats on your first Colt. It's a nice looking pistol and there are so many things that you can do with it to individualize it to your liking. You'll have fun, Im sure.