Mark IV/Series 70 question

[Way of the Gun]

Is there any difference if any in the Mark IV/Series 70 and the new 70 series?

[RickB]

Of course, the whole point of "Series 70" was the collet barrel bushing, and the new gun doesn't have one, so it is not so much a Series 70 as it is a pre-Series 80; solid bushing, but no firing pin block. Also, the new guns appear to have some parts that are interchangeable between pre-80s and 80s, such as the extractor, firing pin, etc.; no functional difference, but if you take the gun apart, you can see which parts are of the more recent design. All of the parts should interchange between a new one and an original, but there will be detail differences in materials, finish, etc.

[larry starling]

Of course, the whole point of "Series 70" was the collet barrel bushing, and the new gun doesn't have one, so it is not so much a Series 70 as it is a pre-Series 80; solid bushing, but no firing pin block. Also, the new guns appear to have some parts that are interchangeable between pre-80s and 80s, such as the extractor, firing pin, etc.; no functional difference, but if you take the gun apart, you can see which parts are of the more recent design. All of the parts should interchange between a new one and an original, but there will be detail differences in materials, finish, etc.
+1 to what rick said..... :)

[1234Lizard]

I concur with what they are saying. I would like to add that one of the biggest functional differences is the improved sites on the new 70 series gun. The old sites were much lower and hard to see.

The other big difference between the new and old 70 series gun is the barrel and chamber. Colt is using a new design with some strange shaving and polishing on the sides of the chamber which are supposed to make it cycle different kinds of ammo better than the traditional barrel chamber. People have been happy with those new barells. I'm guessing they wanted to do something different when they changed barrels and fingered collet bushings from the original gun.

Basically there are many small differernces between the original and the new 70 series, but they both function great. The majority of the differences are barely noticible unless you really know what you are looking for. Eitherway a reproduction is just like a model. It's supposed to look like the original and does not necessarily need to have the same insides. Even the WWI and WWII replicas have modern 80 series parts in side them with holes etc for the safety mechanisim which is not attached. Other than that the WWI and II models are much better on the exterior for historical accuracy, than the 70 series which has several things that jump out and tell you it's a replica. Eitherway it's a nice looking and great shooting Colt.

If you want an original buy an original if you want a model, but a model. It looks like Colt improved the gun when they made these changes so I would not sweat it.

I hope this helps. If you research this more you will find data to support my claims.

Thanks,

Lizard

[OJ]

I agree with all of the above posts. I have a series 70 made in the last half of 1970 production and I just bought a new one of the current production series 70 Government Model Colts. I had heard rumors that the workmanship wasn't as good on the new production series 70s but, in my opinion, that's all it was - RUMORS.

Heres my original -

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/kmastf/P3130001B.jpg

And this is the one I bought two months ago -

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/kmastf/71BXXA.jpg

Both stock and the new model has larger sights - a real plus for my 80 year old eyes. In all ways, they are twins as far as I can see - at least functionally - and I generally shoot 80 - 100 rounds per week (one of the perks of being retired). My original is in the shop now getting King's Gun Works Hardballer Sights installed - they look identical to the sights on the new one.

Well, not quite stock - I added extra strength firing pin springs since my firing pin stop plate slid down when I was shooting Double Tap 230gr bullets (HP & FMJ) at something like 1014 fps and 525 ft/lbs energy - not +P but close. Also, in the new one, I installed a Series 70 extractor and firing pin stop plate - not for any particular reason but I had them in my large drawer full of "spare parts" and I love my Series 70 1911 Colts.

One other mod I now think of it is, since the pics were taken, I've installed the "Gunsite Low Thumb Safeties" on all my 1911s. The stock was OK and the extended ones I tried before, I wasn't comfortable with, but these are great!

As can be seen, my eyes aren't the only thing showing those 80 years - my wife chides me some about my memory but I have a quick answer for that. I can immediately tell her that, when I enlisted in 1943, my serial number was 17147374. Now, as to what we had for dinner last night - whatever it was, it was good. ;)

:D :D

[Phil]

Is there any difference if any in the Mark IV/Series 70 and the new 70 series?This looks like the same thread you began two days ago. Did you check the answers to this same question on your thread of 10/4/06 entitled "Wich one to get"?

[OD*]

with holes etc for the safety mechanisim which is not attached.
:confused:
Mine don't have any holes?

[Rio Vista Slim]

The other big difference between the new and old 70 series gun is the barrel and chamber. Colt is using a new design with some strange shaving and polishing on the sides of the chamber which are supposed to make it cycle different kinds of ammo better than the traditional barrel chamber. People have been happy with those new barells.

Lizard
Colt-manufactured "dimpled" barrel.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/RioVistaSlim/IMG_0701.jpg

Now, it's your turn OD*!!!! Show him your comparison-contrast photo........ :D

[OD*]

You got it Slim! ;)

http://mysite.verizon.net/od45/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/1911barrels.jpg
Original-Throated-Dimpled

[Way of the Gun]

This looks like the same thread you began two days ago. Did you check the answers to this same question on your thread of 10/4/06 entitled "Wich one to get"?


what does this question have to do with that one?

[191145]

'It looks like Colt improved the gun when they made these changes'

You can't 'improve' the original. You can make it different, which they did. The original is still the original, warts and all. That's why it will continue to outpace the repro in value. I feel like if you have to ask the question, the repro is good enough for you. In other words, the repro is a fine pistol and an excellent copy of the original, and it's brand new. If you want a new, well-made pistol, visually highly reminiscent of the original, than the repro is for you. You can shoot it all you want and forget to clean it once in awhile without sweating over depreciation and breaking a rare part. I think the real answer is to have one of each.

[1234Lizard]

OD,

I told Colt to "throat" my original 70 series barrel. Hopefully that does the same thing the new barrel is trying to do. Any experience with throated vs. standard 70 series barells?

Thanks,

Lizard

[Rio Vista Slim]

OD,

I told Colt to "throat" my original 70 series barrel. Hopefully that does the same thing the new barrel is trying to do. Any experience with throated vs. standard 70 series barells?

Thanks,

Lizard
While we're waiting for OD* to log in, I'll try to answer your question. I had an original Series 70 (back in the day) that I had a gunsmith do a throating job on. It fed anything that I put in the chamber (hottest factory loads, back then, were Super Vel).

The new "dimpled" throats on current production Colts have been perfect. Mine have fed every type of hollow point currently available.

To answer the last part of your question, I don't recall any mis-feeds in my old Series 70, prior to the throating job........But........that has been 30 years ago. ;)

[OD*]

Any experience with throated vs. standard 70 series barells?
Yes sir, I have some. To be perfectly frank, I never saw a huge difference, but I don't shoot large numbers of SWC.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[1234Lizard]

I'll be firing Winchester Ranger SXT (hollow-points) primarily.

Thanks,

Lizard

[OD*]

You shouldn't have any trouble with the standard Series 70 throat.