Which is better: Colt 70 repro or original 70 series?

[colubrid]

If both were like new in box which gun is is worth more $. A 70 series reproduction or an original series 70 (1978 vintage)?

Which would you pick and why?

[Hunter]

Man that is a tough choice.
If I were going to shoot it a lot I would pick the Repo but to shoot now and then but be a safe queen I would pick the original.
I imagine since I have plenty of shooters and just a few safe queens I would pick the NIB Series 70 and put it up.

[JustinTime]

Both Like new in the box the series 70 original is worth more money.

That being said, the repro is a better shooter. Mainly because it has larger sights, and solid barrel bushing.

I have bought two originals but never a repro. Used non perfect but good originals can be found for less money than the repros cost.

[1911Tuner]

I often refer to the Series 70 run as Colt's Dark Days. They were having labor and financial problems at the time, and losing many of their best people through retirement and cutbacks. There were some very good pistols produced during that period...and some very bad ones. It's advised to be cautious when lusting after a mint Series 70 pistol. There may be some very good reasons that it's been fired so little.

Know what to look for. The main problem areas seem to be the slide lugs being too shallow to provide sufficient vertical lug engagement...frame ramps being machined out of spec...and the occasional mislocation of the slidestop crosspin hole. As a rule, if the lugs are full depth, and the gun feeds smoothly...you've probably got a good one. Any other issues that crop up are generally minor and easy to correct.

[colubrid]

Well since I am looking for a shooter and a gun that works I guess I have my answer.

The 70 series Repro.


Know what to look for. The main problem areas seem to be the slide lugs being too shallow to provide sufficient vertical lug engagement...frame ramps being machined out of spec...and the occasional mislocation of the slidestop crosspin hole. As a rule, if the lugs are full depth, and the gun feeds smoothly...you've probably got a good one. Any other issues that crop up are generally minor and easy to correct.


Thats great info. Should be a sticky.

One question though. What are slide lugs? Do you mean rails?

[1911Tuner]

One question though. What are slide lugs? Do you mean rails?

No. The slide lugs are the corresponding radial lugs that mesh with the barrel lugs.
Lug-Slot-Lug-Slot-Lug-Slot.

[mpv]

I often refer to the Series 70 run as Colt's Dark Days. They were having labor and financial problems at the time, and losing many of their best people through retirement and cutbacks. There were some very good pistols produced during that period...and some very bad ones. It's advised to be cautious when lusting after a mint Series 70 pistol. There may be some very good reasons that it's been fired so little.

Well you caught my attention, 1911Tuner... Do you have knowledge about a certain period in which those bad/good ones were made? Any rough timeline/timelines will be appreciated. Or did Colt spit a good and bad ones out of the factory on a same day back in the 70's...?

I ask this, because I've had my eye on a pretty series 70 Colt for some time now, and that particular weapon has been produced somewhere between 1971-1976. Serial 70G8XXXX. Just trying to find out if it's worth buying for :o

[Joni Lynn]

If you plan on shooting it buy the repro series 70. You stand a better chance of having a trouble free pistol and if by chance there is a problem Colt will stand behind it and take care of it.

[texagun]

As to price, at the DFW gun show 3 months ago, there was a NIB (unfired) 70 Series....absolutely mint, new condition with box, paperwork, one original magazine (that's all they came with back then), and the price was $900 (negotiated) out the door.
I went ahead and bought a new 70 Series Repro for $735, plus tax, for the reasons Hunter stated. I wanted it for shooting and thought if I bought the unfired original 70 Series, it would probably just sit in the safe. And as far as I'm concerned, a gun you can't shoot is just an expensive paperweight.

[Hill]

Not me, I'll shoot the original and take on any issues. They aren't THAT valuable.

If I were to buy one of the newer ones I'd want to refinish it - I just don't like that they've cut steps in the finishing to give us brushed metal and punched up rollmarkings. It makes them look cheap and to me they're no longer what made Colts the benchmark that other makers tried to compete against.

New Springfields look better than new Colts.

It's why my only new ones are stainless - so I could work them over without having to pay for reblueing.

[cliff731]

STAINLESS!!! ;)

[mpv]

I'm buying a gun to shoot with (surprise ;) ), and I'm very well aware that repro would be a better choice for "rough" use... but
It's just that I've always wanted to own an original series 70 with a shiny finish :o
This is a textbook example of a desire which has no confluence with reason.
I would not use that pistol for IPSC or any other rough use, I have other guns for that purpose. I would only take my Colt out on sundays wearing a velvet tuxedo :D

It's just that this particular gun (NIB) costs almost (some $300 cheaper) as much as Kimber Eclipse or Raptor and to tell you the truth, I'm a bit confused what to buy right now to say the least.

[cliff731]

... It's just that I've always wanted to own an original series 70 with a shiny finish.

The blued Series 70 "repro", or "Custom Replica" as Colt calls this one, does offer a shiny finish... perhaps not as lustrous as the original Series 70 pistols... but not too shabby either!!!



http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w266/pentaxuser01/Colt70_SAMSSS.jpg

[elijdub]

Though i agree with the above logic about a Repro being, possibly, a better choice for a shooter, i also wouldn't hesitate to buy an original and shoot it some. mpv, it sounds like you're leaning towards the original...i'd buy whichever will bring the most enjoyment :).


NICE pistols, Cliff!