New to forum with a new Series 70

[Mhanis]

Hello to all, I am glad to be here. Short story: previously a 2 gun owner. Sig 226 9mm and a S&W Model 66 357 mag. I have put hundreds and hundreds of rounds through the Sig. I have always been interested in a Colt 45. After a bit of research and a call to a certified gun nut acquaintance of mine I decided I must have a Colt as opposed to a Kimber or other brand. I am sure everyone here understands why......Because a Colt 45 is a Colt 45, others are not Colt 45's.

Anyway, I found a reproduction Series 70 in blue at a gun show last weekend. I gave $725 plus tax for it (NIB). I only found one other Series 70 at the show and it was $1000. I don't understand why the difference. There were some original Series 70's but they were much more.

At the show I purchased 20 factory rounds to carry in the gun and 500 reloads.

Off to the range on Monday and I was concerned that maybe I should not have bought the reloads because they might cause a feeding problem. Not being that familiar with 1911's myself and only hearing talk over the years I had heard that Colts were prone to jamming and I was afraid the reloads would make things worse.

I put 8 factory rounds through the gun first to make sure everything appeared normal- I was. I proceeded to put about 200 of the reloads through the thing without ANY malfunctions at all. It fed perfectly and I am absolutely in love with the gun. I cannot wait to get back to the range soon and shoot more! I cannot stop smiling about the thing.


The only thing I changed on it is the grips. I bought wood ones that look almost identical to stock, but they have the gold Colt emblem on them. I would consider changing the slide release as well to make it easier to reach with my right thumb, but at this point that is about it.

I am sure I will be a lurker around here since I know nothing and have plenty to learn, but I will be reading plenty.

One question though; my box says "Model 0" on it, what does that signify?

Thanks for listening!

[elijdub]

Mhanis,

Welcome to the forum, and congrats on purchasing a great pistol! The Series 70 Repro is a very nice gun...one which i'd like to add to my collection someday soon. And you got a good price on it as well, no question.
I think some of the price variation that you were seeing has to do with the market value placed on original Series 70 pistols; if NIB they can fetch some relatively high dollar prices.

That's great news about the guns reliability; how if functioned flawlessly (though not entirely unexpected from a Colt). I've owned "other" 1911's, and Colt has, without question, become the name which i trust the most for "out of the box" reliability.

All of Colt's current "line" of pistols have serial numbers that begine with "O". I'd come to understand that the "O" had something to do with the custom shop; that it designated that the gun was built in the custom shop...but i just checked the sight (coltsmfg.com) and found that all their pistols begin that way. We'll have an expert here soon to clarify this matter.

Again, welcome, and congrats on an excellent Colt!

[paul45]

Nice! That price you got it at is even nicer! Congrats.....

[PakWaan]

Welcome! You'll find this to be a friendly and helpful place. Congratulations on the new gun. My new Gold Cup says "Model 0" on the box also - I was wondering what it was too....

Colts are addictive - I bought my first (a New Agent) about a month ago, and bought my second one last week. Better than getting addicted to crack, though ;)

[mtngunr]

Your gun sounds like mine....even though it's a different model (O1911).....Colt uses frame names just like S&W's K-frame, N-frame, etc.....for instance, the 1873 is the Model P, and the 1911 is the Model O.....

PS....the only reloads I trust are my own.....your gun blows up, try to get a new gun from the reloading outfit....

PPS....AND extended slide releases CAN fail to lock the slide due to their own weight/momentum under recoil.....just a truth in advertising moment....

[clughog]

Welcome to the forum, Mhanis. Don't really know what the "O" stands for exaclty, but all of the Colt automatic models begin with "O" and their Single Action Army pistols begin with "P" for the model number.

[Joni Lynn]

Welcome to the forum. You got a pretty good deal on that Colt.

[mtngunr]

1851 Navy and 1862 Pocket Navy, Model F frame....Anaconda, Model MM....King Cobra, Model AA.....Lawman, Model J frame (not to be confufused with the S&W)....Detective Special, Model D frame....Python, Model I frame.....etc, etc....yes, they have G,K,& Q frames, also....

[Hunter]

Welcome to the forum, you did get a great deal on that Colt.
They are well made pistols. I am not sure I would agree what you have heard that "Colts are prone to jamming" from what I have experience.
I think you will find that same is true.

[Rio Vista Slim]

Mhanis,
Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on the purchase and subsequent satisfaction with your new Series 70 Colt (current production). :) I am not sure I would agree what you have heard that "Colts are prone to jamming" from what I have experience.

Perhaps Mhanis is like a lot of folks. He heard these comments from gun shop commandos. Hunter and I are staunch Colt fans in part because the Colts we own NEVER jam or mis-feed. Well, almost never! ;) I got a bad box of PMC ammo that caused some difficulties in my Model 04091U stainless Commander the other day. But it was strictly ammo related.

Finally,
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/RioVistaSlim/IMG_0898.jpg

Enjoy your new Series 70! It won't be your last Colt!

[73Driver]

Mhanis,

Welcome to the forum, and be aware there is no known cure for Coltitus. But you can find support for the addiction here. I purchased my fourth Colt (Government model XSE) in less than a year last month. ALL of my Colts have been almost flawless out of the box. The few problems have been with one magazine (just this mag not the manufacturer) and a locally available reload.

I'm surprised no one else said it but:
:wl: of your gun. Sam

[Mhanis]

I noticed that a lot of folks posted pictures, I'll see if I can get a couple done a bit later today.

SORRY!!!

[Mhanis]

Well, it took me over a MONTH to finally get a picture posted, but here it is.

I have never done this before so I hope it works.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii44/mhanis-colt/DSC04445.jpg

I absolutely love the gun. I have over 750 rounds through it without any problems. My biggest issue right now is trying to stay off the net looking for another one (WW1 Repro has my attention).

Incidentally, could anybody recommend a book on the history of Colt 1911's?

[clughog]

And a fine picture it is, too! Sure is a pretty pistol!

[Mhanis]

I appreciate it, thank you.

I may gat back out to do some shooting tomorrow.....I've got my fingers crossed!

[OD*]

Very nice! http://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon14.gif

Welcome to the forum.

[Joni Lynn]

Good picture, great looking Colt!

[Ruggles]

Nice gun and a great picture, mine are always blurry!

[ram350002]

One more member to add to the Colt-oholic's club. I feel for you Mhanis, I trying to talk my wife into my 10th one now. Enjoy.

[daveohno]

Welcome to the Colt Club! I really like the old school looks of your 70 rpero. Straight cocking serrations only on the front, normal hammer, Colt Medallion grips. The old school look has really grown on me as I have learned more about Colts. Colt's are much better 'n' crack, because when you finish smoking crack, all you have is memories of your long lost $$$.

You better stay away from the 1911 Repro, because if yoy get to handle one, it will come home with you because it is one of the best production 1911 pistols out therre to purchase. Mine is a beauty and many here will agree that they are great pistols.

Don't forget, D frame Colt's also include the Diamondback.

[elijdub]

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii44/mhanis-colt/DSC04445.jpg


Incidentally, could anybody recommend a book on the history of Colt 1911's?
Very nice Colt, Mhanis, and great pic! As far as books go, anything by Charles W. Clawson. I have the "Collector's Guide to Colt .45 Service Pistols" (Models of the 1911 and 1911A1). I believe he wrote some larger (this is only 146 pages) and more comprehensive books (and that the one i have is sorta' a "pocket" guide)... OD*, where are ya ;)?

[OD*]

The BIG Clawson book will set you back $750-$1000.
Wish I would have bought a few years ago. http://forums.1911forum.com/images/smilies/bawling.gif

[texagun]

The BIG Clawson book will set you back $750-$1000.
Wish I would have bought a few years ago. http://forums.1911forum.com/images/smilies/bawling.gif


There's one listed on Amazon now (used) for only $829.99.
That's only slightly less than $2.00 per PAGE.
Quite a deal!!!! :lm:

[OD*]

WOW!
What a steal! ;)

[Mhanis]

Daveohno- I appreciate you comments about my gun, that is EXACTLY the look I was going for by changing out the grips. Just a clean classic appearance.

What is the deal with this guys book........? Does it come with a gun hidden inbetween the pages?

[OD*]

They just happen to be the best resource books as yet written on the M1911/A1s and the Government Model, in addition to there only being a limited number published to begin with. His books can save "new" collectors thousands of dollars.

[elijdub]

The BIG Clawson book will set you back $750-$1000.
Wish I would have bought a few years ago. http://forums.1911forum.com/images/smilies/bawling.gif
I've seen some of these prices on Amazon, etc... :scared:

Someday i'm going to bite the bullet and get ahold of one of these classics.

Are the "Collector's Guide" a limited production also?

[texagun]

You can get the Collector's Guide here:
About $40.


http://www.coolgunsite.com/ccorderform.htm

[elijdub]

I bought one a few months ago from fellow forum member Scott53, who sells them through his company. I think i paid around $55-60.
http://scott-duff.com/

[OD*]

I believe the Collector's Guide are out of print.