Difference between 1991A1 and Series 80

[Ariz Commander]

O.K, In a display of my ignorance in an earlier post I referred to one of my Commanders as a Series 80 pistol. (Thats what it says on the slide and it has the firing pin block) and another member replied that by the serial number (CJ313XX) it was a 1991A1. Whats the difference? I called Colt and they say that it was made in 2002. The blue plastic box it came in says "Model O4691 and Commander Model, (and written in pen) 6976.

[wichaka]

1991 was a model designator in the 90's..........not much difference from the original Series 80, except for the ugly roll mark.

[emiddio]

i have some of each -- at the time the 1991A1 claimed to use serial numbers continuing from the orig gov. sequence -- whatever that means; in early 90's 1991A1 was a parkerized cheaper model -- still series 80;

the MKIV series 80 were more refined -- higher polish, some or all had flat tops; brownells says all the 'enhanced' models had narrower hoods than standard 45acp and flat tops.

the O4691 is listed on Colt's website -- coltsmfg.com; a wholesale distributor i use has it also listed -- the O4691 -- its the current generation of 1991A1 without the rollmark that began the series in 91;

if you look at Colts website -- u will see that except for the special edition guns and Defender -- they are all 1991A1 series now -- even their 38Supers are 1991A1 models.

also -- if the model designation has xx91 as the model number its a M1991A1 current generation. other model designations have xx70, and xx11 -- prob. for series 70, and 1911 series. some have xx80 for whatever ???

interesting that the serial number still indicates 1991 model -- maybe it follows from my initial serial number discussion.

[OD*]

continuing from the orig gov. sequence -- whatever that means
They did in fact do just that, they started the 1991A1 serial number series where the military 1911A1 left off in 1945, they continue it now on the NRM 91A1s.

the MKIV series 80 were more refined -- higher polish, some or all had flat tops
Only the 'enhanced' models.