A series 80 is a method of making the 1911 drop safe. A series 80 1911 as pioneered by Colt in the 80’s, consists of a little plunger and spring in the slide that prevents the firing pin from moving. This plunger moves out of the way of the firing pin channel and allows the firing pin to move forward Only when the trigger is pulled. A 1911 firing pin that is not arrested in this manner, is free floating and only held in place by the firing pin spring. A 1911 free floating firing pin can in theory, can develop enough forward momentum to overcome the firing pin spring if dropped muzzle first from a sufficient height, on a hard surface to strike a primer hard enough to discharge. Purists sometimes dislike this feature because this arrangement has been said to adversely affect the trigger pull quality.

Kimbers version of the Series 80 is a Swartz type copy and instead of only allowing the firing pin firing pin to move forward when the trigger is pulled, the firing pin is free to move forward once the grip safely has been disengaged. Any Kimber that has a II after its model name should have this feature. Kimbers that do not have the II nomenclature will not have the Swartz type drop safety. Example a Custom II will have the Swartz, a LW Arctic will not.

As for the magazines, the Kimpro tactical magazines are excellent and run under $30.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
Ruger SR1911 Commander. Everything you want in a 1911 and nothing you dont. Priced right (especially used) and good factory support.

Agree with this 100%. Have 4 of the SR1911's, two government and one commander in 45 ACP and one light Commander in 9mm. Note, the Ruger magazines are junk so I have Wilson Combat magazines in both calibers and give them an A+ rating. Never had any feed issues with the Wilson magazines and consider them a must. As for the Ruger 9mm magazines, the feed lips are too short and they double feed constantly. The Ruger 45's aren't nearly as bad but they will produce a stove pipe once in about 100 rounds.

I've also been tempted a few times when handling the S&W 1911's because they have wonderful triggers with zero pre-travel and a very sweet clean break.

As for Colt, handled one brand spanking new sample and found the thumb safety was mis-machined and would not hold in the fire position. Needless to say I was NOT impressed with Colt's quality.

Ruger makes good guns. And when they don’t they fix them. Not sure if that’s a perfect system but you will end up with a gun that works either way.

Still say save the extra and go DW.

If you are considering Kimbers, know that I have (two, don't ask) Kimber Stainless Gold Match pistols (Series 1 ). They have run flawlessly for 20 years. I've never experienced a malf of any kind. Yes, I replaced the plastic backstraps with steel and feed only Wilson Combat 47Ds, but that is just due diligence for almost any 1911.

My experience with Kimber has been outstanding.

H&K-Guy

I recently bought a S.A Garrison in brushed blue and it is way better than it has to be for the sub $800 price. Outstanding slide to frame fit, tight barrel lockup, bushing fitted very well but doesn't need a wrench to turn.

I did the usual cleanup on the internals - square and stone hammer hooks to spec, stone sear to spec (using Ed Brown Sear jig), polish all contact surfaces, and tune the leaf spring. Result is 4 lb pull with minimal creep.

Only issue on this one is the MIM grip safety isn't perfectly fitted to the frame and is a little higher up than it should be and not perfectly flush with the frame curvature when gripped. Probably just in the safety (it does seem like a cheap part) and not the frame but it's a minor thing.

I was tempted by various Colt Series 70's but not anymore. This is better built than any new Series 70 I've seen. Just has the single sided safety and I should install an ambi but if it's just a range gun I can get by without it.

I also have an EMP Carry Contour (bobtail with mother of golfball grip texture) that is really nicely built too. Did the same trigger work with the same results too.

quote:

Originally posted by calugo:
It appears some folks aren't to fond of Kimber and maybe that's the reason so many Kimber's are available because no one wants them.

I wouldn't place too much store in what some folks say about Kimber.

I ran into the same thing when I was looking at a Remington 1911 R1 Enhanced. "Everybody said..." But, when I looked more closely into it, I found the vast majority of people who actually owned one were very happy with theirs.

I have two Kimbers: A 10mm Custom II GFO and a Rimfire Target. Without going into the whole stories of each: They each needed minor gunsmithing to be 100%. I don't regard that as a show-stopper.

I regard Kimber as about on-par with Ruger, SA, or RIA.

If you want to bump it a notch: Dan Wesson is probably your best bet.

If you can handle buying sight unseen, because few gun stores stock them: I'm reading nothing but good about Bul Armory. They are alleged to be a very good value for the money. A Commander is next on my want list. It may very well be a Bul Armory Commander.