Colt 80 is considered a "safer" version and the 70 has a better trigger. For concealed carry and the possibility of dropping the gun is it a realistic concern that the Colt 70 is significantly more dangerous where there would be a discharge? I would always have a solid holster regardless of the version to insure the weapon is secure.

I believe the true danger with the 70 series is the inadvertent drop directly on the muzzle causing the pin to move forward enough to discharge a round. However, I believe it would have to be a significant drop, and right on the muzzle to make it happen. This is just my thought, and I'd like to hear from somebody like Bruce or somebody who has insider knowledge about how it works.

In short, price and all other things being the same, I'd not let that small possibility stop me from getting the one I preferred. (In my case, the 70 series.)

Every Springer, Dan Wesson, Wilson, Baer, Brown, Nighthawk etc etc etc is a series 70 and are adequately drop safe as are the Colt series 70.
Don’t worry about it. Over the years a lighter firing pin along with a heavier firing pin spring helped negate the possibility of a muzzle down drop causing a discharge due to firing pin inertia.

I only would consider carrying a series 80 or Kimber with the Swartz type firing pin safety. My 1911’s without this feature are range guns only. The chances of a drop discharge with a series 70 may be remote but I am a believer in Murphy and his law.

You will have to do whatever you are comfortable with, as it has already been stated the premium 1911 makers build 70 series guns, I think exclusively.

I've owned a couple of 80s, but I'm a 70 Series guy.

All of the best 1911s, many carried by working professionals for many years, are 70s.

So in decades of use in professional settings by untold thousands of people, and the hordes of 70s series guns in the hands of average Joes, on top of the gagglefuck of Army soldiers who carried them in multiple conflicts worldwide, none of us can even name 5 such incidents (I've never even heard someone say they've seen it happen, not even once).

Because it's a non issue... in anything but an insignificantly small statistical sense.

70 Series all the way.

I don't even want to be in then same room with a Swartz safety.


I know of one person who says they've seen a series 80 go off when dropped. Though it was dropped rather hard.

I've owned several of both, and am comfortable with either. But the Dept. where I was employed only allowed the Colt Series 80 to be carried, as a FPS was required. I was not offended by having a drop safe gun with a FPS. There were never any issues due to having a fully functional FPS. I do think that in the mind of the shooting/buying public, the 70 is most always considered the more desirable.

FWIW, I've owned a half dozen Kimbers over the last ~20 years, with their version of the FPS. No FPS issues encountered with any of those either...ymmv

FWIW I dropped my 70 on concrete and it bounced.

Even in today's liability-obsessedconscious world, there are still plenty of 1911s with "Series 70" (original design) firing pins, e.g., Ruger. So the supposed "danger" can't be very great. There is more potential for such a gun to fire if dropped directly on the muzzle, but this is more theoretical than real. It would have to be guided down on strings or wires from a great height to do that, but in the real world, if it falls from more than ~3 feet, it's going to land on the butt end, bringing the grip safety into play.

Personally, it doesn't really make any difference in a carry gun. I have a Colt Series 70 and 80. The Series 80 is not "horrible", it is a very serviceable trigger.

On the other hand, my Wilson Pro is a Series 70 design, like nearly all the semi-custom makers. I seriously doubt they are "unsafe" 1911's.

Having said the above, I would select a Series 70 design if I wanted a competition gun. Fewer moving parts in the firing chain, especially with very light triggers.

When Kimber switched to the Swartz design safety decades ago, the guns were VERY safe. Many defective 1911's failed to go bang when the trigger was pulled. Actually had one in one of our NRA classes. Ancient history now though. Obviously, they have corrected that.

As an aside, if you have a Series 80, make sure you reassemble it correctly. The "L" shaped actuating lever can be reinstalled in two ways. Select the wrong position and the gun will reassemble fine, but won't go bang. Always use the pencil (in barrel) test after reassembling. At least that is the case with the older Colt Series 80's.

I've only got one 1911. It's the %80 one I'm finishing. It's a series 70 and my first 1911.

Honestly one I get it running %100 with various ammo. I'd have no problem carrying it. Just my opinion. But then again I was one of the ones that didn't freak out over the P320 Drop debacle.

You can get a nice trigger in an 80. I have an Officers ACP that most people wouldn't think was an 80 pulling the trigger. But it was a lot of work. As apposed to getting a nice trigger on a 70 which it pretty simple.

I have two Sig 1911s. a Nitron and a Nightmare Carry. Both have pretty good triggers. I have a Ruger Commander tuned by The Action Works and its trigger is excellent.
So... either or with me.
And so I don't confuse the two systems, I just avoid dropping them.

A bit off-topic: Still being very much a 1911 neophyte, after 8 years of owning at least one I think that I more or less understand the differences between the Series 70 and 80 (and Series 70 Retro/Reboot). But what I still don't understand is the "Mk IV" designation.

As for the FPS or lack thereof: I have examples of both and they seem to work just as well. My Series 80 Colt has a great trigger but my long gone Springfield Loaded which follows (I think) a M1911A1 pattern--similar if not identical to Series 70--had a rather mediocre trigger. When it comes to the trigger action, I do believe that it really comes down to the skill and knowledge of the person(s) putting the guns together that makes the difference.

As for the drop safe part...well I don't intentionally go around physically tossing and dropping my guns all about, so I can't say much about that aspect.

quote:

Originally posted by soggy_spinout:
......When it comes to the trigger action, I do believe that it really comes down to the skill and knowledge of the person(s) putting the guns together that makes the difference.....

Yep, that's about it. As I mentioned, the only real difference is "Fewer moving parts in the firing chain". If the Series 80 specific parts are up to snuff, it is no different than a Series 70.

In addition to serving as a drop safety, the Series 80 Colt firing pin block also prevents a pistol in Condition 2 from firing if it receives a sharp blow to the hammer. While there is anecdotal evidence of this occurring, I am personally unaware of any instances. By one account, a man was wearing a 1911 on his hip in Condition 2. His buddy tossed him an unopened bottle of beer which struck the pistol's hammer igniting the chambered round. While I am inclined to call BS on this one, I'm sure stranger things have happened. As for the Colt Series 80 firing pin block, I personally feel it is a liability mandated solution to a non-existent problem. Having owned several Series 80 Colt 1911 pistols however, I can personally say some of the out-of-the-box triggers were excellent. My biggest gripe with the extra Series 80 parts is the inability to properly machine the slide for certain sight installations - specifically a Bo-Mar style low-mount. This is something to consider if you are planning to upgrade sights or building an old school target gun.

I've also on'y got one 1911, it's the Ruger. They use a Ti firing pin to overcome the same problem

As a rabid purist and member of the John Browning cult, I will only own 1911s built to the original design. Heck, I even have a hard time accepting short triggers and arched mainspring housings.

There is nothing wrong with either a series 70 or series 80. I have owned both in the past ( i happen to only own 2 1911's now, both are series 80) and have never felt unsafe with either. personally I prefer the firing pin block.

quote:

Originally posted by qxsoup:
There is nothing wrong with either a series 70 or series 80. I have owned both in the past ...
and have never felt unsafe with either. personally I prefer the firing pin block.

Own several each 70s style and 80s. Happy with them and no issues with the triggers.