I am considering getting an older series 70 Colt Gold Cup. Are there any good reasons to consider a series 80 Gold Cup instead? I’ve read about the differences but want first hand opinions on how they shoot/feel. This would be a range gun / competition.

No.

quote:

This would be a range gun / competition.

Especially for that.


Of course it's easy enough to Un-series 80 one, so don't let that scare you away if you find something you like or priced right.

My Sig Nightmare Carry has the Sig version of the Series 80 system and I cant tell the difference between it and my Colt or Ruger Series 70 triggers. I would guess it will depend on the gun as to whether not you can feel a difference in the two types.

While I prefer Series 70-style 1911s, the Series 80s (at least the ones I’ve handled) have been perfectly fine. There’s a little different process for taking down the slide for cleaning, but it’s all good.

I had a Colt XSE (a Series 80 gun) a few years back that I carried a great bit - no failures, no hiccups in over 3,000 rounds fired during my ownership of it. It was a very accurate gun.

Thanks for all the replies. The 70 I found is what I will most likely get.

Bought a new series 70 Gold Cup in '76 for a grand total of $285. It has a great trigger and is very accurate.

We still ID a 70 Series from a 80 Series by those parts making up the fireing pin safety but, some years back, we were privvy to the actual reason a 80 Series came about by Member Mustang-Papa. I knew I couldn't commit this to memory as important a piece of information as it was, darn me but, he has a different description than as we know it. If you are about and inclined Mustang, share with us again please. I just may take notes this time.

IMHO, you have to be a real trigger-snob to tell the difference between a properly adjusted version of each. That said, are you LIKELY to get a better trigger on a '70? Probably, yes. Would I walk away from a deal on a Series '80...NO, LOL.

I would get a brand new one. I own an origional series 70 goverment, had a few other series 70's, have a relatively new Competition......the competition has much better slide to frame fit and barrel bushing fit than the origionals......Colt really stepped up their game the last 5 years.

we all abide by the rules of safe gun handling, however:

if you’re going w a series 70, ALWAYS point in a safe direction when chambering

1911 Purists prefer the series 70. They claim the trigger is better. I own both a series 70 gold cup and a series 80. I can barely tell the difference in triggers if I am playing with snap caps at home. I cannot at the range.