I have a Combat Commander with a serial number beginning with 80BS. It does not have the firing pin block which began with the Series '80 guns in 1983. My gun was made prior to 1983,so is it considered to be a Series '70,or a Series '80?
f.t.

p.s. There is no "MARK IV" billboard roll marking on the slide.

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South Carolina-God's country

None of the above.Its a pre 80 series Combat Commander.Colt didnt make a series 70 version of it.

This may help:
Development and evolution of the Colt Commander

You might want to look at the link posted above.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

The series 70 guns (gold cup and government) used a collet bushing,the commanders never did.The 70s era commander was identical to the sixties era gun except for the grips.

I think part of the problem is that nowadays "series 70" is often used to refer to any 1911 without a firing pin safety, even if they weren't actually a Colt Series 70 model.

From what I recall reading, I'm inclined to agree with arjay. However, I'm no expert on the matter.

This..the Colt forum guys will tell you there never was a series 70 Commander, it's referred to as a pre-80's model. All the series 70's guns had the collet bushing.
This is only what I have researched and read........but you will find them still listed as series 70's Commanders.

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Patriots Forever!!

Part of the confusion stems from what are called "70's era". My Commander serial # starts with A70. Some folks assume this to mean a Series 70.

My S80 GM has the collet bushing, does that mean it's really a S70?
I bought it new in 1985, would it be considered "transitional"?

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Sure you did

I'd call it a series 75 since it got the firing pin block
Im guessing Colt would use up existing parts first like S&W