Old School Carry Gun: Colt Govt Model

[wheelyfun66]

Hey All,
I picked up a NIB Colt Series 70, and took it out for 120 rounds of break in today...

First, I broke it down and cleaned the factory grease from inside, then relubed with Wilson Combat Ultima Lube II.

Nice deep, rich bluing on the Series 70 (hard to capture in pics) and very handsome Rosewood grips.

Trigger is...not like a custom 1911, but serviceable. The thumb safety is nicely fit, and clicks on/off with ease, but positively engages. The sights are better than an old-school WWII model, as they are raised, but still black on black. The ejection port is NOT lowered or flared, in keeping with the old school theme.

The slide to frame fit is.....loose! That doesn't bother me, as it seems like an old school Govt model SHOULD be loose!

The pistol was very accurate, though I don't have any groupings to report, as I hiked in to my favorite backwoods sand pit and shot clay pigeons.
I got hit in the head with brass on occasion, but not enough to bother me (goes along with having a NON lowered ejection port)
Had one double feed, with factory mag. NO drama with the two Wilson Combat mags that I used.

Looking forward to carrying this beast in my new Sparks VMII, which carries it with ease.

No mods planned for this classic.....less is more and I'm returning to basics!

Feel free to post YOUR classic or modern Colts!

[Fred_G]

Nice blaster there! I love the blued guns.

[Xfuzz]

Nice 1911...
There was a recent thread regarding a 1911 under
$1000.00
Your Colt would be my choice. The "new" 70 series
are priced right.

[ralph7]

Is that a reissue, not an original?

Looks sharp!

[Rpg]

You've started with the best!!

Enjoy it.

[arjay]

My favorite gun.Tweaking the extractor might just fix the head bonking feature

[wheelyfun66]

Originally Posted by ralph7

Is that a reissue, not an original?

Looks sharp!

Yes, this is a Series 70, but current production.

[jeeps]

While I like my Colts the Cz1911A1 is made better!

[Watchdog]

Originally Posted by wheelyfun66

Hey All,
I picked up a NIB Colt Series 70...

Bravo! A most excellent choice. I have one in stainless that I bought several years ago. About the only change I'll make to it, if I ever get around to it, is to put a checkered stainless flat mainspring housing on it...probably one from Wilson. And maybe...maybe...have the front strap checkered.

[Arik]

Not a Colt but...



Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[BigMuddy]

I have the same gun. Got it for the same reason. Mine is ultra reliable and I trust it completely. You will like it. I added stag grips to mine for that "Longmire" look.

Dan

[Papaw]

Here is mine from 1980. Completely reliable. I had to change the sights. Looks like the newer sights are much better than the old ones. And I opened the ejection port so it wouldn't dent brass. I also had to trim the hammer a little to keep it from biting my hand.

[Cyrano]

Colt military 1911, dates from 1918. And M 1912 holster. I particularly like this rig.

[MCorps0311]

Originally Posted by wheelyfun66

Hey All,
I picked up a NIB Colt Series 70, and took it out for 120 rounds of break in today...

First, I broke it down and cleaned the factory grease from inside, then relubed with Wilson Combat Ultima Lube II.

Nice deep, rich bluing on the Series 70 (hard to capture in pics) and very handsome Rosewood grips.

Trigger is...not like a custom 1911, but serviceable. The thumb safety is nicely fit, and clicks on/off with ease, but positively engages. The sights are better than an old-school WWII model, as they are raised, but still black on black. The ejection port is NOT lowered or flared, in keeping with the old school theme.

The slide to frame fit is.....loose! That doesn't bother me, as it seems like an old school Govt model SHOULD be loose!

The pistol was very accurate, though I don't have any groupings to report, as I hiked in to my favorite backwoods sand pit and shot clay pigeons.
I got hit in the head with brass on occasion, but not enough to bother me (goes along with having a NON lowered ejection port)
Had one double feed, with factory mag. NO drama with the two Wilson Combat mags that I used.

Looking forward to carrying this beast in my new Sparks VMII, which carries it with ease.

No mods planned for this classic.....less is more and I'm returning to basics!

Feel free to post YOUR classic or modern Colts!

I got to buy one first,i don't know when.I'd really like to have one in my possession to add to my collection when i'm finish buying the last six pistols I need to make it final.

[bruce5781]

Couple of mine. Current production Gubm'nt model in 38 Super & a 60's LW Commander in 9mm.

[WVSig]

WW1 Reproduction Carbonia Blue





Older Combat Elite



70 Series

[keithherrington]

Without a doubt, the new-rollmark series 70s are the best made 1911s Colt has produced since the 30's, and the best overall if you factor in the quality of the steel. However, after owning scads of Colt 1911s over the years, for self-defense, IPSC/IDPA shooting and Bullseye, I've turned to the Les Baer Thunder Ranch as my go-to 1911.



It comes down to the cost, performance and overall quality of the final product. My minimal changes are always the same: checkered front strap and flat MSH, beveled magazine well, Novak night sights, match fit barrel, superb 4# trigger, strong-side extended thumb safety and long match trigger to fit my large hands. If you add these mods to any new-rollmark Series 70, then you have a gun that costs well North of $2000, and routinely closer to $3000, depending on the gunsmith. My brand new TR cost me $1700, an entirely reasonable price for a gun of this quality.

Keith

[WC145]

My Colts-

ORM 1991A1 Gov't .38 Super/9mm/9x23 Winchester


1991 Commander


ORM 1991A1 Compact


ORM 1991A1 Commander


ORM 1991A1 Commander


MKIV Lightweight Officers ACP

[KEN L]

Originally Posted by wheelyfun66

Hey All,
I picked up a NIB Colt Series 70, and took it out for 120 rounds of break in today...

First, I broke it down and cleaned the factory grease from inside, then relubed with Wilson Combat Ultima Lube II.

Nice deep, rich bluing on the Series 70 (hard to capture in pics) and very handsome Rosewood grips.

Trigger is...not like a custom 1911, but serviceable. The thumb safety is nicely fit, and clicks on/off with ease, but positively engages. The sights are better than an old-school WWII model, as they are raised, but still black on black. The ejection port is NOT lowered or flared, in keeping with the old school theme.

The slide to frame fit is.....loose! That doesn't bother me, as it seems like an old school Govt model SHOULD be loose!

The pistol was very accurate, though I don't have any groupings to report, as I hiked in to my favorite backwoods sand pit and shot clay pigeons.
I got hit in the head with brass on occasion, but not enough to bother me (goes along with having a NON lowered ejection port)
Had one double feed, with factory mag. NO drama with the two Wilson Combat mags that I used.

Looking forward to carrying this beast in my new Sparks VMII, which carries it with ease.

No mods planned for this classic.....less is more and I'm returning to basics!

Feel free to post YOUR classic or modern Colts!

It just doesn't get any better than that! 👍 Nicely done!

[arjay]

Counter clockwise from top left
70s combat commander,65 GM,69 GM,70s GM,80s Combat Elite,current series 70 GM,70s Gold Cup

[G.T. Smith]

I messed around with this one a little and wound up changing everything back except the checked flat MSH. I tried the short colt trigger and arched housing got rid of the S80 parts. I just like it better the way it came from the factory. Great shooting gun and 0 malfunctions with any ammo I have put in it. Shoots JHP's great with any magazines I have, (Checkmate GI lips and dimpled follower).
Peace,
Gordon

[Marvin Gardens]

I am a proud member of the Smith and Wesson Collectors Association but please, don't tell anyone, I carry a 1911 almost exclusively. Since my teens I have owned, shot, competed with, carried, traded, borrowed, sold, built, bought, and commissioned 1911's. There is another thread on the forum right now that seems to be going slightly awry. I'm not involved in that one and don't want to start anything here. There are basically three or four brands of 1911's that I like to buy, carry, or use as a base gun. Getting back to the OP's post now. I think he did well.

I like Colts. There are other brands out there that are popular and I think I've experienced most of them. That said, I like Colt 1911's and carried a Series 70 that was almost bone stock (swapped out the arched mainspring housing for a flat) almost every day for ten years. I think the quality of the new guns has improved with the introduction of CNC and better metallurgy.

Congratulations OP, you got a nice gun and you can be proud to own it and pass it down. Others are good and I like some of them but the OP did fine.

I am retired now but still carry a 1911 almost every day. I like full size guns but, especially in business clothes in my new career, often wear a Lightweight Commander or Defender. I have sort of accumulated a bunch of them. They are sort of like eating peanuts, once you get started it's hard to stop.

I carry this one often.



Another Colt.



Regards.

Bob

[SweetMK]

My Colt, purchased outside an LGS,,,



The guy had tried to sell it,,, but, at the time,, no one wanted this caliber.

It is a beast,,

[Donn]

Have had a Series 70 since the 70's. It's accurate to point it's almost no fun to shoot. Had notions of EDC'ing it when I first got my CPL. Guess I'm getting old. Just too heavy for me.

[petepeterson]

Originally Posted by bruce5781

Couple of mine. Current production Gubm'nt model in 38 Super & a 60's LW Commander in 9mm.

I love the short trigger look.

[Old Corp]

I also have a long history of carrying a M1911. My first one I bought used in the mid-70's from a local small town police officer who needed money, Gov't Model Series 70, ANIB, $175.
At the time, I wanted to upgrade the sights and have adjustables, but little was available then.
I was working at an LGS at the time, and the manager was friends with then-well-known 1911-smith 'Janos Videcki', who lived a hour away.
I purchased a S&W K frame adjustable rear sight and had Mr. Videcki install it via a milled channel and slot he placed on the rear of the slide. He also installed a ramp front.
At the time this was considered quite 'high speed - low drag'. :-)

I went on to use this pistol in IPSC matches for years, doing quite well with it. And, as an LEO, carried it off duty for much of my career.

Have other 1911's, Colt Combat Commanders in 9mm and ,45, a Delta Elite, a Kimber UCII, even a Charles Daly as a 'beater'. But that first Colt means a little more to me.

Gosh, just realized I've had and used this pistol for 40 years. Feel old now.

[ameridaddy]

[QUOTE=wheelyfun66;139100980]Hey All,
I picked up a NIB Colt Series 70, and took it out for 120 rounds of break in today...

I swear, that appeals to me more appearance-wise than my ~1974 Gold Cup NM, especially the grips. Are they real wood?
I might have to buy a set to replace the dried putty looking things that came with my Gold Cup.
Thanks for the nice pics!

[wheelyfun66]

[quote=ameridaddy;139103329]

Originally Posted by wheelyfun66

Hey All,
I picked up a NIB Colt Series 70, and took it out for 120 rounds of break in today...

I swear, that appeals to me more appearance-wise than my ~1974 Gold Cup NM, especially the grips. Are they real wood?

Thanks for the nice pics!

Yes, real wood!
Yes, the quality and appearance of the Rosewood checkered really helped sell me on this pistol!

[Big E3]

I wish I had a series 70, that's nice. I have a couple of Kimbers, a Springfield and a Norinco. I only have two Colts, a Delta Elite and a recently picked up a bright stainless series 80. (I know, but it was shinny and the price was right $550)

[HARDWARE]

I picked up a reissue series 70 last year and liked it so much I went back a week later and bought a new commander as well.

they've both been 100% reliable thus far.

[HARDWARE]

oops... hope you dont mind waffen SS picture thrown in

[HARDWARE]

I thought it interesting that colt didn't apply a commander rollmark on that one

[Rock185]

The NRM Colts are good guns. Had four, two blue,two stainless. All good reliable guns, carried one or the other of the stainless guns 40+ hours a week for over a decade. I did not care for the factory sights or the Colt "Battle Rattle" loose slide to frame fit. I made a few changes to mine, sights, thumb safeties,etc. Even with these modern touches,my fellow officers still considered me carrying some old weird kind of gun they were unfamiliar with pretty Old School. One called my stainless Government Model a "pimp gun". I have owned,carried and enjoyed a number of Colts since about 1970. That being said, I wish my Colts, especially the two Special Combat Governments I have owned, were put together like cprher's Baer Thunder Ranch. Had one of those too. Very precisely/tightly fitted barrel/slide/frame. No "Battle Rattle" at all and still 100% reliable. No "Battle Rattle" required

Still like my Colts. Photos of my 2016 SCG and 1964 Clark Colt.

[Protected One]

Originally Posted by wheelyfun66

Hey All,
I picked up a NIB Colt Series 70, and took it out for 120 rounds of break in today...

First, I broke it down and cleaned the factory grease from inside, then relubed with Wilson Combat Ultima Lube II.

Nice deep, rich bluing on the Series 70 (hard to capture in pics) and very handsome Rosewood grips.

Trigger is...not like a custom 1911, but serviceable. The thumb safety is nicely fit, and clicks on/off with ease, but positively engages. The sights are better than an old-school WWII model, as they are raised, but still black on black. The ejection port is NOT lowered or flared, in keeping with the old school theme.

The slide to frame fit is.....loose! That doesn't bother me, as it seems like an old school Govt model SHOULD be loose!

The pistol was very accurate, though I don't have any groupings to report, as I hiked in to my favorite backwoods sand pit and shot clay pigeons.
I got hit in the head with brass on occasion, but not enough to bother me (goes along with having a NON lowered ejection port)
Had one double feed, with factory mag. NO drama with the two Wilson Combat mags that I used.

Looking forward to carrying this beast in my new Sparks VMII, which carries it with ease.

No mods planned for this classic.....less is more and I'm returning to basics!

Feel free to post YOUR classic or modern Colts!

Back to basics indeed! Very nice choice, sir.

[SAFireman]

A couple of mine









and one to mess with all of the 'nanny types'



The top gun is a c1919 era Commercial Colt 1911 with really thick Sambar Stag stocks. The stainless gun is an Enhanced Combat Commander that has been bob-tailed by Ed Brown and stocks courtesy of our very own Patrick Grashorn aka Executioner.

[les.b]

Well, I just posted these on another thread, so I've got the pics handy... First, here's my series 70 Colt Gold Cup .45, made in 1977-1978 (I just picked up the two boxes of vintage ammo at a yard sale today, just included them in the picture for the heck of it):



And then here is my 1963 Colt Commander in 38 Super:



Best Regards, Les

[Marvin Gardens]

Originally Posted by SAFireman

and one to mess with all of the 'nanny types' .

Speaking of......



Novak's "Answer." I have several of my 1911's set up this way. The rubber bands are cool and truly old school. My grandfather carried a 1911 with them when in plain clothes. One of my favorite old tv shows was "Crime Story." Dennis Farina carried a 1911 with the rubber band treatment in the series.

Regards.

Bob

[bwelch47]

Enjoy the pictures of the 1911. One of the virtuals of the original design of the 1911 is that it can be field repairable. All the tools needed are included in the design. I have detailed striped my 1911 w/o any exxternal tools. ( The person who taught me also trained special forces).

[Jingles]

Sweet. I picked mine up NIB too - back in 1977! Still one of my favorite shooters. I have managed to keep mine stock except for a pair of Pachmayr grips. Although mine shows signs of use and holster wear the bluing is still beautiful.

[les.b]

Originally Posted by Marvin Gardens

Speaking of......



Novak's "Answer." I have several of my 1911's set up this way. The rubber bands are cool and truly old school. My grandfather carried a 1911 with them when in plain clothes. One of my favorite old tv shows was "Crime Story." Dennis Farina carried a 1911 with the rubber band treatment in the series.

Regards.

Bob

I suppose that most folks are aware that Dennis Farina really was a police officer before he got into show business. After three years in the Army, he spent 18 years on the Chicago Police Department. He was hired as a police consultant for a movie and Michael Mann then hired him for a bit part in a movie, and the rest is history. Some of the roles he starred in must have been tough... Playing a Chicago Cop, who went to the same parochial school that he had gone to, and was also a Chicago Cubs fan. Sort of like playing himself.

I always liked Dennis Farina, and enjoyed his roles, and his infectious sense of humor.

Here he is in "Crime Story", with his 45:



Sorry for the slight thread drift.

Best Regards, Les

[American1776]

What a beautiful gun. You really can't go wrong with that pistol for any application.

I always keep a good coating of anti-corrosion oil on all the blued surfaces. It be a shame for finger prints or sweat to mess up that beautiful bluing.

[American1776]

My 1911 is a Springfield TRP. I love the 1911, and carry it often.

[bruce5781]

The Three Amigos.
50's Lightwieght Super 38
60's Lightwieght 9 mm
70's Lightwieght 45