I am looking to break tradition here and buy something besides a S&W. I am looking for a series 70 blue govt Colt 45 acp. Any idea on price range? I am going to look for an all original, unaltered example, although I must admit I am leery of the used market on these. People tend to play with these a lot

I doubt you'd be breaking tradition as many here, myself included, have Colt 1911s.

I'm no expert on the used gun market, but I did a quick, superficial check on Gunbroker and original Series 70 guns have open bids from $600-$1400. Didn't dig into details regarding condition. You could probably check for closed auctions to see what they sold for. Auctions aren't exactly an accurate measure of gun values, IMO, but they can indicate what people are willing to pay.

Maybe not what you're looking for, but Colt does currently make a facsimile of the original Series 70 guns in their Classic model. Better sights, solid bushing, lowered ejection port, some MIM components, and an aluminum trigger are the main differences I'm aware of. MSRP is $899. Might be worth checking out.

I recently, before the rona, sold a blue S70 GM, an original one, NIB, for $1150.

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Sure you did

The real series 70’s are very good guns. No plastic or MIM. The more recent guns denominated series ‘70’s are a different product.

Real series ‘70’s were often modified to include some of the enhancements now found pretty commonly on straight from the factory1911’s: better sights, duck tail grip safety, replace the collet bushing and a larger thumb safety. If present, these modifications are obvious.

You’ll occasionally find extraneous stuff like extended guide rods. These are easily removed: they do no harm or good but they do screw up a proper press check. If you find a used example with such a feature, it’s likely that the gun hasn’t seen much use. Serious 1911 shooters know better.

I wouldn’t be put off by a used example. You can tell by examining the gun whether it’s been shot a lot. By a lot, I mean 10,000+ rounds. Remember that this is a real 1911 and is just getting started at round counts few shooters will ever approach.

You can find new in the box series 70’s for $900-$1,100 If you look.

In my experience those new to the 1911 rarely spend over $600-$700. So the chances of finding a decent Colt that hasn’t been tampered with are in your favor. Even then if you find one with a good frame and slide, you can build the gun to your specs for not a lot of money.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

I found one that was like new in the box with a videki trigger (easily replaced) about 13 ? yrs ago for $7-$800. I don’t think they’ve appreciated too much since then. It took a year to find one in that condition though. Lots of em have take down scratches and homebrew gunsmithing.The new version is a nice gun with bigger sights and a solid bushing,though they aren’t as polished as the originals.I like the look of the original more,but the sights on the new one are easier to see

Check Gumbroker completed sales,and I'll bet that original Series 70 Gold Cups went more like $1200 and up. I have one, but it has been extensively worked over by a custom smith.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I nice Series 70 Colt will generally sell at $1000+. Don't be surprised if the asking price is well above that.

If you are willing to look patiently, a Series 70 Gold Cup from the 1970's is hard to beat. I'm gonna guess that one in 95+% condition would set you back well over $1,000. Finding one in close to mint condition is getting a little harder as they are aging.

Let me also suggest that the new ones Colt has been producing are excellent as well! In fact in certain respects they are better than the older ones. They have nicer Rosewood grips, they have a better barrel bushing (non fingered and won't break), no slide cuts on the underside like the 70's vintage Gold Cups do (makes a stronger slide), and are just excellent, accurate and well made 1911's! You ca get one at about $1200 bucks and they are extremely high quality.

I do own a vintage GCNM from 1974 and I absolutely love it! That said, if I wanted one today, I would buy a new production version. And believe me when I say this..... there are not many new guns I'd actually buy today! The Colt GCNM is an exception!

The new production Plain Jane Series 70 Gov't models are also very high quality pistols too. And again, IMHO the new ones are as good or better than most used ones you can find. A new one should run you less than $1,000 last I looked. Go for the Series 70 if you are not intending on carrying it as an EDC. The Series 80 allows to to carry a round chambered more safely because of the firing pin block. If carrying it is your intention, go for the Series 80.

I also own a Series 80 circa 1981 and it is superb! I bought this one with the idea of ECC in mind. After a month of EDC I gave up trying to pack a large, bulky and heavy gun. that said, it is extremely accurate, reliable and easy to shoot.

I agree with chief38 ^^^^^^

A few years ago I bought a new Series 70 Gold Cup. I'm very pleased with it. Workmanship is good, it's accurate and hasn't given me a bit of trouble. Certainly, it's not an "original" but it does what I want it to. In Bullseye matches, I can miss with it better than anything else I have.