Colt Series 80 vs 70

[chief38]

I can't go along with that.

You're more likely to have your thumb slip trying to thumb cock under stress than you'll ever have an issue from carrying cocked and locked in a proper holster.

I'm FAR more concerned about:

1. Having my thumb slip and possibly having an ND
2. Missing or not properly cocking the hammer and not being able to fire at all

than having my thumb safety magically disengage while holstered.

With a Series 80.... EVEN IF your thumb slipped off the hammer the gun would NOT discharge. The hammer would either go to the half cock position - ready to be cocked again, and EVEN IF it did fall all the way and hit the firing pin, UNLESS the trigger was being pulled at the time, the Series 80 block would prevent the firing pin from striking the primer. If you have a Series 80, try it (empty of course) and you will see what I am saying is correct.

 

[johngalt]

With a Series 80.... EVEN IF your thumb slipped off the hammer the gun would NOT discharge. The hammer would either go to the half cock position - ready to be cocked again, and EVEN IF it did fall all the way and hit the firing pin, UNLESS the trigger was being pulled at the time, the Series 80 block would prevent the firing pin from striking the primer. If you have a Series 80, try it (empty of course) and you will see what I am saying is correct.

Only if your finger is off the trigger. Which isn't likely, since you have to pull the trigger to release the sear and lower the hammer.

The 1911 was designed to be carried cocked. There is NO reason to lower the hammer on a live round.

 

[johngalt]

Hmmm...Sig, Colt, Para-Ordinance, Taurus, and Remington all use series 80 style firingpin safety mechanisms...probably others I can't think of?

Only a couple-three use the Swartz(no pun intended). Colt developed the Swartz and dropped it for WWII simplicity...then never bothered with it again post-war. Not until the need for firingpin safe 1911 pistols arose again..then Colt went for the series 80. The only thing wrong with a series 80 safety is that it apparently frustrates 1911 pistolsmiths looking for the 'perfect trigger'...

Of course Colt uses the series 80 system. I wasn't aware the others were also. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that Colt had patented the system and were charging others a licensing fee to use it, hence the rise of the Swartz system.

 

[GKC]

I've owned a number of 1911s from various makers, including both series 70 and series 80 Colts (that is, without and with a FPS.) I really can't tell any difference in trigger pull of either system. I just prefer my 1911s without a FPS, and with the advent of the newer firing pins, the chance of firing when dropped is much less. I also prefer the GI guide rod and plug versus the FLGR. That's just me...the simpler the better.

I do like the other enhanced features, like a commander/rowell hammer, beaver tail grip safety, flared and lowered ejection port, and better sights. I do not like rails on 1911s...that is of course my opinion.

 

[chief38]

Only if your finger is off the trigger. Which isn't likely, since you have to pull the trigger to release the sear and lower the hammer.

The 1911 was designed to be carried cocked. There is NO reason to lower the hammer on a live round.

I sincerely hope that when you cock a hammer on a 1911 your finger is NOT on the trigger! If it's not - the firing pin can NOT hit the primer on an S80. I am not telling anyone here how their 1911 should or should not be carried, just saying I PERSONALLY would not carry it C&L. For me, it's really a moot point anyway, because I carry a Model 60-7.

 

[johngalt]

I sincerely hope that when you cock a hammer on a 1911 your finger is NOT on the trigger! If it's not - the firing pin can NOT hit the primer on an S80. I am not telling anyone here how their 1911 should or should not be carried, just saying I PERSONALLY would not carry it C&L. For me, it's really a moot point anyway, because I carry a Model 60-7.

I thought we were talking about lowering the hammer on a live round, not cocking it.

In any case, I agree that those who are not comfortable carrying a 1911 cocked should pick something else.

 

[TANKER]

My only complaint with the series 80 is that it makes the gun much harder to strip. The trigger lever fits on the sear pin along with the sear, and the disconnector. You have to line up all three pieces to get the sear pin back in. Also the firing pin is different. If you remove the trigger lever you MUST use the filler. Otherwise the sear can slide to the left and get caught in the frame cut for the lever and won't release the hammer. You must remove the lever or it can get caught in the hole in the slide left by the removal of the safety plunger.