Got a new Colt today!

[olds442guy]

Bought a never fired Series 80 Mark IV Gold Cup National Match today. It's awesome and I can't wait to shoot it. I also bought two Wilson Combat 10 round magazines for it. It's my first semi auto, but I have a little experience with Colt 1911s. I know it's not a Smith & Wesson, but I just thought I'd share!

 

[BCDWYO]

Congrats on a nice gun! You'll soon be hooked on 1911s as many of us are!

 

[Hillbilly77]

I know it's not a Smith & Wesson, but I just thought I'd share!

Could be a heck of a lot worse:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/263154-i-have-strayed-fold.html


Congrats on your new toy.

 

[SAFireman]

That sure is a great way to start an addiction. I like the NM rollmarked guns and I love stainless. That should be a shooter for sure. When is your first range trip?

 

[JcMack]

VERY nice gun! Just a heads up. You may know. The SERIES 80's all have the extra parts that de activate the firing pin safety as you pull the trigger. Butt the Gold Cups with steel triggers, have a spring and maybe extra gizmo can't remember) as part of the sear assm. that insures the gun won't "double up" because of trigger weight. They made later GC's with aluminum triggers to address the issue.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

That is a fine looking Colt you acquired! I really like those grips/stocks/scales...or whatever you want to to call them.

 

[olds442guy]

Thanks for the replies. I'll be taking it to the range tonight with a few friends and we'll probably end up putting about 200 rounds of factory ball ammo and a box of reloads I want to test out through it. I'm really hoping everything goes good this is the first gun I haven't bought brand new. I'm really excited and can't wait to shoot it. I'll update how it shoots and maybe more pics! Thanks!

 

[olds442guy]

Jcmack: I knew the series 80 had the firing pin safety and I know that the general preference is series 70 guns, but that's about as deep as my knowledge goes. I'm thinking about using this as a carry gun when I turn 21 and get my license, so the firing pin safety seemed like a good thing god forbid I drop the gun. Are there problems with series 80 or is it just opinion and preference why the series 70 is more desirable?

 

[RightArm]

Nice. I would like to get one of those, but every time a start saving money, the government, city, or doctors take all of it.

 

[JcMack]

Jcmack: Are there problems with series 80 or is it just opinion and preference why the series 70 is more desirable?

Absolutely not a problem with the Series 80. Some say the trigger pull (feel) is effected since the FP safety is activated by a couple levers put into action by the trigger when pulled. If you feel that's an issue after you shoot it there's kits address that, or polishing the levers involved, and still leave the safety intact.
These guns used to ship with a second recoil spring colored green. It's for target loads only as it's a lighter spring. Try to make sure the standard spring is in it before shoot you it.

 

[A10]

Congratulations on your Colt! That is a good one. As JcMack said, the only real difference is the trigger pull. Some folks don't like the extra movement of the plunger system on the firing pin block. The trigger can be a little more "creepy" feeling.

 

[olds442guy]

Thanks good to know. Mine only came with one spring (I think this gun was made in the 80s) so hopefully it's the normal one. I knew the newer guns came with two, is this also true for the older Gold Cups? It doesn't look like there's even a spot in the original box for an extra spring to go, but I'm not sure.

 

[Straightshooter2]

My Series 80 Commander doesn't give me that creepy feeling but after Jim Rose of Casset Gun in Jacksonville finished with the trigger job, it has a 3.5 pound pull anyway. Not much room for creep.

I have a feeling you'll love yours. Nice gun!

CW

 

[JcMack]

The spring was just in a bag in with the gun. There was no special spot in the box for it. Take the spring plug out and pull the slide back and see if the spring is green.
When I buy a used 1911, I usually load only 3 rds in the magazine then put the mag in the gun, load a round and pull the trigger. If somebody has done some kitchen table gunsmithing on it, the gun will only chainfire a couple rds instead of 7.

 

[olds442guy]

Thanks for the replies! Shot it tonight and it was awesome. Put about 250 rounds through it with only two failure to feed jams, both with the stock magazine, not the Wilson Combats. Very accurate once I got the sights adjusted, which were way off for some reason. Got it cleaned up and can't wait to shoot it again. I'm very happy with and proud of my Colt!

 

[deanodog]

My series 80 combat commander. I sold my blue national match series 80 a while back. I wish I had it back.

 

[StatesRightist]

Beautiful gun, nice find.

 

[goldenlight]

I bought the same pistol new in 1989. They are nice 1911's!

Keep an eye on the roll pin that holds the rear sight in place. The one on my Gold Cup didn't even last for 200 rounds. I replaced it with a solid pin I made from a numbered drill bit shank.