Series 70 .45auto

groovyrascal · February 17, 2005, 12:53

groovyrascal · February 17, 2005, 12:55

other side:

groovyrascal · February 17, 2005, 12:58

Can anyone tell me some details about my .45. It has the 2-tone frame/slide, yet it is not a "Combat Elite". It has the fitted bushing yet it is not a "National Match". I bought this at a small gun shop a couple of years ago for $500. It runs like a raped ape and is very accurate. The silver frame looks factory. So what gives?...any ideas.

Thanks. Sorry about the large pic size.

**BUFF** · February 18, 2005, 06:50

The only factory 2-tone Series 70 Governments I remember all had different rear sights and usually correspondingly taller front sights, as well.

Hard chroming the frames was a common item in the 1970's and 1980's. People often did it because people like Jeff Cooper had 2-tone Colts. Thing was, they were Commanders, with anodized aluminum frames, which had the anodizing polished off after it began to wear. Polishing it off was better than constantly refinishing it.

My guess is some prior owner just liked the look.

Those are nice pistols. If I could only have one handgun, it would be.....

.....a 5" Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum!

groovyrascal · February 18, 2005, 08:23

The frame is not chrome. It is like a bead blasted finish. The stamps from the factory are very sharp, so I believe they were done after the finish. I guess it doesnt matter...The pistol shoots great and I'm don't plan to sell it.

MichonRAFW · February 18, 2005, 10:13

Did you stick that gun on a flatbed scanner?

Interesting improvistaion

Ryan

groovyrascal · February 18, 2005, 10:32

Quote:

Originally posted by MichonRAFW
Did you stick that gun on a flatbed scanner?

Interesting improvistaion

Ryan

Yes. I got the idea from someone here on the Files.

**idsubgun** · February 19, 2005, 15:02

Your 1911 is a Colt Government Model MKIV/Series 70 with a satin Nickel finish. They were manufactured from 1970-1983. Yours was made between 1981-1983 with the "70B" prefix on your serial number.

My Book of Gun Values is a 1999 version and shows it worth $800 NIB, $595 if 98%, down to $290 at 60%. Don't use these for today's prices as they may have changed.

groovyrascal · February 19, 2005, 18:15

Quote:

Originally posted by idsubgun
Your 1911 is a Colt Government Model MKIV/Series 70 with a satin Nickel finish. They were manufactured from 1970-1983. Yours was made between 1981-1983 with the "70B" prefix on your serial number.

My Book of Gun Values is a 1999 version and shows it worth $800 NIB, $595 if 98%, down to $290 at 60%. Don't use these for today's prices as they may have changed.

Hey thanks alot idsubgun. Did these come with the fitted bushing or did someone add a different bbl and bushing etc...? Otherwise judging by the pics, does it look stock?

**idsubgun** · February 19, 2005, 18:42

I'm not sure what you mean by a "fitted bushing"? Colt had the collet type bushing during this time span, I think. That proved to be junk. I'd have to do some research on this to give you an accurate answer.

groovyrascal · February 19, 2005, 18:50

Quote:

Originally posted by idsubgun
I'm not sure what you mean by a "fitted bushing"? Colt had the collet type bushing during this time span, I think. That proved to be junk. I'd have to do some research on this to give you an accurate answer.

Well, the bushing is not solid like on the pistols I used in the service. It has"fingers" or gaps around the circumference of the bushing. It fits somwhat snug on the bbl. Otherwise the pisol "innards" look like issue.

**idsubgun** · February 19, 2005, 18:54

That's the collet bushing. Here's a web site with some info.

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/history/s70_colts.htm

groovyrascal · February 19, 2005, 20:56

Quote:

Originally posted by idsubgun
That's the collet bushing. Here's a web site with some info.

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/history/s70_colts.htm

That's it my friend. The link describes exactly what I have.
Thanks again!

Lot of knowledge floating around here...lot of knowledge indeed.

Edit to add:

According to the link, the collet bushing was a compromise between the loose fit of the original and hand fitting. They seemed to say it works good...No? It seems to do the trick in mine. It is very accurate. Also, I don't put thousands of rounds down range with it either..may be that would affect the performance of the bushing more.

**idsubgun** · February 19, 2005, 21:08

Most people want gunsmith fitted bushings for their pistols. The collet was a cheap way to have a tight bushing without the gunsmithing costs. I would just leave it if you don't shoot much, or are interested in just keeping it in original condition.

jbrooks · February 20, 2005, 00:09

When I saw the pic, I thought you had mine! But I added 3-dot sights...

I owned one identical to yours in the early 70's. The nickle finish is laid over a thin copper coating on the steel, the copper made the nickle stick. As the pistols wears, the copper shows up.

Mine could not feed 185 gr. wadcutters, nor the Speer 200-grain "Flying Ashtrays". I tried everything to get it to work but to no avail. I eventually sold it for (Yikes!!) only %125.00 in 1977. I'm sure the modern loads like Golden Sabre will work fine.

Nice piece, maybe yours will work better.

Shoot well,

JWB

February 17, 2005, 12:53	#1
groovyrascal Registered FALaholic #: 13110 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: minnesota Posts: 371	Series 70 .45auto __________________ " Let us speak courtiously, deal fairly and keep ourselves armed and ready" --Theodore Roosevelt---May 13,1903

February 17, 2005, 12:55	#2
groovyrascal Registered FALaholic #: 13110 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: minnesota Posts: 371	other side: __________________ " Let us speak courtiously, deal fairly and keep ourselves armed and ready" --Theodore Roosevelt---May 13,1903

February 17, 2005, 12:58	#3
groovyrascal Registered FALaholic #: 13110 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: minnesota Posts: 371	Can anyone tell me some details about my .45. It has the 2-tone frame/slide, yet it is not a "Combat Elite". It has the fitted bushing yet it is not a "National Match". I bought this at a small gun shop a couple of years ago for $500. It runs like a raped ape and is very accurate. The silver frame looks factory. So what gives?...any ideas. Thanks. Sorry about the large pic size. __________________ " Let us speak courtiously, deal fairly and keep ourselves armed and ready" --Theodore Roosevelt---May 13,1903

February 18, 2005, 06:50	#4
BUFF Old Fart Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 789 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 7,154	The only factory 2-tone Series 70 Governments I remember all had different rear sights and usually correspondingly taller front sights, as well. Hard chroming the frames was a common item in the 1970's and 1980's. People often did it because people like Jeff Cooper had 2-tone Colts. Thing was, they were Commanders, with anodized aluminum frames, which had the anodizing polished off after it began to wear. Polishing it off was better than constantly refinishing it. My guess is some prior owner just liked the look. Those are nice pistols. If I could only have one handgun, it would be..... .....a 5" Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum! __________________ BUFF

February 18, 2005, 08:23	#5
groovyrascal Registered FALaholic #: 13110 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: minnesota Posts: 371	The frame is not chrome. It is like a bead blasted finish. The stamps from the factory are very sharp, so I believe they were done after the finish. I guess it doesnt matter...The pistol shoots great and I'm don't plan to sell it. __________________ " Let us speak courtiously, deal fairly and keep ourselves armed and ready" --Theodore Roosevelt---May 13,1903

February 18, 2005, 10:13	#6
MichonRAFW Registered FALaholic #: 5638 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: New York, FL Posts: 1,058	Did you stick that gun on a flatbed scanner? Interesting improvistaion Ryan __________________ "When somebody asks you if you are a god you say YES!" "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb discusing whats for dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb willing to contest the majority decision" Benjamin Franklin 1755

February 19, 2005, 15:02	#8
idsubgun "Comfortably Numb" Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 3100 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Soon to be Missouri Posts: 9,271	Your 1911 is a Colt Government Model MKIV/Series 70 with a satin Nickel finish. They were manufactured from 1970-1983. Yours was made between 1981-1983 with the "70B" prefix on your serial number. My Book of Gun Values is a 1999 version and shows it worth $800 NIB, $595 if 98%, down to $290 at 60%. Don't use these for today's prices as they may have changed.

February 19, 2005, 18:42	#10
idsubgun "Comfortably Numb" Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 3100 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Soon to be Missouri Posts: 9,271	I'm not sure what you mean by a "fitted bushing"? Colt had the collet type bushing during this time span, I think. That proved to be junk. I'd have to do some research on this to give you an accurate answer. __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum "If you wish for peace, prepare for war"

February 19, 2005, 18:54	#12
idsubgun "Comfortably Numb" Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 3100 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Soon to be Missouri Posts: 9,271	That's the collet bushing. Here's a web site with some info. http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/history/s70_colts.htm __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum "If you wish for peace, prepare for war"

February 19, 2005, 21:08	#14
idsubgun "Comfortably Numb" Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 3100 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Soon to be Missouri Posts: 9,271	Most people want gunsmith fitted bushings for their pistols. The collet was a cheap way to have a tight bushing without the gunsmithing costs. I would just leave it if you don't shoot much, or are interested in just keeping it in original condition. __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum "If you wish for peace, prepare for war"

February 20, 2005, 00:09	#15
jbrooks Registered FALaholic #: 10395 Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1,621	When I saw the pic, I thought you had mine! But I added 3-dot sights... I owned one identical to yours in the early 70's. The nickle finish is laid over a thin copper coating on the steel, the copper made the nickle stick. As the pistols wears, the copper shows up. Mine could not feed 185 gr. wadcutters, nor the Speer 200-grain "Flying Ashtrays". I tried everything to get it to work but to no avail. I eventually sold it for (Yikes!!) only %125.00 in 1977. I'm sure the modern loads like Golden Sabre will work fine. Nice piece, maybe yours will work better. Shoot well, JWB

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