Added a Second Colt to my stable - Restoration is now COMPLETE

Man, the roads are dangerous... I was on my way to work today, when I got sideswiped by a truck and got ejected from my vehicle; as i was tumbling in the air, I ended up crashing through the front window of a gun shop (of all the places) and bounced off the counter. When I woke up; I ended up with this thing on my lap.












Now, seeing that the poor thing was giving me the "sad puppy" look, begging me to take her home...

Well! You know the rest of the story...

Now, this is my third 1911 and my second Colt... Worst of all, it is the second gun purchase I've done in the month of November. I just HAD TO DO IT!!! Now, I have to de-Bubbaised this thing and hopefully turn her into the proud and beautiful Colt she once was. It is a mission I will undertake with the greatest of honor and dedication. Besides, for the price, I just would kick myself in the boys with a steel-toed boot if I didn't do it.

ETA - Did a SN check on Proofhouse.com and discovered that this baby was made in 1974 (same year I was born); this is getting interesting...

Better than a boating accident...

those Ponys tend to multiply.

No kidding; went in to pay off my Colt Defender and get a holster and mags for it and I walk out with TWO Colts. How does that happen?

Well, finally sat down with my Series 70 and gave it a good cleaning; I discovered a few interesting things about this pistol...



I removed the barrel, recoil assembly, the plastic extended magwell and replace the shitty rubber grips with some cocobolo grips I saved up for a rainy day. Looks much better now, doesn't it?



Closer look of the rollmarks, which are in excellent shape.



here's the extended barrel and recoil assembly; I do not recognize any of these parts or who made them, but if anyone knows these parts, IM me, so I know.



Is this normal for the old Series 70? I am curious. I saw a few other Series 70s on Gunbroker with similar gaps between the grip safety and the frame; either part seems to have been modified, so I am guessing it was. Again, any Colt experts, please chime in.



SECRET BONUS - After I removed the brittle rubber bumper on the magazine, I discovered this... Yes, the magazine came from a Randall 1911 pistol; those that know the history, Randall was a California based company that used to make 1911s back in the 80s, but it went belly up; making these pistols quite collectibles. Pleasant surprise to end up with a Randall magazine. Also, the MSH on this pistol is a WW1 era flat MSH that has the lanyard loop removed; I guess I can find a way to replace the lanyard loop and perhaps sell the part back, who knows...



Opposite end of the slide, the rollmarks on this side are also in perfect shape, but you can also see the light surface rust (no pitting) on the slide. Also, the SN dates this Series 70 back to 1974, which by coincidence, is also the year I was born. DOUBLE SCORE... Now I am keeping this one as a heirloom.

Can't wait for the parts to finally arrive; already secured the barrel and the bushing, which almost cost me $200, but I guess it is well worth it if I can return this Series 70 back to factory condition. Oh yeah! I have an excellent resto-project on my hands.

OK; picked up the barrel, barrel bushing, recoil spring and recoil spring guide from my mailbox and now, my pistol that much closer to completion.







Now, all it needs is the proper safety, grip screws, mainspring and spring plug (it has a no name one for now), but as of now, it is a fully functioning, shootable weapon; I will take her and my Defender to the range on Wednesday for a thorough range repont on BOTH.

RIght now, I am really pleased with myself.

my 1974 made Colt Series '70 looks very similar to yours...especially the fitment of the grip safety...mine was converted to a 45DA by Seecamp (in 1977 on the brand new 1974 Government)...take a look at the right side of the frame near the grip safety...in the pic it appears to be a poor cut near the top of the grip safety...mine had that too and it was sharp...I thought a leftover from when it was converted but perhaps that was from Colt's...curious to know if what I appear to be seeing is in fact on your pistol too...
Bill

Good resto B-T, IIRC Brownells may have replacement loops to add to the MS housing should you wish to go down that road.
I think MS housing had another pin that would go through the legs of the loop to retain it in the assy.

G'luck

Blitz

the bluing looks pretty strong on your MSH.
if it is vintage and has been reblued, dont expect to get too much $$ from it.

I know; it is not worth much as a collectible, but I might consider keeping it for a JIC moment, where I might find it useful. My stash of 1911 parts is certainly growing with each order I make (gonna need a bigger parts bin).

Well, replaced the wide trigger and chrome grip screws with a harrow serrated trigger and blued grip screws; I know the original S70s had triggers that were silver in color, therefore I have yet another trigger coming, a silver one (matte silver) and hopefully, I will have the matching MSH in the mail as well. I also received the thumb safety, but my luck, the part will not drop in and require some fitting, for which i have absolutely no tools or experience in doing and rather than fidget with it (and perhaps screwing up), I will have to order another thumb safety, one that might fit better.

Well, here's my Series 70 so far...





And as a bonus; I tossed in my Colt Defender for shits & Giggles.

VERY nice!!

Did you get a flat MSH or the arched one?

It was a Bubba Gun, so it came with a WW1 MSH, but i have a correct arched one ont he mail.

Well, after a long and hard journey; my Colt MKIV Series 70 restoration is now complete...





BEFORE - This is how it looked the day it landed on my lap during that faithful day on the road (read the OP).

And now...





AFTER - it took me a while to gather all the correct Colt parts from retailers on both gun shows and online, but I was able to do it. I feel pretty proud of myself for doing this good deed; not only did I saved this beautiful Stallion from its shameful state, it now shares room with my other 1911s as it was meant to be. I am still debating wherever to send it to Colt for refinishing back to the original finish or keep it as is; it is pretty decent condition in terms of finishing and the "warts" give it character.

Anyways; it was a pleasure to bring this 1970s vintage Colt back to it's rightful condition and hope she will serve me well... Which I know shew will.

you did a good job.
i wouldnt send it out for refinishing, the marks give it character

THen I am done with her; is off to the range for some trigger time. I think my Kimber's gonna get jealous.

Not to sidetrack your thread but how about some Series 70 De-Restoration......







And after a bit of smithing work.





gonna replace the Slide stop, Thumb Safety, barrel bushing. Trigger, hammer, sear, disco, FP, and springs have all been replaced at this point. Also need to figure out what finish, was thinking hard chrome but may just go with cerakote.
Great price btw.

Copyright © 1996 - 2013 :: AR15.Com LLC :: All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.