I'm starting to look into buying a new Colt 1911. I can't seem to find any new 70 series 1911s, but I see a lot of 80 series 1911s around. Which of the two is better? Is 80 series more reliable then a 70 series?

Thanks,

1981

The Series 70 versus Series 80 has nothing much to do with reliability or one being"better".

The only real difference between the two is that the Series 80 has a firing pin lock safety feature that keeps the firing pin locked until the trigger is pulled.
This prevents an accidental discharge if the gun were to be dropped or if there was a catastrophic failure of the action that allowed the hammer to drop.

In the early days of the Series 80 some people claimed it made the trigger pull heavier and some gunsmiths claimed they couldn't get a good trigger pull with it.
Since then most good gunsmiths have learned that the Series 80 safety has little effect on trigger work and most shooters are unable to positively identify a gun with the Series 80 installed in blind trigger tests.

Some people don't like the Series 80 firing pin lock simply because they don't like anything that adds possible complications to a gun.  Others like the idea of a safer gun or just don't see any problem with the system.
It comes down to a matter of personal preference.

Colt firearms still makes a series 70 if you have your heart set on one you could always have a dealer or lgs look into ordering one.

Thanks Guys! I think I'll go for one of the new 70 series Colts. Who would have one in stock? Was looking for a blued one model 01970A1CS. I checked online and can't find one in stock...

Thanks,

1981

I worked on a series 80 colt where the firing pin block gummed up. You could no longer pull the trigger. Thankfully it wasn't too hard to fix, but I definately prefer the 70 series now.

Many PDs don't allow a S70 if they allow 1911s at all. Kind of a must for me.

All my life I've been chastised for owning S80 Colts. Manly by S70 fans. Firing them both, I cannot tell.

firing pin lock safety feature

Look I have a Series 80 , I have some comp parts Ive added over the years , shot in the Police Games in the late 80's early 90's with it , I have close to 20,000 rounds through it and it is still my go to gun and is always nearby , it is the funnest gun to shoot , if you break down the gun once a year you shouldnt have a problem "gumming up" , regular maintenance applies , I fired both and they are both great guns but not alot different , you cant go wrong with a Colt Government (I dont know about the newer versions , but a 1911 is a 1911)

I agree. Maintenance is a must for any weapon. It gummed up due to poor maintenance by the owner. A 1911 is not for lazy shooters that don't want to take care of their weapons. I have seen 1911 owners trading them , just because they find the normal disassembly and assembly tedious and long

I agree that it was poor maintenance. The gun didn't look too dirty, but it appeared to have been lubricated with WD-40 or some other lubricant that had evaporated and left a residue. I still prefer the 70 series now.

 

I was thinking the 70 was forged while the 80 was cast.

Nope.
All Colt 1911 series guns have forged slides and frames.

I got into owning guns in my thirties, and I have felt that owning a 1911 has made me more sure of being able to put back together whatever I take apart. Something about being able to replace easily anything I bugger up inspires confidence in modification and maintenance.

Didn't one of the versions have the collet bushing instead of solid bushing? I heard the tangs of the collet could break resulting in a catastrophic jam.

Original S70s had the collet bushing.  The current repros do not.

I see lots of posts where people claim that staying away from S80s is stupid, because they can't tell a difference.  I will agree that avoiding S80s isn't smart because most of Colt's current offerings are S80 and are damn good guns.  However, IMO I can tell a difference.  I have 6 S80 Colts and 2 S70 repros and I CAN tell a difference in the triggers.  I much prefer the S70 style triggers, they just seem so much smoother.

Any smith worth his salt can tune a 80 series just as well as a 70 series system.

The only time I've seen a S80 type safety fail, it was a Para-Ord clone.