Posted: 12/14/2010 1:48:23 AM EDT
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Recently I picked up a Colt Combat Commander Series 80 from a local Pawnshop. After taking it home and inspecting it with a thorough cleaning, it was time to take out for a range test. After firing about 24 rounds (3 8 round magazines) I returned to the truck to reload for the next series. The slide was locked back and I inserted a fresh magazine and released the slide but it would not fully chamber. After trying several times to chamber a round, I found that the Firing pin safety plunger to be the culprit. The Plunger was exposed and hanging up on the lower frame. Would it be bad or worn springs that would cause such a malfunction? Since then I have ordered a new firing pin, firing pin return spring, safety plunger, and safety plunger spring. Shouldn't that resolve any other future issues?
From this incident I have thought of some other questions. Can a series 80 1911 be fired with the safety plunger removed? Is there a difference between Series 70 and Series 80 firing pins? |
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Quoted:...Since then I have ordered a new firing pin, firing pin return spring, safety plunger, and safety plunger spring. Shouldn't that resolve any other future issues? I would think that would solve your problems if something was broke but did you do a detail strip when you cleaned it ? Maybe it was just dirty ?From this incident I have thought of some other questions. Can a series 80 1911 be fired with the safety plunger removed? Is there a difference between Series 70 and Series 80 firing pins? You could remove all the Series 80 parts if you want. Firing pins should be the same.  |
I didn't do a detailed strip when I cleaned it.  I was in too excited and REALLY wanted to get it out to the range. And it fired those 3 mags without a hitch.
After that I have tried putting it back together and it does look like the plunger is tweaked (maybe from me but its getting replaced anyway) and the plunger can still be pulled out and is not retained by the firing pin. |
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80 series and 70 series FP are different.
Brownells sells a plate you can insert into the frame to replace the 2 levers of the 80 series saftey parts. for the slide you just remove the plunger and spring. The slide will be left with a hole, but will not effect function. IIRC you can use a 80 series FP in a 70 series, but not a 70 series in a 80 series. |
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Quoted: 80 series and 70 series FP are different. Brownells sells a plate you can insert into the frame to replace the 2 levers of the 80 series saftey parts. for the slide you just remove the plunger and spring. The slide will be left with a hole, but will not effect function. IIRC you can use a 80 series FP in a 70 series, but not a 70 series in a 80 series. Wilson sells the same firing pin for both. Colt sells a titanium for use in both 70 and 80. Colt sells a Series 80 firing pin. Colt does not list a Series 70 firing pin. There you go !
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Quoted:
Quoted:
80 series and 70 series FP are different. Brownells sells a plate you can insert into the frame to replace the 2 levers of the 80 series saftey parts. for the slide you just remove the plunger and spring. The slide will be left with a hole, but will not effect function. IIRC you can use a 80 series FP in a 70 series, but not a 70 series in a 80 series. Wilson sells the same firing pin for both. Colt sells a titanium for use in both 70 and 80. Colt sells a Series 80 firing pin. Colt does not list a Series 70 firing pin. There you go ! I figured a "true" 70 series FP would be the same as a M1911 FP and lack the scallop cut for the 80 series FP plunger. |
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Quoted: The 80 FP in a 70 pistol holds true and means less inventory. Quoted: Quoted: 80 series and 70 series FP are different. Brownells sells a plate you can insert into the frame to replace the 2 levers of the 80 series saftey parts. for the slide you just remove the plunger and spring. The slide will be left with a hole, but will not effect function. IIRC you can use a 80 series FP in a 70 series, but not a 70 series in a 80 series. Wilson sells the same firing pin for both. Colt sells a titanium for use in both 70 and 80. Colt sells a Series 80 firing pin. Colt does not list a Series 70 firing pin. There you go ! I figured a "true" 70 series FP would be the same as a M1911 FP and lack the scallop cut for the 80 series FP plunger. ETA: Duh !
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| haHA! Just got all the new parts and in comparing the old and new, I noticed that the safety plunger was indeed tweaked and the old firing pin spring was maybe a quarter of an inch shorter than the new one. After reassembling, everything appears to functioning correctly. An extensive range test should confirm it. |