Posted: 7/13/2011 4:52:53 AM EDT
| I am looking at buying one from a friend . Looks new very few rds fired. Blued finish series 80 . What is the opinion of these pistols? |
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It's all relative. Colt slid downhill a long way in terms of quality just before the series 80 was intorduced in 1983. As a result many custom gunsmiths preferred to start with a Series 70 or earlier Colt (an issue completely separate from the firing pin safety), even though some peopel confuse the issue by calling anything pre series 80 a "series 70" which ignores the changes, both good and bad, that were introduced with the Series 70.
However, on average anything with a Colt pony on it has always been highly regarded, even when the pistols in question offerred far less and ran far worse than similarly priced competitors' 1911s. People pay money for recognized names associated with "quality" but that is however different than buying actual quality. So depending on who you ask you will get responses that range from "anything made by Colt is great" to anything after the "series 70 is shit", to a more well reasoned and better informed opinion that "some Colts had issues with poor quality, while others are just fine". The latter accurately reflects the fact that Colt has had some major ups and downs over the years and the quality of their pistols reflect that. As a design, provided it is properly executed, of adequate quality and in good condition, a Series 80 is just fine, but it still lacks some of the refinements you may find on other 19111s of the same era and/or in later iterations of the Colt. Whether it's good or bad depends a lot on what you are looking for. |
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Quoted: I am looking for #1 reliability and #2 accuracy. So what you are saying is DakotaFal is that Colt QC was lacking and it is kind of a crap shoot? This CC is $900 and looks brand new. Is it worth the gamble? Just an F.Y.I I purchased a New 80 series Colt Commander Lightweight XSE for a a little over $900.00 two weeks ago. |
I have never had what I could call a "bad" pistol of any series Colt 1911. I have owned both Series 70 and 80 Government models and Commanders of the pre-Series 70 and Series 80 type. Colt QC is NOT "hit or miss" among the six or so new ones have have bought over the last 10 years. 
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| I have four Colt Combat Commanders. Two were made in the 76 and 78. Two are 1991A1. In addition to these, I have four Government models, two of which are series 70 and two are 1991A1 cheapies. I also have a Colt 1991A1 Compact(Officers ACP). Bought them all new except the Compact. I have had no issues with any of them. |
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I have a 1991 Commander. I traded into it cheap because it wasn't feeding well. Simple deal, the extractor tension was off. Runs great now, and I really like it. I have several other full-size GMs (A USGI Remington-Rand M1911A1, a Colt Stainless Enhanced, and a Norinco project) and I kinda like the shorter Commander better. I used to have an older 70-series type Lt wt Commander, and it kicked a bit more than the all steel 1991. I'd love to pick up a .38 Super, or a 9mm Commander.
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Quoted:
I love my commanders. $900 is a bit high for a used one unless it comes with 5 or 6 wilson mags and a holster. $750 to $800 would be a little more appropriate for used with 2 mags and a box. Less if it has GI sights and plain grips. +1 on above! I have a Model 04691 Commander. If this is the model you are talking about, it's a GREAT 1911, but don't pay any higher than $800. ESPECIALLY used!! |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I love my commanders. $900 is a bit high for a used one unless it comes with 5 or 6 wilson mags and a holster. $750 to $800 would be a little more appropriate for used with 2 mags and a box. Less if it has GI sights and plain grips. +1 on above! I have a Model 04691 Commander. If this is the model you are talking about, it's a GREAT 1911, but don't pay any higher than $800. ESPECIALLY used!! It is a combat commander model |