Series 70 vs 80 1911 question

Got the link. Thank you. Bear with me, I'm in search of an RIA 1911. I'm being told it has a series 70 system ie no firing pin block safety. Is this true ? If so, can it be added ? Do I want to add ? Do I need to add it ? I've spoken to a couple guys w/ Military time (Vietnam era) that said it does not take much to touch off a series 70 w/out the firing pin block. I'm new to 1911's and trying to learn what's what so I can make an informed decision.
 
No, it is not viable to add a firing pin block to a Series 70 gun. If you drop a Series 70 gun, it may go off. I've seen a test by a gunsmith who got a Series 70 gun to go off dropping it 4 feet onto a concrete floor. Changing the firing pin to titanium allowed it to remain safe up to an 8 foot drop.

In contrast, Series 80 guns are drop safe. S&W use a Swatrz-style firing pin safety and are also drop safe.

If you want a 1911 gun that is drop safe, then get a series 80 or a S&W.

Personally, I would not buy an RIA.
 
The RIA is a standard 1911A1 design without a firing pin block. I own 3 1911's of this style. (no block)
Let's look at how the 1911 operates. There is no way to have a round in the chamber with the hammer down unless you manually lower it onto the firing pin. (shudder)
The gun is normally either "cocked and locked' or has no round in the chamber. Firing pin blocks on the 1911 platform are an answer in search of a problem that does not exist.

Have no fear. If you want an RIA (Armscor) pistol, have at it.

Good luck.
 
ipscdrl said:
Only if it is broken, or you have done something very stupid like lower the hammer on a live round.
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No, you are incorrect. Series 70 safeties do not prevent the firing pin from moving. The only thing that keeps the firing pin from moving is the firing pin retaining spring. If you drop a 1911 from a high enough height onto a hard enough surface and it lands on its muzzle, the inertia of the firing pin will overcome the retaining spring and strike the primer. Unfortunately, with a steel firing pin and a concrete floor, it only takes about a 4 foot drop for this to happen.

Gunsmith Drake Oldman actually performed drop tests with a Series 70 1911: http://vuurwapenblog.com/2010/11/23/1911-drop-testing/

I have seven 1911s, five of which are Series 70 guns. My main carry gun is a Series 70 (and it is currently on my hip). I love Series 70 guns, but I accept the trade-off that the gun simply is not drop-safe. Most modern handguns are drop-safe.

Finally, while I am absolutely against carrying a 1911 with the hammer down, having the hammer down on the inertia firing pin actually won't increase the risk of the gun going off. When the 1911 hammer is down, it is flush against the back of the slide. If you smack the hammer, the hammer itself can't move down any further, so it wouldn't be contributing to movement of the firing pin. There are plenty of reasons against carrying a 1911 with the hammer down, but doing so won't increase the chances of the gun going off if you drop it.
 
The new Remington R1 is a very good alternative, and US made. Has the pin block. If set up right, you can't tell the difference between a 70/80 series 1911A1.
 
Greg, Is it only being offered in 5" ? Reason being I'm looking for a Commander size. That's why I was looking for an RIA, (sub $500) platform gun.
 
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Have you considered a fullsize? The hard part of concealing a 1911 isn't the barrel length, but the butt length, and the fullsize and commander have the same length butt.
 
I have. For what ever reason, probably perception, the fullsize 1911 feels huge when I handle/shoot it. The Commander for no real explainable reason just, "Feel's" better ??? I'm looking at the S&W 4.25 w/ofc. frame and an S&W micro 3" but both are at that 1k figure. I know it's probably worth it, but I was looking forward to the experience of building up the gun and, "Making it my own"
 
45collector said:
I'd stay away from any 1911 with less than a 4.25" bbl. That's just me though.
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Agree completely. Skip the officer's size.

For what ever reason, probably perception, the fullsize 1911 feels huge when I handle/shoot it. The Commander for no real explainable reason just, "Feel's" better ???
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Your gun, your choice. I prefer the fullsize and I'm not a big guy. And I'll take all the sight radius I can get.
 
Where is the "slap my own forehead icon" when I need it? [rolleyes]
Of course you are correct M1911. So I guess the stupid move I was referring to was dropping the gun. [laugh]
 
One advantage of the Series 80 pistol is the wide front sight tenon. Series 70 pistols and earlier use a narrow tenon to secure the front sight. This narrow tenon was designed for the early (tiny) front sights and isn't strong enough to hold a high visibility front sight. Eventually they shoot off. The wide tenon of the Series 80 pistols cured this problem.
 
Gammon said:
One advantage of the Series 80 pistol is the wide front sight tenon. Series 70 pistols and earlier use a narrow tenon to secure the front sight. This narrow tenon was designed for the early (tiny) front sights and isn't strong enough to hold a high visibility front sight. Eventually they shoot off. The wide tenon of the Series 80 pistols cured this problem.
Click to expand...
That's true of real Colt Series 70s. But many (most?) Series 70 clones have dovetailed front sights, so that isn't an issue.
 

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