[Hilton Yam]

Like many members here, I am a big fan of 1911's in all forms. My first 1911 was a Colt Series 80 Gold Cup, later a 1991A1. In searching for base pistols for those "heirloom" custom guns, I started looking at old Colts. I recently found a 1959 commercial Colt and a 1981 Series 70 (small letter rollmark). It's interesting to see the difference between the two. Both have nice polished blue flats with matte contours and all the standard GI fittings. The rollmarks on both are equally attractive, to my eyes. The fit and finish on the '59 is just a bit better, with considerably better slide to frame fit. The '59 is a much better gun overall, and it's cool to hold a gun that was made when Colt still had gunsmiths and craftsman really handfitting each part.

One question: both guns have barrel throats opened for wadcutters. Is this pretty safe to assume that a smith did this? I was under the impression that Colts came with milspec bbl throats. If so, the '59 was done very nicely, while the S.70 has some collateral Dremel damage. No biggie on either, since they're going to be base guns, not collectors and the barrels will be dumped anyway. Can't tell if the ramps were worked on, though they are the correct depth in relation to the existing barrels. Anyone have hints on what to look for here? The contours and angles all seem correct on the ramps.

 

[Anthony Lombardo]

hilt-
IMO, if the feed ramp has been polished, it is not original. Every NIB or unaltered 70 series and earlier GM I have seen has had bluing over the feedramp, so if that bluing has been altered, its been modified outside the factory, in most cases.

But since you are using them as base guns, nice finds.

I am sending EGW a nice 70 series Combat government to build a tactical package on.

(3 month turnaround at a decent price :smile:

 

[Walking Point]

I have 12 1911s(unless you count the P-10), and all of them are pre series 70. I do believe these are better handguns than the newer Colts.